Television industry leaders appeared on Capitol Hill on Feb. 10, joining lawmakers in debating how a federal limit on station ownership impacts both competition and costs to consumers.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently reviewing its “ownership cap,” which prohibits companies from owning stations that collectively reach more than 39 percent of all households with televisions.
During a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy defended the cap and urged against further consolidation, as National Association of Broadcasters President Curtis LeGeyt described it as outdated.
The hearing underscored a central divide: whether broadcast consolidation is a necessary tool to survive a fragmented, tech-dominated media landscape—or a threat to local news, consumer costs, and democratic discourse….
Industry Leaders Debate Cap on TV Station Ownership During Senate Hearing
