The FCC Media Bureau is scrutinizing how Comcast and NBCUniversal manage their broadcast affiliates, according to a letter sent to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr expressed concerns that a perceived retreat from enforcing regulations designed to protect localism has allowed large national programmers to increase their control over licensed local broadcast stations. This, Carr argues, erodes the ability of local media to effectively serve their communities.

NBCUniversal acknowledged the inquiry, stating, “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 habitat that has grown increasingly competitive. Local stations are a critical part of Americans’ lives as a trusted source for news and life-saving weather data, and we will continue to invest heavily in this partnership to keep the broadcast business strong.”

Industry sources suggest that affiliates may be pressured into accepting terms that limit their editorial independence and their ability to cover news relevant to their local audiences. The FCC’s investigation aims to address these concerns regarding the balance of power between national networks and their local affiliates.