Nexstar, the largest owner of local television stations in the United States, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) challenging its regulations on local TV station ownership.
The dispute centers on a 2018 FCC order that restricts the number of stations a single company can own in a single media market. The rule applies to full-powered stations, preventing companies like Nexstar from owning more than one of the “Big Four” networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) in a single market.
According to a report from The Desk, which reported this first, the FCC has recently clarified that this policy also applies to digital multicast channels and low-power television stations. Nexstar argues that this interpretation is unlawful and seeks a court order forcing the FCC to review its 2018 decision. You can find a full
The company contends that the FCC failed to properly consider relevant factors when it opted not to revise the current ownership regulations. If Nexstar prevails in court, it could pave the way for increased consolidation within the local TV landscape, potentially allowing single companies to own multiple stations in the same market.
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