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Ready, Set, File! Broadcast Biennial Ownership Report Filing Window Opens November 1st

The Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice reminding broadcast licensees that the filing window for Broadcast Biennial Ownership Reports (FCC Form 323 and 323-E) will open on November 1, 2019.  All licensees of commercial and noncommercial AM, FM, full-power TV, Class A Television and Low Power Television stations must…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ October 2019

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: Virginia FM Station’s Years of Missing Quarterly Lists Lead to Proposed $15,000 Fine and a Reduced License Term FCC Investigates…

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FM Broadcast Auction on the Horizon

On October 10, 2019, the FCC announced that it will hold a full-power FM Broadcast auction for 130 new construction permits starting on April 28, 2020.  For now, the FCC is seeking comment on the procedures for the auction, although it does not propose any significant changes from past FM…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ September 2019

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: Faith-Based Station Settles With FCC After Preempting KidVid Programming With Fundraising Arizona LPFM Gets License Reinstated in Consent Decree Christmas…

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FCC Alters Filing Schedule for Biennial Broadcast Ownership Reports

The FCC’s Media Bureau today announced changes to the filing window for submitting Biennial Ownership Reports for commercial and noncommercial stations.  The opening of the filing window will be delayed from October 1, 2019 to November 1, 2019, and the window will now close on January 31, 2020, rather than…

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Proposed $272,000 FCC Fine Against CBS for False EAS Alert Tone Raises Intriguing First Amendment Debate

Earlier today, the FCC released a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture against CBS for false EAS alerting, which is FCC-speak for “CBS, tell us why we shouldn’t fine you $272,000 for airing a fake EAS alert tone.”  We’ve written on a number of occasions about FCC fines for airing…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ August 2019

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: Big-4 Network, Among Others, Settles With FCC Over Emergency Alert Tone Violations Despite Self-Disclosure, Sponsorship ID Violations Land $233,000 Proposed…

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FCC Releases Final Regulatory Fees With Some Relief for Broadcasters

The FCC has released its finalized schedule of annual Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2019, and thanks to the collective efforts of all 50 State Broadcasters Associations and the National Association of Broadcasters, there is some good news for radio stations and satellite television stations. But before we get to…

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Large Telecom Companies and State Attorneys General Agree on Anti-Robocall Principles

Twelve large telecom companies and the attorneys general of 50 states and the District of Columbia announced yesterday an agreement on eight voluntary principles that the companies will adopt to combat illegal and unwanted robocalls.  The announcement comes as regulators, telecom companies, and legislators continue to grapple with a worsening…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ July 2019

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: Pennsylvania AM Station’s “Shenanigans” in Connection With Tower Violations Lead to $25,000 Fine Georgia and North Carolina Radio Station Licenses…