WASHINGTON, DC—The FCC’s Quadrennial Review Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is a major topic of conversation in the radio broadcasting industry, as federal officials review whether or not the FCC’s broadcast ownership rules remain “necessary in the public interest as the result of competition.”

Womble Bond Dickinson telecom attorney Gregg Skall filed comments with the FCC on behalf of the California Broadcasters Association, asking the FCC to revisit these rules. Radio World recently reported on the CBA’s filing, quoting Skall’s written comments to the FCC on behalf of the organization.

“Broadcast television and broadcast radio are no longer markets unto themselves,” Skall wrote. “The commission and all government authorities must be cognizant that the digital revolution has expanded the competitive marketplace.”

Skall added that the FCC must recognize that radio and television broadcasters now must compete with various digital services for listeners and viewers. In response, the CBA and Skall say AM subcaps,which limit the number of stations an owner can own in a market, need to be discarded.

“Such a revision could be critical to the survival and revitalization of AM radio,” Skall wrote.

Click here to read “CBA to FCC: Rethink Broadcast Market Definitions” in Radio World.

Gregg Skall represents broadcasters and other parties in their regulatory dealings before the Federal Communications Commission and in their commercial business dealings. He serves as Washington Counsel to several state broadcaster associations. He also works with telecommunications companies and with radio device manufacturers to obtain FCC approvals.