A federal appeals court blocked a Trump FCC order that would have extended the 'lowest unit charge' advertising discount to political parties and joint fundraising committees on broadcast TV. The 4th Circuit ruled in favor of four Democratic candidates who argued only individual candidates are entitled to the discounted ad rates under US law.
Background
The lowest unit charge (LUC) rule requires broadcasters to offer political candidate ads at their lowest commercial rates during the 60-day window before an election. This case tests whether the FCC can extend those rates beyond individual candidates to political parties and joint fundraising committees.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026 at 11:45 PM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10