Here's an opportunity for the FCC to clean up at least one aspect of its EEO "Broadcast Mid-Term Report" (FCC Form 397) that seems oddly and unnecessarily confusing, if not flat-out inconsistent.… Continue Reading
With two hurricanes already formed and a third threatening, it's a good time to remind broadcasters of the FCC's Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).… Continue Reading
After the Second Circuit declared the FCC's indecency policy unconstitutional,the FCC had only three options if it wanted to fight to defend its indecency regime. It has now made its choice.… Continue Reading
Statutes of limitations can shield a licensee from financial penalties even if the FCC eventually decides that the licensee violated FCC rules.… Continue Reading
The FCC is looking into expanding, and encouraging, wireless backhaul technology through a wide-ranging rulemaking and inquiry notice.… Continue Reading
When a broadcast station runs an on-air contest, it's creating an army of potential complainants. That should be motivation enough to dot all those I's and cross all those T's when planning and implementing a contest.… Continue Reading
Success in the marketplace takes more than creative engineers, and sometimes even more than good lawyers. It can also take skilled negotiators.… Continue Reading
Before the chatter gets out of hand, it might be useful to clarify what we know and what we don't know about reports that the NAB may be moving toward some negotiated settlement on the performance rights front.… Continue Reading
Flash - Channel 13 is now a UHF channel, according to some FCC reg fee notices! Just another reason to read any and all FCC notices carefully and to be prepared to raise questions when things don't look right.… Continue Reading
Looking to ensure that hearing-impaired folks will have access to "innovative and advanced" handsets that will assist them in "participat[ing] fully in the American economy and society", the FCC has expanded access to a wider range of hearing aid-friendly devices and has indicated that more changes are on the way.… Continue Reading
Hey, STELA!!! Thanks to the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), the FCC has released two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) addressing distinct aspects of satellite carriage, within a DMA, of broadcast signals from outside that DMA.… Continue Reading
Reminder to all you DIY reg fee filers: The FCC's handy "Look-up Website" is not so handy when it comes to broadcast auxiliary licenses, which could lead to big problems if you're not careful.… Continue Reading
Another bill that would authorize the sharing of spectrum auction proceeds has popped up in Congress. The latest clearly has legs, since its primary sponsor is none other than the Chair of the Senate Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation.… Continue Reading
The list of sports-related image rights litigants is extensive. Is it possible that this genre of lawsuit has finally run its course? Apparently not.… Continue Reading
One more element has been added to the full-court governmental press aimed at extending broadband to as many people as possible: a bill proposing to reform the multi-billion dollar Universal Service Fund.… Continue Reading
Four years ago the FAA proposed to dramatically expand its influence over radio spectrum users. But now the FAA has retreated from that proposal.… Continue Reading
The effective date for some - but not all - of the revised rules regarding the Wireless Communications Service, including the new WCS substantial service standards, has been set.… Continue Reading
A new bill in the House would give the FCC the authority to share spectrum auction proceeds with licensees willing to give up their spectrum. But unlike the Senate bill we reported on last month, the House bill does not include a spectrum fee provision.… Continue Reading
