Television: The Federal Communications Commission proposed Thursday...

Television: The Federal Communications Commission proposed Thursday to dramatically ease television ownership rules, a move that would let the four broadcast networks vastly expand their size and reach. As part of a broad reconsideration of rules for an increasingly competitive television industry, the commission unanimously voted to seek public comments on a plan to eliminate a provision that bars companies from owning more than 12 TV stations. It also proposed doubling to 50% the total percentage of American households that a network’s TV stations can collectively reach. Currently, each broadcast company is barred from owning TV stations that together cover more than 25% of the U.S. population (most stations carrying network programming aren’t actually owned by the networks). The FCC would increase the current limit by five percentage points every three years until the 50% ceiling is reached. Agency officials said they would also consider less sweeping ways to ease TV ownership limits as alternatives to the plan they put forth.