Effective Date for Elimination of Last Remnant of Rule on Keeping Correspondence in Broadcast Public Inspection File

By |2017-08-30T11:09:32-05:00August 30th, 2017|Legal News|

Earlier this year, the FCC eliminated the requirement that broadcasters maintain, in their public inspection files, copies of letters from the public about station operations (see our article summarizing that action here). One aspect of that rule change did not become immediately effective, as it was subject to review by the Office of Management and...… Continue Reading

Hello from the Other Side, I Must Have Called 21 Million Times… : To Tackle Robocalls From Illegally Spoofed Numbers, FCC Proposes Whopping $82M Fine

By |2017-08-29T09:01:57-05:00August 29th, 2017|Legal News|

Earlier this month, in its war against illegal robocalling campaigns the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed another hefty fine. That is, a fine of 82 million dollars. Yikes! The target of the FCC’s wrath? Mr. Philip Roesel, who wasn’t just calling a la Adele style. Instead, Mr. Roesel is accused of both illegal robocalling in...… Continue Reading

Approaching FCC Broadcast and Telecom Filing Deadlines

By |2017-08-28T15:53:41-05:00August 28th, 2017|Legal News|

Time to mark your calendars for FCC filing deadlines for broadcasting and telecommunications. Find our list of upcoming deadlines in the industry below. Note our list is not comprehensive. Other proceedings may apply to you. Please do not hesitate to contact FHH if you have any questions.  September 1, 2017: Local Telephone Competition and Broadband Report – Facilities-based...… Continue Reading

FCC Activates Disaster Information Reporting System Ahead of Hurricane Harvey

By |2017-08-25T16:38:25-05:00August 25th, 2017|Legal News|

Even if you are not living in the direct path, you are likely aware that many areas in Louisiana and Texas are preparing for Hurricane Harvey.  As local citizens prepare for a Class 3 Hurricane expected to bring dangerous flooding, wind and rain, broadcasters and other communications providers in that region will also need make...… Continue Reading

September Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Including Reg Fees, Nationwide EAS Test, Must-Carry Letters, Lowest Unit Rate, Translator and Repack Deadlines and GMR License Extension

By |2017-08-25T10:27:11-05:00August 25th, 2017|Legal News|

Summer is coming to an end, but the legal obligations never take a vacation, and September brings another list of regulatory deadlines for broadcasters. While the month is one of those without the usual list of EEO Public File obligations or quarterly FCC filing obligations, there still are a number of other regulatory deadlines for...… Continue Reading

Reminder – ETRS Form One to be Filed by August 27 By All EAS Participants – Including Broadcasters – In Anticipation of September Nationwide EAS Test

By |2017-08-24T10:47:43-05:00August 24th, 2017|Legal News|

All EAS Participants – including all full-power broadcasters – must complete the 2017 ETRS Form One on or before August 28, 2017.  We wrote about this obligation here. The filing deadline was set for next week as the ETRS system is used so that stations can report on the results of nationwide EAS tests. With...… Continue Reading

Now Available: Archived Must-Carry/Retransmission Consent Webinar

By |2017-08-23T13:47:43-05:00August 23rd, 2017|Legal News|

With the October 1 deadline looming, FHH’s Dan Kirkpatrick and Paul Feldman held a webinar to help industry leaders navigate the waters regarding must-carry/retransmission consent. If you missed the webinar, or just want a refresher, never fear: you can catch it in re-runs. We’ve posted a recording of the show here – all audio and slides...… Continue Reading

Complaints Filed Against TV Stations for Public File Violations on Political Issue Ads

By |2017-08-23T09:15:21-05:00August 23rd, 2017|Legal News|

Earlier this week, the Campaign Legal Center and Issue One, two political “watchdog” organizations, filed FCC complaints against two Georgia TV stations, alleging violations of the rules that govern the documents that need to be placed into a station’s public inspection file regarding political “issue advertising” (see their press release here, with links to the...… Continue Reading

Last of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Rules Become Final

By |2017-08-22T15:19:13-05:00August 22nd, 2017|Legal News|

The FCCs rules for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) have become final, after many years in the works. No, it’s not your grandfather’s “Ten-four, good buddy” citizens band, but a high-end, super-Wi-Fi-type service that someday will serve your portable devices with fast digital signals. But don’t run down to Best Buy quite yet. The engineers are...… Continue Reading

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