Friday, September 12, 2025

How To Become An ‘Alternative’ Inspector

Featured Media Information Bureau columnist and alternative broadcast inspection specialist Ken Benner has received several requests in recent weeks for information on how to follow in his footsteps. Benner has obliged, and today offers RBR+TVBR members details on how to become an independent ABIP inspector, or one under state broadcaster association programs.
FCC

FCC tries to ‘splain TV repacking approach

One commissioner questioned the ability to keep the auction on schedule.
Broadcast Tower

FM Translator Count Hits A New High As AMs Decline Again

The FCC on Tuesday released its Broadcast Station Totals for the first nine months of 2017. Thanks to the FCC's Spectrum Auction, there are some dips in the number of broadcast TV stations licensed to air in the U.S. Meanwhile, there are fewer commercial FM stations and several more FM translators, while the number of AMs has taken a big dip.
FCC

FCC to Drum Up FM Translator Window Participation

The FCC is beginning a three-month outreach effort concerning AM revitalization.

FCC confirms phishing danger

Apparently unscrupulous virtual predators are lying in wait for FCC licensees attempting to file their FY 2008 regulotory fees. We can’t state any more...
Tegna

FCC Inspector General Asked to Act For TEGNA

On Monday, funding for the proposed acquisition of TEGNA by Standard General, led by Soohyung Kim, expires. Two key Members of Congress are less than pleased with that situation, and have called on the Inspector General of the FCC to "investigate Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s unprecedented actions against Standard General’s application to acquire TEGNA.”

Will Ownership Pass is Real Question

Minimal changes in media ownership rules up Chairman Wheeler's chances of getting them passed.

Reformers gear up for media hearing

The FCC long ago announced the next public hearing on media ownership, pegged for Chicago on 9/20/07. The pattern of these meetings has pretty...

Senators counter performance royalty bill

Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Barrasso (R-WY) have taken the Local Radio Freedom Act, which has been gaining steady momentum in the House, and...
Greg Walden

Walden gets NRCC, stays at Communications

The new chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee is Greg Walden (R-OR), who has been considered a shoo-in candidate for some time now....

MAP gets an extension

The FCC put out a call for comments concerning home shopping stations as part of its review of the Cable Television Consumer Protection Act...

ATSC 3.0: A ‘Voluntary’ Path Full Of Hurdles?

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.

Stevens investigation progresses

Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Stevens (R-AK) is enduring another chapter in the ongoing investigation of his dealings with certain constituents back in...

LPTV NPRM about to be opened for comment

According to the LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition...

Consumer Help Center launched by FCC

The FCC has a new portal on its website designed to provide “one-stop shopping” for consumers interested in information that falls under the FCC’s...