Washington Beat

Has the FCC finally decided to get tough with the buccaneers of broadcasting that have littered the FM airwaves in three major East Coast markets for years? A series of notices of unlicensed operation issued May 17, and made public on Monday (5/22), suggest a sea change is finally underway at the Commission.

"We interrupt this programming to inform you of threats of law enforcement and for your help in apprehending dangerous suspects." That's a message broadcast media could soon be required to air, thanks to a proposal that would empower local law enforcement with FCC-mandated "Blue Alerts."

As of midday Thursday, the FCC is now open to input on the proposed elimination of its Main Studio Rule. On Friday, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) wasted no time in commending the FCC’s action.

Don't like some of those "unnecessary or burdensome" FCC rules? You're in luck. The Commission today issued a Public Notice that begins a review of its rules applicable to media entities, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television providers.

The owner of a Class A FM serving Southern New Jersey has submitted comments in opposition to a Petition of Rulemaking that seeks a modification of Part 74 of the Commission's rules, which is designed to make it easier for the operator of an FM translator to find a suitable site for the transmitter. There's an opposing view, however. This owner says the change in rules would reduce the protection accorded to full-power FM stations from interference caused by a translator.

"Net neutrality" is one step closer to being erased from the FCC's rule books. In a widely expected partisan move that occurred on a day when many social media users use a "throwback Thursday" hashtag (#tbt), the FCC voted to press ahead on turning back the clock on regulations that require Internet service providers to give access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoritism to particular websites or portals.

With the FCC today launching an NPRM that would strip net neutrality regulations, South Dakota Republican John Thune has a suggestion. "My preference would be to begin bipartisan work on such legislation without any further delay." The Chairman of the powerful Senate Commerce Committee made the comment on the floor of the Senate today. Here's what else Sen. Thune had to say on what he believes is the restoration of an open internet.

In an unanimous 3-0 vote at today's FCC May Open meeting, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate the rule, which requires each AM, FM, and television broadcast station to have a main studio located in or near its local community.

The Chief Council on Communications and Technology for the House Energy & Commerce Committee and a former CTIA Regulatory Affairs Director has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Asst. Secretary for Communication and Information.

A petition for reconsideration filed with the FCC by the operator of an unlicensed radio station in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles has lost his fight to avoid forking over a sizable fine for his actions. At the same time, the FCC has made it known that a broadcast buccaneer in the Bronx cannot continue to operate on a signal that's a first-adjacency to a Gotham FM owned by CBS Radio.

When we find ourselves in times of trouble, the radio and TV are the media most Americans seek for the latest information and details. In fact, U.S. adults turn to broadcast TV and radio above all other media by a factor of nearly four to one, new online research shared by the NAB finds.

A winning bidder for an FM construction permit in the FCC's Auction 98 has just seen its long-form application for the permit dismissed. The action comes after the bidder failed to make a required downpayment for the permit, and sought a waiver for the deadline. This request was denied, thanks (in part) to Connoisseur Media. Now, the bidder has no new station. And, the company has been assessed an interim default payment.

Television set manufacturer LG has a huge stake in the success of ATSC 3.0. That's why it filed comments this week in the FCC's next-gen TV proceeding. Here's what LG had to say.

North Carolina-based Lakes Media LLC and its President, Tom Birch, on Friday submitted comments to the Commission that strongly rebut a rulemaking petition submitted by Aztec Capital Partners that would, in Birch's view, loosen protections for fully licensed FM stations. The comments come on the heels of receipt of an FCC Staff Letter ordering immediate cessation of the operation of a translator in Durham, N.C., and the dismissal of its license.

Elimination of the main studio rule — along with consideration of a Public Notice that would launch a review of the Commission’s rules applicable to media entities and seek comment on what rules should be modified or repealed — are on the agenda for the Commission's Open Meeting scheduled for May 18.