Station cap threatens free TV, says NBC's Wright.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Broadcasting & Cable, January, 2000 by Albiniak, Paige

The survival of free broadcast television is threatened by restrictions on broadcast station ownership, NBC President Bob Wright warned last week. As cable, Internet and other media continue to siphon viewers from broadcast TV, station groups must boost profits through consolidation and the ability to offer advertisers a local audience if they are to survive, Wright told the National Press Club in Washington. "It's very expensive to be in this business today. You must have more station ownership." NBC's 13 O&Os reach almost 27% of U.S. stations. The FCC's audience reach cap is 35% of U.S. households, and, so far, the regulators appear unwilling to lift the cap.

Wright harshly criticized the National Association of Broadcasters for opposing the major...

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