Washington Beat

Pai touches on AM, FM chips with farm broadcasters

It is possible to miss the FCC so much following a 16-year tenure that culminated in the role of Media Bureau Deputy Chief that you'd want to return, and assume your old role? That seems to be the case, as the newest appointment at the Commission involves an individual who is returning to the role after two years at a non-profit devoted to improving legal representation for domestic violence survivors. 

The U.S. Copyright Office has published a Notice of Inquiry on issues related to Performing Rights Organizations — an action, the office explains, that comes in response to a Congressional request to gather comments on the increase in the number of PROs in the United States and their licensing revenue distribution practices.

The FCC often seems to treasure candor above all other things

KVER-CA Indio CA is on the hook to be downgraded to a regular old low power television station.

That's an assertion made by House Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) on Tuesday in his opening remarks at a Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing focused on oversight and the reauthorization of the FCC.

Mark Jamison, a visiting Fellow with the AEI and a part of the Trump FCC transition team, says "no." But, he was a strong reason why.

For the longest time, Greg Walden (R-OR) has been trying to give FCC procedures

Doug Ferber of DEFcom Advisors LLC and Erwin Krasnow of Garvey Schubert Barer have created a special podcast series exclusively for RBR+TVBR members based on a series of articles centered on the topic "Broadcast Deal Myths Debunked." In this fourth episode, Ferber and Krasnow discuss the topic of cash flow multiples, "The Perfect Yardstick."

Licensee Ted Austin received a Hearing Designation Order from the FCC that could result in the deletion of an AM radio station serving Pocatello, Idaho. It came in response to a license renewal application the Media Bureau scrutinized, questioning its minimal record of operation. Austin wanted the FCC to "delete all issues" related to the Order. The FCC's ALJ said no.

The Commission is now offering templates for the 18 most commonly issued and time-sensitive alerts in the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S., plus English and American Sign Language (ASL).

By the time you read this, the FCC's Administrative Law Judge may have already ruled on the license revocation for a Marion, Ohio-based low-power FM radio station accused of misrepresentation and false statements that failed to secure legal counsel as ordered by the Commission for the hearing. But, Shawn Craft, the individual associated with WWGH-LPFM, is going out swinging.

New public service announcements focused on mental health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic are now available for use from the NAB. The PSAs are designed for both radio and TV stations and focus on a message of hope and encouragement as the pandemic approaches its eighth week in the U.S.