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Will Anyone Pay for 1-833-AUCTION?

Toll-free telephone numbers celebrated their 50th birthday this year (frankly, without much fanfare). These numbers allow callers to reach businesses without being charged for the call. When long distance calling was expensive, these numbers were enticing marketing tools used by businesses to encourage customer calls and provide a single number for nationwide…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ September 2017

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: Headlines: Noncommercial TV Broadcaster Agrees to $5,000 Consent Decree for EEO Violations Taxi Company Fined $13,000 for Failing to Operate…

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Today’s the Day: Nationwide EAS Test and Form 2 Deadline Arrive

Earlier this week, the FCC and FEMA released a final reminder that this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will occur today, September 27, 2017 at 2:20 PM Eastern Time.  The test will be transmitted in both English and Spanish and broadcasters will choose which one to air…

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FCC Announces Modification Window for Repacked and Band-Changing Stations

The FCC announced yesterday that repacked and band-changing television and Class A television stations will have the opportunity to file applications to specify a new channel or expand their proposed facilities between October 3 and November 2. By way of background, in April of 2013, in preparation for the Broadcast Incentive Auction, the…

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FCC Announces Annual Regulatory Fee Deadline, Gives Break to Small Market Radio Stations and Stations in Hurricane-Affected Areas

[Breaking News: Moments before the release of this post, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing an extension of time to the end of the government’s fiscal year for regulatory fee payors in areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma to make their regulatory fee payments.  Regulatees in Florida, Puerto…

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FCC Pushes Back New Unified Ownership Report Filing Deadline for Commercial and NCE Broadcast Stations

The FCC announced on Friday afternoon that it would push back the December 1, 2017 deadline for commercial and noncommercial broadcast stations to file their biennial ownership reports.  Rather than opening the filing window on September 1 and closing it on December 1, the FCC will open the window on December…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ August 2017

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: Headlines: TV Station Agrees to $17,500 Consent Decree for Failure to Properly Identify Children’s Programming and Other Violations FCC Proposes…

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Broadcasters Encounter FCC System Obstacles in Meeting Monday Deadline for EAS Form 1 Filing

The FCC and FEMA have established September 27, 2017 as the date for the next nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Like last year’s test, all EAS participants must file Form 1 a month before the test.  The Form 1 has been modified, however, requiring information that was…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ July 2017

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: Headlines: FCC Proposes $66,000 Fine Against Alaska Noncommercial FM Station for EAS and Other Violations Man Faces $120 Million Fine…