Washington Beat

The Senior Counsel to the Chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has joined the office of Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr, to serve as his new Legal Advisor.

On December 15 came word that he would be relinquishing his VP of Communications post for "a telecom industry job." Little did anyone know that Zamir Ahmed would be joining a lobbying group squarely opposed to much of what the NAB has advocated for on behalf of its television industry members.

An Assyrian educational and cultural organization dedicated to the national aspirations and well being of the Assyrian people and the language of Jesus Christ is being handed a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for failing to adhere to the FCC's quarterly issues/programs rules.

He worked for broadcast stations for several years before becoming a communications attorney. Now, he's been elevated to the role of Member at Washington, D.C. law firm Lerman Senter.

While heavy on 5G and broadband issues, a year-in-review note from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel did highlight two initiatives impacting television and radio broadcasters, respectively. As she explained, "We want spectrum policies that nurture a vibrant broadcasting sector."

With the release on Thursday of a public notice, the FCC's Media Bureau has put into effect its rules regarding the continued analog service heard on 87.7 MHz for licensed low-power television stations using VHF Channel 6 across the U.S.

Rate-regulated cable operators that use FCC Forms to justify their cable rates have an important update in hand from the FCC's Media Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics.

The co-founders of Renfrew, Ont.-based My Broadcasting Corp. have received approval from the FCC to obtain the 80% interest in the licensee of a Cape Vincent, N.Y., radio station held by three shareholders — a decision that will make this Upstate New York FM serving Kingston, Ont., wholly owned by a Canadian broadcasting company.

The President/CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on December 22 responded to Sen. Ted Cruz's questions and opinions regarding the group's Community Service Grant program and CPB's commitment to diversity, objectivity and balance.

A Birach Broadcasting Corp. AM radio station in Oklahoma was dark for extended periods of time during its prior license period. Now, the FCC has spoken: It is granting a license renewal, but for a much-curtailed time-frame.

The non-profit group representing educational non-commercial TV stations across the U.S. is urging the FCC to explore using television datacasting technologies to help fill wireless coverage gaps when cell service is interrupted during disasters.

After nearly 13 years in the NAB's Media Relations corps, working with such individuals as the retired Dennis Wharton and former SVP/Communications Ann Marie Cumming, now The Congressional Club Museum and Foundation's Executive Director, the association's Communications VP is exiting.

The Commission has handed a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to a Brooklyn-based online retailer offering audio and video electronics and accessories to the public. Among the goods on the Sound Around website are 33 unauthorized, noncompliant radio frequency devices.

He's been on detail to the office of Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr for more than four years and has been serving as his Chief of Staff. Now, he's heading back to the Media Bureau.  Who is replacing Ben Arden?

Two politically focused studies, combined into one comprehensive analysis, offer more ammunition for TV in its quest to attract as dollars as possible leading up to the 2024 elections. In particular, TVB zeroed in on the 2023 Kentucky election, which shows TV as "the most important influence throughout the entire voting funnel."