Washington Beat

To some, it is an antiquated form of broadcast communication that was shut off for good in nations across the globe. To the NAB, it is something Americans should depend on. That's the focal point of an AM radio promotional campaign courtesy of broadcast media's biggest advocacy voice.

It promises listeners in Central Connecticut "pura adrenalina" with its blend of Spanish-language pop and a community focused schedule of interest to Hispanics between Waterbury and New Britain. However, the owner of this AM has been delinquent with its FCC regulatory fees for more than a decade.

Eduardo Gallegos' Class A FM radio station serving a popular resort and Spring Break destination on the Texas Gulf Coast will get a frequency change. The Audio Division of the FCC's Media Bureau gave the OK, despite the objection of a disgruntled party who claims she's owed money for radio advertising.

The Eureka County TV District of Nevada serves a population of less than 1,900 people. While many may not know much about the rural Nevada county, the FCC's Media Bureau does. It just handed the TV District a proposed fine for tardiness.

The "Local Power TV" advocacy group founded by "SuperFrank" Copsidas is preparing to welcome the Chief of the Media Bureau's Video Division for its own events tied to the 2023 NAB Show.

Senate Democrats and Republicans are teaming up to take on national security threats from foreign technologies — leading a bipartisan effort to codify a policy that was first implemented by the Trump administration and is now supported by the Biden administration. Introducing the RESTRICT Act.

With time ticking on TEGNA's proposed privatization effort, the Chief of the Media Bureau's Video Division has given TEGNA at least one legislative win. The VHF-to-UHF upgrade of an ABC affiliate serving Hampton Roads.

The first proposed fines under the federal anti-unlicensed radio legislation known as the "PIRATE Act" have been handed out by the FCC, with two Hispanic men potentially liable for the maximum penalty allowable by law for a New York City operation. Enforcement of the forfeiture, however, remains a key question.

In the digital age, having a UHF signal is far more optimal than having a VHF signal. As such, many requests have arrived at the FCC requesting a change in the Table of Allotments so a VHF-to-UHF upgrade can take place. Now, the FCC has approved a Roanoke, Va., low-band VHF to high-band VHF shift request.

At the end of 2022, an Executive Producer and Media Financier who has put his dollars into independent films, directors, producers, artists and entertainment struck a deal to buy a low-power television station in California's Coachella Valley. Before that sale can close, the seller must send a check to the FCC to settle a matter regarding a late license renewal application.

In a sharp contrast to the previous two administrations, President Biden on Monday recommended a $40 million increase in funding from the U.S. government toward the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a move that the head of America's Public Television Stations says would help restore "the $100 million in lost purchase power caused by 10 years of flat federal funding for CPB."

Introducing the Senate's companion to the newest iteration of the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) — the all-important pledge from Members of Congress to block any potential legislation that would impose new performance fees on broadcast radio stations for music airplay, namely the "American Music Fairness Act."

It's home to a Class A FM at 103.9 MHz, and if the FCC says yes, it's poised for an upgrade. But, to accommodate this change, another radio station will need to change to a new frequency — something not exactly easy in the Grand Canyon State, as Entravision Communications knows all too well.

Until Friday, March 6 was the date that codified an important regulatory compliance matter associated with the voluntary rollout of the new ATSC 3.0 broadcast television standard. The FCC has adopted an Order putting a temporary stay on that previously planned sunset.

Estrella Media, the Burbank, Calif.-headquartered Hispanic media company headed by Peter Markham, has been handed a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for what the FCC says is engaging in unauthorized operation of a low-power TV station relaying its primary full-power facility licensed to Key West, Fla.