On the Media The Man With a Plan to Reshape Broadcast TV
24 snips
Feb 21, 2026 
Daniel Suhr, president of the Center for American Rights and legal strategist behind recent FCC complaints. Jim Rutenberg, NYT media reporter tracing regulatory history. They discuss a campaign to revive old broadcast rules, how the FCC might pressure networks, and plans to reshape TV and ownership to shift programming and influence during elections.
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Colbert's Tallarico Segment Pulled From Broadcast
- Stephen Colbert recorded an interview with Texas state representative James Tallarico but was told CBS lawyers blocked airing it due to the equal time rule.
- Colbert posted the segment to YouTube where it reached over 8 million views instead.
FCC Uses Old Rules As Modern Leverage
- Brendan Carr is reviving long-dormant public interest and equal time provisions to pressure broadcasters over perceived liberal bias.
- The tactic leverages license-threats to influence network behavior without full judicial battles.
Complaints Tangled With Paramount Merger
- Daniel Suhr filed multiple complaints against major networks, including one tied to a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris near the end of the campaign.
- Paramount settled a related lawsuit for $16 million while its merger talks continued, creating leverage for the FCC.