Cable lobby groups plan lawsuit over FCC television ownership cap repeal

Cable industry trade groups have formally notified the Federal Communications Commission that they intend to file a lawsuit against the agency, Ars Technica reported. The planned legal action seeks to block the controversial repeal of the National Television Ownership Rule, which restricts how many broadcast television stations a single entity can operate. [1]

The cable industry argues that the commission lacks the legal authority to undo the national cap because the limit was established by Congress, according to Ars Technica. Trade organizations warned that allowing larger broadcast television station groups to form would give broadcasters increased leverage during negotiations for retransmission fees. [1]

According to Ars Technica, the cable groups stated in their notice that the agency arbitrarily and capriciously ignored the direct economic harms that will follow the decision. The industry groups warned that higher retransmission fees demanded by enlarged station owners will ultimately lead to higher monthly television bills for consumers. [1]

Brendan Carr has served as the chair of the Federal Communications Commission since 2025, after first being appointed as a commissioner in 2017. [2]