Washington Beat

On Thursday in Orlando, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel addressed attendees of The AnitaB.org Grace Hopper Celebration, an annual gathering that brings the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. Rosenworcel shared how, as Chairwoman of the FCC, she's broken through a glass ceiling by remaining committed to key passion points — namely bridging the nation's digital divide, especially with schoolchildren.

Without elaborating on the reasons why, the FCC has moved its November Open Meeting from its original date to a day earlier. What will be discussed at the meeting has yet to surface publicly.

Earlier this week, RBR+TVBR confirmed that Christopher Wood, Univision’s SVP/Associate General Counsel for Governmental and Regulatory Affairs, quietly exited in June. Now, his successor has been appointed to the NAB Television Board of Directors. And, it is the first public acknowledgment of a transition at TelevisaUnivision.

On July 14, 2022, the Media Bureau issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) in the amount of $6,500 to the licensee of a low-power television station offering religious programming to viewers in a small city to the north of Yakima, Wash., along Interstate 90. The facility is still paying a financial penalty for its transgressions, but it will be a smaller one.

As RBR+TVBR reported late Wednesday, Sinclair Broadcast Group and a host of its shared services partners could be responsible for forking over millions of dollars in fines to the FCC for repeated violations of the Children's Television Act. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel offered a statement following the release of the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture.

If passed, the legislation introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) would establish protections for journalists at the federal level. The bill carries a number very similar to quite different legislation that, if passed, would greatly impact the Radio industry. But, that bill appears to have fizzled.

How is the nation's leading advocacy organization for broadcast radio and television working on behalf of its members? The President and CEO will be answering that question and other written — or video — queries sent to the NAB team ahead of a members-only Town Hall scheduled for the last Thursday in September.

More than three years ago, Entravision filed an application proposing to upgrade one of its stations serving the Phoenix market. However, this required the involuntary move of a facility serving Prescott Valley, Ariz. A squabble ensued. Now, a new ruling from the Commission may finally push the process toward finality.

Want to know what your FY 2022 regulatory fee amounts are? There's a microsite now available courtesy of the FCC, but only through the end of the month — given the deadline for payments. Can't pay or want a reduced fee because of the COVID-19 pandemic? You have an opportunity to ask, too.

The FCC's Media Bureau is reminding United States-based foreign media outlets of the Commission's next semi-annual disclosure deadline. Here are the details on what impacted broadcast stations should do, and by what date.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives have grown substantially in the U.S. private sector over the last two years. Now, the FCC has added a Senior Advisor for DEI matters while also welcoming a Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration.

Several stations failed to file license renewal applications. As such, their licenses will expire as of October 1 — provided no renewal application is received by midnight on the date of expiration.

But, there was an "OPIF" issue that the Media Bureau uncovered. To resolve the failure to maintain program lists and issues in the stations' online public inspection files during the relevant terms, a Consent Decree has been reached between the FCC and the licensee.

In late May, the Orono, Me., TV station offering PBS programming to the community and its surrounding region has asked the FCC for a swap of its VHF signal for a more powerful UHF facility. This came concurrent to a near-identical request from its Augusta, Me., sibling. The upgrades for the Maine Public properties are coming soon.

She's relatively new to her role as Media Bureau Chief. The LPTV Broadcasters Association is relatively new in advocating "Local Power TV," and its low-power TV licensees, in Washington. This led the LPTV leaders to chat with Holly Saurer, sharing with her the key legislative desires they have.