A number of issues of interest to broadcasters will be topic of discussion when the five FCC commissioners next meet 9/30/14. Among them: sports blackouts, white space services and wireless microphones.
Here, from the FCC, is what’s on tap for the next Open Meeting:
Sports Blackout Rules: The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would eliminate the Commission’s sports blackout rules, which can prevent consumers from watching their teams’ games on local television.
Comprehensive Review of Licensing and Operating Rules for Satellite Services: The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to streamline and update Part 25 of the Commission’s rules, which governs licensing and operation of space stations and earth stations for the provision of satellite communication services. These proposals will amend, clarify or eliminate numerous rule provisions and reduce regulatory burdens.
Part 15 NPRM: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise rules for unlicensed operations in the TV bands and new 600 MHz Band, including fixed and personal/portable white space devices and unlicensed microphones. The proposed changes and new rules are intended to allow more robust and spectrally efficient unlicensed operations without increasing the risk of harmful interference to other users.
Wireless Microphones NPRM: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address the needs of wireless microphone users, while recognizing that they must share spectrum with other wireless uses in an increasingly crowded spectral environment.
