FCC repeals 39% national TV ownership cap in final rule, effective January 11, 2027

The Federal Register of Thursday, November 12 carries the FCC final rule repealing the national television multiple ownership rule, the cap that for decades barred a commercial television licensee from holding a cognizable interest in stations whose combined national audience reach passed 39 percent of U.S. television households. The rule, adopted August 6, 2026 and released October 1, now goes into effect on January 11, 2027, 60 days after publication. From that date the FCC will judge proposed transactions that would have crossed the old ceiling individually, against its public interest goals of localism, competition and viewpoint diversity, rather than block them on a blanket numerical ba…