Legal File
September 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – FCC Regulatory Fees, Auction 114 Short-Form Applications and Filing Freeze, Deadline for Implementation of EAS Security Practices, LUC Window for the November Election and More
It is time for our look at September’s regulatory dates and deadlines to which broadcasters should be paying attention, and the deadline that probably is most important to all commercial broadcasters has now been announced: The deadline for the payment of annual regulatory fees, which must be made before the federal government’s October 1 start of the new fiscal year is September 24.
Read More7 Michigan Stations on List: FCC Announces EEO Audit of 400 Stations; All Broadcasters Should Review the Requirements to Be Prepared for the Next EEO Review
On Friday (8/21), the FCC released its first EEO audit notice for 2026 – and the second to feature questions introduced last year to look for evidence of “invidious DEI” programs in place at broadcast stations. The FCC’s Public Notice, audit letter, and the list of the 400 radio and TV stations (both commercial and noncommercial) selected for audit is available here.
Read MoreNew Security Obligations for Broadcasters Required by September 29 – Strong Passwords, Updated Software and Hardware, and Firewalls to Protect All Parts of the Program Chain
In early July, we wrote about the FCC’s decision to require that all broadcasters take measures to secure their EAS operations – and in the process secure their entire program chain – to make sure that malicious actors can’t hack into their systems and send false alerts. The FCC today published in the Federal Register the order making those changes, which will require broadcasters to meet these security requirements in 60 days – by September 29.
Read MoreAugust 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Annual EEO Public File Reports, Political Windows, and more
One deadline that most commercial broadcasters should be anticipating is the FCC’s Order that will set the amount of their Annual Regulatory Fees. Payment of those fees will be due sometime in September before the October 1 start of the federal government’s new fiscal year. These announcements usually come in late August or in the first few days of September.
Read MoreFCC Plans to Raise the 39% National TV Ownership Cap – What are the Proposals and What are the Issues?
Last week, the FCC released a draft Report and Order which, if adopted at its August regular monthly open meeting, will repeal the 39% cap that currently limits the nationwide reach of local television station owners. That cap prohibits one owner from having interests in TV stations reaching more than 39% of the nation’s TV households.
Read MoreFCC Consent Decree With iHeart Discusses how Exchanging Airplay for Discounts or Free Stuff Can Trigger Sponsorship Identification Requirements, Including for Songs Played in Exchange for a Band’s Appearance at Station Events
Last week, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau entered into a Consent Decree with iHeartMedia to resolve its investigation into whether iHeart violated the FCC’s sponsorship identification rules. Interestingly, iHeart does not admit that it violated any rules, nor does the FCC suggest any specific conduct by iHeart violated any rule. So why the Consent Decree?
Read MoreMore Political Ads at Lowest Unit Rates? – Supreme Court Allows Candidates and Parties to Coordinate, and an FCC Media Bureau Notice Says Coordinated Ad Buys Should be Given LUC
More Political Ads at Lowest Unit Rates? – Supreme Court Allows Candidates and Parties to Coordinate, and an FCC Media Bureau Notice Says Coordinated Ad Buys Should be Given LUC
Read MoreFCC’s Media Bureau Sets the Eligibility Rules for Upcoming NCE Translator Filing Window
When the Commission approved this window at its February regular monthly open meeting, it announced that the Media Bureau would consider whether to implement a 10-application limit for any company seeking construction permits in this window, and it would adopt other eligibility criteria.
Read MoreFCC Proposes Auction for New FM Stations – 132 Channels to be Available in February 2027 Auction
The FCC this week proposed an auction for the rights to construct new FM stations on 132 FM channels – the first such auction of new FM stations since 2021. The auction is proposed for February 2027, although interested parties will need to submit “short form” applications to participate in the auction at some point prior to that date.
Read MoreApril 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – EEO Public File Reports, Comment Deadlines, Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists, Political Windows and More
With April showers come routine regulatory dates for broadcasters, including the requirement for posting Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists to the Online Public Inspection Files of all full-power radio and TV stations, and EEO Public File Reports for stations in a number of states.
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