WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to consider whether to lift the long-standing prohibition on a merger between any of the largest four broadcast networks and to consider relaxing other media ownership rules.
The FCC said it could reverse the rule that bars a merger among the “Big Four” networks: NBC, owned by Comcast , Walt Disney Co’s ABC, Paramount Skydance’s CBS or Fox after considering public comments. The FCC also said it is seeking public comment on whether to eliminate or revise a rule that limits a single entity from owning more than two of the four largest television stations in the same local market and a rule that limits the total number of local radio stations that may be owned in a single market.
(Reporting by David Shepardson)
