4-16-14
In a "Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and Order," the FCC did not buy the NAB's contention that increased competition from digital and other audio delivery platforms warranted a loosening of the current caps on radio ownership. The Commission rejected the NAB and CBS' claim that the current rules are "not necessary to promote our localism and diversity goals." For now, in a market with 45 or more stations, one company may own a total of eight stations, no more than five in the same service (AM or FM. Those numbers decrease (see below) based on the total number of stations per market.
Broadcasters can own:
- up to eight commercial radio stations in radio markets with 45 or more radio stations, no more than five of which can be in the same service (AM or FM).
- up to seven commercial radio stations in radio markets with 30-44 radio stations, no more than four of which can be in the same service (AM or FM).
- up to six commercial radio stations in radio markets with 15-29 radio stations, no more than four of which can be in the same service (AM or FM).
- up to five commercial radio stations in radio markets with 14 or fewer radio stations, no more than three of which can be in the same service (AM or FM) provided that an entity may not own more than 50 percent of the stations in such a market, except that an entity may always own a single AM and single FM station combination.
(4/17/2014 5:36:42 AM)
The big groups have already bought up most of the rating points in every market, so from my perspective, the damage is already done.
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