Cable lobby to sue Trump FCC over repeal of national TV ownership cap
Cable industry to sue, says FCC can't repeal TV ownership limit set by Congress.
The cable lobby is preparing to sue the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over its recent repeal of the National Television Ownership Rule. This rule caps the number of broadcast TV stations a single company can own. The cable groups argue that the repeal will allow larger broadcast TV station groups to exert more influence, potentially leading to higher retransmission fees and increased monthly TV bills for consumers.
They contend that the FCC's decision to revoke the rule is arbitrary and unjustified, ignoring the potential harms that may arise from exceeding the national cap. The cable lobby represents major providers such as Comcast and Charter, as well as other cable operators. It's worth noting that these top cable companies have also expanded their reach through mergers.
Charter's recent acquisition of Cox in August, following the FCC's rejection of protests from advocacy groups, has raised concerns about unchecked gatekeeper power over internet distribution and the potential for increased prices for consumers.
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