Tag Archives: AM Radio

STAT!! Timely Filing of CP Extension/Assignment Applications Becomes Crucial

By FHH Law on April 7, 2009 Posted in Deadlines, Media

If you have a broadcast construction permit that's about to expire, listen up. The Media Bureau has provided some "guidance"on how to take advantage of a rule change that took effect last year, a change that could help you breathe the breath of life into that dying CP, if only for a little while.… Continue Reading

Moment Method Modeling: Update IV

By FHH Law on February 5, 2009 Posted in Media

In September the Commission approved moment method computer modeling for directional AM proofs. According to a notice in today's Federal Register, the forms (and associated rules) are effective as of February 5, 2009.… Continue Reading

Moment Method Modeling: Update III

By FHH Law on January 9, 2009 Posted in Media

If you are inclined to comment on the petition for reconsideration which was filed in connection with the moment method modeling rules adopted by the Commission last September, the window is now open - the notice concerning the petition appeared in the Federal Register on January 9, 2009. But watch out - that window is small, and will slam shut on January 23, 2009.… Continue Reading

Moment Method Modeling: Update II

By FHH Law on December 22, 2008 Posted in Media

Cohen, Dippell and Everist (CDE) has sought partial reconsideration of the new computer moment method modeling rules for directional AM proofs. CDE reasonably asks that the Commission provide a tad more guidance as to what the Commission wants to see in such proofs. CDE also raises what it refers to as the "moral hazard" issue. This is where things get interesting.… Continue Reading

Comment Deadlines Set In FCC Tower Inquiry

By FHH Law on December 11, 2008 Posted in Cellular, Media

Back in September we reported on an invitation for comments on how to amend the rules regulating tower construction near AM stations. At long last the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SFNPRM) has made it into the Federal Register. Publication in the FedReg in turn establishes the dates for comments. If you want to file comments … Continue Reading

Moment Method Modeling: Update

By FHH Law on November 3, 2008 Posted in Media

When is an effective date not really an effective date? When it involves use of the new moment method computer modeling rules adopted by the FCC last September. BUT there may be a work-around to help eager AM directional licensees take advantage of those rules sooner rather than later.… Continue Reading

FCC Considers Regulating Construction of Towers (and Possibly Other Structures) Near AM Antennas

By FHH Law on September 28, 2008 Posted in Cellular, Media

FCC – the Federal Construction Commission? As reported elsewhere on this blog, the FCC has decided to permit most directional AM licensees to use “moment method” computer programs to verify antenna performance. In a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking included as a portion of that decision, the Commission has also invited comment on how to … Continue Reading

Moment Method Modeling Manumits AMers From Measurement Manacles

By FHH Law on September 28, 2008 Posted in Media

The Commission has given the thumbs-up to the use of moment method computer modeling for directional AM proofs in many, but not all, circumstances. This should ease one of the most time-consuming and expensive burdens traditionally borne by AM licensees. Directional AM antenna systems are designed to generate carefully sculpted patterns of radiation – with the … Continue Reading

Ordure in the Court?

By FHH Law on September 9, 2008 Posted in Media

Fox oral argument in Supremes set for November 4 In planning your Election Day activities this Fall, you might want to pencil in a stop by the U.S. Supreme Court to catch the oral argument in the Fox v. FCC indecency case. (Read about the case in our earlier post.) It’s currently scheduled for the … Continue Reading

A Midsummer Surprise From The FCC: A Revised Version Of The Public and Broadcasting!!!

By FHH Law on August 12, 2008 Posted in Media

The Commission has released a new version of The Public and Broadcasting, revised as of July, 2008. All full-service radio and television licensees (commercial and noncommercial) and Class A television licensees should have a copy of this latest version in their local public inspection files. You can download a PDF copy from the Commission’s website, … Continue Reading

Third Circuit Decision in CBS/Jackson Appeal

By FHH Law on August 12, 2008 Posted in Media

Indecency appeals – FCC now 0-2 – In a long-awaited decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the FCC’s order holding that CBS and its affiliates had broadcast indecency in the notorious 2004 Super Bowl half-time show featuring Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. The Court found that the FCC had had … Continue Reading

Embedded Advertising Proceeding Deadlines Set

By FHH Law on July 25, 2008 Posted in Deadlines, Media

Last month, we reported on the Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NOI/NPRM) launched by the Commission to examine "embedded advertising" in light of the dramatic increase in the use of "product placement" and "product integration." Advertisers have become increasingly reliant on such techniques as technology has enabled viewers to circumvent traditional … Continue Reading

Federal Appeals Court Overturns CBS Super Bowl Indecency Fine

By FHH Law on July 21, 2008 Posted in Media

Earlier today, the federal court of appeals for the 3rd Circuit overturned the FCC’s $550,000 fine on CBS for the broadcast of Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show. The Third Circuit overturned the FCC’s decision on much the same grounds as the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the FCC’s "Golden … Continue Reading

Embedded advertising in the cross-hairs

By FHH Law on June 27, 2008 Posted in Media

By Harry Cole
703-812-0483
email

The Commission has released a Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NOI/NPRM) in which it expresses concern about the practice of "embedded advertising"- and its two primary components, "product placement" and "product integration"- in current programming, particularly as those practices implicate the sponsorship identification rules. According to the Commission, "product placement" involves the mere use of commercial products as props, while "product integration" entails the inclusion of such products in the ...

