All commercial, Class A, and Low Power television stations that provided feeable ancillary or supplemental services between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 must file an Annual Ancillary/Supplemental Service Report by December 1, 2023. Reports are filed on a
CommLawBlog
CommLawBlog, published by Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC, focuses on legal developments affecting the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors. The blog covers regulatory updates from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including enforcement actions, application fee adjustments, and reporting requirements for broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). It also addresses issues related to retransmission consent disputes, administrative law challenges, and compliance with communications statutes. The blog provides analysis of court decisions impacting agency authority and administrative procedures, as well as insights into government affairs and litigation relevant to communications law practitioners and industry stakeholders.
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FCC Releases Draft Report and Order to Allow Certain LPTVs to Convert to Class A
By Sara Hinkle
On November 22, 2023, the FCC circulated a draft Report and Order (“R&O”) that would, if adopted, provide some Low Power TV stations with the opportunity to convert their stations to Class A status. The draft Report and Order is…
Reminder: November 29th Deadline for FCC Filing to Protect 12.7-13.25 GHz Broadcast Auxiliary/Cable Relay Licenses
We remind parties with 12.7 – 13.25 GHz (“13 GHz”) Broadcast Auxiliary/Cable Relay licenses that you have until November 29, 2023 to make a filing at the FCC to protect those licenses, as the FCC moves towards repurposing some or…
FCC Announces Another Round of EEO Audits
By Daniel Brown
On October 30, 2023, the FCC released yet another 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…
FCC Postpones the Filing Window for New LPFM Stations
By Mark Lipp
The FCC announced today via Public Notice that it has revised the filing window period to apply for new LPFM stations, on which we reported in a previous blog post. The filing window was slated to open on November…
FCC Proposes Power-Up for Digital FMs
By Mark Malonzo
The FCC has issued a proposal that would allow more FM stations to increase digital power and allow asymmetric power on digital sidebands. Interested parties have until September 21 to file comments. Reply comments are due October 6.
Power …
EAS Nationwide Test Scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2023
By Daniel Brown
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) and the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) have announced that a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) will take place on October 4, 2023, at 2:20 pm EDT.
As we previously reported…
FCC Announces FM/LPFM Modification Application Filing Freeze
This week, the FCC announced that between September 1, 2023 and November 8, 2023, it will not accept LPFM and FM translator minor modification applications. This application freeze arises in conjunction with the filing window for LPFM construction permits, which…
FTC Updates Advertising Guides and Increases Scrutiny
On June 29th, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released updated rules to combat deceptive advertisements and endorsements. Along with new endorsement guidelines and answers to FAQs, these new rules mark a potential new era of FTC enforcement for advertisers…
FCC Announces Opening of Biennial Ownership Report Filing Window
This week, the Commission issued a Public Notice announcing that the filing window for submitting biennial ownership reports will open on October 2, 2023. All licensees of commercial and non-commercial full power television, Class A television, low power television, AM…