Washington Beat

"GDPR," or the General Data Protection Regulation, is now law within the European Union. You may have received an email or two about receiving emails from various companies, as part of a sweeping rule that some U.S. businesses -- including yours -- may be concerned about. Why? Some wonder if it could happen here. AEI visiting scholar Roslyn Layton has some ideas that are definitely worth your time.

"Ol' Dad" Ken Benner's mailbox is filling up with queries from RBR+TVBR Members. "Why do you write?" "Where do you get your funding?" Benner has some fun with those questions while sharing some "serious business" pertaining to "major projects involved with regulatory transparency pertaining to American broadcasting." Sounds like a great read to us!

When it comes to making a deal happen, most buyers will use a cash flow multiple as an important element in valuing a station — and will rely on the seller's accounting records to make the calculation. But, what if your financial records are, quite frankly, a haphazard mess?

On May 18, bidding concluded in an auction of cross-service FM translator construction permits. This FCC auction, which was designated "Auction 99," raised more than $225 million. Some 11 bidders won 11 construction permits. Here are the details.

"Certain manufacturers of video television set-top boxes are either failing to comply with Federal Communications Commission equipment authorization requirements or falsely using FCC branding on their devices." That's a message Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly personally communicated on Friday to the CEOs of two of the world's largest online vendors.

Just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the FCC has released a voluminous Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that could very much impact your radio or TV station's profits in 2018. It's the FCC's way of asking, "What's in your wallet."  

The blocking of critics by President Trump from his personal Twitter account is a violation of the First Amendment, a Federal judge in New York has ruled. What does this mean for your Twitter-using air talent? Several D.C. attorneys shared their thoughts with RBR+TVBR. How this may impact your business should not be overlooked.

A Class A television station serving a Louisiana market filed an application for license renewal with the FCC. But, it seems, there was some compliance issues with all of the Commission's rules. To resolve those problems, the licensee has entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC. It will cost the licensee.

UPDATE: In response to a Stay Petition and a Petition for Reconsideration filed in early April 2017 by Prometheus Radio Project, the Commission's top leadership late Tuesday offered a firm decision on the 40-mile limit for an FM translator's move. This FCC decision could be related to the informal objection filed May 16 by Prometheus, as the Commission had not acted on its filings from last year -- as Prometheus noted last week. 

Does the Commission have a big problem with how it looks at a big, complex merger? Daniel Lyons, an associate professor at Boston College Law School who is also a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, very much thinks so. Here's what he has to say on the subject.

The man considered by many to be the father of low-power broadcast TV and FM translators has passed away, losing a battle with brain cancer. He leaves behind an engineering legacy that will be remembered, and his wife of 71 years.

With spin-off deals in place and under Commission review, the FCC on Monday opted to establish a firm comment period on its consideration of Sinclair Broadcast Group's proposed merger with Tribune Media. Based on what was shared, this puts the final date for public input on the controversial deal in mid-July.

Many sellers underestimate how much they will need post-exit and overestimate the company’s value. In this third Deal Killers Podcast, Community Broadcasters COO Bruce Mittman, President/CEO Jim Leven and Controller Peter Henderson share their thoughts on the important topic of "unclear post-closing goals." It's another RBR+TVBR member exclusive!

"Local Talk. Classic Rock." That's the slogan used by a Class B AM with an FM translator serving one of America's most picturesque communities. The station's owner has just been handed a Notice of Violation from the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. What led a division known for busting pirate broadcasters to issue the warning to this radio station owner?

The former Special Counsel in the Competition Policy Division of the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau has been selected as the second VP/Regulatory Affairs at the American Cable Association.