A Legacy for Broadcasters

By FHH Law on June 23, 2008 Posted in Media

Comedian George Carlin has passed away, but he will live on in many ways. For broadcasters, Carlin’s most noteworthy legacy is the FCC’s indecency policy in all its tortured, blurred inconsistency. It was Carlin, after all, who created the notion that there might be seven words that you couldn’t say on the public airwaves. The Commission had … Continue Reading

New Version of Mandatory Public File Document Released

By FHH Law on April 29, 2008 Posted in Media

By Ron Whitworth
703-812-0478
email

An updated version of "The Public and Broadcasting," a Commission publication which all broadcasters must place in their public inspection files, was released on April 24. All broadcasters must replace the former version of the document with the revised version immediately and also must be prepared to provide copies to any member of the public who requests one.

The Commission also announced that it will provide two "Broadcast Information Specialists," one in the Media Bureau's Audio Division and the other in its Video Division, to serve as contact points for the public to ...… Continue Reading

Deadline For Localism Comments Extended To April 28

By FHH Law on March 6, 2008 Posted in Deadlines, Media

By Harry Cole
703-812-0483
email

If you are thinking about filing comments in response to the FCC's Localism Report and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (MB Docket No.04-233), be advised that the deadline for those comments has been extended by the Commission to April 28, 2008. The extended date for reply comments is June 11. As we have observed in previous postings here and in the FHH Memo to Clients, this proceeding is extremely important and could end up imposing very substantial new burdens on all broadcasters. We ...

Commission Gives Guidance for AM Stations

By FHH Law on February 29, 2008 Posted in Media

By Lee Petro
703-812-0453
email

The Commission released a public notice today authorizing AM stations with
Presunrise and/or Postsunset Service Authorizations located in communities that
follow Daylight Savings Time to use the "Advanced" power and time specifications
in their licenses for the period between March 9, 2008 and March 31, 2008.
Daylight Saving Time commences on March 9, 2008, as a result of the enactment of
the US Energy Policy Act of 2005, which moved the commencement of DST into
March. This follows the policy eventually adopted by the Commission last year
after it first erroneously re-calculated and ...

Localism NPRM Published in Federal Register; Comment Deadline Set

By FHH Law on February 13, 2008 Posted in Deadlines, Media

By Ron Whitworth
703-812-0478
email

With the publication of the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on
localism in the February 13, 2008 Federal
Register, the deadline to submit Comments in the proceeding has been set
for March 14, 2008. Reply Comments will be due on April 14, 2008.

As discussed previously on this blog, the
NPRM presents a laundry list of tentative conclusions and proposed rules that
would turn the clock back nearly three decades, forcing broadcasters to comply
with costly and burdensome requirements, including a return to ascertainment
requirements similar to those required of licensees through the early-1980's. ...

FCC’s Localism Proposed Rules/Tentative Conclusions Present Significant Burden for Broadcasters

By FHH Law on February 8, 2008 Posted in Media

By Ron Whitworth
703-812-0478
email

The release of the Commission's January 24, 2008 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRM") announcing a laundry list of tentative conclusions and proposed rules concerning localism sent immediate shockwaves throughout the broadcast industry. Particularly following up on the heels of the recently released Television Standardized and Enhanced Disclosure Requirement Report & Order (see our coverage of this R&O here, and more in depth coverage in the January edition of Memorandum to Clients).

… Continue Reading

Heat on Martin Intensifies on Eve of Media Ownership Vote

By FHH Law on December 17, 2007 Posted in Media

By Ron Whitworth
703-812-0478
email

One day before the December 18 FCC Open Meeting in which Chairman Kevin Martin planned to bring his media ownership proposal to a scheduled vote, 25 senators signed a letter to Martin issuing yet another warning from Congress that his actions are inappropriate.

The letter, organized by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), stated that if the Commission proceeds with final action on the media ownership proposal on December 18, "we will immediately move legislation that will revoke and nullify the proposed rule.

The congressmen pointed out that just 28 days were allotted for comment between the issuance of ...… Continue Reading

Martin Facing Onslaught of Criticism

By FHH Law on December 13, 2007 Posted in Media

By Ron Whitworth
703-812-0478
email

Just five days before the final FCC Open Meeting of 2007, the controversy surrounding Chairman Kevin Martin's media ownership proposal has reached a fever pitch. Martin's fellow Commissioners, many Congressmen and commenters on both sides of the issue have barraged Martin with an onslaught of criticism for the manner by which he released his proposal and his inclusion of the item on the Dec. 18 agenda. The proposal was announced on Nov. 13 in what a group of commenters including Common Cause, the ...

Copps, Adelstein Blast Martin’s Cross-Ownership Proposal

By FHH Law on November 14, 2007 Posted in Media

By Ron Whitworth
703-812-0478
email

One day after Chairman Martin issued his proposal in which newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership would be allowable only in the top 20 markets (see Harry Cole's article on November 13, 2007 for details), FCC Democratic Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein blasted the proposal in a joint statement.

The Commissioners labeled Martin's plan a "wolf in sheep's clothing," ...

Martin Single-handedly Seeks To Solve Ownership Impasse

By FHH Law on November 13, 2007 Posted in Media

By Harry Cole
703-812-0483
email

Chairman Kevin Martin has taken the extraordinary step of issuing what amounts to his own personal notice of proposed rulemaking in the long-running, highly contentious media ownership proceeding. On November 13 - the same date that an op-ed piece by Martin was published in the New York Times - the Chairman's office issued a news release which spelled out Martin's personal proposal for bringing the media ownership provision to a close. You can read the news release and NYT article here.

In Martin's view, the Commission should change one - and only one - ...