FCC Probes Comcast and NBCUniversal's Affiliate Practices

FCC Launches Inquiry into Comcast and NBCUniversal's Affiliation Practices

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated an investigation into how Comcast and NBCUniversal manage their relationships with broadcast affiliates. In a statement released Tuesday night, the company expressed its willingness to cooperate with the inquiry and address the FCC’s questions.

“We have received an inquiry from the FCC and will cooperate with them to answer their questions. We are proud that for many decades we have supported local broadcast TV stations with world-class sports and entertainment, enabling them to drive viewership in a media environment that has grown increasingly competitive. Local stations are a critical part of Americans' lives as a trusted source for news and life-saving weather information, and we will continue to invest heavily in this partnership to keep the broadcast business strong,” the company stated.

According to reports, the FCC’s Media Bureau is examining the relationship between national programmers like Comcast and local broadcast TV stations. This comes after FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent a letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts earlier in the week, outlining concerns about the agency’s past inaction regarding regulations that govern these relationships.

In the letter, Rosenworcel noted that federal law sets guidelines for how national programmers interact with local stations. However, she pointed out that the FCC has historically avoided enforcing these rules. She argued that this lack of enforcement has allowed large national programmers to exert increasing control over local stations, creating tension between the interests of these stations and those of the national networks.

Rosenworcel highlighted that this dynamic has led to a growing distrust among Americans toward national news outlets. A 2024 Gallup survey showed that only 31% of Americans have a great deal or even a fair amount of trust in the mass media, which includes NBC. This figure represents a historic low for the industry, marking a steady decline from a high of over 70%.

The letter also referenced a quote from Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, about the current state of media. While representatives for the FCC did not immediately respond to inquiries, Newsmax reported that the investigation aims to determine whether Comcast’s business practices negatively impact the public service obligations or independence of local stations.

"Not only does this raise localism concerns under the FCC's statutory public interest standard, but it calls into question the extent to which some national programming networks are able to influence station operations," Rosenworcel wrote. "It also calls into question whether various terms of network affiliation agreements could unduly inhibit the ability of local broadcast TV."

While the exact trigger for the investigation remains unclear, it occurs against the backdrop of broader scrutiny of media practices. This includes the Trump administration’s criticisms of independent media, which Rosenworcel has consistently opposed. It is also not the first time that the FCC has investigated NBCUniversal or Comcast under her leadership.

Earlier this year, the FCC launched an investigation into the company for what it described as “promotion of DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion). This latest inquiry adds to a pattern of regulatory oversight focused on ensuring that media companies uphold their commitments to local communities and maintain the integrity of broadcast journalism.

As the investigation unfolds, it will be closely watched by stakeholders across the media landscape. The outcome could have significant implications for how national networks interact with local stations and the broader role of broadcast television in American society.