Washington Beat

The Incentive Auction Task Force and the Media Bureau on Monday announced what many broadcast media companies hoped would have happened last week as their top executives gathered at the 2018 NAB Show in Las Vegas. The issuance of a further allocation of the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund has been given the green-light by the FCC. So, just how much cash is going in to the reimbursement fund, and who is eligible for these funds?

On Tuesday, the FCC was to debate and discuss at its April Open Meeting an amendment of Section 73.624(g) of its rules regarding the submission of a form used to report TV stations' ancillary or supplementary services. There's now no discussion on the topic set for Tuesday. That's because the Commissioners are unanimous in their belief that a revision to this rule is necessary.

For broadcasters across The Wolverine State, the home of Sparty, this summer promises to be Grand. That's because the Michigan Association of Broadcasters will be holding its  Advocacy Conference and Annual Meeting on August 13-14 at The Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Mich. A national historic landmark featured in Hollywood films across the decades, the Grand will now play host to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

The LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition on Thursday formally requested an immediate extension of the LPTV special filing window for at least an additional two weeks. It actually prefers a 30-day extension, and here's why.

"When disaster strikes, it’s hard to overstate the importance of being live and local, of providing continuity and a familiar voice." Those are the words of FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who saluted both radio and TV stations that are "consistently on the front lines—not only providing critical, life-saving information, but also offering a path forward for healing, coming together, and rebuilding" during an address Tuesday at the 2018 NAB Show.

After several years of discussions and hearings — and growing concern from radio broadcasters about a further pinch on revenue — the House Judiciary Committee this morning (4/11) unanimously approved a package of music licensing reforms.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan will retire at the end of his term and not seek reelection. Among the first to offer a reaction was House E&C Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.). Could this former radio broadcaster be primed to fill Ryan's shoes? More than one media industry luminary at the 2018 NAB Show in Las Vegas says yes.

Raising money for local charities. Partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to give a priceless moment to a sick child. Those are the "ordinary things that have an extraordinary impact," and for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, "it’s this kind of community service that makes it a joy to visit broadcasters whenever I can." With that, the GOP-affiliated head of the Commission reinforced his belief that a modernization of the agency's rules is "the only way to allow broadcasters to thrive." He also revealed that translator interference can be tackled through a proposed update of the FCC's rules

"Until the broadcasting industry takes the initiative to sever the Congressional chains of bondage over the FCC, it will continue to endure massive abuses with preposterous fines, fees, forfeitures, legal expenses, frustration, wasted time and wages for employees desperately attempting to address compliance for the licensees they work for." That's a common refrain from Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner. What irks him today? Capitol Hill abuse and an Arizona senator are the focal points of this latest effort from Tucson-based Benner.

In a NAB State of the Industry address delivered Monday (4/9) at the 2018 NAB Show, President/CEO Gordon Smith took pride in how the broadcasting industry's biggest lobbying organization achieved "five enormous wins" thanks, in large part, to a powerful and unified group of radio and TV broadcast company owners.

Heading to Las Vegas early for the 2018 NAB Show? So is Kathleen A. Kirby, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s Telecom, Media & Technology (TMT) Practice. She will serve as chair for the 37th annual Representing Your Local Broadcaster – PRIME TIME program organized by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) in conjunction with the NAB.

That question was addressed by Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel at a Thursday field hearing held in Honolulu by the Senate Commerce Committee, as part of its efforts to fully understand why a false missile alert was issued — and received by many smartphone owners — across Hawai'i on the morning of January 13.

Representatives from media industry trade organizations will come together to share their viewpoints concerning its changing landscape at Media Finance Focus 2018, the 58th annual conference for MFM and its BCCA subsidiary, the media industry’s credit association, on May 21-22 at The Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va.

On Jan. 8, 2018, a small market radio broadcasting company based in Park Rapids, Minn.,  asked the Commission to modify its decision to kill the main studio rule by providing an additional six months to any permittees with less than six months remaining on their unbuilt CPs for new facilities. Media Bureau Audio Division Chief Albert Shuldiner on Tuesday made a final decision as it pertained to this family-run radio station owner: Permission granted.