NAB Urges FCC To Maintain “Vibrancy Of America’s Radio Stations” In response to the FCC’s most recent notice of proposed rulemaking regarding broadcast ownership regulations, the NAB is urging the Commission to approach its review of the local ownership restriction with “an eye toward maintaining the vibrancy of America’s radio stations.” “The Commission,” the NAB writes, “must have fair and rational rules so that local broadcasters can continue to provide many vital, free services that all Americans have come to expect.
“Because technological and competitive developments have dramatically and irrevocably altered the media landscape,” NAB continues, “the local ownership regulations are simply not necessary to promote the Commission’s goal of competition, diversity and localism. Competition has fragmented audiences and eroded the ad revenue that is critical to free, over-the-air broadcasting.
“Because current ownership limits inhibit broadcasters’ ability to respond to changing market forces by creating more effective ownership structures, many stations (especially those in smaller markets) are today facing grave economic conditions.”
