On April 2, 2024, the FCC released a Report and Order (“R&O”) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) adopting rule changes that will allow FM booster stations to originate up to three minutes of programming per hour. Prior to adopting the changes, the FCC generally defined a booster as a “fill-in” translator that is … Continue Reading
On January 17, 2024, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on a proposed rule that would prioritize review of certain broadcast applications filed by stations that certify that they provide locally originated programming. Eligible Stations Under the proposed rule, priority review would be available to radio and television stations (excluding … Continue Reading
The FCC has issued a proposal that would allow more FM stations to increase digital power and allow asymmetric power on digital sidebands. Interested parties have until September 21 to file comments. Reply comments are due October 6. Power Increase for Digital FM Stations In the Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) released … Continue Reading
In the latest salvo of the back and forth fight over requiring broadcasters to verify foreign governmental sponsorship of programming, on October 6, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released a Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Second NPRM”). The Second NPRM comes as a response to this summer’s unanimous D.C. Circuit opinion vacating … Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has released a draft Order which is likely to be adopted at the Commission‘s May 13 meeting. The order would bring to an end a long process spearheaded by Anterix (formerly PDV) to gather up and reshuffle the now untidily interleaved narrowband and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) … Continue Reading
Broadcast Deadlines: May 4, 2020 FM Boosters and Hyper-local Broadcasting – Comments are due with regard to a petition for rulemaking by GeoBroadcast Solutions LLC asking the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) to permit radio broadcasters to use single frequency network (SFN) technology to provide hyper-local programming, emergency alerting, and advertising.… Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has invited comments on whether it should allow AM radio broadcast stations to abandon their analog signals in favor of an all-digital signal format. Preliminary tests have shown that all-digital signals provide improved audio quality and immunity from interference. While the FCC does not propose to require any AM station … Continue Reading
Yes, REC Networks (“RECNET”) is on a roll with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) when it comes to the FM radio broadcast band. Describing itself as a “leading advocate for a citizen’s access to spectrum with a heavy focus on the LPFM and full-service non-commercial radio,” RECNET has succeeded in getting the FCC to propose … Continue Reading
In December we reported that the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) commenced their 2018 Quadrennial Review of media ownership rules by adopting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”). On February 28, that NPRM was published in the Federal Register, establishing the comment and reply comment dates in the proceeding. Comments on the NPRM … Continue Reading
Two years into Ajit Pai’s chairmanship, a central theme at the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) is deregulation. Sometimes framed in terms of “modernizing media rules,” the topic is at the forefront of just about every proceeding. This was true for one of the most recent decisions at the Commission, as a Report and … Continue Reading
Fifty-years ago this fall, as a bewildered University of Oregon freshman, I showed up for an orientation session for newbies who wanted to be on the air at what was then student-programmed KWAX. The station’s chief engineer introduced us to the program log, told us how to take meter readings (required every half hour as … Continue Reading
At its October meeting, the FCC proposed to clear away further regulatory underbrush by eliminating, or drastically modifying, two rules. The first is the requirement that all TV stations engaged in digital broadcasting file annual reports concerning Ancillary/Supplementary services that might have been offered. Second is the requirement that licensees filing certain applications publish and/or … 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
Commission seeks comment on steps to improve, expand accessibility of video-described programming Way back at the dawn of the century (the 21st Century, that is), the FCC adopted rules requiring video providers to include “video descriptions” in their transmission. “Video description” involves the insertion, into natural pauses in the program’s dialogue, of audio-narrated descriptions of … Continue Reading
It’s official! Last fall’s overhaul of the rules governing licensee-conducted broadcast contests has finally become effective. According to a notice in the Federal Register, our friends at the Office of Management and Budget gave the new rules the big thumbs up last week, and the rules have now taken effect as of February 12, 2016. … Continue Reading
Long-pending Entercom proposal adopted … finally. If you’re a broadcast station that conducts contests and promotes those contests on the air, the FCC has just ushered you into the 21st Century. Soon you will be able to advise your audience about the material elements of your contests by simply posting them online (as opposed to … Continue Reading
The last of the rule revisions adopted by the FCC to help improve cell phone reception has now taken effect, thanks to a notice published in the Federal Register. This proceeding, aimed at allowing use of cellular signal boosters, last showed up on our radar here in the CommLawBlog bunker last fall, when the Commission … Continue Reading
In the wake of an impressively cooperative response to the Commission's 2014 proposals, the FCC has established a new set of E911 location standards.… Continue Reading
The effective date of the recently-adopted revisions to the cell phone signal booster rules has been set, as have the deadlines for comments concerning additional proposed revisions.… Continue Reading
A notice of proposed rulemaking would give the thumbs-up to broadcasters who prefer to rely on online posting to announce their contest rules.… Continue Reading
Underscoring its interest in encouraging consumer cellular signal boosters, the Commission has tweaked its rules governing such devices.… Continue Reading