2021 Regulatory Fees Due by September 24th

The FCC has adopted its final report and order for 2021 Annual Regulatory Fees, and in a break for commercial broadcasters, agreed to avoid substantial increases in regulatory fees (especially for radio).  The Media Bureau has now issued a public notice announcing that the Fee Filer system is open for fees to be paid, and that the deadline for making the payments is 11:59 p.m. EDT September 24, 2021.

Regulatory fees apply to commercial broadcast stations, unless exempt.  Stations can be exempt if the licensee is non-profit and has submitted its proof of non-profit status to the FCC, or if the licensee is a governmental entity.  A licensee with total regulatory fees less than $1,000 is also exempt from paying regulatory fees. Stations that are still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can still opt to pay fees in portions under an installment plan.

As a reminder, regulatory fees must be paid for all broadcast facility licenses granted on or before October 1, 2020, and for initial construction permits that were granted on or before October 1, 2020 for AM/FM radio stations, VHF/UHF broadcast television stations, and satellite television stations.

Fees paid later than the required deadline will incur an automatic 25% penalty.  We will be in touch with clients that owe fees within a few days after fee and deadline information becomes available.  Use this link to log in and pay regulatory fees.  For details on what stations owe, see this link.