December 2008 On December 24, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the recently enacted Short-Term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness (SAFER) Act. The SAFER Act directs the Commission to develop a “nightlight” program to permit stations to continue to broadcast analog…
FCC Enforcement Monitor
December 2008 Topics include: FCC Fines Mississippi Radio Station $13,000 for Failure to Inform Federal Aviation Administration of Antenna Structure Lighting Malfunction and Failure to Maintain a Public Inspection File Commission Fines Nevada Radio Licensee $5,600 for Failing to Enclose Tower With an Effective Locked Fence FCC Fines New Mexico…
FCC Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Analog Nightlight Program
December 2008 On December 24, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the recently enacted Short-Term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness (SAFER) Act. The SAFER Act directs the Commission to develop a “nightlight” program to permit stations to continue to broadcast analog…
Broadcast Station EEO Advisory
December 2008 This Broadcast Station EEO Advisory is directed to radio and television stations licensed to communities in: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York and Oklahoma, and highlights the upcoming deadlines for compliance with the FCC’s EEO Rule. A PDF version of this entire article can be…
FCC Universal Service Fund Proceeding Expected to Impact Telecom Charges for End Users; New Reply Comment Date Established
December 2008 On December 2, 2008, the FCC extended the reply comment date in its sweeping Universal Service Fund (“USF”) Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the “FNPRM”) until December 22, 2008. USF is an almost $7 billion program overseen by the FCC that promotes the availability of affordable telecommunications services…
Special Advisory for Commercial and Noncommercial Broadcasters: Radio and Television Station Public Inspection File Requirements
December 2008 This Advisory is designed to aid commercial, as well as noncommercial educational, radio and television station broadcasters in complying with the FCC’s public inspection file rules. See 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.3526 and 73.3527. This Advisory tracks the public access, content, retention and organizational requirements of those regulations, as…
Reminder: $1000 Federal Grants Available to Eligible Low-Power Television Stations to Purchase Digital-to-Analog Conversion Devices
November 2008 Reminder: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has set aside $1,000 per eligible low-power television station, for the purchase of digital-to-analog conversion devices. Individual grants come from a Federal fund limited to $1 million and are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis until February 17, 2009. A PDF version…
FCC Enforcement Monitor
November 2008 Topics include: FCC Upholds $9,000 Fine for Noncommercial FM Radio Station Airing Advertisements FCC Fines New York AM Radio Station $12,800 for Failing to Sign Off at Sunset, Failing to Maintain Daytime Operating Power, Failing to Maintain an Operational Emergency Alert System, and Failing to Maintain a Complete…
Biennial Ownership Reports Due by December 1, 2008 for Certain Radio and Television Broadcasters
November 2008 Commercial and noncommercial Radio stations licensed to communities in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota must file their Biennial Ownership Reports with the FCC by December 1, 2008. Commercial and noncommercial Television stations licensed to communities in the States of Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New…
Broadcast Station EEO Advisory
November 2008 This Broadcast Station EEO Advisory is directed to radio and television stations licensed to communities in: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont, and highlights the upcoming deadlines for compliance with the FCC’s EEO Rule. A PDF…