David Oxenford, Author at Tennessee Association of Broadcasters

NAB Requests Further Delay in Requirement that TV Stations Provide Audio Description of Non-Textual Emergency Information While Rule Changes are Considered

By David Oxenford|2024-11-19T11:56:39-06:00November 19th, 2024|Legal News|

Since 2015, TV broadcasters that transmit any emergency information visually in text during non-news programming have been required to convert that information into an audio broadcast on a station’s Secondary Audio Programming channel (its “SAP channel”). The SAP channels are usually used for Spanish and other non-English translations of the audio on TV programs. As... Continue Reading…

How FCC Regulation of Broadcasters May Change in a New Administration – Looking at the Pending Issues

By David Oxenford|2024-11-07T10:26:39-06:00November 7th, 2024|Legal News|

With the election over, broadcasters and their Washington representatives are now trying to decipher what the next administration will have in store at the FCC and other government agencies that regulate the media. Already, the DC press is speculating about who will assume what positions in the government agencies that make these decisions. While those... Continue Reading…

RMLC Announces Arbitration Decision on SESAC Royalties for Commercial Radio Stations for 2023-2026

By David Oxenford|2024-11-05T09:12:19-06:00November 5th, 2024|Legal News|

In a Press Release issued on November 1, the Radio Music License Committee announced the results of its arbitration with SESAC. Despite the arbitrators’ decision that rates for commercial radio broadcasters are going up modestly, RMLC declared the decision a win. How can an increase in royalties be a win? Let’s provide some background on... Continue Reading…

RMLC Announces Arbitration Decision on SESAC Royalties for Commercial Radio Stations for 2023-2026

By David Oxenford|2024-11-05T09:12:19-06:00November 5th, 2024|Legal News|

In a Press Release issued on November 1, the Radio Music License Committee announced the results of its arbitration with SESAC. Despite the arbitrators’ decision that rates for commercial radio broadcasters are going up modestly, RMLC declared the decision a win. How can an increase in royalties be a win? Let’s provide some background on... Continue Reading…

FCC Announces Second EEO Audit of 2024 – 150 Radio and TV Stations Targeted

By David Oxenford|2024-10-21T10:45:53-05:00October 21st, 2024|Legal News|

On Friday, the FCC released another EEO audit notice for 2024. The FCC’s Public Notice, audit letter, and the list of the 150 radio and TV stations selected for audit is available here. Those stations, and the station employment units (commonly owned or controlled stations serving the same area sharing at least one employee) with which they are associated,... Continue Reading…

FCC Opens Window for Filing for 12 New Noncommercial TV Stations While Other Commercial Filing Windows on Hold

By David Oxenford|2024-10-15T11:04:32-05:00October 15th, 2024|Legal News|

The FCC last week released a Public Notice announcing the opening of a filing window for parties interested in building new noncommercial TV stations at 12 communities in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Idaho, Iowa, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia. Applications by nonprofit educational organizations can be filed in a window opening on... Continue Reading…

Broadcasters Should Evaluate Attack Ads for Liability Concerns in the Final Weeks Before the November Election

By David Oxenford|2024-10-10T10:32:50-05:00October 10th, 2024|Legal News|

With less than a month to go before the November election, we can expect more and more attack ads, some of which may lead to cease and desist letters from the candidate being attacked. These letters can raise the risk of defamation claims against broadcasters and cable companies when the ads are not bought by... Continue Reading…

Broadcasters Should Evaluate Attack Ads for Liability Concerns in the Final Weeks Before the November Election

By David Oxenford|2024-10-10T10:32:50-05:00October 10th, 2024|Legal News|

With less than a month to go before the November election, we can expect more and more attack ads, some of which may lead to cease and desist letters from the candidate being attacked. These letters can raise the risk of defamation claims against broadcasters and cable companies when the ads are not bought by... Continue Reading…

FCC Applies Rural Radio Policy to Block Move of Silent AM Station to New City of License – Do We Still Need a Rural Radio Policy?

By David Oxenford|2024-09-19T11:12:15-05:00September 19th, 2024|Legal News|

Our recent posts have been obsessed with the FCC’s regulatory fees and the issues with the CORES fee filing system miscomputing the fees for many radio stations (an issue that seemingly has now been resolved so that payments can be made by the September 26 deadline). In doing so, we have minimized our coverage of... Continue Reading…

About David Oxenford