Viacom has has pulled its CBS and Infinity Broadcasting networks out of the US’ National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) after a continued disagreement over the television audience limit imposed on each broadcasting group. The move follows similar withdrawals from Fox and NBC.
The major networks have all left NAB because it agrees with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) position that no one group should reach more than 35% of US households with its television network. This legislation benefits smaller, locally-owned stations. Such stations are worried that if the cap is removed, their negotiating power for programmes will be significantly diminished.
The major networks have petitioned the FCC, claiming that the rules are no longer appropriate due to the increase in competing media outlets.
“For some time we have called for the elimination of the national broadcast ownership cap as well as other outmoded regulatory constraints on broadcasters. It has now become clear that we cannot remain within an organisation that is actively working against those objectives,” read a CBS statement.
The networks’ case has been taken to the FCC and to the courts where a challenge is pending.
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