NAB believes the FCC has no authority to change the local radio ownership limits set by Congress in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. In reply comments submitted to the commission, the association states the agency also lacks the authority to "refuse to approve radio station transactions permissible under the statutory limits."
A number of commenters believe consolidation has benefited consumers by expanding program diversity and "has not produced significant anti-competitive effects or market-power for radio groups," states NAB.
Replies in the ownership proceeding were due May 8.