FCC Seeks Comments on Local TV Station, Network Relationships

The Federal Communications Commission is soliciting public comments on the relationship between local TV stations and the networks that provide them with programming, a potential prelude to major rule changes in the industry.

The inquiry is designed to explore the market dynamics between national programmers, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox and their local affiliates, according to a public notice of the request. It will examine decisions by media companies to shift content from local stations to their streaming services, the contracts networks sign with the stations, as well as any behavior that should be prohibited.

“The overarching goal here is ...