LPTV and TV translator licensees and applicants saw two notices from the FCC yesterday dealing with fall-out from the FCC’s incentive auction and the subsequent repacking of TV stations into a smaller part of the broadcast spectrum. The first notice announced a settlement window that runs through July 31 for applicants for new or modified… Continue Reading…
The President’s Executive Order on Online Media – What Does Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act Provide?
When the President issues an Executive Order asking for examination of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which permitted the growth of so many Internet companies, broadcasters and other media companies ask what effect the action may have on their operations. On an initial reading, the impact of the order is very uncertain, as… Continue Reading…
This Week at the FCC for Broadcasters: May 23, 2020 to May 29, 2020
Here are some of the regulatory and legal actions of the last week—and some obligations for the week ahead—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 comment cycle was set in the FCC’s annual regulatory fee proceeding. On… Continue Reading…
June 2020 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters: License Renewals, EEO Reports, Broadcast Internet Consideration, and Comments on Significant Viewing, DTS, White Spaces, Regulatory Fees, and Video Description
With many people now entering their third month of complying with stay-at-home orders and social distancing and summer being right around the corner, it would be easy for broadcasters to look past their regulatory obligations to focus on the day when they can ramp up operations and profits. As you can read below, however, June… Continue Reading…
Reminder: PSAs Featuring Candidates Can Give Rise to Equal Time and Public File Obligations
In recent weeks, with so many government officials looking to get messages out about the coronavirus pandemic, we have received many questions about issues that arise when political candidates appear on public service-type announcements – either free PSAs provided by the station or paid spots purchased by some governmental entity. While such announcements can be… Continue Reading…
This Week at the FCC: May 16, 2020 to May 22, 2020
Here are some of the FCC regulatory and legal actions 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 the agenda for its June 9 Open Meeting announcing that it will consider an… Continue Reading…
Comments Dates Set on Proposals to Expand Video Description Requirements of TV Stations and MVPDs
The FCC currently requires what they now call “video description” by commercial television broadcast stations that are affiliated with one of the top four commercial television broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) and located in the top 60 television markets. Video description is also required of MVPDs with 50,000 or more subscribers passing through content of the Top 5 cable networks. …
FCC to Consider Exemption of TV Broadcast Internet Services from Broadcast Ownership Rules and Regulations for ATSC 3.0 Non-Broadcast Services
The transition to ATSC 3.0, the next generation of television transmission, is underway as authorized by the Commission in 2017 (see our post here and our posts here, here and here on subsequent actions making that order effective and allowing TV stations to file to convert to the new standard). This week, the FCC released… Continue Reading…
Looking at Changes to the FCC’s Public Notice Requirements for Broadcast Applications
When a broadcaster files certain types of applications with the FCC, the public must be informed. Last week, the FCC issued an Order which will change the rules regarding the public notice that must be given – consolidating what was a confusing process with different language and timing for notice about different types of applications… Continue Reading…
This Week at the FCC: May 9, 2020 to May 15, 2020
Here are some of the regulatory and legal actions in 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. In connection with the Commission’s required monthly Open Meeting which was held last week, the FCC adopted two… Continue Reading…
Comments Due June 12 on Proposal to Expand the Use of Distributed Transmission Systems by TV Stations Operating with ATSC 3.0 Transmission Systems – What is Being Asked?
The FCC’s proposal to expand the use of Distributed Transmission Systems by television stations operating with the new ATSC 3.0 transmission system was published in the Federal Register today (here). That publication announces that the comment deadlines on the FCC’s DTS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking are due by Friday, June 12, 2020, and reply comments… Continue Reading…
$100,000 Penalty in Consent Decree Shows Teeth in Requirement for Good Faith Negotiation of Retransmission Consent Agreements
The requirement that television broadcasters and MVPDs (including cable and satellite television providers) negotiate in good faith over the provisions of retransmission consent agreements is often cited in arguments by one side or the other when negotiations over the fees to be paid under those agreements break down. In a consent decree released last week,… Continue Reading…
