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President-Elect Trump appoints Brendan Carr as FCC Chairman.
- Thread starter Bill Betten
- Start date
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No surprise. Carr spent the last year auditioning for the job. He wrote the FCC chapter in Project 2025, so we all know what he will do. His first order of business will be to have the FCC reconsider Audacy's bankruptcy plan. The one he testified about for congress. In order to get his approval, the company will have to find another source for $400 million. All of a sudden, Jeff Smulyan has a couple new potential buyers of his FM station in NYC. Companies who have been unable to buy stations due to ownership limits will now see those limits removed.
More details here:
www.yahoo.com
After the election, Carr announced the FCC should "stop any work on partisan matters."
www.radioworld.com
More details here:
Donald Trump Picks Brendan Carr, Who Has Attacked Tech Platforms For Content Moderation Practices, As Next FCC Chair
Donald Trump has picked Brendan Carr to serve as his next FCC chairman, selecting the senior Republican on the commission who has promised to rein in Big Tech. Carr’s choice had been expected. Trump n...
After the election, Carr announced the FCC should "stop any work on partisan matters."
Carr Says FCC Should Stop Work on Partisan Matters - Radio World
Brendan Carr says the Federal Communications Commission should stop work now on controversial issues until after Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.
www.radioworld.com
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This is presupposing that they have the financing or the ability to obtain financing. I don't see a land rush of station acquisitions in the Top 50 markets. However, being completely honest, a relaxation of the ownership caps in markets 101 and smaller would be something I would personally be glad to test and take advantage of.
They don't have to spend money. What I expect to see is the Top 5 radio companies swap stations in such a way that each company increases their footprint in major markets without taking on new debt. And then there's the rumored Audacy-Cumulus merger.
The NAB is celebrating in DC over this:
www.nab.org
“NAB congratulates Commissioner Carr on his selection as the next chairman of the FCC. Commissioner Carr has been a steadfast leader in holding Big Tech accountable and supporting policies that will allow local broadcast stations to better compete with these behemoths and thrive. We are excited to continue our work with the chairman-designate to level the playing field and remove regulatory barriers that impede investment in local broadcast newsrooms. Together we will ensure local television and radio stations can innovate and continue to serve communities across the country.”
NAB Congratulates Brendan Carr on Selection as FCC Chairman
NAB congratulates Commissioner Carr on his selection as the next chairman of the FCC.
“NAB congratulates Commissioner Carr on his selection as the next chairman of the FCC. Commissioner Carr has been a steadfast leader in holding Big Tech accountable and supporting policies that will allow local broadcast stations to better compete with these behemoths and thrive. We are excited to continue our work with the chairman-designate to level the playing field and remove regulatory barriers that impede investment in local broadcast newsrooms. Together we will ensure local television and radio stations can innovate and continue to serve communities across the country.”
“Big Tech” of course doesn’t include any of the companies providing AI for stations to use on air, right?
Carr: The FCC’s most recent budget request said that promoting DEI was the agency’s second highest strategic goal.
Starting next year, the FCC will end its promotion of DEI.
Starting next year, the FCC will end its promotion of DEI.
All that means is that white men will continue to own American media, as they have for 100 years
For 25 years, under both dems & reps, the FCC has been unable to improve minority ownership of media. So now nothing will change.
As for hiring guidelines, it really doesn't matter since radio companies aren't really hiring a lot of people.
It also doesn't include any of the companies owned by Elon Musk. Although Musk has a lot to say about AI:
The push for Elon Musk to lead American AI policy is already starting
Musk has pushed for a moratorium on AI development.
www.theverge.com
It also doesn't include Google:
Google breakup likely off the table under Trump | TechTarget
President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that antitrust remedies like a company breakup in the Google case might be too extreme.
It also doesn't include TikTok:
Trump has promised to 'save TikTok'. What happens next is less clear
After a tumultuous year filled with anxiety and a legal fight about its future in the U.S., TikTok may have just been thrown a lifeline by the man who was once its biggest foe.
apnews.com
It probably won't include Apple:
The Trump, Musk and Tim Cook triangle: how Apple will try for tariff exemptions
With a second Trump presidency just around the corner Apple will once again have to fight for tariff relief, an ordeal made more complicated by the presence of Elon Musk.
www.phonearena.com
So I'm not sure what Mr. Carr will do about big tech. Things have changed a lot since 2016.
"When the transition is complete, the FCC will enforce this public interest obligation."
The term "public interest" isn't defined in the law. It's a very vague term that could mean anything.
In his testimony to congress he has already said that Audacy's bankruptcy plan was not in the public interest.
Look for content restrictions, any criticism of the Trump administration will at least get you in the hearing room. No pro-LGBTQ content, no info on how to get an abortion. We'll have a reverse fairness doctrine, to where broadcasters will have to air the views of quacks and conspiracy theorists.
Sinclair gets all the TV stations it ever wanted.
The current FCC chair spoke out in the dispute between the state of Florida and local TV stations. Carr is likely to do more than take sides:
CNN has this perspective on Brendan Carr:
The potential for corruption and abuse of power is simultaneously staggering and unsurprising.
And yet people wanted him back. 🤦♂️
That reminds me of a comment that has been previously posted on these forums.
Want to know what the future of FM radio sounds like? Just listen to what AM radio has become.
Want to know what the future of AM radio sounds like? Just listen to private U.S. shortwave stations.
I think we’re going to see more odious and noxious content, which will drive more people away from traditional radio. Race to the bottom.
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