Dates to Remember 

September 30, 2022 All Commercial Broadcast Stations – extended deadline to remit 2022 Regulatory Fees; fees can be paid until 11:59pm EDT using CORES. October 1, 2022 Radio and TV Stations located in Alaska, American Samoa, Florida Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Missouri, N. Mariana Islands, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington:  if five (5) full time employee […]

The FCC has a number of resources ready to help broadcast stations affected by Hurricane Ian.  A 24/7 FCC Operations Center can be contacted at 202-418-1122 or fccops@fcc.gov.  The Operations Center has and can send you a Reentry Letter to allow post-storm access to storm impacted areas. Our firm has a copy of that letter […]

FCC Regulatory Fee Payment and Waiver/Reduction Deadlines Extended

Originally set for September 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, the FCC has now extended the 2022 Regulatory Fee payment deadline until September 30, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EDT due to payment system issues and Hurricane Ian. The FCC called the system issues “technical challenges” but from direct experience, the CORES payment module was not […]

FCC Extends OPIF Quarterly Deadlines for Hurricane Fiona Affected Stations; Ian Affected Stations Likely Next

By public notice, the FCC extended the deadline for stations affected by Hurricane Fiona to upload required information for the 3rd quarter of 2022 to November 14, 2022.  Such uploads are normally required by the 10th calendar day following the quarter, unless it lands on a weekend or holiday, in which case the deadline is […]

Outdated Analog TV Rules Cleanup Rulemaking Launched

In a news release, the FCC announced that it has adopted a rulemaking to eliminate outdated analog television rules that are no longer necessary because of the completion of the digital television transition.  The rulemaking is available here.  It is quite lengthy but especially worth reading where the FCC proposes to clarify a rule based […]

$38,000 Tower Regulations Reminder

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau recently entered into a Consent Decree that included a $38,000 fine and compliance plan requirements related to tower construction violations.  The recipient?  An electric cooperative that had begun construction on multiple towers without first getting FAA clearance, registering the towers, or conducting required pre-construction environmental reviews. For any broadcaster that owns […]

Broadcast Station EEO Audit Response Due

The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued its second broadcast station EEO audit of 2022 in August and the deadline for all responses is October 7, 2022.  The notice and list of stations can be found here.  Stations no longer have to mail documents to the FCC to respond to EEO audits – an upload to the […]

Whopping Fine for Children’s TV Commercial Limits Violations

If your television station does not have clear review protocols set up to screen children’s programming for commercial limits compliance before airing, the FCC’s recent Notice of Apparent Liability will surely prompt you to clarify or adopt them now. The children’s television commercial limits rule restricts the amount of commercial matter that may be aired […]

DATES TO REMEMBER

September 6, 2022 LPTV, TV Translator and FM Stations That Incurred Repack Costs – deadline for submitting all invoices supporting request for reimbursement of expenses, and final Form 399. September 9, 2022 Lowest Unit Rate – LUR period start date for the November 8, 2022 general election in all states and territories. September 15, 2022 […]

Get Ready for FCC Regulatory Fees

In the next several days, the FCC is expected to issue its Report & Order adopting the annual regulatory fees that will be due in September.  Broadcasters have uniformly opposed the proposed 13% increase in broadcast station fees, but various media reports indicate that the FCC will proceed with the increase.  Commercial station licensees should […]