Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Radio Skit Gone Wrong Draws $20,000 Proposed Fine for False Emergency Alert Wireless Microphones Operating on Unauthorized Frequencies Generate Hefty Proposed Fine FCC Issues Citation […]
This week, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Public Notice that announced 100 percent electronic filing capability for license applications in the Wireless Radio Services. Accordingly, the filing of all wireless license applications via the Wireless Telecommunication Bureau’s online Universal Licensing System (ULS), or the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filings System (ECFS), will become mandatory...… Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has released a draft Order which is likely to be adopted at the Commission‘s May 13 meeting. The order would bring to an end a long process spearheaded by Anterix (formerly PDV) to gather up and reshuffle the now untidily interleaved narrowband and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR)...… Continue Reading
The responses by the major record labels to Commissioner O’Rielly’s inquiry into allegations of payola practices (see our article here) were published last week while we were all distracted with pandemic issues. While the responses (available here on the Commissioner’s twitter feed) were perhaps not surprising – saying that the record labels do not engage... Continue Reading…
On April 16, 2020, we wrote about new rules governing applications for and the operation of Low Power FM (“LPFM”) radio stations that were scheduled for adoption by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) at its monthly meeting on April 23. The new rules were indeed adopted, although by written vote of the Commissioners the day...… Continue Reading
Taking a station off the air is often the last resort of a broadcast company in desperate financial times. While Payroll Protection Act loans have helped many small broadcasters avoid that action even in light of the dramatic decrease in broadcast advertising revenue in the last two months, and some relief may come in areas... Continue Reading…
Broadcast Deadlines: May 4, 2020 FM Boosters and Hyper-local Broadcasting – Comments are due with regard to a petition for rulemaking by GeoBroadcast Solutions LLC asking the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) to permit radio broadcasters to use single frequency network (SFN) technology to provide hyper-local programming, emergency alerting, and advertising. TV White...… Continue Reading
During most months, FCC procedures, rules and regulations, with their mostly predictable schedules and deadlines, give broadcasters a feeling of routine. In this time of stay-at-home orders, social distancing measures, and face-mask wearing, even FCC deadlines cannot provide the semblance of normality we are all looking for. In fact, May is one of those months... Continue Reading…
Over the last month, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has taken a flurry of COVID-19 pandemic-related actions aimed at increasing access to telehealth and making it easier for carriers to voluntarily assist K‑12 schools, libraries, and health care providers as they respond to COVID-19. Most dramatically, the Commission voted on April 2,...… Continue Reading