Legislative Update
Jessica Rosenworcel Designated Acting FCC Chairwoman
On January 21, President Joseph R. Biden designated FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission. “I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden. I thank the President for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and…
Read MoreFlags Lowered for Former State Sen. Shirley Johnson, ‘Good Friend to the Broadcasting Industry’
Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday and Wednesday to honor the life and service of former state Senator Shirley Johnson, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 83. “Senator Shirley Johnson was a good friend to the broadcasting…
Read MoreMichigan Broadcasters Currently Assigned to Vaccine Priority Group ‘1C’
At this time within Michigan, vaccines are being given to individuals in prioritized group “1B.” MAB President/CEO Karole L. White has been in communication with MDHHS, this group includes frontline essential workers who are continuously working closely with large numbers of the public on a daily basis. Those would include workers like first responders, firefighters,…
Read MoreAdvertising Sports Betting – What Are The Rules?
By: Karole L. White, President/CEO Michigan Association of Broadcasters The MAB has received several calls from members that were being told by ad agencies representing casinos and other sports betting organizations that TV and Radio stations had to be registered vendors with the state to accept sports betting ads. THIS IS NOT TRUE, according to…
Read MoreOnline Gaming, Sports Betting Begins Today
The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced Tuesday (1/19) that nine operators will be able to launch online sports betting, online gaming or both beginning on Friday (1/22), according to a report in Gongwer. The ability to launch online gaming and online sports betting was set to begin at noon today for all nine operators, which…
Read MoreDOJ Ends its Review of ASCAP, BMI Consent Decrees – For Now…What Does it Mean?
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP In 2019, the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice began a review of the court-administered antitrust consent decrees that have bound ASCAP and BMI since the 1940s. We wrote about the issues in their review here. The formal review of these decrees began as part of the DOJ’s broader review of its…
Read MoreNAB Statement on Department of Justice Decision on ASCAP and BMI Consent Decrees
In response to the Department of Justice’s decision to take no action on the consent decrees governing the performance royalty organizations ASCAP and BMI, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith released the following statement: “NAB is very pleased that the Department of Justice will not move to make changes to the ASCAP and BMI consent…
Read MoreSCOTUS Hears Broadcast Deregulation Arguments
The FCC and National Association of Broadcasters made their virtual arguments to the Supreme Court Tuesday (1/19) on why a lower court was wrong to invalidate the FCC’s 2017 broadcast ownership deregulation decision, a defense that came in the waning hours of the FCC’s Republican majority, which had approved the rule changes over the objections…
Read MoreState of the State Address Scheduled for January 27
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her third State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 27. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the State of the State address will be held virtually, in compliance with CDC and the State of Michigan’s best practices. Under normal circumstances, Governor Whitmer would request the House Chambers to deliver…
Read MoreDates Set for Comments on FCC’s Zonecasting Rulemaking Proposal for FM Boosters
Editors note: On January 21 at 2 p.m. Eastern, David Oxenford will present a free webinar to MAB members ““What Can Broadcasters Expect in 2021?” On January 20, we will be inaugurating a new President. With a new administration, there will be changes throughout the government, including at the FCC. The day after the inauguration, join…
Read More