Legal Definitions - Carroll doctrine

The Carroll doctrine is a legal principle that allows an existing broadcast station (such as a radio or television station) to challenge the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to grant a new license to a competing station. The basis for this challenge is the argument that the new competitor would cause significant economic harm to the existing station, which could, in turn, lead to a decline in the quality or quantity of broadcast services available to the public. Essentially, it recognizes that too much competition in a limited market could financially cripple existing broadcasters, making it difficult for them to continue providing valuable public services.

Here are some examples illustrating the Carroll doctrine:

• Small Town Radio Station: Imagine "Harmony Radio," the only local station serving a small, rural community. Harmony Radio provides essential local news, weather updates, and broadcasts community events. The FCC proposes to license "Echo FM," a new station intending to serve the same audience. Harmony Radio could invoke the Carroll doctrine, arguing that the town's advertising market is too small to financially support two stations. If both stations struggle due to divided revenue, Harmony Radio might be forced to cut staff, reduce its local programming, or even cease operations, thereby diminishing the vital local broadcast service available to the community.

• Regional Independent Television: Consider "Channel 7 News," an independent television station that is a primary source of investigative journalism and local sports coverage in a mid-sized metropolitan area. The FCC considers granting a license to "Metro TV," another independent station. Channel 7 News could argue that the regional advertising market cannot sustain two independent stations providing similar services without both experiencing severe financial strain. This strain could force Channel 7 News to reduce its investment in costly local news production and investigative reporting, ultimately leading to a poorer quality of broadcast service for the viewers in the metropolitan area.

• Niche Market Radio: "Jazz Groove 99.1" is a popular jazz radio station in a large city, known for its unique programming and live broadcasts from local clubs. The FCC is considering licensing "Smooth Jazz 102.5," another station intending to broadcast jazz music in the same market. Jazz Groove 99.1 could invoke the Carroll doctrine, asserting that while the city has a large population, the specific audience for jazz music is not extensive enough to financially support two dedicated jazz stations. The resulting economic competition might force both stations to cut back on specialized programming, reduce talent, or even lead to one station's failure, thereby limiting the diversity and quality of jazz programming available to listeners.