Washington Beat

A number of politicians have posted comments on social media. They've Tweeted about it as well, indicating they're in favor of the report. Now, you can have your say on a Petition for Rulemaking that would establish a content vendor diversity report at the FCC.

The Policy Division of the FCC's Media Bureau has signed off on an application for certification to operate an open video system serving a host of major markets. With no comments regarding the application received by the Commission, it has gone forward with an affirmative nod to the ask.

Licensee Ted Austin received a Hearing Designation Order from the FCC that could result in the deletion of an AM radio station serving Pocatello, Idaho. It came in response to a license renewal application the Media Bureau scrutinized, questioning its minimal record of operation. Austin wanted the FCC to "delete all issues" related to the Order. The FCC's ALJ said no.

As part of an FCC initiative to bring new noncommercial FM radio stations to life, the Media Bureau conducted an auction. As part of the recent affair, mutually exclusive (MX) applicants arose, as is normal in such endeavors. For one MX group, the Media Bureau identified a tentative selectee. Another applicants protested. And, they've indirectly gotten their wish.

A Republican GOP Member from Kansas has introduced bipartisan legislation that would lengthen the federal government’s authority to auction off wireless spectrum, "reauthorizing an important source of revenue for the U.S. Treasury." It would involve radio spectrum, but would it impact broadcasters in any way?

The successor to Matthew Polka as the leader of the nation's key advocacy and lobbying organization representing small-sized and independent MVPDs and broadband services providers has been revealed. Taking over as the head of ACA Connects, formerly the American Cable Association: an individual who was most recently Vice President of Government Affairs at U.S. Cellular.

Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned Dielectric submitted a Petition for Rulemaking with the Commission after it literally changed how FM broadcast antenna manufacturers can validate directional pattern studies for new FM broadcast antennas. Now, a vote is scheduled for the FCC's May 2022 Open Meeting on Thursday.

The agencies will consult with one another and share information on data collected from programs administered by the FCC, the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, programs administered or coordinated by NTIA, and Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

He's known for his "NewsCentral Nebraska" TV operation and for championing Spanish-language radio in the Omaha market. Now, he's one step closer to gaining a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Does Michael G. Hubbard, the President and sole shareholder of the licensee of an AM/FM combo, three low-power radio stations and a digital low-power TV station in Alabama, possesses the requisite qualifications to remain a Commission licensee in light of felony convictions that led to a four-year jail sentence? According to the FCC's Administrative Law Judge, the answer is "Yes."

On April 18, the Media Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comment on recent filings concerning the use of FM boosters for geo-targeted content. The Public Notice set deadlines for filing comments and reply comments at 30 and 45 days, respectively, after publication of the Public Notice in the Federal Register. That's just happened.

A group of minority-owned media, civil rights and public interest groups on Thursday filed a petition for rulemaking at the Federal Communications Commission calling for new data collection and reporting on the diversity of content vendors used by FCC-licensed media and telecommunications companies.

The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) will honor one of the biggest advertisers on broadcast media in recent years with the 2022 Corporate Leadership Award during the 2022 Celebration of Service to America Awards.

Its a newly created position that sees this individual lead the NAB’s public relations efforts on key advocacy issues, developing and implementing media relations strategies to advance broadcasters’ policy agenda before Congress and the FCC.

The goal, as House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Mike Doyle (D-Penna.) says, is for Congress to make as much spectrum as possible available for improved broadband service for consumers and for promoting "new, innovative use of our airwaves."