On August 29, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a report on in-state broadcast programming, confirming data submitted by NAB that shows more than 99 percent of American households have access to in-state programming, either through an antenna or through a pay TV provider. The report, required by the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), provides extensive data on the amount of in-state and out-of-state broadcast programming households across the country can receive.

During negotiations leading to the passage of STELA, several members of Congress expressed concerns that their constituents may not be receiving in-state news and information from out-of-state broadcast stations. The report, in many ways, defuses that myth, showing that the current DMA structure provides the vast majority of TV viewers with local, in-state programming. The report also summarizes comments and criticisms by NAB and others on possible alternatives to the DMA structure, such as DMAs being redrawn along state lines; but the FCC did not make any specific recommendations on changes to the existing DMA structure.

The FCC is not required, nor expected at this time, to take any further action on in-state broadcasting.