FCC Proposes 20% Increase in Broadcast Regulatory Fees

Time is running out for broadcasters to file comments in the FCC’s proposed rulemaking to set the annual broadcast regulatory fees due by stations in September. The FCC’s proposal includes about a 20% increase in fees but does not provide reasons for the need or amount of the increase. You can voice your opinion on the fee increase by filing comments, but must do so by June 7, 2019. The FCC won’t issue an order finally setting the fees until late August or early September, so to be on the safe side, stations may want to include a 20% increase in their regulatory fee budget.