US agency ends 39% local TV station ownership cap

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 : The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to rescind the rule that bars local broadcast station owners from reaching more than 39 per cent of the total number of U.S. TV households in a move that could help spark industry consolidation.The FCC voted 2-1 to lift the cap in favor of a new case-by-case approach. The commission's sole Democrat, Anna Gomez, said the proposal was illegal and argued only Congress can lift the cap. Many critics argue the move will lead to excessive market power among station owners.Under the rules, stations with weaker over-the-air signals can be partially counted against a company's ownership cap. The FCC has limited ownership of local broadcast stations since 1941 and most recently raised the cap to 39 per cent in 2004.FCC Chair Br