FCC scraps cap on broadcast TV ownership despite worries it will spark media consolidation

The contentious vote and strong opposition underscore deep divisions over the future of local media ownership

The 22-year-old rule barred any single company from reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households; critics say only Congress can lift it

In a 2-1 vote, the commission eliminates a rule that kept station groups from reaching more than 39 percent of TV households.

The Federal Communications Commission voted to eliminate a cap on the share of U.S. television households a single company can reach

The FCC removed a key constraint on broadcasters’ ability to consolidate stations, voting to repeal an ownership cap put in place to try to limit to power of any one media company. The FCC’s 2-1 vote on Thursday was to repeal a restriction that limits companies from owning stations reaching more than 39% of TV…