FCC Extends Comment Deadline on National TV Ownership Cap

Photo courtesy of Flash.Pro via Flickr through the Creative Commons License

On Feb. 12, the Commission announced that it would extend the comment deadline for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding potential changes to the national television ownership cap. Comments are now due by March 19 and reply comments will be due by April 18.

The NPRM was adopted on Dec. 14 beginning the FCC's "comprehensive review" of the national television ownership cap. As we wrote about back in December, the NPRM addresses the current prohibition on any entity owning or controlling television stations that reach more than 39 percent of US television households. The NPRM requests comment on whether the Commission can and should reduce or completely eliminate the national ownership cap in light of changes in the media landscape since it was adopted back in 2004. The FCC also seeks comment on whether or not the UHF discount should be modified or eliminated altogether.