News In Brief

FCC lifts TV curbs on share of ad time

The Federal Communications Commission, in a landmark deregulatory decision, lifted restrictions Wednesday on the time commercial TV stations can devote to advertising.

The ruling also ends a requirement for detailed lists of programs the stations air, including those broadcast specifically in the public interest.

In another change, the stations will no longer have to tell the commission how they decide what issues were of public concern in their area. They will, however, have to submit a quarterly list of five to 10 issues they are addressing.

The commission, which unanimously approved the changes, said the decision would help over-the-air stations compete with other video operations.