Coalition and Cable Lobby Challenge FCC Repeal of 39% TV Ownership Cap
A coalition of nonprofits and unions has filed an emergency petition to block the FCC's repeal of the 39% national TV ownership cap, arguing the agency lacks the legal authority to override a congressional mandate. Cable industry groups have simultaneously threatened lawsuits, warning that the repeal will raise consumer bills through increased retransmission fees. The FCC, led by Chair Brendan Carr, maintains it can replace the cap with case-by-case reviews to promote public interest, despite prior approvals of massive mergers like the Nexstar-Tegna deal.