FCC Chairman Carr moves to break national networks' grip on local TV

WASHINGTON, DC: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr said on Wednesday, March 18, that the Trump administration is working to “rebalance” the US media landscape, with a focus on strengthening the role of local television stations.

Speaking on the 'Pod Force One' podcast with Miranda Devine, Carr said the administration’s priority is to support local broadcasters in making programming decisions that reflect their communities.

Carr said the current media structure allows national networks to exert significant influence over local stations, often distributing centrally produced content across multiple markets. He argued that this model can limit local editorial control.

Local stations urged to override network content when needed

Carr said local affiliates should exercise greater discretion when national programming conflicts with local audience expectations.

He pointed to a recent incident involving late-night programming as an example of affiliates choosing not to air a broadcast following controversial remarks.

According to Carr, some station owners opted to preempt scheduled programming in response to viewer concerns. He said such decisions reflect the ability of local stations to act independently within the existing broadcast framework.

Carr cites Jimmy Kimmel case to highlight affiliate independence

Carr referenced a previous situation involving late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, where network affiliates declined to carry certain content following public criticism. The episode also led to internal action by the network, including a temporary suspension.

During that period, several major station groups, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, chose not to air the program in certain markets.

Carr said this demonstrates how local affiliates can respond to content decisions independently of national networks.

He added that the FCC supports efforts that allow stations to make programming choices based on local considerations.

Broadcasters encouraged to air patriotic stories

Carr also discussed the FCC’s 'Pledge America Campaign', which encourages broadcasters to feature content tied to national themes, including the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

He said the initiative promotes programming such as civic messaging and historical content, adding that such material often resonates with audiences.

Carr stated that the FCC aims to ensure local broadcasters have the flexibility to select content that aligns with their audience preferences while maintaining compliance with existing regulatory standards.