The primary focus of Mr. Cole’s practice is broadcasting, including transactional, regulatory and appellate work. He has represented clients before the FCC and in various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Just because the FCC finally released its behemoth Report and Order (R&O) in the net neutrality proceeding last month, don't think that the fun and games are over.… Continue Reading
As part of the Paperwork Reduction Act process necessary to secure another three-year OK from OMB, the FCC has solicited comments on its local public inspection file rules again.… Continue Reading
A heads up reminder to all full-power and Class A TV licensees expecting protection in the spectrum repack: Failure to complete construction or to find, and correct, discrepancies in the FCC databases could result in less protection than expected.… Continue Reading
If you're a broadcaster and you're worried that you may have violated the on-air contest rule - or if the FCC has concluded that you did violate that rule - you may be in luck.… Continue Reading
The next time you find yourself at a roulette table in the Net Neutrality Casino, put all your chips on "D.C. Circuit". It's a good bet.… Continue Reading
The Commission has fined a TV licensee a whopping $325,000 for a single three-second instance of unintended indecency during a newscast. It looks like the FCC wants to send a signal to broadcasters.… Continue Reading
After nearly a decade, the FAA has advised that it is no longer pursuing a proposal that would have inserted it deeply into the regulation of FM stations.… Continue Reading
If money is being paid in return for the broadcast of particular content, that must be disclosed, even if it's government that's doing the paying.… Continue Reading
The MVPD universe is set to be redefined to include services "untethered" from any infrastructure-based definition ... if, that is, a proposal laid out by the FCC takes hold. The deadlines for comments on the proposal have just been announced.… Continue Reading
New captioning rules set to take effect early next year do not directly reach many, if not most, "video programmers". The FCC is considering ways to address that circumstance.… Continue Reading
The draft "Certification of TV Broadcast Licensee Technical Information in Advance of Incentive Auction", which will have to be filed by full-power and Class A licensees in advance of the spectrum auction, is now available for review and comment.… Continue Reading
If you're responsible for a tower subject to FAA-imposed lighting requirements, your life may be getting a bit easier early next year.… Continue Reading
Can we all agree that responding to theFCC's invitation to comment on Form 2100, Schedule 318 would be easier if the form were available for review?… Continue Reading
A notice of proposed rulemaking would give the thumbs-up to broadcasters who prefer to rely on online posting to announce their contest rules.… Continue Reading
With the September 15 filing deadline looming, the Commission has announced an express lane for the simultaneous submission of multiple comments (i.e., "bulk uploads") to get them in the door even faster.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has tossed two complaints alleging inadequate sponsorship IDs for issue-oriented ads - but that may not be good news in the long run.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has requested comments on a proposal to impose online public file requirements on cable and satellite operators. And the Bureau has gone the proponents one big step further.… Continue Reading