Form 317 Deadline On Horizon For TV Broadcasters

Every year by December 1^st, all digital television stations must file Form 317 with the FCC reporting on whether it transmitted any ancillary or supplementary services via its digital spectrum. Those services include computer software distribution, data transmissions, teletext, interactive materials, aural messages, paging services, audio signals, and subscription video. To the extent a station has transmitted such services, it is required to remit 5% of any revenue received on those transmissions, as measured during the 12-month period ending on the September 30^th just prior to the filing.

Now is a good time to assess whether a fee will be due by your station this December, and the amount. Stations that have not transmitted any ancillary or supplementary services must still file Form 317 indicating that no such services have been transmitted.