The nine companies further disagreed with Salem Media, which opposes relaxing FM radio subcaps for fear of destroying religious radio and disincentivizing AM investment. They cite data from Edison Research showing that “Americans are rapidly abandoning both AM and FM broadcast radio in their vehicles for digital streaming platforms.” They also believe iHeart overlooks that FM radio’s viability also has been affected by technological innovations, and that the use of both AM and FM radio in vehicles is declining.
The nine groups took issue with anti-deregulation arguments from familiar opponents like musicFirst.īut they also challenged iHeartMedia’s argument that the relevant product market in analyzing the ownership rule should be limited to the local radio market, calling iHeart’s thinking “underinclusive and short-sighted.” They said iHeart is ignoring that local radio competes with unregulated digital audio platforms for the same audiences and ad dollars. iHeart proposes eliminating ownership limits on AM stations but retaining the current local restrictions on FMs. The NAB favors abolishing AM caps entirely and raising FM limits. In each of the largest Nielsen markets, a licensee currently can own up to eight radio stations, but a subcap limits a licensee to owning no more than five in either the AM or FM service in a given market. They are represented by David Oxenford of Wilkinson Barker Knauer. The nine companies are Connoisseur Media, Townsquare Media, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Midwest Communications, Frandsen Family Stations, Forever Media, Neuhoff Communications, Eagle Communications, Patrick Communications and Legend Communications. The joint comments were filed in the FCC’s latest quadrennial review process. They also criticized iHeartMedia and Salem Media for their stances on the issue. That’s the message from nine radio companies, who say broadcast radio can’t compete without greater economies of scale.
If the FCC wants to protect localism and diversity, it should allow more consolidation in local radio markets.
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