2026-22408·FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Review of the Commission's Broadcast and Cable Equal Employment Opportunity Rules and Policies; Delete, Delete, Delete

Final RuleEffective

Published: Nov 3, 2026
Effective: Nov 3, 2026
Citation: 91 FR 69223
Docket: MB Docket No. 98-204, GN Docket No. 25-133, DA 26-1058

Final rule.

Summary

The Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau has officially removed a portion of its broadcast and cable equal‑employment‑opportunity (EEO) rules. The deletion was required to bring the FCC’s regulations into line with a decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in National Religious Broadcasters v. FCC, which found that the eliminated section was not consistent with the law. The rule applies to all broadcast and cable entities that are subject to the FCC’s EEO requirements—such as television and radio stations, cable operators, and other licensed service providers. By striking the outdated rule and all related references, those companies no longer have to follow the specific reporting and compliance obligations that were contained in the deleted section. The order was published and became effective on November 3, 2026 (91 FR 69223). Because this is a final rule, the comment period has already closed and no further public input is being solicited. Going forward, the FCC’s rulebook will reflect the court‑mandated change, and affected broadcasters and cable operators will adjust their internal policies to comply with the revised set of EEO regulations.

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Official abstract

In this document, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts an Order that removes a section of the Commission's Rules and references to that section to conform the Commission's Rules to the decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in National Religious Broadcasters v. FCC.