Washington Beat

The newest Commissioner on the FCC, and the first to issue official statements in both English and in Spanish, has agreed to deliver a Keynote address at the 2024 Hispanic Radio Conference, scheduled for June 12-13 in San Antonio.

A TV translator licensed to Wichita Falls, Tex., that brings programming to the city from North Texas' primary PBS Member station could be on the hook for a FCC forfeiture for failing to timely file its license to cover application.

Introducing H.R. 8449, a marked up version of the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act," which as of last Friday had 251 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. The new bill, which the NAB appreciates, will be up for discussion Thursday at a House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing.

The FCC on Monday opened up a pair of dockets that are designed to update the Commission's rules as it pertains to low-power television stations. One of the two dockets also impacts TV translator and Class A TV stations.

The National Religious Broadcasters and American Family Association have come together to file a petition in a New Orleans federal appeals court against the FCC for what they believe is the unlawful requirement of broadcast TV and radio stations to publicly report employee race, ethnicity, and gender.

The program, scheduled for mid-June, will focus on new opportunities for broadcasting utilizing ATSC 3.0, the next-generation broadcast standard that is now available to viewers with devices capable of receiving NEXTGEN TV signals in 75 markets across the U.S.

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel defended it. Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr did not, noting how he voted against the agency's request for a 14.8% increase in its FY 2025 budget request. A House Appropriations Committee hearing held Thursday focused on FCC funding, and more.

Four noncommercial broadcasting operations have been awarded funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that will allow them to each upgrade their equipment to provide enhanced emergency alerting. CPB awards the grants through the FEMA-funded Next Generation Warning System grant program.

"We’re facilitating engagement between the public and local broadcasters." That's what FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel offered on Thursday as part of her outline of what the Commission will discuss at its June 2024 Open Meeting, scheduled for June 6 — just two weeks after the FCC's May Open Meeting.

The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation is teaming with a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged and underrepresented children that is designed to provide students with educational opportunities and "sustainable employment prospects" in the media industry.

An individual who has played a key role in expanding the company’s distribution relationships and advocacy efforts, previously the SVP of Distribution and Government Affairs, has been given Executive VP stripes at Hearst Television.

The NAB is welcoming a new VP of Public Policy, who reports to EVP of Government Relations Shawn Donilon. She was formerly VP/Legal at the Digital Media Association.

The Democratic FCC Commissioner threw his full support behind the AM for Every Vehicle Act, saying Thursday at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting's Washington Watch that the agency will provide support and expertise as the legislation advances.

The Radio + Television Business Report's information-filled all-new Spring 2024 Special Report was distributed in print at the 2024 NAB Show and via digital PDF download to subscribers earlier in April. Still haven't seen it? Look at what this 48-page full-color magazine has that you can't find anywhere else.

The nation's two direct broadcast satellite service providers, in addition to vMVPD Fubo, conservative-leaning cable network Newsmax, and four public interest groups have written to Congressional leaders seeking multiple hearings on the future of competition in pay TV.