The FCC recently released a Notice of Apparent Liability (“NAL”) for a forfeiture of $8,000 that should be a cautionary tale for other broadcast licensees that conduct contests for listeners or viewers. This fine arose out of the station’s failure
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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Comments on Proposed Rules for Program Originating Booster Stations Due May 16, Reply Comments Due June 17
The FCC released a Public Notice today establishing deadlines for submitting comments on its proposed rules to permit limited, voluntary program origination on FM boosters. Comments must be filed no later than May 16. Reply comments must be filed…
Comments on Proposed Rules for Program Originating Booster Stations Due May 16, Reply Comments Due June 17
The FCC released a Public Notice today establishing deadlines for submitting comments on its proposed rules to permit limited, voluntary program origination on FM boosters. Comments must be filed no later than May 16. Reply comments must be filed…
Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth Attorney Peter Tannenwald Recognized by LPTV Broadcasters Association with Gravino Lifetime Achievement Award at NAB 2024
At this year’s LPTV Broadcasters Association meeting during the NAB convention in Las Vegas, Peter Tannenwald, retired member of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, received the Mike Gravino Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes individuals who contribute to the advancement of…
Hyper-Local Programming Gets a Boost
On April 2, 2024, the FCC released a Report and Order (“R&O”) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) adopting rule changes that will allow FM booster stations to originate up to three minutes of programming per hour. Prior to…
FCC Reinstates Workplace Diversity Reporting Requirement
The FCC issued an Order last Friday reinstating the collection of workforce composition data for television and radio broadcasters, requiring broadcast licensees to file Form 395-B, which collects race, ethnicity, and gender information about the licensee’s employees, on an annual…
FHH Protects Client Rape Victim’s Privacy in U.S. Fourth Circuit
On February 21, 2024, an FHH attorney, Thomas F. Urban II, won an important victory for the firm’s client, Jane Doe, to protect her right to pursue her civil claims against her rapist without having to expose her identity. Due…
FCC Clarifies that AI-Generated Voices are Subject to TCPA
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…
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…
FCC Releases NPRM Seeking Comment on Proposal to Require Subscriber Rebates for Retransmission Consent Blackouts
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…