Washington Beat

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday offered a summary of what's on the agenda for the Commission's March Open Meeting. And, it includes a notable stab at tackling consumer complaints over offshore customer call centers by requiring disclosure and an option for a U.S.-based representative.

NAB member broadcast media leaders are gathered in Washington, D.C., for the NAB's annual State Leadership Conference. It saw a Hubbard Radio host play up AM/FM's unique value to consumers as NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt outlined the need for regulatory reform.

With speculation rampant that the FCC will grant approval of Nexstar Media Group's rule-busting merger with TEGNA, issuing waivers of its ownership cap, the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau has given the green light to a $34.5 billion merger that will reshape the cable television and broadband services business.

The FCC has rejected, en masse, a round of requests to waive the statutory 25% late payment penalty on overdue FY 2023 and FY 2024 regulatory fees, underscoring that relief is reserved for rare, extraordinary circumstances outside a payer’s control.

The non-profit, non-partisan technology policy think tank led by President Berin Szoka has taken sides in the contentious debate over whether the FCC has the authority to levy fines in any order following a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or Notice of Violation, and is sharing its views with the U.S. Supreme Court.

A Senate Democrat representing Connecticut is calling out the acting FCC Bureau Chief and the head of the Enforcement Bureau over concerns that the Commission has "weaponized" its equal protection rule when it comes to political candidate appearances on programs not considered bona fide news shows.

With the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act still awaiting a much-needed floor vote, the NAB has debuted a new angle for its “Depend on AM” PSA campaign: state-specific radio spots that thank legislators by name for their support.

He was a FCC Commissioner aligned with Democrats until departing in 2025 and becoming a Senior Advisor at Grain Management, a private investment firm. Now, he's accepted a role as a partner in a major inside the Beltway law firm, working in its "Connectivity, Privacy & Information" practice.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr shared his appointments for Chair and Vice Chair of the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WAC), chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide to the FCC public views and recommendations in preparation for the next World Radiocommunication Conference.

On Tuesday, the world lost an iconic civil and human rights icon who championed justice, equality, diversity, inclusion, and peace. The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) shared a statement expressing its deepest sympathies to Jackson’s family, staff, and friends.

Four items are on the agenda for the FCC's February Open Meeting on Wednesday morning, and among them is a Media Bureau item of particular interest to noncommercial radio broadcast station operators — religious and secular in nature.

It was established in November through one of the final Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants ahead of its wind-down due to the conclusion of federal funding to the organization that provides dollars to NPR and PBS Member stations. Now, it has unveiled its inaugural Board of Trustees.

The LPTV Broadcasters Association is planning a webinar for broadcasters, media investors, spectrum buyers, communications professionals, and those interested in acquiring or understanding U.S. television spectrum. Advisors interested in the future of broadcast, data distribution, and 5G-enabled services are also welcome.

The Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which maintains oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, will participate as a keynote speaker at America’s Communications Association’s (ACA Connects) annual Summit.

The Assistant Chief of the FCC Media Bureau's Audio Division is moving forward on delegated authority with the substitution of the FM channel or class for five existing vacant MHz-band allotments located in various communities in Alabama, California and Texas.