Washington Beat

A couple of senior staff changes have been made in the FCC's Office of Managing Director and the Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO). Now Deputy Managing Director in the Office of the Managing Director: the person that is presently Director of the Office of Communications Business Opportunities.

The FCC on Friday confirmed that it will begin accepting applications from graduating law students and current judicial clerks for its Fall 2022 Attorney Honors Program. The application window is now open, and it closes on November 1.

The nomination of a new FCC Chairman hasn't happened, and it is nothing less than "a really weird situation," says Fletcher Heald & Hildreth partner Francisco Montero. How weird is it? At the Hispanic Radio Conference in Miami on Thursday, Montero suggested that, if the Biden Administration does nothing, the FCC could end up with a GOP majority.

The President and CEO of a family-owned broadcast media company headquartered in Oklahoma has been named to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Television Board of Directors by Television Board Chair Perry Sook in accordance with NAB by-laws. The appointment is effective immediately.

If you are gearing up for participation in the auction of Construction Permits for low-power television and TV translator stations — the hallmark of the FCC's "Auction 111" — then this is for you. Filing requirements, minimum opening bids, upfront payments and other procedures are now available, with bidding scheduled to begin in five months.

In recent months, the chief of the FCC's Audio Division has been fast and furious in handing out Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to licensees galore. Why? It's part of a stepped-up effort to collect dollars from those delinquent with their license renewal applications.

The recently launched nonprofit industry organization representing Low Power, Translator and Class A TV Stations is giving its seal of approval to the "Local Journalist Sustainability Act." Says association executive director Michael Lee, "This legislation is surely a sensible investment in the all-important issue of local media trust and transparency."

A new study, authored by Ph.D. Economist Hal Singer and Ted Tatos, examines whether large technology companies should start contributing to the agency's $9 billion a year program that supports efforts to bridge the digital divide. It comes following a May 2021 suggestion by one FCC Commissioner that Big Tech should start paying its fair share toward the Universal Service Fund.

CPB has just announced $1.3 million in grants to expand the "Urban Alternative" public radio format to three noncommercial broadcast radio operations. This will bring the number of markets with the unique format, which combines Hip-Hop and R&B music with public radio’s emphasis on local engagement, to seven.

The Poynter Institute will develop and deliver a new "Digital Transformation Program" designed to educate, assist, and coach up to 80 public media senior leaders on the best strategies and tactics to transform their organization’s digital operations and culture. The virtual training will be funded by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The Incentive Auction Task Force and Media Bureau have a reminder for all full power and Class A TV stations assigned transition completion dates in phases 1-5 of the Transition Scheduling Plan, and for repacked stations that were granted permission to transition prior to the phase 1 testing period. If you want a reimbursement check, don't hesitate.

The FCC is seeking comments on three main issues related to broadband deployment in Multiple Tenant Environment (MTE) buildings. Given the growing use of OTT, "FAST" channels, and video-on-demand, along with the continued use of smart speakers for streaming audio, it could be a matter that effects broadcast media more than many industry leaders realize.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has selected the soon-to-retire President/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) as the recipient of the 2021 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award. The honor is bestowed annually on an individual in broadcasting whose work exemplifies innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. 

The NAB has filed comments with the Commission as part of its latest quadrennial review of broadcast ownership rules by staying the course on its quest to further deregulate the radio industry. Given the chatter around D.C. over who would take over for Jessica Rosenworcel, the NAB's words could easily fall on deaf ears.

A Northern Virginia AM some 45 minutes from the Nation's Capital has entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC to resolve a Public File violation. It's another learning lesson for other licensees about the importance of avoiding procrastination.