Articles Posted in October, 2006

By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer, Scott R. Flick, Lauren Lynch Flick and Paul A. Cicelski

October 2006
TV, Class A TV, LPTV and TV translator stations licensed to communities in New York and New Jersey should be receiving soon a postcard from the FCC reminding them that their license renewal applications must be filed by February 1, 2007.

Published on: October 27, 2006

FCC Enforcement Monitor

October 2006
Topics include:

FCC Fines Arizona Radio Station $8,000 for Violating the Commission’s Emergency Alert System Rules
FCC Finds Multiple Entities for Violating the Commission’s Antenna Structure Rules
FCC Fines Puerto Rico Radio Station $8,800 for Failing to Comply with the Terms of its License and for Violating the Commission’s Public Inspection File Rule

Published on: October 25, 2006

FCC Form 317 Reminder

October 2006
Annual DTV Ancillary/Supplementary Services Report for Commercial Digital Television Stations

Each commercial and noncommercial educational television broadcast station that has received its digital television license must file FCC Form 317 to report to the FCC whether its station provided ancillary or supplemental services at any time during the twelve-month period ending on the preceding September 30. Only licensed DTV stations must file. Those operating pursuant to Special Temporary Authority or Program Test Authority need not file. The FCC Form 317 is due by December 1, 2006. Electronic filing of FCC Form 317 is mandatory beginning November 1, 2006. Paper versions will not be accepted for filing after October 31, 2006 unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver.

Published on: October 6, 2006

FCC Issues Order Clarifying Television Broadcasters’ Children’s Television Programming Obligations

By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer and Tony Lin

October 2006
On September 29, 2006, the FCC released the Second Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order (hereafter “Second Order”) regarding the children’s television rules and policies it had established in 2004 but for which it had suspended implementation pending reconsideration. In the Second Order, the FCC rejected many of the petitions for reconsideration but adopted several changes to the 2004 rules that were requested by a coalition of broadcasters, programmers, and public interest groups in a “Joint Proposal” submitted earlier this year. The revised rules, which are discussed below, will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Published on: October 5, 2006

2006 Third Quarter Issues/Programs List Advisory for Broadcast Stations

By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer, Lauren Lynch Flick and Paul A. Cicelski

October 2006
Content of the Quarterly List

The next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by October 10, 2006, reflecting information for the months of July, August, and September.

Published on: October 5, 2006

Third Quarter Children’s Television Programming Documentation Advisory

By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer, Lauren Lynch Flick and Paul A. Cicelski

October 2006
The next Children’s Television Programming Report must be filed with the FCC and placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by October 10, 2006, reflecting programming aired during the months of July, August, and September.