Legislative Update
A Third Of Michigan Restaurants Fear They May Close In Six Months
Research released by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday revealed many hospitality businesses fear they will have to close within the year because of the economic impacts of COVID-19, according to a report in Gongwer. At least 5,600 restaurant operators say it is unlikely they will still be in business in six months.…
Read MoreFCC Targeting Property Owners in Pirate Radio Enforcement
The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau has begun targeting property owners and managers that tolerate pirate broadcasting on their properties. The commission has issued an announcement that it is exercising its new authority under the recently enacted PIRATE Act. “Parties that knowingly facilitate illegal broadcasting on their property are liable for fines of up to…
Read MoreOnline Sports Betting/Casino Gaming to Launch Early 2021 in Michigan
While many have hoped for a launch before the end of the year, it now appears online gaming won’t happen for about six weeks, MGCB executive director Richard Kalm told MLive Friday (12/4). On December 1, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Michigan Senate and House…
Read MoreMORE Act Passes House – But Don’t Rush to Run Marijuana Ads on Your Broadcast Station
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Last week, there was much written in the press about the MORE Act passing in the House of Representatives, taking actions to decriminalize marijuana under federal law. This would include removing marijuana from Schedule I, which is the list of drugs whose use for almost all purposes is prohibited in the United…
Read MoreFCC Updates Rules Promoting Broadcast Internet
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday (12/10 ) issued a Report and Order updating its rules to promote the introduction of ATSC 3.0-enabled innovative ancillary and supplementary broadcast services, otherwise known as Broadcast Internet. The advances in spectrum efficiency provided by ATSC 3.0 means that broadcasters will continue to provide high-quality, free, over-the-air digital television…
Read MoreMDHHS Extends Epidemic Order 12 days (to 12/20/20) to Ensure COVID-19 Surge is Stabilizing
December 7, 2020 – Press Release from State Police Emergency Operations Center Indoor and outdoor gatherings to remain limited, department to closely monitor hospital beds with COVID patients, rate of case growth, positivity rate prior to re-engagement LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended by 12 days the epidemic order that restricts…
Read MoreDHS Site Access Letter Addendum Available
In March and again in June, the MAB distributed letters to stations from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber-Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The letters are a precaution with the current COVID-19 emergency and grants broadcasters access to studio and transmitter facilities in the event of a shelter-in-place order or road closures. It was…
Read MoreNAB Partners with Journalism Institute to Promote COVID-19 Inoculation
The National Association of Broadcasters has joined forces with the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism institute on a project to identify effective COVID-19 vaccine education messaging so local broadcasters can help encourage listeners and viewers to get inoculated, according to a recent report in Broadcasting+Cable. The research project aims to develop a toolkit for local TV…
Read MorePPP Loan-Funded Expenses Nondeductible If Borrower Has “Reasonable Expectation” Loan Will Be Forgiven
By: C. Brian Wainwright, James T. Chudy, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides for loans to individuals and businesses with the unique feature that the loans could be forgiven, under certain circumstances, to the extent that advanced funds were…
Read MoreIn the Conversion to NextGen TV, Who is Responsible for the Content of the Simulcast Streams?
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP In one of those weird little quandaries in the broadcast legal world, the FCC just asked for comments on a petition for declaratory ruling filed by the NAB seeking a clarification as to who is responsible for the content of simulcast streams provided to comply with the ATSC 3.0 conversion rules. Under those rules, for a station…
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