Is it Time for All-Digital AM Radio?

By |2019-12-05T11:30:05-06:00December 5th, 2019|Legal News|

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has invited comments on whether it should allow AM radio broadcast stations to abandon their analog signals in favor of an all-digital signal format. Preliminary tests have shown that all-digital signals provide improved audio quality and immunity from interference. While the FCC does not propose to require any AM station...… Continue Reading

More on Required Public File Disclosures of Issue Ads – Comment Dates on NAB Petition for Reconsideration and Another Admonition for Inadequate Disclosures

By |2019-12-05T10:23:21-06:00December 5th, 2019|Legal News|

The FCC on Friday issued a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition for reconsideration by the NAB and several broadcast groups seeking review of the FCC’s October decision, deemed a “clarification” of the public file disclosure rules for federal political issue ads requiring that all candidates and issues mentioned in any political issue ad... Continue Reading…

To Be or Not to Be – That is the Channel 6 Analog LPTV Question

By |2019-12-04T16:05:14-06:00December 4th, 2019|Legal News|

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has invited a new round of comments on the fate of analog Low Power Television (“LPTV”) stations that transmit on Channel 6 and target their audio channel to FM radio receivers. Nearly all of the television broadcast industry has already converted to digital operation. There are no more analog full...… Continue Reading

FCC Opens New Filing Window For Displaced Rural LPTV Applicants

By |2019-12-02T15:36:47-06:00December 2nd, 2019|Legal News|

The FCC announced the opening of a new filing window to modify pending applications proposing new digital Low Power TV and TV translator service in rural areas.  This filing window will permit applicants with long-pending applications who have subsequently been displaced by the Incentive Auction and the repacking process to submit amended proposals, subject to […]

AMFM Act Introduced in Congress to Impose Sound Recording Performance Royalty on Broadcast Stations

By |2019-12-02T12:05:09-06:00December 2nd, 2019|Legal News|

Late last month, the Ask Musicians For Music Act (the “AMFM Act”) was introduced in both the House and Senate. If enacted, the AMFM Act would impose on over-the-air broadcast radio stations a performance royalty for the use of sound recordings in their programming. This is yet another bill proposing that the current royalty that... Continue Reading…

Displacement Application Window for Pending Rural LPTV Applicants Opens Today

By |2019-12-02T11:31:03-06:00December 2nd, 2019|Legal News|

If you filed any applications for new Low Power Television (LPTV) stations during the 2009 application window, your applications have not yet been granted, and channels you requested have been displaced by a full power or Class A TV station as a result of the spectrum repack, you now have an opportunity to request new...… Continue Reading

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ November 2019

By |2019-11-26T13:09:44-06:00November 26th, 2019|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: Government Shutdown and Other “Compelling Reasons” Prompt FCC to Reinstate NY Radio Station License FCC Fines Virginia AM Station and Limits License Renewal to Two […]

In an Emergency: Which Door Should First Responders Kick In?

By |2019-11-26T12:42:11-06:00November 26th, 2019|Legal News|

About 80% of the 240 million phone calls received by 911 public safety answering points (PSAPs) come from wireless callers. The goal of regulators is that technology automatically identify the location of callers even if callers don’t know where they are or are unable to speak the information because of injury or constraint by an...… Continue Reading

Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for December – February

By |2019-11-26T09:59:05-06:00November 26th, 2019|Legal News|

  Broadcast Deadlines: December 1, 2019 License Renewal Pre-Filing Announcements – Radio stations licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi must begin broadcasts of their pre-filing announcements with regard to their applications for renewal of the license. These announcements must be continued on December 16, January 1, and January 16. Radio Post-Filing Announcements – Radio stations...… Continue Reading

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