Washington Beat

May is one of the few months without the normal list of quarterly filings and EEO public file reports. But, just because there are none of these regular filings due, that does not mean that the month will be a quiet one for broadcasters on the regulatory front. In fact, far from it, notes D.C. attorney David Oxenford in this column.

The Communications Director for Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) has taken over as Director for the FCC's Office of Media Relations. The move results in the return as Deputy Director of Acting Director Mark Wigfield.

Whatcha' doin' at the Courthouse? Protecting a trademark may be the answer, if mimicry and freely borrowing ideas from another radio station or a syndicated program is judged to have gone too far. What recourse does a radio station have if it feels a fun bit has been stolen by another party? It depends, says a Garvey Schubert Barer attorney who discussed a possible litigation situation in an exclusive interview with RBR+TVBR.

The Deputy Chair of the FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force has been selected to serve as its Chair. She succeeds Gary Epstein, who today (4/28) retires from the FCC after serving in the role since 2012.

Mark May 18, 2017 as the day the FCC starts to say goodbye to a rule that's been on the books since FDR was President and World War II had yet to reach its apex. That's when the Commission, at its May Open Meeting, will open "MB Docket No. 17-106." That's Washingtonian for the elimination of the main studio rule, and Garvey Schubert Barer may be to thank for the NPRM, although its petition was dismissed as moot.

Say goodbye to net neutrality as we know it. In a major policy speech delivered this afternoon at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., FCC Chairman Ajit Pai officially unveiled his net neutrality proposals by "restoring internet freedom" through the repeal of Obama-era regulations. Naturally, Pai says such a decision will benefit all Americans. Here's how his new approach, in his view, would do so.

At a colossally large conference with much of the action and activity in the Central Hall – where the tech players are, as opposed to the North Hall with a lighter flow of attendees checking out radio and TV tech firms’ exhibit booths – FCC Chairman Ajit Pai began his address by talking about radio and ending with a reference to Vin Scully, and how his ability to step out of the way at the best time is a perfect allegory for how the Commission should regulate broadcasters.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, seen Monday afternoon walking through the lobby of the Wynn Hotel, earlier in the day announced that he intends to establish a Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment. While the lone Democrat on the Commission and the head of the MMTC are pleased, one former FCC Chairman is very disappointed.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has taken the push for diversity and digital empowerment to a new level. Today, Pai revealed his intent to establish a new federal advisory committee focused expressly on the topic.

If you are thinking about selling your station and want to make sure that you receive top dollar, Erwin Krasnow, the co-chair of the Communications Group of D.C. law form Garvey Schubert Barer, and Doug Ferber, a respected media financial consultant have some recommendations for you to consider before placing your property on the market.

If there was one event that could bring together FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the top leaders of the broadcast television industry and an endless array of exhibitors eager to grow their media tech sales, the 2017 NAB Show now officially underway in Southern Nevada is the definitive draw.

The Incentive Auction Task Force and Media Bureau have finalized the assignment of Regional Coordinators to support broadcast television stations moving to new channel assignments in the post-incentive auction transition period.

Mark Jamison, a visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute’s Center for Internet, Communication, and Technology who serves as Director and Gunter Professor of the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida, has been vocal about his desire to reform the FCC. In this Media Information Bureau column, Jamison hopes Chairman Ajit Pai and his colleagues "continue to fight back and return the agency to its former solid analytical footing" — and away from "regulation by drama."

Entercom Communications on Wednesday (4/19) received a request for additional information and documentary material, often referred to as a “second request,” from the Department of Justice in regard to its Reverse Morris Trust-fueled tax-free merger with CBS Radio.