FCC eliminates national TV station ownership cap

The FCC voted 2-1 on 6 August 2026 to eliminate the national cap limiting any one broadcaster's reach to 39% of U.S. TV households. Chairman Brendan Carr and commissioner Olivia Trusty voted for repeal; lone Democrat Anna Gomez voted against and called it "unlawful on its face," noting Congress set the 39% limit in 2012. The largest station groups can now buy outlets across more markets.