Washington Beat

Paul Lotsof has aired a PSA since 2015 in which he instructs individuals what to do with any child pornography they may possess. He disagrees with Arizona law regarding possession of such salacious material. Could that claim his license? Here's what one top D.C. communications lawyer says.

The transition to the next-gen broadcast TV standard, ATSC 3.0, has some broadcast TV companies excited about what lies ahead. But, while much of the discussion has focused on new advertising opportunities, there's a tech angle that has been barely talked about. Simply put, ATSC 3.0 can make a broadcast TV station as powerful as a wireless services company—with respect to data. Even so, the ACA and the NAB both want "light touch" regulation regarding the transition. In this RBR+TVBR INFOCUS report, we examine how ATSC 3.0 can bring two new dynamics to broadcasters—whenever it actually reaches critical mass.

Jamie Gillespie, a longtime NAB government affairs leader, has accepted a new role on Capitol Hill for one of the nation's biggest media and entertainment companies.

Fibbing to the Commission as to what station an FM translator will rebroadcast could cost you a pretty penny. For Juan Alberto Ayala and Elohim Group Corp., the penalty is $30,000.

The First 100 Days. Many media organizations have turned to the White House, and its accomplishments (or lack thereof) since the transition in power from President Obama to President Trump. On Friday, they had a new individual in D.C. to turn their attention to, as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai shared with a conservative think tank with heavy influence what he's done since succeeding Tom Wheeler as the Commission's leader.

Quite some time ago, Erwin Krasnow, partner at Washington, D.C. law firm Garvey Schubert Barer, wrote a poem. The subject: deregulation. Given the push by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly to rid broadcasters of what they perceive is unnecessary rules and restrictions, Krasnow revisited his poem.

Are 39 months enough time to repack nearly 1,000 local TV stations into a smaller band, now that the FCC's incentive auction's has concluded? T-Mobile seems to think so. This led the NAB's VP/Spectrum Policy, Patrick McFadden, to chime in on what he calls T-Mobile's "dubious claims" about the ability to abide by this time frame. We're pleased to share McFadden's thoughts with RBR+TVBR members.

May is one of the few months without the normal list of quarterly filings and EEO public file reports. But, just because there are none of these regular filings due, that does not mean that the month will be a quiet one for broadcasters on the regulatory front. In fact, far from it, notes D.C. attorney David Oxenford in this column.

The Communications Director for Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) has taken over as Director for the FCC's Office of Media Relations. The move results in the return as Deputy Director of Acting Director Mark Wigfield.

Whatcha' doin' at the Courthouse? Protecting a trademark may be the answer, if mimicry and freely borrowing ideas from another radio station or a syndicated program is judged to have gone too far. What recourse does a radio station have if it feels a fun bit has been stolen by another party? It depends, says a Garvey Schubert Barer attorney who discussed a possible litigation situation in an exclusive interview with RBR+TVBR.

The Deputy Chair of the FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force has been selected to serve as its Chair. She succeeds Gary Epstein, who today (4/28) retires from the FCC after serving in the role since 2012.

Mark May 18, 2017 as the day the FCC starts to say goodbye to a rule that's been on the books since FDR was President and World War II had yet to reach its apex. That's when the Commission, at its May Open Meeting, will open "MB Docket No. 17-106." That's Washingtonian for the elimination of the main studio rule, and Garvey Schubert Barer may be to thank for the NPRM, although its petition was dismissed as moot.

Say goodbye to net neutrality as we know it. In a major policy speech delivered this afternoon at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., FCC Chairman Ajit Pai officially unveiled his net neutrality proposals by "restoring internet freedom" through the repeal of Obama-era regulations. Naturally, Pai says such a decision will benefit all Americans. Here's how his new approach, in his view, would do so.

At a colossally large conference with much of the action and activity in the Central Hall – where the tech players are, as opposed to the North Hall with a lighter flow of attendees checking out radio and TV tech firms’ exhibit booths – FCC Chairman Ajit Pai began his address by talking about radio and ending with a reference to Vin Scully, and how his ability to step out of the way at the best time is a perfect allegory for how the Commission should regulate broadcasters.