Brendan Carr defended the FCC’s authority over broadcast television. He argued Congress established unique obligations for broadcasters.
What We Know: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appeared on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street to explain why broadcast television remains subject to public interest requirements that don’t apply to cable networks, podcasts, or streaming platforms. Carr emphasized that the agency doesn’t decide what programming outlets should air. Instead, he said the FCC enforces standards that Congress established specifically for broadcasters using the public airwaves. He also pointed to online platforms as examples of outlets that operate outside those broadcast-specific rules.
What They Said: “Well, we don’t (make programming decisions). We don’t on cable. We don’t on podcasts. But what Congress has said is that if you are on this one unique medium, there are special public interest obligations. And it’s OK if the broadcaster doesn’t like it. In fact, there was a late-night show not that long ago that decided to take a segment that they otherwise would put on broadcast TV and put it on I think either YouTube or another online streaming service. And that’s fine. That doesn’t violate any FCC rule or regulation. But Congress ultimately put these rules in place, and we’ve got to enforce them.” – Brendan Carr
What Remains Unclear: Carr didn’t identify the late-night program he referenced or indicate whether the FCC is considering additional enforcement actions involving broadcasters. Likewise, he didn’t address whether Congress should revisit the decades-old public interest framework.
What It Means: Carr’s comments reinforce the FCC’s position that broadcast television occupies a distinct regulatory category. As streaming, podcasts, and digital video continue to compete for audiences, broadcasters remain subject to obligations that their online competitors don’t face. His remarks also signal that the agency intends to continue enforcing those longstanding requirements unless Congress changes the law.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.