May 2008
This Broadcast Station EEO Advisory is directed to radio and television stations licensed to communities in: Arizona, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and highlights the upcoming deadlines for compliance with the FCC’s EEO Rule.
May 2008
Commercial and noncommercial Radio stations licensed to communities in Michigan and Ohio must file their Biennial Ownership Reports with the FCC by June 1, 2008. Commercial and noncommercial Television stations licensed to communities in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming must also file their Biennial Ownership Reports by the same deadline
4/25/2008
On April 24, 2008, the FCC released the latest edition of its “The Public and Broadcasting” manual. Please remove the 1999 version of the manual from your public inspection file and replace it with the new 2008 edition.
4/3/2008
For Immediate Attention
As we have previously advised, on March 3, the FCC released a Report and Order outlining new requirements imposed on full-power television stations for educating consumers about the February 17, 2009 transition to digital television service. On March 28, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing that it had received the necessary approvals from the OMB and that the new rules, including reporting requirements, would become effective on Monday, March 31, 2008. As a result of that announcement, full-power television stations must file with the FCC their first FCC Form 388 quarterly report by April 10, 2008. The form must also be placed in the station’s Public Inspection File.
March 2008
Immediate Attention Required
As we have previously advised, on March 3, the FCC released a Report and Order outlining new requirements for the education of consumers regarding the February 17, 2009 transition to digital television service. At the time the FCC released the Report and Order, the new requirements, and the form that the FCC adopted for full-power television stations to report on their compliance with those requirements, remained subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”). This afternoon, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing that it had received the necessary approvals from the OMB and that the new rules and reporting requirements will become effective on Monday, March 31, 2008.
March 2008
On March 3, the FCC released a Report and Order outlining new requirements for the education of consumers regarding the February 17, 2009 transition to digital television service. This Advisory focuses on the Report and Order’s specific ramifications for television broadcasters. While no requirements for radio broadcasters are being mandated, the Commission strongly encourages radio broadcasters to participate in the education of the public on the transition to digital television.
March 2008
Content of the Quarterly List
The next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ local public inspection files by April 10, 2008, reflecting information for the months of January, February, and March. The FCC’s recent action adopting the new program report Form 355 for television, which is intended to replace the Quarterly Issues / Programs Lists, will not have any effect on this first quarter public file requirement.
A PDF version of this entire article can be found at 2008 First Quarter Issues/Programs List Advisory for Broadcast Stations.
March 2008
This Broadcast Station EEO Advisory is directed to radio and television stations licensed to communities in: Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, and highlights the upcoming deadlines for compliance with the FCC’s EEO rule.
March 2008
Commercial and noncommercial Radio stations licensed to communities in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee must file their Biennial Ownership Reports with the FCC by April 1, 2008. Reports for commercial and noncommercial Television stations licensed to communities in Texas must also file their Biennial Ownership Reports by the same deadline.
March 2008
The next Children’s Television Programming Report must be filed with the FCC and placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by April 10, 2008, reflecting programming aired during the months of January, February, and March.
Comm Law Center