With midterm elections fast approaching, candidates for public office and advocates for a variety of political issues are looking to radio and television broadcasters to get their message out. However, broadcasters need to keep in mind that airing these ads comes with upload requirements to a station’s political file, which is located within its online...… Continue Reading
In the latest salvo of the back and forth fight over requiring broadcasters to verify foreign governmental sponsorship of programming, on October 6, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released a Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Second NPRM”). The Second NPRM comes as a response to this summer’s unanimous D.C. Circuit opinion vacating...… Continue Reading
2022 Upcoming Broadcast Deadlines September Annual Regulatory Fees – On a date not yet determined, but certainly before September 30, 2022, annual regulatory fees will be due. These will be due and payable for Fiscal Year 2022 and will be based upon a licensee’s/permittee’s holdings on October 1, 2021, plus anything that might...… Continue Reading
Earlier this year, new FCC rules went into effect requiring radio and television stations to broadcast Sponsorship ID disclosures for programming provided by foreign governmental entities. Yesterday, the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down one part of those requirements: the requirement for broadcasters to independently confirm the sponsor’s status by consulting...… Continue Reading
The FCC has just released a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) [LINK: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-47A1.pdf ] seeking comments on the state of the Next Generation Television (“Next Gen TV” or “ATSC 3.0”) transition, and on the scheduled sunset of two rules adopted in 2017. Generally, the FNPRM seeks comments on the progress of broadcasters’ voluntary...… Continue Reading
The FCC has just released a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) [LINK: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-47A1.pdf ] seeking comments on the state of the Next Generation Television (“Next Gen TV” or “ATSC 3.0”) transition, and on the scheduled sunset of two rules adopted in 2017. Generally, the FNPRM seeks comments on the progress of broadcasters’ voluntary...… Continue Reading
The FCC has set the comment period in the FM6 (a/k/a Franken FM) proceeding. Comments with respect to the FCC’s May 18th Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will be due on July 18th, 2022. Reply comments will be due on August 1, 2022. Those who wish to comment should refer to the filing instructions provided...… Continue Reading
The Incentive Auction Task Force and Media Bureau (Bureau) has released a public notice reminding all low power TV and TV translator (LPTV/translator) stations, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), and FM stations that they must submit all remaining invoices in the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund no later than September 6, 2022. All licensees are encouraged...… Continue Reading
When the Federal Communications Commission meets on June 8, it is slated to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding FM6 stations, commonly referred to as “Franken FMs.” The FCC has released a draft of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that is expected to be adopted at its June 8th meeting. This will be the...… Continue Reading