WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - A group representing

broadcast television stations and conservative cable news

channel Newsmax ( NMAX ) will square ‌off Tuesday on the fate ​of

rules that bar broadcasters from ‍reaching more than ⁠39% of ⁠the

total number of U.S. TV ‌households, according to ​testimony seen

by Reuters.

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee ⁠is holding ‍a ​hearing on

the 85-year-old national television ownership rule. Newsmax ( NMAX ) CEO

Chris Ruddy ‍will tell lawmakers the rule "remains one of the

last meaningful protections for competition and diversity in

the broadcast ​and ‍cable ecosystem," while the National

Association of Broadcasters ​will tell Congress to cap limits on

broadcasters' ability to compete for audience, advertising and

programming and will call it "past time ​to level the playing

field and eliminate this antiquated restriction."