Matt McCormick

Photo of Matt McCormick Matt McCormick has practiced broadcast communications law for more than 39 years. He has extensive experience in all aspects of FCC regulation of broadcasting. Over the years, he has represented hundreds of clients in their dealings with the FCC, including applicants for new commercial and noncommercial stations, licensees faced with renewal difficulties, stations confronted with FCC enforcement actions and proponents of FM and TV allotment changes and changes in communities of license. He also represented clients in hundreds of transactional matters requiring FCC approval.

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FCC to Stations: Giving Away Spots Doesn’t Necessarily Have to Cost You When Candidates Come to Buy Time

By Matt McCormick on Posted in FCC, Media
One of the outcomes of the COVID-19 crisis – according to reports from many radio and televisions stations – has been a precipitous drop in spot sales and customers cancelling existing advertising contracts, leaving lots of airtime to fill. To fill that time, and to help other struggling businesses, some broadcasters have responded by offering … Continue Reading

FCC Ponders Revising Several NCE and LPFM Procedures

By Matt McCormick and FHH Law on Posted in FCC, Media
Anyone who has filed an application for a new noncommercial educational (NCE) station or a new Low Power FM (LPFM) station knows that many traps beset the unwary throughout the process.  If you fall into one of those traps, your chance of success can be severely injured.  On Valentine’s Day, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” … Continue Reading

Noncommercial Stations Beware: When ‘Underwriting’ Spots Turn into Advertising, a Big Penalty Can Follow

By Matt McCormick and FHH Law on Posted in Enforcement, FCC, Media, Telecommunications
Many noncommercial educational (NCE) stations – and their lawyers – were caught by surprise last week when the FCC issued a $115,000 civil penalty against an NCE licensee. The Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) was hit for running underwriting spots promoting for-profit entities. CCF agreed to the monetary penalty as part of an FCC approved consent … Continue Reading

At Long Last – AM Revitalization!

By Matt McCormick on Posted in Deadlines, Media
Translator windows, interference protection changes, MDCL … and adios to the ratchet rule Two years in the making, the FCC’s AM Revitalization decision (full name: “First Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, and Notice of Inquiry” – let’s just stick with Revitalization Decision, shall we?) has finally worked its way through the … Continue Reading

EAS Rules Revised

By Matt McCormick on Posted in Cable, Media
After analyzing the performance of the Emergency Alert System during the 2011 nationwide test, and after twice soliciting input from interested parties, the Commission has decided to tweak the system.… Continue Reading
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