The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has invited comments as to whether it should grant a six-month extension of time for Multichannel Video Program Distributors (“MVPDs”) to comply with the “Right to Transparency” provisions of the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019 (“TVPA”). This proceeding will be a quick one, with Comments due April 6, and … Continue Reading
On Oct. 16, 2017, the Incentive Auction Task Force and the FCC’s Media Bureau jointly announced the initial allocation from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund (Relocation Fund) for the reimbursement of eligible full power and Class A television stations as well as multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) (Eligible Entities) impacted by the Incentive Auction. The … Continue Reading
If you're planning to chip in your two cents' worth on the FCC's proposed redefinition of the MVPD universe, you're in luck: the comment deadlines have been extended.… 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
If you've been wondering whatever happened to TV Max -- the Houston-area MVPD that was on the wrong end of a multi-million dollar fine for unauthorized retransmission of TV signals -- wonder no more.… Continue Reading
We now know when the recently-adopted restrictions on joint retransmission consent negotiations are set to take effect. We also know when petitions for reconsideration and petitions for judicial review are due.… Continue Reading
The FCC has proposed tossing its network nonduplication and syndicated exclusivity rules. We now know the deadlines for comments on that proposal.… Continue Reading
The FCC has barred non-commonly-owned Top Four ranked stations in a given market from engaging in joint retransmission consent negotiations.… Continue Reading
If you've ever wondered what would happen if you retransmitted the programming of TV stations without their consent, and then dissembled about it to the FCC, listen up.… Continue Reading
A citation issued to a Florida motel reminds us all of the possible penalties to which non-cable MVPDs are subject. And you might be surprised what a "non-cable MVPD" is.… Continue Reading
Universities, hospitals, hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, even prisons. Don't look now, but you might have signal leakage problems that could get you into serious trouble with the FCC.… Continue Reading
Hard to believe, but it's again time for the Commission to take a look at competition in the multichannel video programming distribution (MVPD) industry to determine whether the 20-year-old ban on certain exclusive program access deals is still necessary. The deadline for comments has now been set.… Continue Reading
