White House Withdraws O’Rielly FCC Renomination
The White House has confirmed that President Trump has withdrawn the nomination of Michael O’Rielly to a second five-year term as a Commissioner at the FCC. It's a move in a chess match that follows a hold on O'Rielly's renomination placed by an Oklahoma Senator squarely on the Commission' decision to allow Ligado to facilitate 5G and “Internet of Things” services.
Now Available: A 2020 Political Broadcasting Rules Refresher
Two esteemed Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth attorneys on July 30 chatted with three FCC political programming experts on the specific requirements and latest developments in the FCC’s political broadcasting rules. This includes such subjects as equal time, lowest unit rates, PAC ads, BCRA, and record keeping. Here's a review of what they discussed.
NAB, League of Women Voters Team For Voter PSAs
The NAB and the League of Women Voters have co-produced a voter education campaign featuring public service announcements made available through NAB’s 2020 Election Toolkit. The campaign will air from today through Election Day, on November 3.
House Approves Increased Funding for Public Broadcasting
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday gave its thumbs' up to a hefty advance funding payment to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in Fiscal Year 2023. The approved funding was included in the FY 2021 Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
O’Rielly Speaks, One Day After Inhofe Re-Nom Halt
On Wednesday, Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly delivered remarks before The Media Institute, a think tank "working for a strong First Amendment and Sound Communications Policy." What O'Rielly said may be the secondary story of the week. That's thanks to a GOP Senator who has placed a hold on O'Rielly's renomination as a Commissioner.
Broadcasters Caucus Chairs Send Letter Urging Support for Local Broadcasters
House and Senate leadership are being urged to earmark a portion of the funding provided within the upcoming Coronavirus relief package be dedicated to support local broadcasters who have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic.
‘Skinny’ Decrees For ASCAP, BMI Big Worries For NAB
As the organization representing local radio and TV broadcasters across the U.S. sees it, ASCAP and BMI antitrust consent decrees continue to be essential. As such, the NAB and its President/CEO have significant concerns with the so-called modified “skinny” decrees currently under consideration.
Elimination Of D.C. Ad Tax Plan Cheered by NAB
Thanks to an amendment, there will be no application of a levy on the purchase of advertising in the Nation's Capital, including the business costs associated with its planning, creation, placement and display of advertising. No other state in the nation has this tax.
O’Rielly, To Little Surprise, Gets Senate Commerce Nod For Another Term
It's a formality, but an important one for a FCC Commissioner. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the nomination of a Republican who has taken a lead role in fighting unlicensed "pirate" radio operators — and drafted the NAB-influenced proposal to drastically deregulate local media ownership rules.
NEXTGEN TV Rule Change Date Affirmed by FCC
The Media Bureau announced Friday that the Next Gen TV Second Report & Order, Order on Reconsideration, and associated rule changes now have an official effective date. What does this mean for broadcast TV station licensees across the U.S.?
Broadcast Internet NPRM Comment Dates Set
On June 9, the FCC issued a Declaratory Ruling and NPRM designed to foster the growth of next-generation data services enabled by the transition of digital television to the ATSC 3.0 standard. Now, it has formally established a comment and reply comment period for its Broadcast Internet NPRM, something TV stations are poised to greatly benefit from.
House E&C Approves A Series Of Communications Bills
On to the House floor for seven communications bills and one House resolution approved on Wednesday by the Democratic-controlled House Energy & Commerce Committee. One of the pieces of legislation deals with media diversity, while a House Resolution introduced by a representative from Florida received an affirmative nod.
NAB On C-Band Transition: Satellite Operator ‘Modifications’ Urged
The NAB on Monday filed comments with the FCC regarding transition plans submitted by eligible satellite operators for vacating part of the C-band spectrum, a swath of spectrum used by local radio and TV broadcasters every day to deliver news, sports and other popular content for their broadcasts.
Repack Complete: TV’s Post Spectrum Auction Transition Ends On Time
Even with a pandemic potentially hampering the highly intricate and long-planned process, the FCC's post-incentive auction transition has successfully met its 39-month deadline. With its completion of the broadcast spectrum repack, NAB head Gordon Smith offered a statement expressing how "incredibly proud" he was of broadcast TV "for its herculean efforts."
FCC Reinstates ‘Certain Vacant FM Allotments’
With the approval of Nazifa Sawez, the Audio Division Assistant Chief in the FCC's Media Bureau, the Commission on Friday updated the FM Table of Allotments (“FM Table”) to reinstate "certain vacant FM allotments." What, exactly, does this mean?