Today, the FCC released a Report and Order (Order), updating the political programming and recordkeeping rules for broadcast licensees, cable television system operators, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service providers, and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) licensees. The Order revises the definition of “legally qualified candidate for public office” to add the use of social … Continue Reading
If you’re among the thousands about to be subjected to the FCC’s new Online Public Inspection File (OPIF) system, listen up. The Commission has announced that it will be presenting its webinar on how that system works on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. (ET). As we suggested last month when the FCC set … Continue Reading
“Local” no more – as of June 24, new “OPIF” will be up and running … but a demo can – AND SHOULD – be checked out NOW Last January we reported on the FCC’s decision to expand its online public inspection file (now officially referred to as “OPIF”) requirement to include radio broadcasters, cable … Continue Reading
Concluding a proceeding begun a mere 18 months ago, the Commission has extended its online public file requirement well beyond the broadcast TV industry. To no one’s real surprise, the FCC has decided to expand its online public inspection file requirement – first imposed on television broadcasters in 2012 – to include radio broadcasters, cable … Continue Reading
If you missed our recent webinar (featuring FCC political broadcasting guru Bobby Baker) covering All Things Political Broadcasting, don’t worry. You can attend ex post facto, in absentia (if that’s such a thing), by listening to the whole two-hour production online. Just click on this link. As with folks who attended the live event, you’ll … Continue Reading
Ready or not, here it comes: Campaign 2016. FHH presents the FCC’s political guru, Bobby Baker, to help broadcasters get themselves ready. If you thought 2015 was some kind of something when it came to politics, you can expect 2016 to be even more. Things are about to get considerably more serious on the campaign … Continue Reading
The 2015 elections are now in the books, but the 2016 election season, featuring federal campaigns (Presidential, Vice Presidential, Congressional) galore, is already upon us. Now’s a good time to be sure you’ve got a handle on the rules. The 2016 elections are a year away, but the race for presidential nominations is already heating … Continue Reading
If you want to comment on the FCC's proposal to expand its online public file requirements to radio licensees, cable operators and satellite broadcast services, get your calendars out - the comment deadlines have been set.… Continue Reading
While the FCC is moving unusually fast on this, we probably shouldn't be surprised. But the Commission's proposal is not without its ironies.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has requested comments on a proposal to impose online public file requirements on cable and satellite operators. And the Bureau has gone the proponents one big step further.… Continue Reading
When TV stations' local public inspection files went online, their ubiquitous availability was expected to attract an influx of complaints thanks to easy Internet access to the once distant files. The complaints have started.… Continue Reading
Remember how most TV stations were exempted from having to upload their political files to the online public inspection file system? Looks like that exemption is just about over.… Continue Reading
Three public interest groups think that they have a Better Idea for how TV stations should report political advertising buys. What do you think?… Continue Reading
Keeping a commitment it made back in April, 2012, the FCC has asked for comments on how the political file component of the online public file system has been working so far.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has announced that some TV stations may opt not to post to the FCC's online public file system their quarterly issues/programs lists covering earlier renewal cycle(s). Before you start doing the Snoopy dance, though, be aware that there are at least three gotchas here.… Continue Reading
Full-service TV and Class A TV licensees shouldn't party too hard this New Year's Eve. That's because the date by which they've got to upload their public inspection files to the FCC-maintained online site is right around the corner.… Continue Reading
Coming soon to screens all across the country! YOUR October 2012 issues/programs list (if you're a full-power or Class A TV station). If you think that your lists could use some spiffing up before their online debut, read on.… Continue Reading
With Campaign 2012 heading for the finish line, here's a quick recap of some of the rules with which broadcasters should be familiar as last-minute political buys start to flood in.… Continue Reading
Public-file-uploading chores kick in for ALL TV licensees (including Class A's) no later than October 10, when the next quarterly issues/programs lists mush be placed in each station's file. With that deadline looming, we thought it might be useful to introduce everybody to some of the nitty-gritty details they'll need know before they try to upload their lists.… 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
