FCC Media Bureau Settles a Flurry of Still Pending Television Station Renewal Applications

In the past month or so, the FCC’s Media Bureau has moved ahead with agreements settling numerous issues from the prior license renewal cycle where applications by television stations for license renewal were still pending due to rule violation investigations. Nearly 20 such agreements have been announced, and are worth perusing on the Media Bureau’s webpage at this link.

The settlements have involved consent decrees with fines and compliance plans to ensure steps are being taken to avoid future rule violations.  The agreements run the gamut of potential rule violations, from $300,000 for Univision due to exceeding commercial limits in children’s programming on 41 stations, to $6,000 to an NCE TV station for uploading 13 issues/programs issues late, to $10,000 to a Class A TV station for late public file uploads of issues/programs lists and commercial limits certifications.

While it is possible that some of these regulatory requirements may be relaxed in the upcoming license renewal cycle, compliance with all rules from the prior 8-year license term will still have to be certified in renewal applications.  Stations should regularly cross-check all compliance matters and use two-person control to be sure that documents are prepared and timely uploaded to the station public file.