Next month is gonna be a big one at the FCC. In addition to getting rid of net neutrality, the commission will also vote on a proposal to begin reconsidering the broadcast ownership cap. Depending on what the commission decides next year, the outcome could lead to far more consolidation of local TV stations, resulting in fewer independent voices.

The FCC has something called the “national TV ownership rule” that prevents one company from owning broadcast TV stations that reach more than 39 percent of US households. Due to some loopholes (that are at least somewhat related to the 1989 Weird Al film UHF), broadcasters can already reach more than 39 percent of households, though it requires some careful purchasing. The commission seems…

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