Fasten your seatbelts, broadcasters. A long-awaited regulatory review of the FCC’s radio and TV regulations could be on the way soon. At the same time, Chairman Brendan Carr has indicated that the Commission is willing to look at a rule that prohibits a merger between or among the “Big Four” broadcast networks.
The news comes as Sinclair Inc. has agreed to acquire another station it operates through a shared services agreement with a third party.
In a blog post outlining what’s on the agenda for the FCC’s September 30 monthly open meeting, Carr shared that the fourth item of business — following wireline and wireless telephone matters and “contraband” cellular phones in correctional facilities — will be focused on a vote to kick off the Commission’s quadrennial review of its broadcast ownership rules.
Specifically, Chairman Carr says the Commission will be seeking comment on the Local Radio Ownership Rule, which limits the total number of radio stations that may be commonly owned in a local market; and the Local Television Rule, which limits a single entity from owning more than two television stations in the same local market.
Interestingly, the Carr Commission also wishes to take a look at the FCC’s Dual Network Rule, which prohibits a merger between or among the Big Four broadcast networks.
In response to Carr’s revelation, NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt commended the Chairman “for jump-starting the long-overdue 2022 Quadrennial Ownership Review. Outdated rules have held broadcasters back for too long. Modernizing them means stronger local journalism, more investment in communities and the live sports fans count on. Broadcasters welcome this long-awaited step forward.”
No further information was shared by Carr; the FCC traditionally distributes its official agenda some 24 hours after the Commissioner discusses what’s on the docket for discussion. But, Carr did add that “it wouldn’t be a monthly FCC meeting in 2025 without a new tranche of regulations teed up for elimination as part of our In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding.”
For the latest action, the FCC teed up for removal an additional 29,335 words, 69 pages, and 387 rules and requirements from the books, including many from the “Ma Bell” era.
News of the start of a likely ownership rule thaw at the Commission came on the same day Sinclair agreed to purchase yet another SSA partner as it has placed its entire broadcast television holdings up for a strategic review.
This time, Sinclair is buying ABC affiliate WHAM-13 in Rochester, N.Y., from Deerfield Media for $6 million.
A joint sales agreement has been in place since December 2012 allowing Sinclair to handle advertising operational needs for WHAM, through its WUHF-TV in the market. At present, WHAM-13.2 is the home for The CW Network in Rochester.
WHAM-TV’s past owners include iHeartMedia predecessor Clear Channel Media + Entertainment. Before that, WHAM-TV was owned by Ackerley, and prior to that Guy Gannett Communications (from 1995-1997).
