News – Page 158 – Tennessee Association of Broadcasters

FCC Commissioner Asks Record Labels for Information About Payola Practices – What are the FCC Rules? How Do These Practices Compare to Online Music Providers?

By David Oxenford|2020-01-27T10:52:34-06:00January 27th, 2020|Legal News|

Last week, FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly was in the news for sending a letter to the major record labels asking for information about their practices in paying broadcast stations for airing the label’s music. The letter follows correspondence last year between the Commissioner and the RIAA (the Recording Industry’s trade group) asking for similar information,... Continue Reading…

February Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters—License Renewals, EEO Reporting, Rulemaking Comments, FM Auction Filing Deadline, Lowest Unit Rate Windows, and More

By David Oxenford|2020-01-23T10:12:07-06:00January 23rd, 2020|Legal News|

With the holiday season getting smaller in the rear-view mirror and many parts of the country dealing with ice, snow, and single-digit temperatures, broadcasters could be forgiven for dreaming about the sunshine and warmth that come with spring. Before spring arrives, however, broadcasters need to tend to important regulatory matters in February. And, if you... Continue Reading…

“Come See Us At The Superb Owl” – Don’t Try This At Home! 2020 Update on Super Bowl Advertising and Promotions

By Mitchell Stabbe|2020-01-21T21:51:52-06:00January 21st, 2020|Legal News|

For several years, I have posted guidelines about engaging in or accepting advertising or promotions that directly or indirectly reference the Super Bowl without a license from the NFL (see, e.g. our articles here and here). It’s that time of year again, so here is an updated version of my prior posts. The Super Bowl... Continue Reading…

Lowest Unit Charge Windows Open in About 30 States and Territories – Reviewing A Broadcaster’s Political Advertising Obligations

By David Oxenford|2020-01-17T19:51:39-06:00January 17th, 2020|Legal News|

On January 18, the lowest unit charge window for Presidential primaries or caucuses begins in Super Tuesday states including Alabama, American Samoa (D), Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. The LUC window opened on January 15 for South Carolina’s Democratic primary and will open on January 23... Continue Reading…

Dates Announced for Rules Mandating Vertical Location Information in 911 Calls

By FHH Law|2020-01-17T08:49:45-06:00January 17th, 2020|Legal News|

On November 26, 2019, we wrote about rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to help locate callers in terms of not only the street address but also a caller’s vertical location within a multi-story building, asking “Which Door Should First Responders Kick In?” The new rules were published in the Federal Register on...… Continue Reading

Comment Deadline Announced for “988” Suicide Hotline Proposal

By FHH Law|2020-01-16T12:14:12-06:00January 16th, 2020|Legal News|

On January 7, 2020, we wrote about a proposal by the FCC to establish “988” as a nationwide abbreviated telephone dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis hotline. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has now been published in the Federal Register, establishing the deadlines for comments and replies. Initial Comments...… Continue Reading

FCC Consent Decree Requires $1,130,000 Payment to Settle Issues About Monitoring Tower Lights – Are You Doing What’s Required?

By David Oxenford|2020-01-16T09:52:07-06:00January 16th, 2020|Legal News|

Earlier this week, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released an Order approving a consent decree with Scripps Broadcasting where Scripps agreed to pay a penalty of $1,130,000 for perceived violations of the FCC’s rules requiring tower light monitoring for towers used by a number of TV stations that it had recently purchased. The company also agreed... Continue Reading…

Monitor Your Tower Lighting or be Prepared to Pay Up – Scripps Settles with FCC to the Tune of $1.13 Million

By FHH Law|2020-01-15T08:01:48-06:00January 15th, 2020|Legal News|

In an order released this week, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) announced that Scripps Broadcasting Holdings had agreed to a $1.13 Million settlement with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to resolve violations of tower lighting monitoring rules. What makes this case especially interesting is that the party who is paying the fine and instituting a years-long...… Continue Reading

Davina Sashkin Recognized by LexBlog Excellence Awards

By FHH Law|2020-01-14T10:40:19-06:00January 14th, 2020|Legal News|

We are proud to announce that Davina Sashkin’s CommLawBlog article “Shutdown Uncertainty: What Broadcasters Should Do Now” was awarded 1st runner up for the Best Breaking News Post of 2019 by LexBlog, the leading blog platform for the legal community. This award is given “for outstanding same-day or second-day reporting of a legal news development”....… Continue Reading