Washington Beat

Two individuals who jointly operate a low-power TV station have been handed a whopping $144,344 proposed fine from the FCC. Why? They continued to operate the LPTV station well after their license was cancelled for failing to file a renewal ... some 19 years ago. Here's a tale of what not to do when operating a broadcast media property, along with an RBR + TVBR Observation on the matter.

One of the nation's top voices on the just-completed FCC Spectrum Auction is heading to Washington, D.C. to share some of the "lessons learned" throughout the undertaking.

Totaling 74 pages, the "Third Report on Ownership of Commercial Broadcast Stations" — based on FCC Form 323 Ownership Data as of Oct. 1, 2015 — has been released by the Commission's Media Bureau. FCC Form 323 is designed to obtain comprehensive data on racial and ethnic minority and female broadcast ownership—statistically valid broadcast ownership data that can be compiled and aggregated and used as a source for further analysis. What did the FCC find?

Worried about increased royalty payments for the music played on an AM or FM radio station? There's a new concern to turn your attention to, and broadcast TV's C-Suite also may wish to pay attention.

Arohi Media LLC on Tuesday night officially complied with the FCC and shut down FM translator W252DK, licensed to Durham, N.C. The translator greatly impacted Tom Birch's Lakes Media. In this exclusive interview, Birch offers advice on how others can avoid such a costly problem.

Paul Lotsof has aired a PSA since 2015 in which he instructs individuals what to do with any child pornography they may possess. He disagrees with Arizona law regarding possession of such salacious material. Could that claim his license? Here's what one top D.C. communications lawyer says.

The transition to the next-gen broadcast TV standard, ATSC 3.0, has some broadcast TV companies excited about what lies ahead. But, while much of the discussion has focused on new advertising opportunities, there's a tech angle that has been barely talked about. Simply put, ATSC 3.0 can make a broadcast TV station as powerful as a wireless services company—with respect to data. Even so, the ACA and the NAB both want "light touch" regulation regarding the transition. In this RBR+TVBR INFOCUS report, we examine how ATSC 3.0 can bring two new dynamics to broadcasters—whenever it actually reaches critical mass.

Jamie Gillespie, a longtime NAB government affairs leader, has accepted a new role on Capitol Hill for one of the nation's biggest media and entertainment companies.

Fibbing to the Commission as to what station an FM translator will rebroadcast could cost you a pretty penny. For Juan Alberto Ayala and Elohim Group Corp., the penalty is $30,000.

The First 100 Days. Many media organizations have turned to the White House, and its accomplishments (or lack thereof) since the transition in power from President Obama to President Trump. On Friday, they had a new individual in D.C. to turn their attention to, as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai shared with a conservative think tank with heavy influence what he's done since succeeding Tom Wheeler as the Commission's leader.

Quite some time ago, Erwin Krasnow, partner at Washington, D.C. law firm Garvey Schubert Barer, wrote a poem. The subject: deregulation. Given the push by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly to rid broadcasters of what they perceive is unnecessary rules and restrictions, Krasnow revisited his poem.

Are 39 months enough time to repack nearly 1,000 local TV stations into a smaller band, now that the FCC's incentive auction's has concluded? T-Mobile seems to think so. This led the NAB's VP/Spectrum Policy, Patrick McFadden, to chime in on what he calls T-Mobile's "dubious claims" about the ability to abide by this time frame. We're pleased to share McFadden's thoughts with RBR+TVBR members.

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.