Given the increasing power of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate content that mimics human voices, the FCC issued a unanimous Declaratory Ruling clarifying that current AI technologies that generate human voices constitute “artificial or prerecorded voices” subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA protects consumers from unwanted calls made using artificial
Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC
Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, P.L.C. is a media and telecommunications law firm, experienced in all aspects of communications law and regulation, and represents clients operating in all sectors of the media and telecommunications industry. The firm serves as counsel to broadcast stations, local and long distance telephone companies, major banking institutions, telecommunications equipment suppliers, technological start-ups, private and common carrier fixed and mobile radio spectrum users, cable television systems, wireless cable entities, satellite communications service providers, computer and Internet companies, scientific research organizations, trade associations, universities, state and local governments and corporate users of telecommunications and information technology services.
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Latest from Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC - Page 3
Corporate Transparency Act Triggers New Federal Filing Requirement for Most Small and Medium Companies.
The federal Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), enacted by Congress on January 1, 2021, established new ownership disclosure and reporting requirements for most small and medium sized U.S. companies (“Reporting Companies”), including both existing and newly created companies. The deadline for filing the required report is January 1, 2025, but companies should not wait to review…
FCC Releases NPRM Seeking Comment on Proposal to Require Subscriber Rebates for Retransmission Consent Blackouts
By Daniel Brown
On January 17, 2024, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on a newly proposed requirement for cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) providers, which, if enacted, would require those cable operators and DBS providers to make available rebates to their subscribers for programming blackouts caused by failed retransmission consent…
FCC Proposes to Prioritize Application Processing for Stations that Provide Locally Originated Programming
By Mark Malonzo
On January 17, 2024, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on a proposed rule that would prioritize review of certain broadcast applications filed by stations that certify that they provide locally originated programming.
Eligible Stations
Under the proposed rule, priority review would be available to radio and television stations (excluding…
FCC Releases NPRM Proposing New Reporting Requirements for Retransmission Consent Blackouts
By Daniel Brown
On December 21, 2023, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) proposing new reporting requirements for multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”). The amendments to the FCC’s rules, if enacted, would give MVPDs 48 hours to notify the FCC when a blackout of 24 hours or more of a broadcast television station, or stations,…
FCC Releases Report and Order Concluding Its 2018 Quadrennial Regulatory Review
By Daniel Brown
FDA Adopts New Rules Requirements for “Side Effects” Statements in Prescription Drugs Ads on Broadcast Stations
By Sara Hinkle
The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has adopted a Final Rule requiring that when a direct-to-consumer TV or radio ad for a prescription drug makes statements relating to side effects of the drug, those statements must be presented in a “clear, conspicuous, and neutral manner.” This Final Rule implements one requirement of the Federal Food, Drug, and
…
FCC Adopts Report and Order Allowing Certain LPTVs to Convert to Class A Television Stations
By Daniel Brown
On December 12, 2023, the FCC adopted a Report and Order (“R&O”) providing certain qualifying Low Power TV (“LPTV”) stations with a limited opportunity to convert to Class A status. The R&O came after the FCC circulated a draft last month and implements the requirements of the Low Power Protection Act (“LPPA”), which is intended…
FCC Adopts Final Deadlines for Submission of C-Band Reimbursement Claims
By Daniel Brown
On December 5, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice adopting two final reimbursement claims submission deadlines for eligible incumbents and stakeholders as part of the ongoing transition of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (“C-band”). Claimants seeking reimbursement for all claims for C-band transition costs incurred and paid by claimants as of December 31, 2023, including…
Reminder: Annual DTV Ancillary/Supplemental Services Report Due December 1st
By Mark Malonzo
All commercial, Class A, and Low Power television stations that provided feeable ancillary or supplemental services between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 must file an Annual Ancillary/Supplemental Service Report by December 1, 2023. Reports are filed on a station-by-station basis in the FCC’s Licensing and Management System (LMS) on Form 317.
“Ancillary or…