Washington Beat

While Commissioner Anna M. Gómez had much to say about a proposal released early Wednesday from Chairman Brendan Carr that would erase the 39% national television ownership cap, creating a case-by-case look at proposed deals. Her words will likely hold little sway, with a August 6 passage coming over Gómez's objections.

There were fewer commercially licensed radio stations — regardless of band — at the end of Q2 2026 than there were at the end of 2025 and Q1 2026. Noncomm FMs gained in rank while the number of AM radio stations fell again as the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act" plays second fiddle to a permanent Daylight Saving Time bill.

A Cato Institute fellow states, "the FCC is correct that Congress and the courts have allowed the agency to wield power that can trample broadcasters’ expressive rights." Fortunately, he adds, the Commission's own Public Notice that “reminds broadcasters of their public interest obligations" also illustrates "how weak the case for that power is."

NOAA's National Weather Service has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with SpectraRep LLC, an affiliate company of BIA Advisory Services, to evaluate how broadcast television datacasting can provide "a resilient, redundant pathway" for delivering NOAA Weather Radio audio and data during emergencies.

The NAB has launched a redesigned Spot Center, a move the association says makes it easier for local radio and television stations to access "high-quality public service campaigns from trusted nonprofit organizations."

Updated guides providing broadcasters with practical guidance for conducting self-inspections of their stations have been released for AM, FM and both UHF and VHF television stations by the NAB. The guides are a free member benefit to NAB and SBE members.

Six former FCC vote-makers were joined by the current junior Republican Commissioner at the agency on Thursday at the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council's annual symposium. Exceptional activity from the agency led for 18 months by Brendan Carr has much to do with increased interest in the event, MMTC President Bob Branson noted.

From AI to updates to rules and regulations deemed outdated, the Carr Commission has taken aggressive approach to deleting what is no longer necessary to keep on the books. An AEI session with the FCC's Senior Counsel kicking off the discussion touched on how the "multi-modal future" is being addressed.

The D.C. think tank focused on a world in which "technology enhances freedom, and freedom enhances technology" on Monday filed reply comments in response to the FCC's request for comment regarding ABC chat show "The View" that implore the agency to cease interfering with politically based discussions.

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty penned an essay that reflects on a mutual pledge made by our nation's forefathers. As she notes, they did not craft a policy or profess a principle. Instead, they made a promise, "made person to person."

Anna Gómez has spoken up in response to the Supreme Court decision released Monday that upends 90 years of legal precedent by allowing a president to dismiss an agency Commissioner such as herself. “This decision puts at risk how Congress intended independent agencies to function in American democracy," she says.

As 2026 began, the Enforcement Bureau notified the individual identified as the operator of an unlicensed FM radio station that he would face a possible fine for $20,000 for his illegal activity. The Commission has just affirmed that proposed fine, while simultaneously issuing two proposed forfeiture notices to a pair of other radio pirates.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday adopted rules to modernize the Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and "preserve the public’s trust in EAS" by requiring targeted cybersecurity improvements that the FCC believes will protect against hijacking by cybercriminals and U.S. adversaries.

Last fall's government shutdown has produced an unexpected downstream effect for broadcasters: FCC penalties will not increase in 2026. The Enforcement Bureau confirmed this month that civil monetary penalties will remain frozen at 2025 levels.

Auction bidding beat expectations with significant per-unit prices and gross winning bids exceeding $3.5 billion. Through the auction, valuable mid-band spectrum that was previously idle has been allocated for productive use.