Legal News

Did You Know that There is a Rule that Broadcasters Have to Tell Their Audience that a Program Is Recorded When It Seems to Be Live? – FCC Sends a $50,000 Reminder

By David Oxenford|2020-01-30T07:45:49-06:00January 30th, 2020|Legal News|

Did you know that the FCC has a rule that requires that a broadcaster notify its audience that a program has been pre-recorded when the program “creates the impression” that it is live? Probably many broadcasters had forgotten about that rule (if they ever knew it existed). This week the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau entered into... Continue Reading…

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ January 2020

By Scott R. Flick and Warren Kessler|2020-01-29T10:13:53-06:00January 29th, 2020|Legal News|

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: Arkansas University’s Underwriting Violations Lead to $76,000 Consent Decree Large TV Broadcaster Agrees to Pay $1.3 Million Over Predecessor’s Tower Compliance Problems Recent Fine Cancellations […]

Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2020 – Potential Legal and Regulatory Issues For the Remainder of the Year

By David Oxenford|2020-01-28T22:35:36-06:00January 28th, 2020|Legal News|

Most years, at some point in January, we look into our crystal ball and try to see some of the legal and regulatory issues likely to face broadcasters. We already provided a calendar of the routine regulatory filings that are due this year (see our Broadcaster’s Regulatory Calendar). But not on that calendar are the... Continue Reading…

Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for January – March

By FHH Law|2020-01-28T15:11:48-06:00January 28th, 2020|Legal News|

Broadcast Deadlines: January 31, 2020 Biennial Ownership Reports – All licensees and entities holding an attributable interest in a licensee of one or more AM, FM, TV, Class A television, and/or Low Power TV (LPTV) stations must file a biennial ownership report reflecting information as of October 1, 2019. Please recall that not only corporations...… Continue Reading

Selected New Developments in Broadband – January

By Jeffrey Mitchell|2020-01-27T13:47:01-06:00January 27th, 2020|Legal News|

Capitol Hill House Democrats are reportedly putting the finishing touches on a broadband-only infrastructure spending bill that could allocate as much as $80 billion to broadband deployment and digital equity. A formal announcement is expected in February. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) NTIA is sponsoring an all-day Smart Agriculture & Rural Supercluster Workshop in...… Continue Reading

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…