FCC wants to relax kids' TV rules for the Netflix era

The Federal Communications Commission has begun the process of loosening requirements for children's TV programming, arguing that the old rules aren't needed in the era of kids-focused apps and streaming services.  When it comes to kids' content, tech companies like Netflix, Amazon and Google have stolen huge market share from traditional media companies. Still, children's advocates say relaxing the rules for broadcasters may make it harder for families without reliable broadband access to find age-appropriate content. 

Broadcasters have to adhere to a lot of mandates to keep their licenses, while tech companies face no rules. This is an instance of the current FCC deregulating telecom and media entities under the theory that stripping away regulations on traditional companies will help them keep up with their Silicon Valley competitors. Kids' advocates argue that, while many households have access to other content options, chipping away at the rules will hurt vulnerable households who still rely on over-the-air television for children's programming, and those that can't afford broadband, cable or Netflix or Amazon Prime subscriptions. They call the draft proposal a "wish-list for broadcasters, which does nothing to serve the needs of children."