Washington Beat

Boy, is Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner cantankerous today. Is he sizzling from the Tucson heat, or because of his continued frustration with Washington politics and its impact on not only the FCC but your stations' bank account? Yeah ... it would be the latter, as he suggests the FCC modernize its rules by ditching its Public File rules altogether. Say what? Read on and see if you agree.

Following months of speculation regarding the future of one of the FCC's longest-serving Commissioners, Mignon Clyburn today at the Commission's April Open Meeting revealed what her future will be. She's leaving the FCC, and today's meeting was her last as a Democratic member of the agency.

The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau just issued its report card on the third nationwide test of the EAS system. What's the grade? We've got the details on a largely positive report card on IPAWS.

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.