The FCC Just Changed the Rules. Here’s What I Think It Means for Television.

Today’s FCC vote to eliminate the 39% national television ownership cap is one of the most significant regulatory changes our industry has seen in years. While opinions will vary on whether it’s the right decision, I don’t think there’s much debate about one thing: this vote is likely to accelerate change across the broadcast television industry.

I’ve spent nearly 15 years recruiting leadership in television, and before that, another 15 years building recruiting organizations. One thing I’ve learned is that major industry shifts almost always create opportunity for some people and uncertainty for others. This one will be no different.

I don’t pretend to know exactly what the next 12 to 24 months will look like, but I do think we can make some educated assumptions.

First, I expect consolidation to continue. Large broadcast groups have argued for years that they have been competing against digital companies with virtually unlimited scale while operating under ownership rules created decades ago. Removing the ownership cap gives broadcasters more flexibility to pursue acquisitions and strategic growth. Whether that ultimately strengthens local television remains to be seen, but I don’t believe today’s vote will sit on the shelf. Companies don’t lobby for this kind of regulatory change without intending to use it.

That means investment bankers will be busy. Corporate leadership teams will evaluate acquisition opportunities that may not have been possible before today. Some deals will happen quickly, while others will take time to materialize. Regardless of the timeline, I believe the pace of change has increased.

Whenever consolidation occurs, there are usually two very different stories unfolding at the same time.

On one hand, stronger companies gain additional scale, invest in technology, expand digital capabilities, and create new leadership opportunities. I’ve seen executives receive promotions they never expected because their organization grew through acquisition.

On the other hand, mergers almost always create overlap. Duplicate corporate positions, regional leadership structures, centralized services, and organizational restructuring become part of the conversation. That’s not unique to broadcasting; it’s simply how business works. Companies look for efficiencies, and sometimes that means difficult personnel decisions.

That’s why I’ve always believed the best career advice isn’t to panic when headlines appear. It’s to prepare before they’re needed.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in this industry is talented people waiting until they’re forced into a job search before they begin networking. By then, they’re competing with hundreds of other professionals who are all entering the market at the same time.

The executives who consistently land on their feet usually approach their careers differently. They maintain relationships throughout the industry. They understand their market value. They know which companies are growing and which ones may be facing challenges. Most importantly, they have conversations before they need to have conversations.

That doesn’t mean they’re looking to leave their current employer. In fact, most of the executives Carver Talent places weren’t actively searching when we first spoke. They simply wanted to understand the market and keep their options open. Sometimes they stayed exactly where they were. Other times they found an opportunity they never would have discovered on their own.

I’ve always believed that’s a smarter way to manage a career than waiting for circumstances to make the decision for you.

If today’s FCC decision ultimately leads to another round of consolidation—and I believe it likely will—the professionals who will have the most options won’t necessarily be the ones with the strongest résumé. They’ll be the ones who have already invested in their professional network and stayed connected to what’s happening across the industry.

The television business has never stood still. We’ve navigated digital disruption, streaming competition, political cycles, retransmission battles, economic downturns, ownership changes, and more recently, unprecedented workforce reductions. Every challenge has forced the industry to evolve, and every period of change has created new opportunities for those willing to adapt.

I don’t believe local television is disappearing. I do believe it’s changing, and probably faster than many people expected.

Whether you’re a General Manager, Director of Sales, News Director, Chief Engineer, or an executive preparing for your next leadership role, my advice remains the same as it has always been: stay informed, keep your network active, and don’t wait until someone else determines your future before you begin thinking about it yourself.

The industry has entered another period of transformation. The leaders who embrace it will be in the best position to shape what comes next.

About Carver Talent

Carver Talent specializes in recruiting high-impact leaders across local television, digital media, revenue leadership, news management, and broadcast operations nationwide.

We understand this industry because we live in it every day.

And in a media landscape evolving this quickly, strategic talent decisions matter more than ever.

Ty Carver has over 30+ years of recruiting, HR management, sales, and leadership experience…including the last 15 specific to the broadcast media industry. He is the Founder/CEO of Carver Talent, a local broadcast media management recruiting firm. As the former Head of Recruiting for Raycom Media, he has deep industry relationships. Have a media corporate executive/management or television station management recruiting need? Contact ty@carvertalent.com for more information.