Dates To Remember

September 4, 2018

Deadline for Post-Auction Phase One TV and Class A stations to file for post-auction construction permit extensions.

September 5, 2018

Reply Comments due on the Commission’s NPRM on how to simplify complaints about interference from new FM translators

September 10, 2018

Reply Comments due on the Commission’s NOI regarding the creation of a new class of C4 FM Stations and to make changes to allow for more short-spaced FM stations using Section 73.215.

 September 13-14, 2018

DIRS exercise for Broadcasters

September 14, 2018

Testing Period begins for Post-Auction Phase One TV and Class A Stations.

 September 20, 2018

National EAS Test; 11:59pm EDT Deadline for all broadcast stations to file EAS Form 2 in ETRS as part of EAS National Test.

 September 21, 2018

 Deadline for Post-Auction Phase One TV and Class A stations to file 10-week Transition Progress Report

 September 24, 2018

Comments due on the Commission’s report to Congress on the state of competition in the Audio Marketplace.

Comments due on the Commission’s potential changes to Children’s Television rules mandating the three hours of weekly educational and informational programming directed to children on each programming stream broadcast by a station.

September 26, 2018

Comments due on the Commission’s Incentive Auction Repacking reimbursement of expenses incurred by LPTV stations, TV translators and FM broadcasters whose operations are affected by the repacking.

 October 1, 2018

 AM & FM Stations in Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Iowa and Missouri: if five full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in public file as well as post on station website.

 AM & FM Stations in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Mariana Islands, Oregon and Washington: if five full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and place same in public file as well as post on station website. If station has 11 or more full-time employees, prepare and electronically file mid-term EEO Form 397 and place copy of filed report in your public inspection file.

 TV & Class A Stations in Iowa and Missouri: if five full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in public file as well as on station website and prepare and electronically file mid-term EEO Form 397 and place copy of filed report in your public inspection file. Reminder – the Form 397 requires that the station’s last two EEO public file reports be submitted to the FCC.

TV & Class A Stations in Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Mariana Islands, Oregon and Washington: if five full-time employee threshold is met, complete EEO public file report and post same in online public file and station website.

October 10, 2018

TV, Class A, AM & FM Stations (commercial & noncommercial): complete 3rd Quarter 2018 issues/program reports and place in public file.

TV & Class A stations (commercial only) and any LPTV station with must-carry rights: complete and electronically file via LMS the FCC Form 398 Children’s TV Programming Report for 3rd Quarter 2018, and also compile and post to the public file records relating to the station’s compliance with children’s programming commercial limits for 3rd Quarter 2018.

TV & Class A stations changing channels as part of the repack or based on voluntary receipt of auction funds should file a transition progress report in LMS.

Class A stations only: complete and post to your online public file a certification of ongoing Class A eligibility.

 October 17, 2018

Extended window-filing deadline for C-Band Earth Station Receive Only Registrations and other filings

November 5, 2018

Deadline for all broadcast stations to file EAS Form 3 in ETRS as part of EAS National Test

November 30, 2018

Transition Deadline for Post-Auction Phase One TV and Class A stations to cease operations on pre-auction channels and commence operations on post-auction channels

December 1, 2018

Deadline for all digital television licensees that are providing ancillary/supplementary services to file the ancillary/supplementary services Form 317 in LMS.