United States v. Storer Broadcasting Co.
United States Supreme Court
351 U.S. 192 (1956)
The FCC's Multiple Ownership Rules capped how many broadcast stations any one applicant could own, aiming to prevent overconcentration in the industry. Storer Broadcasting Co. (Storer) (plaintiff) applied for an additional Miami television station but was denied because it already owned the maximum permitted number of stations. Storer sued for review, asking the court to vacate the rules on the theory that they denied it the full and fair hearing guaranteed by Section 309 of the Federal Communications Act to every license applicant. The court of appeals agreed with Storer, and the FCC appealed.
Whether an applicant for a broadcasting license is denied the hearing to which it is statutorily entitled when the FCC has promulgated a rule that results in denial of the application.