The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced those who would normally attend a Passover seder or Easter Sunday religious services to maintain physical distancing.
Some television stations have stepped in, with broadcasts of holiday activities in lieu of live in-person attendance. But, there was some regulatory concern as to whether such broadcasts would run afoul of “KidVid” rules.
That concern has just been erased.
A Public Notice distributed Thursday (4/9) by the Media Bureau provides a temporary, limited waiver to TV broadcasters to enable them to more easily air live and taped same-day local content, like religious services, during time slots regularly dedicated to children’s programming.
“Local broadcasters can make a unique contribution to our country in this difficult time,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said. “On one hand, social distancing is a critical factor in enabling the mitigation of the spread of the coronavirus. On the other, we are in the midst of important holy days for so many Americans. By making it easier for local TV stations to broadcast religious services and rituals to the faithful in their homes, we can enable both social distancing and observance. I thank local broadcasters for working with us on this matter and wish everyone a safe and blessed holiday season.”
The Bureau’s waiver allows broadcasters to substitute its weekly, regularly scheduled children’s programming with a seder or an Easter service, minus the need for rescheduling that “KidVid” content.
That doesn’t negate for a station to tell its viewers that its children’s programming has been preempted. And, stations are “encouraged” to reschedule any pre-empted children’s programs and provide any rescheduling information that they can to viewers.
The limited waiver remains in effect through April 30.
