Legislative Update

By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP As more and more states revise their laws to decriminalize or legalize marijuana use (for medical and recreational purposes), and more and more cannabis businesses in those states begin operations, broadcasters have been looking to provide their advertising services to these new companies.  But, as we’ve written before…

By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP The FCC’s Audio Division, in the latter part of the license renewal cycle for radio stations, seems to have adopted a more aggressive position on stations that were silent for extended periods of time during their license term.  In our summary of last week’s events of importance to broadcasters, we noted one case where an Oklahoma…

Kelley Cawthorne, the Midwest’s leading multi-client lobbying firm, continued its rapid growth by announcing (7/14) the elevation of three team members to partnership status and promotion of another to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Government relations professionals Jim Kirsch, Jason Sheppard and David Hildenbrand have achieved partnership status at the firm as of July…

By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP In recent months, lawsuits have been filed against streaming audio service Pandora by comedian Lewis Black, the estate of Robin Williams and representatives of other comedians seeking public performance royalties for the underlying comedic work – not the recording of the comedy bit for which a royalty is…

In the Matter of Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2022, MD Docket Nos. 21-190 and 22-223 (link), The MAB, in combination with the state broadcasters associations of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, filed Joint Comments urging the FCC to modernize its methodology for setting annual regulatory fees…

Editor’s note:  MAB Washington counsel David Oxenford has commented that since the July 10 deadline falls on a weekend and there is FCC precedent indicating that that the deadline thus is extended to the next business day, which is Monday, July 11. However, stations are encouraged to upload in advance of the deadline to avoid…

By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP The lazy days of summer continue to provide little respite from the regulatory actions of importance to broadcasters.  The good news is that there are no license renewal or EEO  deadlines during the month of July.  Nonetheless, there will be a number of July deadlines that require attention.…