Legal File
FCC Plans to Raise the 39% National TV Ownership Cap – What are the Proposals and What are the Issues?
Last week, the FCC released a draft Report and Order which, if adopted at its August regular monthly open meeting, will repeal the 39% cap that currently limits the nationwide reach of local television station owners. That cap prohibits one owner from having interests in TV stations reaching more than 39% of the nation’s TV households.
Read MoreFCC Consent Decree With iHeart Discusses how Exchanging Airplay for Discounts or Free Stuff Can Trigger Sponsorship Identification Requirements, Including for Songs Played in Exchange for a Band’s Appearance at Station Events
Last week, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau entered into a Consent Decree with iHeartMedia to resolve its investigation into whether iHeart violated the FCC’s sponsorship identification rules. Interestingly, iHeart does not admit that it violated any rules, nor does the FCC suggest any specific conduct by iHeart violated any rule. So why the Consent Decree?
Read MoreMore Political Ads at Lowest Unit Rates? – Supreme Court Allows Candidates and Parties to Coordinate, and an FCC Media Bureau Notice Says Coordinated Ad Buys Should be Given LUC
More Political Ads at Lowest Unit Rates? – Supreme Court Allows Candidates and Parties to Coordinate, and an FCC Media Bureau Notice Says Coordinated Ad Buys Should be Given LUC
Read MoreFCC’s Media Bureau Sets the Eligibility Rules for Upcoming NCE Translator Filing Window
When the Commission approved this window at its February regular monthly open meeting, it announced that the Media Bureau would consider whether to implement a 10-application limit for any company seeking construction permits in this window, and it would adopt other eligibility criteria.
Read MoreFCC Proposes Auction for New FM Stations – 132 Channels to be Available in February 2027 Auction
The FCC this week proposed an auction for the rights to construct new FM stations on 132 FM channels – the first such auction of new FM stations since 2021. The auction is proposed for February 2027, although interested parties will need to submit “short form” applications to participate in the auction at some point prior to that date.
Read MoreApril 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – EEO Public File Reports, Comment Deadlines, Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists, Political Windows and More
With April showers come routine regulatory dates for broadcasters, including the requirement for posting Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists to the Online Public Inspection Files of all full-power radio and TV stations, and EEO Public File Reports for stations in a number of states.
Read MoreFCC Waivers Needed for EAS Equipment that Is Not Operational But Not Defective
In the last three weeks, we have noted three cases where the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau granted waivers to broadcast stations to temporarily disconnect their EAS equipment while changing tower sites.
Read MoreMarch 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Daylight Savings Time, Applications for New LPTV/TV Translator Stations, Political Windows, and More
March may not have any of the regular FCC filing deadlines, but there are still plenty of regulatory activities going on this month that should grab the attention of any broadcast or media company.
Read MoreFCC Sets Requirement to Promptly Update FCC Registration Numbers – No Need to Panic, But Licensees Should Ensure All FCC Information Is Accurate and Up To Date
In the last few days, there have been a series of articles and alerts that have alarmed broadcasters and caused worry that fines would be coming their way for not updating and correcting any FCC Registration Number (FRN) associated with their operations.
Read MoreNoncommercial Broadcasters Looking for FM Translators – A Window to File for New Translators is Coming Soon
The announcement of the coming window came by a draft Public Notice to be considered by the Commissioners at their next monthly open meeting on February 18. The Notice to be considered at the February meeting would instruct the Media Bureau to open a window for the filing of new translators in the reserved band, reserved for use by noncommercial licensees (including Low Power FM stations).
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