On the heels of the expiration of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the FCC has announced that they too will be rescinding some pandemic-related relief measures. As of Monday, May 15th, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing that, effective immediately, broadcasters will no longer be permitted to exclude free time that they provide
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FCC Announces EEO Mid-term Reviews Begin June 1 and New Online Public Inspection File EEO Mid-term Requirement for Radio Stations
The FCC announced today via Public Notice that mid-term EEO reviews for radio stations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia will begin on June 1. We discussed EEO mid-term reviews earlier this year in anticipation of this announcement.
- The Public Notice stated that “each television station that is part of an employment unit
FCC Announces EEO Audits
On April 24, 2023 the FCC released its most recent list of broadcast stations that will be audited regarding their compliance with the FCC’s Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) rules. Licensees of the audited stations will have to upload their audit responses to their online public inspection files by June 8, 2023.
Approximately twice per year,
FCC Chair Announces “Future of Television” Initiative and Shares Update on Next Gen TV Transition
During her address today at the 2023 NAB Show, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared two developments in the Next Generation Television (“Next Gen TV” or “ATSC 3.0”) rulemaking.
The Future of Television Initiative
The Chairwoman introduced the Future of Television initiative (the “Initiative”), a private-public leadership group hosted by the NAB, dedicated to “develop[ing]
FCC Opens Rulemaking Proceeding to Implement the Low Power Protection Act’s Window for Eligible LPTVs to Apply for Conversion to Class A Designation
On March 30, 2023, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on the following proposed rules for a one-year filing window for eligible LPTV stations to apply for conversion to Class A designation:
Eligibility Requirements
The Commission proposes three eligibility requirements that LPTV stations must meet to apply for conversion
FCC’s Spectrum Auction Authority Expires
On March 9, 2023, the FCC’s spectrum auction authority expired for the first time since it was initially granted in 1993. The authority enabled the FCC to auction spectrum when it received conflicting applications for a frequency in the wireless or broadcast services.
Under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the FCC’s spectrum auction authority
FCC Implements New STIR/SHAKEN and Robocall Mitigation Rules
At the FCC Commissioners’ meeting on March 16, the FCC imposed new STIR/SHAKEN and robocall mitigation requirements on all providers, including intermediate providers and regardless of their STIR/SHAKEN implementation status. All providers are now required to take “reasonable steps” to mitigate illegal robocall traffic and must submit a certification and mitigation plan to the
Upcoming FCC Telecom Deadlines
March 31
Supply Chain Annual Report – Providers of advanced communications services that purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained covered communications equipment and services on the Covered List in 2022 must submit an annual report on or before March 31, 2023 covering information as of December 31, 2022. The current version of the Covered
Fletcher Heald Attorneys Work with the NAB Leadership Foundation to Mold Future Broadcast Leaders
On March 17th our very own Frank Montero and Seth Williams presented a lecture on how to close a broadcast station acquisition to the latest class of industry leaders. The session was part of the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation’s Broadcast Leadership Training Program (BLT). We are thrilled to be among the supporters of
Gigi Sohn Withdraws as FCC Commissioner Nominee Leaving Commission Deadlocked
On March 7, 2023, Gigi Sohn, President Biden’s nominee to the Federal Communications Commission, withdrew following a bitter 16-month lobbying battle which blocked her Senate confirmation. Ms. Sohn was first nominated on October 26, 2021, but failed to receive a confirmation vote in the Senate. The White House renominated Sohn on January 3, 2023.
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