Here are some of the regulatory and legal actions and developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. Information on the FY 2020 regulatory fee process continues to roll out, in advance of the… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: August 29, 2020 to September 4, 2020
Here are some of the regulatory and legal actions and developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC released its Report and Order on annual regulatory fees for fiscal year 2020 and,… Continue Reading…
FCC Releases Order on Regulatory Fees – No Widespread Waivers of Fees But Some Deferred Payments Possible – Payment Dates Coming Soon
The FCC’s order on this year’s annual regulatory fees was released by the FCC this week. The FCC rejected calls to forgive broadcast regulatory fees because of the economic fallout of the pandemic, noting that only Congress could pass such relief, as the FCC is required by law to collect fees sufficient to cover the… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: August 22, 2020 to August 28, 2020
Here are some of the regulatory and legal developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how they may affect your operations. The FCC this week released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing changes to the fees it charges broadcasters for… Continue Reading…
September Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters: Annual Regulatory Fees, Lowest Unit Rate Window Opening, C-Band Reimbursement, Rulemaking Comments and More
As broadcasters continue to respond to the coronavirus while sometimes juggling work duties with family responsibilities like at-home virtual schooling, it would be easy to overlook regulatory dates and responsibilities. This post should help alert you to some important dates in September that all stations should keep in mind – and we will also provide… Continue Reading…
C-band Earth Station Licensee Can Elect Lump Sum Reimbursement Payments for Repacking Costs by September 14 – NAB Webinar Helps Clarify the Choice
Many broadcasters who receive satellite-delivered programming do so through satellite dishes picking up transmissions from spectrum referred to as the C-band. Part of that spectrum is to be auctioned to wireless users for 5G service starting in December. Because of that auction, those using the band to receive satellite-delivered programs will be compressed into a… Continue Reading…
RMLC and SESAC Agree to Extend Current License Agreement for Commercial Radio – Music Licensing Update for Radio
The Radio Music License Committee and SESAC yesterday announced an extension of the terms of the royalty agreement that is currently in place between the commercial radio industry and this performing rights organization. As we wrote here, the agreement under which radio broadcasters have been paying for the last three years was arrived at after… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation: August 15, 2020 to August 21, 2020
Here are some of the regulatory and legal actions and developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. We noted in last week’s update that the FCC’s Annual Regulatory Fees Order, setting the the… Continue Reading…
Lowest Unit Rate Window for the November Election Opens on September 4 – Thoughts on Computing Your Lowest Unit Charges to Political Candidates
With the lowest unit charge window for the November elections going into effect on September 4, just two and a half weeks from now, we thought that it was a good idea to review the basic FCC rules and policies affecting those charges. In this election, with the Presidency and control in both houses of Congress… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: August 8, 2020 to August 14, 2020
Here are some of the regulatory and legal actions and developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC released two Public Notices tied to extreme weather events. In one Notice, the FCC… Continue Reading…
NAB Announces that a Majority in Congress Have Signed on to the Local Radio Freedom Act – A Look at the Broadcast Performance Royalty Debate
The NAB recently announced that a majority of Congress has signed on to the Local Radio Freedom Act, the nonbinding resolution where Congressional representatives declare their opposition to the adoption of a broadcast performance royalty. With that announcement, it is worth taking another look at what a broadcast performance royalty is and what might happen… Continue Reading…
FCC Issues Reminder of Obligations to Make Televised Emergency Information Available to Viewers with Disabilities
About this time each year, as hurricane season ramps up, the FCC issues a notice reminding television broadcasters and other video providers of their obligations to make accessible emergency information to all of the populations which may be using their services – especially if parts of the audience cannot see or hear the emergency information… Continue Reading…
