Dates To Remember

Posted on December 31st, 2015 by

January 1, 2016: stations must begin captioning “straight lift” clips – a single excerpt of a program that was captioned when first shown on TV, with the same video and audio as broadcast – that are then uploaded to the internet for further viewing.

January 10, 2016: TV, Class A, AM & FM Stations (commercial and noncommercial): complete 4th quarter 2015 issues/program reports. TV & Class A Stations post same to your online public file. AM & FM stations place in your public file.

Class A Stations Only: complete and post to your online public file certification of ongoing Class A eligibility.

January 11, 2016: January 10 lands on a Sunday so the deadline is moved to the next business day. TV & Class A stations (commercial only): complete and electronically file FCC Form 398 Children’s TV Programming Report for 4th Quarter 2015. Your report should be made automatically linked by the FCC to your online public file. Also compile and post to online public file records relating to station’s compliance with children’s programming commercial limits.

January 12, 2016 6pm ET: FCC Form 177 filing window CLOSES for full power and Class A stations to participate in 2016 TV Reverse Incentive Auction.

January 20, 2016: reply comments due on FCC proposal to revise rules regarding foreign ownership of broadcast stations.

January 29, 2016: 1st AM window for Class C and D AM stations to file modification applications for commercial band FM translators. Window closes July 28, 2016.

January 31, 2016: minimum fees are due to SoundExchange for year 2016 for stations streaming on the internet.

February 1, 2016:

AM & FM Stations in Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi: if full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and place same in public file as well as post on station website. If station has 11 or more full-time employees, prepare and electronically file mid-term EEO Form 397 and place copy of filed report in your public inspection file. NCE Stations Only: also file biennial ownership report via Form 323-E.

AM & FM Stations in New York & New Jersey: if full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in online public file as well as post on station website. NCE Stations Only: also file biennial ownership report via Form 323-E.

AM & FM Stations in Kansas, Nebraska & Oklahoma: if full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in online public file as well as post on station website.

TV & Class A Stations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York & New Jersey: if full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in online public file as well as post on station website.

TV & Class A Stations in Kansas, Nebraska & Oklahoma: if full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in online public file as well as post on station website. NCE Stations Only: also file biennial ownership report via Form 323-E.