FCC Advances 2022 Quadrennial Review of Broadcast Ownership Rules

The Federal Communications Commission voted to advance its quadrennial regulatory review of its broadcast ownership rules. Through the action, the FCC seeks comment on whether and how the media ownership rules serve the public interest in light of emerging technologies and constantly changing media marketplace conditions. The FCC is required by law to review certain broadcast ownership rules every four years to determine whether the rules remain “necessary in the public interest as the result of competition.” On December 22, 2022, the Commission released a Public Notice initiating the 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review and sought initial comment on whether the three media ownership rules subject to the quadrennial regulatory review remain necessary in their current form to serve the public interest or whether the rules should be modified or eliminated. With this action, the FCC will launch a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) 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. In addition, the Commission will seek comment on the Dual Network Rule, which effectively prohibits a merger between or among the Big Four broadcast networks.