Washington Beat

It was only a matter of time before the current Congress held one. An FCC oversight hearing has been placed on the calendar by the now-Republican controlled House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The MMTC, NABOB, NNPA, and the U.S. Black Chambers have come together to endorse the White House's nominations of Anna Gomez, Brendan Carr, and Geoffrey Starks to the Federal Communications Commission.

Starting Tuesday and concluding Wednesday, broadcasters representing broadcast radio and TV groups are in Washington, D.C., to participate in an event focused on what the NAB and the NASBA believe are two important issues effecting the future of linear media.

The owner of a digital VHF television station serving the National Capital Area from Silver Spring, Md., could be on the hook for a fine for its untimely filing of the station's quarterly issues/programs lists and for its tardiness in filing its Children's television programming reports.

On April 17, the FCC released a Report and Order in its proceeding to update the Commission’s Part 74 rules for low-power television and television translator services to reflect the current operating environment.  As of today, the revised rules are now in effect.

They represent two very different sides of the political spectrum. But, if Ed Markey and Ted Cruz can find common ground on the matter of AM radio's continued availability in all U.S. vehicles, "it should highlight just how important we believe it is for Americans to have access," they share.

Gray Television is sharing its pleasure of having received the 2023 Celebration of Service to America Award for TV Ownership Group at a formal ceremony held Tuesday in the Nation's Capital.

In late January 2023, the FCC's Media Bureau took a look at mutually exclusive applications for a noncommercial FM radio station that would bring an added voice to Key West, Fla. One month later, a petition to deny the selection by the Commission of this potential licensee was filed by one of the "MX" applicants. Now, the Bureau is siding with that applicant.

On November 29, 2021, the Media Bureau issued a public notice identifying no less than 231 groups of mutually exclusive noncommercial FM applications, tied to a new station filing window opened by the FCC. Now, the Commission has performed threshold fair distribution of service analyses and used a point system to tentatively select an application for grant in 10 groups of mutually exclusive applications for new NCE FM construction permits. 

Ahead of a Tuesday House Committee on Energy & Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Hearing on the value of kHz-band broadcasts to Americans, six public safety groups added their names as supporters of the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, introduced in the Senate and House by politicians who rarely come together in unity over a political issue.

The process of renewing a radio station's license has the potential of uncovering a failure to adhere to Commission rules. And, that's exactly what has happened to an Iowa broadcaster, who faces fines for not abiding by online public file requirements.

The ceremony, which honors broadcasters for their outstanding commitment to public service, will be held on June 6 at The Anthem in Southwest Washington and will see ABC News' weekend "Good Morning America" co-anchor hold the emcee mic.

On May 23, three key members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee announced plans to hold a Committee hearing in early June on the importance of AM radio installation in new cars. On Tuesday, full details as to when the hearing would take place were revealed.

The FCC's Media Bureau has granted an additional 18-month waiver of emergency information accessibility requirements, something that the NAB had petitioned for.

The FCC council charged with providing recommendations to ensure that underserved communities "are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability" will be active for another two years.