Skip to content

Menu

ChannelsPublishersSubscribe
LexBlog, Inc. logo
LexBlog, Inc. logo
ProductsSub-MenuBlogsPortalsTwentySyndicationMicrositesResource Center
Join
Search
Close
Join the Movement. Blog 4 Good

TV Stations and MVPDs Must Upload Contact Information by July 31st

By Paul J. Feldman
June 30, 2020
EmailTweetLikeLinkedIn

As we head into Summer, it’s important for TV broadcasters to remember the upcoming deadlines this Fall associated with notifying multichannel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) – primarily cable TV and direct broadcast satellite operators – of the station’s election of either must-carry or retransmission consent carriage status on the MVPD systems.   Two critical deadlines are coming up: by July 31st, TV broadcasters and MVPDs must make sure that contact information on file with the FCC is up-to-date; and by October 1st, all TV stations must upload their must-carry/retransmission consent elections.

In our March 10, 2020 blog, we reported that the FCC had replaced its long-standing requirement that Stations notify MVPDs of their carriage elections through letters sent by certified mail.   Rather, most stations must now upload their carriage elections to their online public inspection file (“OPIF”), with notices sent by email to MVPDs only when and if a station changes its election from the previous election cycle.

As a prelude to that new approach, by July 31st all TV stations that have the right to elect must-carry status must upload both email and telephone contact information for carriage inquiries from cable and satellite operators. For full power commercial and non-commercial stations, and Class A stations, this information must be uploaded into the station’s OPIF. For low power TV and non-commercial educational translator stations that qualify for carriage but do not have an OPIF, the station data must be uploaded to the Commission’s Licensing and Management System (“LMS”) database. In any case, the email and telephone information must be kept current, and stations must respond promptly to any inquiry from an MVPD received through either contact method.

Similarly, by July 31st all cable operators have to provide a designated carriage election e-mail address, where broadcasters will send election change notices, and a phone number for broadcasters to use in the event of questions as to whether the cable operator received the station’s election notice.  This contact information for cable operators must be loaded into the Cable Operations and Licensing System (“COALS”) portion of the FCC’s website.

If you have any questions about this, please contact us.

Photo of Paul J. Feldman Paul J. Feldman

Paul J. Feldman came to Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC. in 1992 and he became a Member of the Firm in 1997. His practice of Telecommunications Law concentrates on the areas of private and commercial mobile radio services; video services, including cable and…

Paul J. Feldman came to Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC. in 1992 and he became a Member of the Firm in 1997. His practice of Telecommunications Law concentrates on the areas of private and commercial mobile radio services; video services, including cable and satellite TV, and broadcast television; and local/interexchange telecommunications. Mr. Feldman’s work has resulted in a number of precedent-setting FCC orders regarding carriage of television stations on cable TV systems. He works with Internet Service Providers in connection with issues such as “Net Neutrality.” Mr. Feldman assists railroad carriers with FCC spectrum issues in the provision of Positive Train Control. He represents passive-scientific users of the spectrum, including radio astronomers. He also assists clients with certain Privacy Law users such as telemarketing compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Read more about Paul J. FeldmanEmail
Show more Show less
  • Posted in:
    Communications, Media & Entertainment
  • Blog:
    CommLawBlog
  • Organization:
    Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC
  • Article: View Original Source

Stay Connected

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter RSS
Real Lawyers

Company

  • About LexBlog
  • Careers
  • Press
  • Contact LexBlog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Service
  • RSS Terms of Service

Products

  • Products
  • Blogs
  • Portals
  • Twenty
  • Syndication
  • Microsites

Support

  • 1-800-913-0988
  • Submit a Request
  • Support Center
  • System Status
  • Resource Center

New to the Network

  • Redefined Blog
  • Global Trade Law Blog
  • The Quick Take
  • Consumer Privacy World
  • Energy Law Report
Copyright © 2021, LexBlog, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered By LexBlog