Legal File
September Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Regulatory Fees, HD Radio Power Increase Comments, EAS Filings, and Preparation for Many October Deadlines
On the surface, September appears to have few scheduled regulatory filing dates and deadlines, but it is period in which many broadcasters will be busy with deadlines that occur in early October and into the rest of the Fall. TV stations should be finishing their decision-making on must-carry/retransmission consent elections, which need to be in their public files by October 2.
Read MoreFM Translator Filing Freeze to go into Effect on September 1, 2023, Announced as Part of Rules for Applications in November LPFM Filing Window
This past Monday (7/31), the FCC’s Media Bureau announced the rules for the filing window for new LPFM stations that is to open on November 1, 2023.
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence in Political Ads – Legal Issues in Synthetic Media and Deepfakes in Campaign Advertising – Concerns for Broadcasters and Other Media Companies
Stories about “deepfakes,” “synthetic media,” and other forms of artificial intelligence being used in political campaigns, including in advertising messages, have abounded in recent weeks.
Read MoreFCC Media Bureau Issues Biennial Ownership Report Reminder
This past Monday (7/17). the FCC’s Media Bureau issued a public notice reminding all U.S. broadcast licensees of the importance of filing their biennial ownership reports. Doing so requires the use of FCC Form 323 or 323-E, per Commission rules.
Read MoreFCC’s Media Bureau Announces Transition of Additional Filings to Licensing and Management System.
The FCC’s Media Bureau has announced the completion of the transition of Media Bureau filings and electronic records from the Consolidated Database System (CDBS) to the Licensing and Management System (LMS). Commencing July 26, 2023, the public must submit through LMS the following filings that were previously submitted using CDBS or a paper form.
Read MoreJuly Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Quarterly Issues/Programs List, Franken FMs, Copyright Distant Signal Copyright Claims, and More
July is relatively light on broadcast regulatory dates, but the Quarterly Issues/Programs List deadline on July 10 is one that applies to all full-power broadcasters and Class A TV stations. As set forth below, there are a few other dates worth noting this coming month – with more to come in August.
Read MoreFCC’s ATSC 3.0 Order Takes Long-Awaited Steps to Facilitate Multicast Hosting Arrangements
Last Friday (6/23), the FCC released a Third Report and Order and Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Multicast Licensing Order), setting forth rules regarding Next Gen multicast hosting arrangements and seeking further comment on ATSC 3.0-related patent issues.
Read MoreFCC Grants Waiver of Certain Accessible Emergency Information Requirements
On May 26, 2023, the FCC released an order to extend for 18 months an existing waiver of the requirement that television broadcasters aurally describe visual but non-textual emergency information, such as maps or other graphic displays.
Read MoreJune Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – EEO, Rulemaking Comments, AM Congressional Hearings, and More
Though school is out for many, the FCC does not take a summer recess. Instead, regulation continues. While the pace of new FCC regulatory issues for broadcasters has slowed, perhaps pending the confirmation of a new Commissioner and the return of the FCC to full strength, there are still regulatory matters in June worth watching. Some are routine, others look more to the future – but all are worth watching just the same.
Read MoreFCC Seeks Comments on Proposed Annual Regulatory Fees – Proposal Includes a Decrease in Fees To Be Paid By Broadcasters
In recent years, there has been significant debate over the amount of fees paid by broadcasters, with broadcast interests arguing that the FCC’s allocation of its workforce overestimated the number of employees working on broadcast matters. In the proposal released this week, the FCC appeared to agree, allocating to other industries the work done by certain employees who were at least partially counted against broadcasters in the past.
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