Cable groups plan lawsuit over FCC repeal of TV ownership cap

The challenge could keep limits on station ownership in place and restrain the fee pressure cable companies say would follow.

Cable lobby groups plan to sue the FCC to stop its repeal of the National Television Ownership Rule, arguing that looser broadcast ownership limits will strengthen station groups’ bargaining power and push retransmission costs higher for TV providers. The rule had capped how many broadcast TV stations one company could own, and the repeal would remove that constraint. The groups behind the challenge say they represent Comcast, Charter, and other cable operators. The dispute matters because it could affect how much cable companies pay broadcasters and, in turn, consumer TV bills.