Latest Roundup of Significant Television Regulation Trends in 2025
FCC's Deregulation Efforts Reshape 2025 Broadcast TV Landscape
In the first half of 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has emerged as a significant player in the broadcast TV landscape, spearheading a wave of deregulation aimed at modernising and streamlining broadcast and telecommunications rules.
The FCC's deregulatory policies have sparked hope for the potential elimination or relaxation of ownership caps, which were originally designed to preserve media diversity but are increasingly viewed as outdated in the face of digital and streaming platforms dominating the media economy. Industry leaders such as Gray Television, Scripps, Sinclair, and Allen Media are actively pursuing acquisitions and station swaps, signalling a growing confidence that the FCC will ease these limits.
One of the FCC's most notable moves is the Direct Final Rule to repeal 98 obsolete broadcast rules and requirements deemed outdated or unnecessary. This deletion process aims to reduce regulatory burdens and improve operational flexibility for broadcasters. The repeal will take effect in October 2025 unless significant adverse comments are filed.
Another hot topic in regulatory stories this year is the FCC's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While available information does not yet specify detailed regulatory changes directly addressing DEI mandates or policies, the deregulation focus appears mainly on reducing outdated rules and streamlining application processes rather than imposing new DEI requirements.
Concerning First Amendment issues, the FCC’s deregulatory approach—especially repealing dated broadcast regulations and easing ownership caps—is generally aligned with promoting broadcaster editorial independence and operational flexibility. By removing unnecessary regulatory constraints, the FCC arguably supports free speech by allowing broadcasters more freedom in content decisions without excessive government interference.
However, there is concern that the FCC's new focus on DEI might lead to onerous regulatory requirements. This concern is further fuelled by the FCC's attempts to regulate the content of broadcast newscasts, a topic of debate.
The popularity of these regulatory stories is evident in their ranking by page views, with the FCC's policies and actions central to the most popular stories of the year. Topics such as NextGenTV, 5G broadcast, and the FCC's attempts to regulate the content of broadcast newscasts have also featured prominently.
In summary, the FCC’s 2025 deregulation efforts centre on repealing obsolete broadcast rules and moving toward relaxed broadcast ownership caps that reflect the contemporary competitive media landscape. These moves aim to foster network modernization and broadcaster viability, with preliminary industry and political support. However, the potential impacts on DEI and First Amendment issues remain a topic of ongoing debate.
- Gray Television, Scripps, Sinclair, and Allen Media are pursuing acquisitions and station swaps, buoyed by the FCC's plans to ease broadcast ownership caps.
- The Direct Final Rule by the FCC aims to repeal 98 obsolete broadcast rules, reducing burdens and improving operational flexibility for broadcasters.
- The FCC's deregulation efforts have made NextGenTV, 5G broadcast, and content regulations hot topics in media and political conversations.
- The FCC's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a concern for some, as it might lead to potentially onerous regulatory requirements.
- The FCC's deregulation approach is considered by many to support broadcaster editorial independence and operational flexibility, promoting free speech.
- In 2025, the FCC's deregulatory policies are shaping the broadcast TV landscape, modernizing and streamlining broadcast and telecommunications rules.
- Politicians, broadcasters, and industry leaders are closely watching the FCC's actions on finance, technology, general-news, and media matters, with the NAB Show likely to serve as a barometer for the future of broadcasting.
