Free Press Plans to Sue, and Courts Will Decide If the FCC Has Authority

The Federal Communications Commission voted 2–1 on Tuesday to eliminate the National Television Ownership Rule, a 39 percent cap on TV household reach set by Congress in 2004, replacing it with case-by-case merger reviews. Chairman Brendan Carr argued the change helps local broadcasters compete with streaming services, but Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez and advocacy group Free Press said only Congress can alter the cap. Free Press plans to sue, and courts will decide if the FCC has authority. Carr previously waived the rule for Nexstar's Tegna purchase, now challenged in court.