The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking looking toward relaxing restrictions on Distributed Antenna Systems (“DTS”) for full-power television stations and making DTS newly available to Class A and Lower Power Television (“LPTV”) stations.… Continue Reading
On Nov. 20, 2017, the FCC released an Order on Reconsideration of several of its broadcast multiple and cross-ownership rules, which included a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) looking toward increasing minority, female, and small business ownership by establishing an “incubator” program which incentives established broadcasters to help those types of entities. Comments on the … Continue Reading
As we wrote about last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is planning to make some major overhauls at the FCC. Eight months into his term, Pai is preparing to “modernize [the FCC’s] rules to match the realities of today’s marketplace.” At this year’s National Broadcast Association’s Radio Show, Pai announced he would present to his … Continue Reading
Main Studio and Paper Rules on the Chopping Block, AM Revitalization on the Way It’s shaping up to be a busy few months for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. And did you know September is Modernization Month? Well, at least according to Chairman Pai it is. Today, the Chairman announced a new initiative to curtail, or … Continue Reading
Regular readers of our “Memorandum to Clients” publication are an astute and well-read bunch (probably because they read the “MTC”). So we’re guessing that you are generally aware of our usual publication schedule and plan your lives accordingly. That’s why we want to get ahead of any potential concern this month by telling you that … Continue Reading
On October 26, 2016, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced agreements it had reached with two major record labels that relieve radio broadcasters from certain compliance conditions associated with the sound recording streaming statutory license that are inconsistent with traditional broadcasting practices. They do not, however, alter radio broadcasters’ royalty payment obligations under the … Continue Reading
A seemingly small but crucial element of the FCC's incentive auction preparations has survived a broadside attack in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.… Continue Reading
A fixed TV database device in Ecuador ... or the mid-Atlantic? Yes indeed, according to the white space database - prompting the NAB to suggest that it's time to tighten things up.… Continue Reading
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has asked for comments on a win-win proposal it might have been able to adopt without more comments. Good for them.… Continue Reading
Kevin Goldberg pursues his mission: laying out the annual SoundExchange filing requirements so that everybody that has to comply with them can know what to do.… Continue Reading
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology wants to sharpen its pencil when it comes to predicting TV station coverage. Is that really a good idea?… Continue Reading
Heads up, all you webcasters. It's a new year, and you have filing requirements coming up fast, including an important JANUARY 31 deadline.… Continue Reading
Here's a report on last night's demonstration of the new online public file system. And heads up -- if you didn't make it to last night's demo, the FCC has scheduled another for today, August 1, at 12 Noon (ET). Since the new public file rule takes effect tomorrow, August 2, there's no time like the present.… Continue Reading
With the August 2 effective date of the online TV public file rule just a couple of days away, more information about the FCC's system is bubbling to the surface. And check it out -- even though the rule hasn't kicked in yet.one of its elements has already been waived!… Continue Reading
The Commission will be conducting two online "screensharing" demonstrations of its new public file system. Heads up, though -- the first one is this Monday morning (July 30) at 9:00 a.m.… Continue Reading
It looks like, barring some unanticipated last-minute development, the FCC's online public file rule for TV stations will take effect on August 2, 2012.… Continue Reading
The NAB has replied to the FCC's opposition to the NAB's request that the effective date of the TV online public file rule be stayed.… Continue Reading
