Washington Beat

The noncommercial media organization devoted to covering the activities of the U.S. Congress created by Brian Lamb has creating a new senior leadership position focused on expanding philanthropic support.

The licensee of four FM stations serving a rural portion of eastern Kentucky have entered into a Consent Decree with the Chief of the FCC Media Bureau's Audio Division that absolves the radio broadcasting company of a series of rule violations ranging from tardy license renewals to failure to maintain its online public file. 

The FCC Commissioner aligned with the Democratic Party has lashed out at a Media Bureau "Order" she claims "unlawfully" expands the interpretation of which political entities qualify for discounted broadcast advertising rates. Yet, her own communiqué says the "Order" is a Public Notice that's taken some heat of late.

A pair of progressive political action groups, along with a collection of viewers of ABC stations, have filed a Motion to Intervene as plaintiffs alongside The Walt Disney Company in its federal lawsuit against the FCC being argued in U.S. District Court.

New Commission cybersecurity requirements for the Emergency Alert System take effect on September 29. To help stations understand the new requirements and how to best prepare for compliance, the NAB and the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA) are teaming up.

ABC claims its early license renewal proceeding for the broadcast properties and a consideration of The View as a "bona fide" news show free of equal time rules is a First Amendment violation. Anna M. Gómez, the lone Democrat on the FCC's dais, could not agree more.

The owner of a television station that has served as the MyNetwork TV affiliate for the Alamo City has entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. The reason for the agreement is tied to a look into Emergency Alert System test violations.

The FCC’s Local Radio Ownership Rule has drawn a steady stream of visitors to commissioners’ offices this summer. Now Cox Media Group is the latest broadcaster to press the case for looser radio ownership rules directly to commissioners.

A March 2026 public notice from the FCC's Media Bureau reminding broadcasters and the public about the Commission's "lowest unit charge" requirements did not break "new substantive ground" and is not a new and final agency action, acting chief Alex Sanjenis has ruled.

The Columbus School of Law's impact on the FCC is as strong as ever, with Chairman Brendan Carr a 2025 Juris Doctor recipient and President Trump's nominee to serve as a Commissioner a 2016 graduate. Also a graduate is a woman who has been appointed Legal Advisor in the Office of the Chairman.

The President/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters and Sinclair's CEO were among the first to applaud the FCC's 2-1 decision on August 6 to eliminate a Congressionally mandated 39% national TV owner reach limit. NABOB and the MMTC are aghast, as is the ATVA.

Conservative political talk host Chris Stigall has won his Republican primary race for a seat in the U.S House of Representatives. He'd serve the sixth Congressional district of the state of Missouri, if elected in November.

The daily commute has become the place where Americans experience inflation most directly, from gas prices and tolls to parking, insurance and childcare. As such, newly released data from an Audacy study conducted in partnership with YouGov show these “rush-hour voters” could play an outsized role in deciding the midterms.

"Auction 114" is scheduled for February 2, 2027, and the Commission has moved forward with sharing information tied to filing requirements, minimum opening bids, upfront payments and other procedures of note.

"NAB’s addition significantly strengthens Radio Ready’s presence across North America and the United States, bringing the leading advocate for America’s broadcast industry into the growing international coalition working to keep radio front and center for drivers," the group said on Thursday.