So, in a nutshell, you argument is essentially that two wrongs make a right. That is, you say: “Regulatory restrictions effectively prevent local TV stations from enforcing broadcast exclusivity agreements through preventative measures and in the courts,” and, therefore, “non-duplication and syndication rules balance broadcast regulatory limitations by providing clear mechanisms for TV stations to communicate their contractual rights to MVPDs.”

Sorry, but the easier and more principled solution here is not to continue to “regulate up” but it is instead to “deregulate down,” by placing all players on more even, less-regulated footing. Brent Skorup & I recently wrote an entire paper about it. [http://mercatus.org/publication/video-marketplace-regulation-primer-history-television-regulation-and-current]

Please tell us why we are wrong to want to get rid of all these rules and minimize the role of FCC to get this job done right once and for all. Because I think it makes a lot more sense than preserving and extending the archaic regulatory status quo of the analog era, which is what you seem to be suggesting here. We can enforce private contracts and handle program carriage issues without mountains of red tape. It happens in countless other capitalistic sectors; it can work here, too. Have a little faith in REAL free markets, my friend!

Adam T.