Here are some of the FCC regulatory and legal actions of the last week—and a congressional action in 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 FCC on June 9 held an Open Meeting where it unanimously adopted a Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Broadcast Internet services. The Commission defines Broadcast Internet broadly as IP-based services delivered over broadcast TV spectrum. The Declaratory Ruling clarifies that the lease by a party of ATSC 3.0 spectrum on multiple local TV stations for Broadcast Internet services does not count as an attributable interest under the current TV ownership rules as would an LMA or similar programming agreement on multiple stations. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on how industry foresees using Broadcast Internet services and what FCC rule change could encourage innovation and use of these services. Comments and reply comments on the Commission’s proposals will be due 30 days and 45 days, respectively, after publication in the Federal Register. (News Release) (Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) (Broadcast Law Blog)
- Thirty-five radio stations received the news last week that they were randomly selected by the Enforcement Bureau for an audit of their compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity rules. These periodic audits are good reminders to broadcasters that the Enforcement Bureau sees EEO compliance as a priority and that the Bureau can sanction stations for non-compliance. Even if your station was not selected to be audited, you can still use the publicly-released audit letter as a checklist to make sure your station is complying with all applicable EEO rules. The FCC audits about 5% of stations each year, so your time may come soon. (Public Notice) (Broadcast Law Blog)
- New technical rules for low power FM stations and the relation between reserved-band noncommercial FM stations and TV channel 6 were published last week in the Federal Register, setting the effective date for many of the new rules. New rules, including permission for LPFM stations to use boosters and the waiver process for NCE stations seeking a change in facilities near a Channel 6 TV station, become effective July 13. Other new rules, including the broadening of the definition “minor change” and the expansion of the permissible use of directional antennas by LPFMs, require additional government action and likely will not be effective for several months. (Federal Register) (Broadcast Law Blog)
Looking ahead to next week, watch for this DC event which may be of importance to broadcasters:
- On Tuesday, June 16, the Senate Commerce Committee will consider President Trump’s nomination of current FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly for a new five-year term (though his current five-year term expired in June 2019, federal law allows him to serve until the end of the current session of Congress, which is January 3, 2021). If the panel clears his re-nomination, it will be sent to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. (Hearing Details and Live Video)
Courtesy Broadcast Law Blog
