The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday voted to advance its required quadrennial review of broadcast ownership regulations, opening a proceeding to consider whether limits on media consolidation remain in the public interest, given the rise of digital technologies and competition.

The agency will seek public comment on the Local Radio Ownership Rule, which caps the number of stations a company can own in one market, and the Local Television Rule, which restricts a single entity from controlling more than two TV stations in a market.

Bloomberg said broadcasters such as Nexstar Media (NXST) and Sinclair (SBGI) have long pressed the FCC to ease the restrictions regarding a single company's ownership of tv stations, arguing the restrictions put them at a disadvantage against streaming rivals.

The regulator said it will also examine the Dual Network Rule, which bars mergers among the "Big Four" broadcast networks.

The FCC said it wants to determine whether these rules continue to promote competition, localism and viewpoint diversity, or whether they hinder broadcasters' ability to adapt to technological change and compete with digital platforms.

Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Trusty voted in favor of launching the rulemaking, the FCC said.

The FCC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires.

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