This week, the Commission imposed a $13,000 fine on Radiant Light Broadcasting (RLB), the licensee of two low-power television (LPTV) stations for failing to timely file license to cover applications, and thus operating without licenses for four years. The stations, KRLB-LD and KWWO-LD, were granted construction permits for digital displacement channels and special temporary authority … Continue Reading
Last week, the FCC issued a ruling finding that 21 broadcast licensees, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, had violated the Commission’s rules regarding commercial programming on children’s television. The Commission assessed penalties against these licensees totaling nearly $3.4 million. Particularly notable was the Commission’s ruling that licensees are responsible even for commercials … Continue Reading
Continuing its historical hard line on misuse of EAS tones, the FCC announced on May 30 that it had settled an investigation with WTLV, a TEGNA-owned television station in Jacksonville, Florida regarding unauthorized EAS tones appearing in an ad for the Jacksonville Jaguars (the local NFL team). As part of the settlement, TEGNA entered into … Continue Reading
Last Monday, during his monologue on the Late Show, Stephen Colbert made a number of jokes at President Donald Trump’s expense, including lobbing a series of insults at the President. (The full monologue is available here; check around 11:15 for the portion that has gotten folks talking). One of these insults, which included a joking … Continue Reading
If you own a tower subject to the FCC's Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) requirements, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's got something to say to you.… 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 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
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
Attention, all you telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers! Your annual reports certifying compliance with the CPNI rules are due by March 2, 2015.… Continue Reading
The fake news business appears to have been booming in 2009 - at least as far as we can tell from a couple of FCC enforcement actions.… Continue Reading
The FCC has issued another of its ever-popular "Enforcement Advisories" warning against the use of jammers to interfere with cellphone, Wi-Fi or GPS devices.… Continue Reading
The Enforcement Bureau has struck a blow for those who prefer to use smartphones to set up their own personal mobile hotspots when they're on the go.… 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 FCC's Audio Division may be considering designating some renewal applications for hearing, but practical considerations could, and should, make it think twice.… Continue Reading
