Happy New Year and Best Wishes in 2024!

Posted on December 29th, 2023 by

Our very best wishes to our clients and newsletter readers in 2024.  It is our continued and distinct privilege to assist commercial and noncommercial broadcasters throughout the United States as they serve the public. We look forward to helping you with legal matters in 2024.

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FCC Meets Court Deadline and Issues 3-2 Order in 2018 Quadrennial Review of Broadcast Ownership Rules

Posted on December 29th, 2023 by

On the December 27th court-ordered deadline for doing so, the FCC adopted a Report & Order in the long overdue 2018 Quadrennial Review proceeding.  The three Democrat-appointed Commissioners voted in favor, and the two Republican-appointed Commissioners voted against, issuing scathing dissents. The broadcast industry had strongly urged a relaxation of the media ownership rules given […]

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Children’s Television Reporting Up Next in January

Posted on December 29th, 2023 by

By January 31, 2024, commercial full power and Class-A TV stations must prepare and file children’s television reports covering all of 2023, and upload children’s television commercial limits certifications to their public file for all of 2023.  We recommend that stations start early. Failure to timely file the annual children’s television report, or reporting less […]

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Government Shutdown 3.0?

Posted on December 29th, 2023 by

Congress’ continuing resolution to fund the federal government runs out on January 19, and a government shutdown (full or partial) could result unless a new agreement is reached by a Congress that is narrowly divided along party lines and within certain party factions. In past government shutdowns, the FCC has often continued normal operations for […]

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Reinstatement of EEO Form 395-B Appears Imminent

Posted on December 29th, 2023 by

In mid-December, the FCC issued a news release that Commissioner Starks had joined with 27 members of Congress who wrote to the FCC urging reinstatement of collection of broadcast workforce diversity data.  On the heels of that release, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel began circulation of a proposed Report & Order and Further Rulemaking in the FCC’s […]

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Dates to Remember 

Posted on November 30th, 2023 by

December 1, 2023 Deadline for all Commercial and Noncommercial Broadcast Stations (except for LPFM, TV Translator, or Radio Translator Stations) to file biennial ownership report in LMS.  Information must be current as of October 1, 2023.  For commercial station licensee entities, the new filing fee of $95 per station will apply. Radio and TV Stations […]

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One Day Left to File Biennial Ownership Reports

Posted on November 30th, 2023 by

Licensees of commercial and non-commercial full power television, Class A television, low power television, AM radio and FM radio stations have one more day, until December 1, 2023, to file biennial ownership reports.  Licensees with parent entities must also submit reports for those parent entities by the deadline. All information in the biennial report must […]

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December LPFM Filing Window and End of FM Translator/LPFM Minor Modification Filing Freeze

Posted on November 30th, 2023 by

Unless delayed again, the FCC’s LPFM filing window will open on December 6.  Applicants for new LPFM stations will have almost seven days to submit their applications.  The filing window will end at 6 pm EST on December 13. The closing of the LPFM filing window will automatically end the FM translator/LPFM minor modification filing […]

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Broadcast Station EEO Audit Responses Due December 14

Posted on November 30th, 2023 by

In a public notice issued October 30, 2023, the FCC announced its second round of broadcast station EEO audits in 2023.  The notice, which includes the letter to licensees and a list of the stations audited, set the deadline for responding as December 14, 2023. As with the last several audits, stations must respond to […]

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December 1 Deadline for DTV Ancillary/Supplemental Services Report

Posted on November 30th, 2023 by

December 1, 2023 is the deadline for full power, low power and Class A television stations to file FCC Form 2100, Schedule G, and pay 5% of gross revenues from any ancillary or supplementary services provided between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023.  Noncommercial television stations pay on 2.5% of gross revenue.  Instructions for […]

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