CommLawBlog

EAS National Test Scheduled Earlier than Usual

By FHH Law on June 12, 2019

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) on August 7th, at 2:20 pm EDT. If conditions such as a real emergency or other unforeseen circumstances occur on the day of the test, a backup date is scheduled for August 21st. All EAS participants must complete their 2019 Form One on or before July 3rd.…

CommLawBlog

ATTENTION OLDIES STATIONS (OR OTHERS WHO PLAY PRE-72 RECORDINGS): Think Twice Before You Pony Up Three Years of Royalties Under New MMA Provision

By Kevin Goldberg & Karyn K. Ablin on June 10, 2019

Remember our April 4, 2019 “CALLING ALL OLDIES STATIONS!” post that alerted you to a simple form you could file to receive certain protections from potentially crippling infringement awards for unauthorized uses of sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972 (aka “pre-72 recordings”)? That post created quite a stir. In fact, we were flooded with questions from webcasters around the country about whether and how to sign up. …

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FCC Revises Procedures for Submitting Financial Information Regarding Repack Reimbursement

By FHH Law on June 6, 2019

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) on June 4 released in a Public Notice streamlined financial information instructions for full-power/Class A TV stations receiving repack reimbursement that have changed their banking information or have sold or acquired an eligible station and need to transfer the banking information to the new owner. Eligible entities with a change of non-banking information – including name, mailing address, and contacts listed as authorized agents – will no longer need…

CommLawBlog

New Developments in Broadband – May

By Jeffrey Mitchell on June 5, 2019

Broadband on Capitol Hill House Democrats have unveiled their $2 trillion dollar infrastructure package called the “Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s America Act” (LIFT America Act). A House hearing was held May 22 with testimony from, among others, former FCC Commissioner Clyburn. The legislation includes $45 billion in broadband funding: $30 billion in reverse auction funds to be administered by the FCC, $10 billion in reverse auction funds to be administered by the states,…

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Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for June-August

By FHH Law on May 28, 2019

Broadcast Deadlines: June 1, 2019: License Renewal Pre-Filing Announcements – Radio stations located in North Carolina and South Carolina must begin broadcasts of their pre-filing announcements with regard to their applications for renewal of the license. These announcements must be continued on June 16, July 1, and July 16.…

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FCC Considers Repurposing the 1675-1680 MHz Band

By Donald Evans on May 23, 2019

By a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted on May 9, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) sought comment on whether it should open the 1675-1680 MHz band for non-federal government mobile use. This marks the very plodding next step in a process that began back in 2012 when Ligado (then still known as Light Squared) petitioned the FCC to reallocate this channel. Ligado leases the adjacent 1670-1675 MHz from Crown Castle on a long term basis. …

CommLawBlog

Peter Tannenwald Honored by WAMU Radio

By FHH Law on May 9, 2019

We are very proud to congratulate our own Peter Tannenwald on being recognized by American University Radio in Washington, DC. for his many years of work with radio station WAMU, the local NPR affiliate found on 88.5 FM. Peter was presented with a ceremonial (but functioning) microphone at the WAMU Community Council meeting on May 8 and was feted with some very kind words from station leadership.…

CommLawBlog

New Developments in Broadband – April

By Jeffrey Mitchell on April 30, 2019

Broadband on Capitol Hill Although optimism for a broadband infrastructure spending bill this year is fading, it is still a possibility. Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Pelosi (D‑CA) plan met with President Trump today to discuss infrastructure legislation. Schumer recently said that an overall infrastructure plan (including broadband and traditional infrastructure such as roads and bridges) would need to be “at least $1 trillion.” Pelosi has said she would like to see…

CommLawBlog

Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for May-July

By FHH Law on April 29, 2019

Broadcast Deadlines: April 29, 2019: Quadrennial Review of Broadcast Ownership Rules – Comments are due with regard to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (MB Docket 18-349, FCC-18-179A1) which initiated the required 2018 Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules.…

CommLawBlog

Now Available: “Navigating the Online Public Inspection File” Webinar

By FHH Law on April 24, 2019

Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth’s Frank Montero, Steve Lovelady, and Dan Kirkpatrick recently presented a webinar about Online Public Inspection Files (OPIFs). The webinar, in collaboration with the broadcast associations of Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee in addition to the Public Radio Regional Organizations, covered a variety of topics, including how to set up an OPIF, what documents and materials need to be uploaded, and the consequences of non-compliance…

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EAS National Test Scheduled Earlier than Usual

ATTENTION OLDIES STATIONS (OR OTHERS WHO PLAY PRE-72 RECORDINGS): Think Twice Before You Pony Up Three Years of Royalties Under New MMA Provision

FCC Revises Procedures for Submitting Financial Information Regarding Repack Reimbursement

New Developments in Broadband – May

Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for June-August

FCC Considers Repurposing the 1675-1680 MHz Band

Peter Tannenwald Honored by WAMU Radio

New Developments in Broadband – April

Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for May-July

Now Available: “Navigating the Online Public Inspection File” Webinar

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