Broadcasters Ask Court to Keep Ownership Limit

Local television broadcasters asked a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision to strike down a regulation barring a company from owning a television station and a cable system in the same market.

The National Assn. of Broadcasters challenged a February order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that the Federal Communications Commission must rewrite a rule that limits companies to reaching 35% of TV homes with their own TV stations.

Companies such as News Corp. and Viacom Inc., each reaching about 39% of TV homes, sued to overturn the cap, arguing it was obsolete amid choices provided by cable TV and the Internet. Smaller station groups joined consumer advocates in arguing that keeping the limit would boost diversity and competition.