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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ January 2020

January 29, 2020

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Arkansas University’s Underwriting Violations Lead to $76,000 Consent Decree Large TV Broadcaster Agrees to Pay $1.3 Million Over Predecessor’s Tower Compliance Problems Recent Fine Cancellations Prompt Broadcasters to Double-Check Fees and Fines A Word From Our Sponsors: Arkansas University Settles With FCC Over Underwriting Violations…

Comm Law Center

The Pillsbury Broadcasters’ Calendar: A Look at the Year Ahead With 2020 Accuracy

By Scott R. Flick

December 31, 2019

With radio license renewals underway, TV license renewals starting soon, the TV repack chugging along, and a whole new set of deadlines for kidvid launching this year, there are a lot of 2020 deadlines that broadcasters must track and meet. To help broadcasters accomplish that, Pillsbury has published a new edition of its Broadcasters’ Calendar each year for longer than anyone can recall (this is the 33rd edition that I’ve personally contributed to). And it…

Comm Law Center

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ December 2019

By Scott R. Flick & Warren Kessler

December 17, 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: North Carolina FM Translator Station Hit With $2,000 Proposed Fine Over Primary Station Change FCC Admonishes Georgia TV Stations for Insufficient Political File Disclosures FCC Proposes Historic Fine Against Massachusetts Pirate Radio Operation Carolina On My Mind: FCC Proposes $2,000 Fine Over Raleigh FM Translator’s…

Comm Law Center

FCC Opens New Filing Window For Displaced Rural LPTV Applicants

By Lee G. Petro

December 2, 2019

The FCC announced the opening of a new filing window to modify pending applications proposing new digital Low Power TV and TV translator service in rural areas. This filing window will permit applicants with long-pending applications who have subsequently been displaced by the Incentive Auction and the repacking process to submit amended proposals, subject to certain conditions. In June 2009, the FCC announced a filing window for new digital LPTV and TV translator stations to…

Comm Law Center

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ November 2019

By Scott R. Flick & Warren Kessler

November 26, 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Government Shutdown and Other “Compelling Reasons” Prompt FCC to Reinstate NY Radio Station License FCC Fines Virginia AM Station and Limits License Renewal to Two Years for Missing Quarterly Programs/Issues Lists Virginia Station’s Late License Renewal Application Proves Costly How Do You Measure a Year? …

Comm Law Center

A Broadcaster’s Guide to the U.S. Department of Labor’s New Overtime Exemption Requirements

By Scott R. Flick & Warren Kessler

November 25, 2019

[Editor’s Note: Pillsbury will be conducting a December 3, 2019 webinar for broadcasters on the new overtime regulations sponsored by the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations. Details can be found here.] On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor published final regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act that raised the minimum salary level necessary to be exempt from federal overtime rules under the Act by almost 50%. While the changes affect…

Comm Law Center

Ready, Set, File! Broadcast Biennial Ownership Report Filing Window Opens November 1st

By Lee G. Petro

October 30, 2019

The Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice reminding broadcast licensees that the filing window for Broadcast Biennial Ownership Reports (FCC Form 323 and 323-E) will open on November 1, 2019. All licensees of commercial and noncommercial AM, FM, full-power TV, Class A Television and Low Power Television stations must submit their ownership reports by January 31, 2020. We previously reported that the FCC had modified the dates for the filing window. At that time,…

Comm Law Center

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ October 2019

By Scott R. Flick Joseph A. Cohen & Warren Kessler

October 17, 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Virginia FM Station’s Years of Missing Quarterly Lists Lead to Proposed $15,000 Fine and a Reduced License Term FCC Investigates Ohio College Station Over Unauthorized Silence and Scheduling Violation New York Amateur Radio Operator’s Threats and Harmful Interference Lead to Proposed $17,000 Fine Feeling Listless:…

Comm Law Center

FM Broadcast Auction on the Horizon

By Lee G. Petro

October 11, 2019

On October 10, 2019, the FCC announced that it will hold a full-power FM Broadcast auction for 130 new construction permits starting on April 28, 2020. For now, the FCC is seeking comment on the procedures for the auction, although it does not propose any significant changes from past FM broadcast auctions. In connection with the auction, the FCC also announced a filing freeze prohibiting minor change applications, petitions, or counter-proposals directly affecting or failing…

Comm Law Center

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ September 2019

By Scott R. Flick Joseph A. Cohen & Warren Kessler

September 30, 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Faith-Based Station Settles With FCC After Preempting KidVid Programming With Fundraising Arizona LPFM Gets License Reinstated in Consent Decree Christmas Tree’s Harmful Interference Results in Consent Decree With LED Company Gotta Have Faith: Washington TV Station That Preempted Children’s Programming With Fundraising Settles With FCC…

Comm Law Center

Blog Authors

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ January 2020

The Pillsbury Broadcasters’ Calendar: A Look at the Year Ahead With 2020 Accuracy

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ December 2019

FCC Opens New Filing Window For Displaced Rural LPTV Applicants

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ November 2019

A Broadcaster’s Guide to the U.S. Department of Labor’s New Overtime Exemption Requirements

Ready, Set, File! Broadcast Biennial Ownership Report Filing Window Opens November 1st

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ October 2019

FM Broadcast Auction on the Horizon

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ September 2019

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