AXIOS (Sara Fischer) - FCC votes to lift broadcast ownership cap
The FCC on Thursday voted 2-1 to eliminate the national TV ownership cap rule that bars a single broadcaster from owning stations that reach more than 39% of U.S. TV households. Why it matters: The party-line vote clears the way for local broadcasters to merge, giving single broadcast ownership groups far more reach than they previously could have. - FCC chairman Brendan Carr has long argued that the cap was outdated and limits the ability of broadcasters to consolidate to compete with tech firms and streamers. Zoom in: The FCC said in a statement that deals would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis that authorizes deals that satisfy the agency's public review standard. - "This will empower the FCC to approve deals that promote the…