FCC Grants First 100% Foreign Control of US Broadcasters

The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has granted a petition by a pair of Australian citizens to control 100% of broadcast stations (four radio stations in Alaska and Texas). The FCC has granted aggregate foreign investments in broadcast licensees of up to 49.99% under foreign ownership rules loosened in 2013 (the Pandora decision), and just last month allowed foreign investors to own up to a 49% equity stake in TV and radio station owner Univision, including up to a 40% stake by Mexico's Televisa. But this is the first time it has allowed 100% foreign ownership of the parent of broadcast licensees.

The FCC's Media Bureau, which issued the declaratory ruling Feb. 23 allowing the ownership change, said the petition had been unopposed and that it had consulted with the "relevant agencies" on law enforcement, national security, foreign policy and trade issues—and none of those agencies raised any objections or said any conditions should be put on the deal.