Washington Beat

Three months ago, word first surfaced around Washington, D.C., that a former attorney at prestigious law firm Williams & Connolly LLP was President Trump's likely pick as the next FCC Commissioner. Late in the evening of June 1, the White House revealed that Geoffrey Starks has indeed been selected to serve on the Commission. Now, the Senate Commerce Committee is gearing up for a hearing on the Trump nominee.

Hearst Television is doubling down on its local and regional investigative reporting with a bigger bureau in the Nation's Capital — a move that brings to fruition "a national investigative unit" devoted to offering its stations' newscasts original stories from Washington, D.C.

It's a "historic defeat" for the U.S. Department of Justice: Time Warner can merge with AT&T, with zero conditions. Will Tuesday's court decision lead to a new wave of media consolidation, with Sinclair Broadcast Group's still-to-be-approved merger with Tribune Media the first of perhaps many more deals to come? Leading brokers and D.C. attorneys are split on the answer.

America’s Public Television Stations and PBS jointly submitted reply comments in response to the FCC’s request for input on the feasibility of including multimedia content in Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) messages. In their view, public television plays a key role in the EAS, WEA and broadcast datacasting systems and supports any material improvements to these systems.

Legislation drafted in March by Reps. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) is moving forward in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House Energy & Commerce Committee will be conducting a markup on the “Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act," along with three other bills, on Wednesday morning.

The seventh and final installment in a limited podcast series focused on the things that could derail a transaction is devoted to the topic of seller's remorse. Plus, what happens when a deal seems all but set, but an unwelcome surprise pops up in the 11th hour? Tackling the two subjects are Community Broadcasters' Jim Leven and Bruce Mittman, noted broker Doug Ferber and a veteran D.C. attorney.

Well, that's a provocative headline. And, who else but Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner to write a piece that delves further into his obsession with Federal government "complexification." Here's his latest effort, which should make for some fine weekend reading.

Hanford, Calif., located about three hours to the north of Los Angeles has very little in common with Hollywood, Fla., where RBR+TVBR's editorial office is presently based.  That's just changed, thanks to the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. A pair of LPFMs operating in these disparate communities just received respective Notice of Violations.

The "connected car." Smart speakers. The future of Radio is ever-more dependent on a great internet connection, and 5G technology promises to bring a revolution with respect to content delivery to the U.S. consumer. What does this move from the FCC mean for the radio and TV station owner? Read on, and learn.

As House E&C Democrats continue their quest for FCC oversight hearings to get back on the committee calendar, the Senate Commerce Committee next Wednesday will be conducting a hearing of another important communications agency under Federal government authority—the NTIA.

The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) will present its Corporate Leadership Award to Cisco at the Celebration of Service to America Awards. The honor is given each year to a non-broadcast business that exemplifies an extraordinary focus on community service and corporate social responsibility.

On February 16, the House Energy and Commerce Committee shelved its plans to hold an oversight hearing of the FCC. It's now June 5, and a rescheduled date and time have not yet surfaced. That greatly upsets the two highest ranking Democrats on the Committee, and they want hearings now.

Recognized as one of Washington's top events, the gala will honor radio and television broadcasters from across the country for exceptional community service.

In March, the rumors first surfaced. On Friday evening, June 1, the name of the next FCC Commissioner — if all goes according to plan — had been announced by the White House. Accolades continue to roll out on Monday for Geoffrey Starks, an alumnus of one of D.C.'s most prolific law firms.

Cumulus Media has stated on numerous occasions that it intends to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the quarter — June 30. Media Bureau Audio Division Chief Albert Shuldiner ​​just did his part to ensure that such an anticipated action stays on that schedule: The Commission has given the OK to the broadcast media company's plan — despite one objection filed with the FCC.