Consent Decree and $28,000 Price Tag for Children’s TV Violations

A Class-A television station in Indiana has entered into a consent decree with the FCC’s Media Bureau for violations of the children’s television rules from the last license renewal cycle. The decree does not impose any reporting obligations but instead grants the station’s license renewal cycle contingent upon payment of a $28,000 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury.

In its license renewal application, the station disclosed that in the fourth quarter of 2020 and throughout all four quarters of 2021, it had aired less than the required amount of regularly scheduled weekly children’s television. The Media Bureau initially referred the Station’s renewal application to the full Commission, which determined that during the license term, the station had faced significant regulatory and operational changes, as well as unique factual scenarios, and returned the renewal application to the Bureau for further processing.  In the consent decree, the Media Bureau concluded that in consideration of the facts and nature of the station in this case, the Licensee’s history of compliance, and the Licensee’s agreement to pay $28,000, it would grant the license renewal for a full term and terminate its investigation.

Other stations with license renewal applications still pending due to children’s TV violations have recently received similar treatment and varying contribution amounts.

License renewals for television stations will begin in June 2028 and continue into 2031. Children’s television compliance certifications are required in every license renewal application.