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FCC Received Petition for New FM Broadcast Station Class

On June 20,  the FCC released a Public Notice announcing a June 13 Petition for Rulemaking  submitted by Commander Communication Corporation (“Commander”) to create a new FM station class “A10.” In its Petition, Commander proposed a new FM class with operating parameters of maximum of 10,000 watts effective radiated power (ERP) and 100 meters height … Continue Reading

Partial Return of the Radio Duplication Rule

Continuing its progression of reversals, the FCC announced on June 5, 2024 that it would once again reinstate section 73.3556 of the Commission’s rules (the “Radio Duplication Rule” or “Rule”) for commercial FM stations.  The Radio Duplication Rule does not apply to noncommercial educational stations nor AM stations.  As some of our readers might recall, … Continue Reading

FCC Announces Lift of Channel Change Freeze for Class A Television, LPTV, And TV Translator Stations

The FCC has announced that the current freeze on major modification to Class A television, LPTV, and TV translator stations will be partially lifted to allow applications to change channels as of August 20, 2024, subject to certain limitations.  Channel change applications will be permitted on a nationwide basis without geographic limitation.  For the limited … Continue Reading

FCC Releases NPRM Seeking Comment on Proposal to Require Subscriber Rebates for Retransmission Consent Blackouts

On January 17, 2024, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on a newly proposed requirement for cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) providers, which, if enacted, would require those cable operators and DBS providers to make available rebates to their subscribers for programming blackouts caused by failed retransmission consent … Continue Reading

FCC Releases NPRM Proposing New Reporting Requirements for Retransmission Consent Blackouts

On December 21, 2023, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) proposing new reporting requirements for multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”).  The amendments to the FCC’s rules, if enacted, would give MVPDs 48 hours to notify the FCC when a blackout of 24 hours or more of a broadcast television station, or stations, … Continue Reading

FCC Releases Report and Order Concluding Its 2018 Quadrennial Regulatory Review

After receiving a mandated deadline from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the FCC presented its long-awaited Christmas gift to the broadcast industry with the December 26 release of the 2018 Quadrennial Review Report and Order (“R&O”).  By a 3-2 vote, with both Republican commissioners dissenting, the R&O found that the FCC’s … Continue Reading

EAS Nationwide Test Scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) and the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) have announced that a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) will take place on October 4, 2023, at 2:20 pm EDT.   As we previously reported, EAS participants, with limited exceptions, should have already filed their ETRS Form 1 providing the FCC … Continue Reading

FCC Chair Announces “Future of Television” Initiative and Shares Update on Next Gen TV Transition 

During her address today at the 2023 NAB Show, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared two developments in the Next Generation Television (“Next Gen TV” or “ATSC 3.0”) rulemaking.   The Future of Television Initiative   The Chairwoman introduced the Future of Television initiative (the “Initiative”), a private-public leadership group hosted by the NAB, dedicated to “develop[ing] a … Continue Reading

FCC Opens Rulemaking Proceeding to Implement the Low Power Protection Act’s Window for Eligible LPTVs to Apply for Conversion to Class A Designation

On March 30, 2023, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on the following proposed rules for a one-year filing window for eligible LPTV stations to apply for conversion to Class A designation:  Eligibility Requirements  The Commission proposes three eligibility requirements that LPTV stations must meet to apply for conversion to … Continue Reading

Fletcher Heald Attorneys Work with the NAB Leadership Foundation to Mold Future Broadcast Leaders

On March 17th our very own Frank Montero and Seth Williams presented a lecture on how to close a broadcast station acquisition to the latest class of industry leaders.  The session was part of the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation’s Broadcast Leadership Training Program (BLT).  We are thrilled to be among the supporters of … Continue Reading

Reminder – EAS Test Reporting System Filing Deadline February 28

This is a reminder that the FCC previously advised that parties that are Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) Participants, which would include not only virtually all broadcast stations, but also, wired and wireless cable television systems, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service, and wireline video systems, must submit Form One filings for calendar year 2022 in the … Continue Reading

Upcoming Deadlines

With the new year around the corner, it is that time of year when we start to fill out upcoming deadlines in our new calendars! Below find a list of the approaching broadcast deadlines to keep an eye on. January 10, 2023 Issues/Programs Lists – For all commercial and noncommercial radio, television, and Class A television … Continue Reading

Federal Election Commission Adopts New Online Political Ad Disclaimer Proposal

On December 1, 2022, the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) adopted a proposal to extend its disclaimer rules to certain types of digital advertising appearing on digital platforms in addition to websites. Before these new FEC rules become effective, they must be transmitted to the heads of both the House of Representatives and the Senate for … Continue Reading

Next Phase-in of Audio Description Rules Begins January 1, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission released a reminder that as of January 1, 2023, the audio description rules adopted in the Commission’s 2020 Audio Description Order will go into effect in the following designated market areas (“DMAs”): Madison Waco-Temple-Bryan Harlingen-Welasco-Brownsville-McAllen Paducah-Cape Girardeau-Harrisburg Colorado Springs-Pueblo Shreveport Syracuse Champaign and Springfield-Decatur Savannah Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City and Dubuque The … Continue Reading

More Emergency Alert System Proposed Changes and Reporting Requirements

To accompany its recently adopted modifications to the requirements for the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) to address the FCC’s ongoing concerns about operational readiness and the security of the EAS system from being acted or otherwise misused by bad actors. Comments on … Continue Reading

Emergency Alert System Required Changes

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently adopted modifications to the requirements for the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), and the new rules will go into effect on December 12, 2022.  Fortunately, however, EAS participants, which include most radio and television stations, have one year, until December 12, 2023, in which to make the necessary changes to … Continue Reading

FCC Fines Gray Television for Violation of Ownership Rules

This week, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order imposing a penalty of over $500,000 against Gray Television, Inc. for violating the FCC’s rule prohibiting ownership of two top-four television stations in the same Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA).  Gray acquired the CBS network affiliation for KTVA(TV), Anchorage, Alaska, and the FCC found that this action … Continue Reading

Election Season Refresher: Political Ad Compliance

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

2022 Upcoming FCC Deadlines

  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

Court Strikes Down a Portion of the FCC’s Foreign Sponsorship Identification Rules for Broadcasters

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

What’s Next for Next Gen TV? FCC Seeks Comments on The Status of Next Gen TV and Sunset of Two Rules.

The FCC has just released a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) 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 deployment of … Continue Reading

Repacked Stations: Final Deadline for Submitting Invoices for Reimbursement

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
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