Legal File
Local Radio Freedom Act Is Reintroduced in Senate
This past Tuesday (3/4), Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), a resolution opposing “any new performance fee, tax, royalty or other charge” on local radio stations. Twenty bipartisan senators have already cosponsored the resolution, signaling strong support for local radio stations in the new Congress.
Read MoreMarch 2025 Regulatory Updates for Broadcasters – Daylight Savings Time, Comment Deadlines, FCC Ownership Rules in Court, Political Windows, and more
While there are only a few regulatory deadlines scheduled for broadcasters this March, with more coming in April, as has occurred so many times in the last few years, we need to remind you that even the FCC deadlines in late March and early April could be postponed if there is a federal government shutdown, as the federal government is funded only through March 14.
Read MoreCopyright Office Commences an Inquiry into the Proliferation of Performing Rights Organizations – Looking at the Complexity of Licensing Musical Works in the United States
In the United States, performing rights in musical compositions (or “musical works” as the Copyright Act refers to them – the words and music of a song) are generally licensed by a “performing rights organization” or a “PRO.” The U.S., unlike most countries where there is a single organization that collects these royalites, has multiple such organizations.
Read MoreFCC Enforcement Advisory Warns of Payola Concerns in Coercing Bands to Play at Broadcast Station Events with Threats of Decreased Airplay – and Reminds All Broadcasters, Radio and TV, of Sponsorship Identification Requirements
When in January I offered my predictions as to the issues that the new FCC would be considering this year, payola and musical artists complaining of being coerced to play for free at radio station concerts or other events was not on the bingo card. That changed early this past week
Read MoreIt’s Back! American Music Fairness Act Proposing New Music Royalties for Over-the-Air Broadcasting Introduced in the New Congress
Last week, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the American Music Fairness Act (see their Press Release for more details), with a companion bill to follow in the House. If adopted, this legislation would impose a new music royalty on over-the-air radio stations.
Read More2025 Update on Super Bowl Advertising and Promotions
Given the value of the Super Bowl franchise, it is not surprising that the NFL is extremely aggressive in protecting its golden goose from anything it views as unauthorized efforts to trade off the goodwill associated with the mark or the game. Accordingly, with the coin toss almost upon us, advertisers should take special care before publishing or engaging in advertising or other promotional activities that refer to the Super Bowl.
Read MoreA $369,190 Proposed Fine for Improper Participation in EAS Tests Shows that Ignorance of FCC Rules Is No Excuse for Noncompliance
A decision from the past week shows that the FCC shows no mercy for broadcasters who don’t know the rules, even when the broadcaster attempts to comply. The FCC proposed a $369,190 fine against a Texas TV station because the station’s employees did not know how to properly participate in the 2018, 2019, and 2021 nationwide Emergency Alert Service tests.
Read More2025 Broadcasters Regulatory Calendar – Looking Ahead to Some of the Regulatory Dates and Deadlines for the New Year
2025 has begun – and everyone is speculating as to what the New Year will bring, particularly given the upcoming change in administration in the White House and at the FCC. On January 2, we published an article looking at some of the regulatory issues that we expect the FCC will address this year. And we promised to let you know about some of the deadlines that are already on the 2025 calendar. So, as we do each year at about this time, we put together a look at the regulatory dates ahead for broadcasters. To that end, we offer for your review, our 2025 Broadcasters Regulatory Calendar.
Read MoreDecember 2024 Regulatory Updates for Broadcasters -Annual DTV Ancillary/Supplementary Services Report, EEO Deadlines, NCE TV Filing Window and Related Filing Freezes, Comment Deadlines, and More
Despite the transition to a Republican-led FCC next year and the “pencils-down” requests issued to the FCC by some Republican politicians, the FCC will be voting on some changes to its broadcast rules at its December 11 open meeting.
Read MoreA Message from MAB President & CEO, Casey Jones
Dear MAB Members….We’ve made incredible strides this year to advance the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act (AM4EVA), but time is running out. To get this vital bill across the finish line, we need your help for one final, coordinated push.
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