While it has taken nearly two years to get there, the FCC today announced the release of its new broadcast ownership data in a format that can be searched and manipulated for media and public policy research. For broadcasters, however, the more interesting part of this Public Notice is what…
FCC Enforcement Monitor
Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: FCC Levies $10,000 Fine for Noncommercial Station’s Public Inspection File Security Protocols Louisiana AM Daytimer Fined for Operations After Sunset…
Preparing for Retrans Negotiations: Closing the Network Nonduplication Gap
For many television stations, network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity protection are a distant memory. With the ever-increasing number of non-broadcast programming services available to cable operators, the number of distant station signals imported by cable and satellite into local markets has fallen dramatically. As a result, many local television stations…
EAS Tests Soon to Become a National Affair
Late today, the FCC released an Order laying the groundwork for the first national test of the Emergency Alert System. As we noted in an earlier post, the FCC began this process nearly a year ago, when it released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on the implementation…
New FCC License Renewal Certification Requires Special Attention
The Office of Management and Budget is currently considering whether to approve a revised version of FCC Form 303-S, the “Application For Renewal of Broadcast Station License” that all commercial and noncommercial full-power radio and television stations will be required to use when they file for their next renewal of…
FCC Enforcement Monitor
Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Antenna Structure Owner’s Failure to Act Results in $25,000 Fine FCC Fines Microwave Licensee $15,000 for Late-Filed Renewal AM Broadcaster…
Renew Now to Avoid Children’s Television Fines
No, the FCC has not instituted an early-filing program so licensees can get that pesky license renewal out of the way. Instead, in 2010 it cleaned up television license renewal applications that had been hanging around since the last renewal cycle, issuing nearly $350,000.00 in children’s television fines to some…
Client Alert: 2010 Fourth Quarter Children’s Television Programming Documentation
The next Children’s Television Programming Report must be filed with the FCC and placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by January 10, 2011, reflecting programming aired during the months of October, November and December, 2010. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements As a result of the Children’s Television Act of 1990…
Client Alert: 2010 Fourth Quarter Issues/Programs List Due By January 10, 2011
The next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ local public inspection files by January 10, 2011, reflecting information for the months of October, November and December, 2010. Content of the Quarterly List The FCC requires each broadcast station to air a reasonable amount of programming responsive…
Client Alert: 2010 Fourth Quarter FCC Form 388 DTV Quarterly Activity Station Report for Certain Television Stations Must Be Filed By January 10, 2011
Television stations that have not yet completed construction or commenced operation of their final post-transition DTV facilities must continue the required general DTV Consumer Education Initiatives until they commence operation on their post-transition DTV facilities. Such stations will be required to file another FCC Form 388 by January 10, 2011,…