The party-line vote clears the way for local broadcasters to merge

The move sets the stage for more corporate consolidation in the media industry.

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 : The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to rescind the rule that bars local broadcast station owners from reaching more than 39 per cent…

In a 2-1 vote, the commission eliminates a rule that kept station groups from reaching more than 39 percent of TV households.

The vote could face legal scrutiny.

The effort will likely face legal trouble as critics insist Congress is the only federal body that is authorized to lift the cap.