The National Association of Broadcasters has intensified its campaign to push the Federal Communications Commission toward swift deregulation of longstanding broadcast ownership limits. In a detailed 87-page reply comment submitted on January 16, 2026, the NAB reinforced its position that current restrictions on local radio and television station ownership no longer serve the public interest in an era dominated by digital media giants and online advertising platforms, according to Radio World.
The organization described the existing rules as relics from nearly a century ago, designed for a media environment that bears little resemblance to today’s landscape. Broadcasters face intense competition from streaming services, social media companies, and tech platforms that capture vast audiences and advertising dollars without facing similar regulatory constraints. The NAB argued that these asymmetric regulations artificially limit broadcasters’ ability to achieve necessary scale, attract investment, expand audiences, and generate sufficient revenue to sustain operations.
Under the current local radio ownership framework, a single licensee can own up to eight commercial stations in the largest markets, but additional subcaps restrict ownership to no more than five stations per band in certain areas, with even tighter limits in smaller markets. The NAB called for the complete elimination of these caps and subcaps, asserting that they prevent radio operators from responding effectively to market shifts. Over the past two decades, radio has experienced sharp declines in audience share and advertising income, trends the association attributed primarily to external digital competitors rather than intra-industry consolidation.
By removing these barriers, broadcasters could better invest in local programming, including news, emergency alerting, and community-oriented content that remains free to the public. The NAB emphasized that deregulation would enable stations to innovate, improve service quality, and maintain relevance without imposing costs on taxpayers or listeners. The group highlighted support from small and mid-sized operators, including those with limited holdings in single markets, who view the rules as obstacles to economic viability.
The filing came as part of the FCC’s ongoing 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review, a congressionally mandated process to evaluate whether broadcast ownership rules remain necessary given changes in competition. The review focuses on local radio ownership limits, local television rules, and the dual network prohibition. Reply comments closed on January 16, 2026, marking a key milestone in the proceeding. With a Republican majority at the commission, including Chairman Brendan Carr, observers anticipate a favorable environment for reforms that align with reducing regulatory burdens on traditional media.
Opposition to the NAB’s proposals surfaced from various groups. The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters expressed concerns that further deregulation could harm minority-owned stations by intensifying financial pressures in mid-sized and smaller markets. Other critics, including music industry advocates from organizations like the musicFIRST Coalition and Future of Music Coalition, raised issues tied to broader economic dynamics, though the NAB dismissed many of these arguments as misapplied or rooted in unrelated policy disputes, such as performance rights royalties.
The NAB countered by pointing to the music sector’s own high level of consolidation, dominated by a few major labels generating substantial hourly revenues, in stark contrast to the more modest earnings of most radio stations. The association described opposing views as relying on outdated or selectively presented data, with only a small number of parties actively defending the status quo.
Broader industry context includes recent congressional interest in modernizing ownership policies, with leaders in the House urging the FCC to act on related television caps. Previous court decisions and commission actions have already modified certain restrictions, creating momentum for further changes. If the FCC moves forward with significant deregulation, it could reshape the broadcasting sector by facilitating mergers, acquisitions, and operational efficiencies that help local stations compete more effectively against unregulated digital rivals.
The NAB urged the commission to conclude the review expeditiously and eliminate the remaining competition-distorting limits to foster a more balanced media ecosystem. As the agency deliberates, the outcome could determine the future trajectory of local broadcasting, influencing everything from content diversity and local journalism to emergency communications and community engagement in communities across the country.
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