Washington Beat

Attention, Northwest Florida radio listeners. You are about to witness the birth of a brand-new radio station. As a result, you are about to witness the death of an FM translator presently using the signal to bring "AM revitalization" to an Urban AC. That's because a full-service station on that frequency is being added to the FCC's FM Table of Allotments.

The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) this week filed reply comments with the FCC to its "modernization of media regulation initiative." Co-authored by President/CEO Kim Keenan and President Emeritus and Senior Advisor David Honig, MMTC outlines seven priorities the Commission should take when proceeding with its plans.

What the heck is 'CTCSRPAB'?? For one, it has nothing to do with the CRTC, Canada's equivalent of the FCC. However, it has everything to with the FCC and how to avoid a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture. Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner explains what that acronym stands for in this column, which results from a request from an RBR+TVBR Member.

The FCC is sticking with its timetable for public comments, reply comments, and responses to reply comments regarding the blockbuster Sinclair-Tribune Media merger. More time was requested by DISH Network, the American Cable Association (ACA), and Public Knowledge, who are waging a collective fight to stop the merger. A Monday press call will formally announce their FCC filings in opposition to the proposed deal, and local news is a big reason fueling their battle.

Legislation introduced March 30 by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) that would require AM and FM radio stations that play copyrighted sound recordings to pay royalties for the non-digital audio transmissions of the recordings has picked up another supporter in Congress. But, is the bill inching toward the ether? Is bipartisan opposition on both sides of Capitol Hill — backed by the NAB — too great to overcome? That's what it looks like.

The FCC on Wednesday entered into a Consent Decree with Mountain Broadcasting Corp. that resolves issues tied to the license renewal application of the company's full-power UHF station serving the New York Tri-State Area. The agreement was struck after the station was found to be deficient in its failure to display the "E/I" symbol throughout the duration of all educational programming.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday officially brought the FCC back to four Commissioners while ensuring Ajit Pai remains Chairman. Pai congratulated Rosenworcel on her reappointment as a Democratic Commissioner, and applauded Carr's arrival at the FCC.

The FCC on Thursday adopted a hearing designation order pertaining to an FM radio station in north-central Michigan to determine whether the station's license renewal application should be granted. The station has operated just one day a year since it was initially licensed in 2010, most recently on Oct. 17, 2016. It's owned by Radioactive LLC, led by the flamboyant former CEO of Tribune Co., Clear Channel and Jacor Communications.

The first filing window for AM broadcasters to obtain new FM translator stations officially closed yesterday, concluding another chapter in the FCC's ongoing efforts to revitalize AM radio. According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, more than 1,000 AM stations took advantage of it.

Should a local broadcasting company be granted a brand-new station serving a small town some 75 miles south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming? The FCC is now seeking comments on the plan.

"Stop whatcha doin', cause I'm about to ruin, the image and the style that ya used to ..." OK, maybe it's not time for The Humpty Dance. But, RBR+TVBR Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner insists you should read his latest column, and pronto. Why? "To save substantial funds in fines, fees, forfeitures and, most significantly, legal expenses, I can recommend no better source of information."

Come next Wednesday, Jessica Rosenworcel and Brendan Carr will be one step closer to getting new offices at The Portals. That's when the Senate Commerce Committee will hold an executive session to consider their appointments, as well as the renomination of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and David Redl as the head of the NTIA.

Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas on Wednesday introduced legislation that would establish a new "Viewer and Listener Protection Fund" within the U.S. Treasury to make certain broadcasters nationwide can stay on air. The move follows the introduction of similar legislation in the House of Representatives by Rep. Frank Pallone.

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.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn has emerged as a leader on communications and technology issues in the House of Representatives, primarily through her role as Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Subcommittee devoted to those two business areas. That's why her thoughts on key issues such as net neutrality carry strong sway with Congress. She was vocal on the end of Title II reclassification, while also taking a swipe at the leadership of former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.