Washington Beat

On September 24, RBR+TVBR first reported on the biggest media merger seen in ages: an agreement that sees The E.W. Scripps Co. buy ION Media — the broadcast media network with roots in the Paxson Communications operation — for $2.65 billion. The FCC is now seeking public input on whether or not the proposed deal serves the public interest.

The benefits a restoration by Congress of the minority tax certificate would bring to increasing the percentage of broadcast TV and/or radio station owners who are either women or people of color is a top topic in 2020. A FCC Symposium session held Friday shared its potential strengths by putting a spotlight on one who benefited from it the first time around.

With FCC Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey welcoming attendees, a day-long virtual Access to Capital Symposium kicked off with a series of sessions devoted to insight and observations on how women and people of color seeking to purchase a broadcast media property can best secure funding.

As most licensees know, a station's failure to timely file a license renewal application with the FCC isn't a great idea. Now, the owner of a Mississippi FM better understands the rules. It's just received a proposed fine for its delinquency.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation has elected seven new members to the Leadership Foundation Board of Directors. They include the EVP of the Katz Television Group at Katz Media, and the local media president for The E.W. Scripps Co. 

Ronald Ulloa, the youngest brother of Entravision CEO and founder Walter Ulloa, is the owner of two television stations. One of these TV siblings owned by Ronald is now officially a Los Angeles market facility -- despite its city of license, which is quite far from downtown L.A. and most of the metropolitan area.

The "nation's first commercial radio broadcast," while disputed by many, is largely associated with KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh. The launch of that station under Westinghouse 100 years ago is the focus of a column from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Find out what he said by clicking here.

Much has been said about Section 230, with Democrats and Republicans taking differing positions on a topic that's about as divisive as reproductive rights for women. Now, non-partisan technology think tank Tech Freedom has chimed in on what it believes the role of Section 230 should be.

The official agenda for the FCC's November Open Commission Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, has been released. The biggest item up for debate and discussion? A "First Report and Order," a FNPRM, and "Order of Proposed Modification" that would "modernize" the 5.9 GHz band.

The December 2017 order restoring Title I regulation to the internet and broadband service brought a legal challenge, and the D.C. Circuit upheld most of the FCC's order. But, three "discrete issues" were remanded. On Tuesday, the GOP majority moved forward with an Order of Remand in response to the Court -- over the Democratic minority's vociferous objections.

Democratic Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (Calif.), a senior member of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, has praised a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released Monday by the FCC that would require the identification of foreign government sponsored broadcast TV and radio content.

With the race for the White House ending in eight days, the impact on how Americans vote from radio advertisements may not be as big as once envisioned. For the week ending October 25, the Joe Biden for President campaign entered the Spot Ten Radio report after sitting at No. 15 the previous week. The incumbent? His campaigns use of radio is even smaller.

As D.C. politics goes, this is a dead bill, without major revisions fueled by Senate Republicans. Yet, the NAB applauded the Senate's introduction of legislation designed to expand SBA loan access to newspapers and broadcast media.

The Commission is directing the Media Bureau to open a filing window for new FM reserved band applications and seeks comment on imposing a limit of 10 applications filed by any party in this window.

The General Counsel and COO for America’s Public Television Stations and the Asst. General Counsel for PBS last week met by phone with a Media Bureau Policy Division staffer to discuss the importance of both linear broadcast and Broadcast Internet services under Section 73.621 of its rules. The discussion focused on distant learning broadcast datacasting initiatives.