Washington Beat

If only a House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on Capitol Hill could be so efficient. The branch of the Energy & Commerce Committee held a teleconference program with key Congressional leaders chatting with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The event came 24 hours after details of a FCC plan to advance "broadcast internet" services.

The company behind the aiWARE OS for artificial intelligence has received a two-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for its aiWARE Government platform from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The nation's biggest advocacy group in Washington for broadcast radio and TV has filed comments with the FCC asking its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to adjust certain cost ranges in the catalog, and clarify the "Cost Catalog" to ensure it is "consistent" with the FCC's Report and Order.

House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle and Ranking Member Bob Latta said Thursday the House E&C arm will hold a teleconference forum on Tuesday featuring FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The event will focus on critical consumer protection, broadband and spectrum issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's a hot topic, and the U.S. House of Representatives approves of it. The Senate, however, is another matter, and bipartisan legislation designed to expand the eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loan access to local newspapers and radio and television stations in need could be derailed by Republicans unwilling to give the OK.

A 118-page Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking pertaining to the assessment and collection of regulatory fees for fiscal 2020 and for fiscal 2019 has been released by the FCC. A Comment Date and Reply Comment Date were offered, along with lots of information you'll likely want to know.

The FCC on Wednesday at its virtual May Open Meeting revealed that, ahead of the meeting, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to new rules that will bring "a streamlined and standardized set of requirements for broadcast applicants to meet their local public notice obligations" to fruition.

Draft legislation in the House of Representatives has expanded the eligibility for Small Business Administration "Paycheck Protection Program" loan access to local newspapers and radio and TV stations in need. The inclusion of local media in the House Coronavirus Relief Legislation was spearheaded by Nancy Pelosi, and immediately attracted the attention of the NAB.

Since her graduation from the University of Kansas fifteen years ago, Tina Pelkey's career has weaved in and out of the U.S. government. For roughly three years, she worked in the office of a United States Senator. Later, Pelkey spent time as a Weber Shandwick Account Manager. Then, she ended up at the FCC. Now, Pelkey is going back to a private sector role.

What sort of advise does Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner have for broadcast station operators that may want an alternative FCC inspection, which he has specialized in for decades? Here's what he has to say, in this column you'll only see at RBR+TVBR.

A comment and reply comment period will soon open as part of a Media Bureau petition for declaratory ruling filed by the nation's leading media company targeting Hispanic consumers. The move means the public can weigh in on whether or not Univision Communications may raise its foreign ownership component beyond the 25% benchmark to a full 100%.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith will participate in a keynote conversation on Wednesday (5/13) as part of the all-digital replacement for the 2020 NAB Show, which was originally planned for late April in Las Vegas but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Media Bureau's Audio Division Chief has denied a waiver request and has dismissed an application filed by an Alabama licensee who sought FCC authorization to operate a Class A FM at a higher effective radiated power than it is currently licensed for. The licensee had their reasons. While they may be worthy of a larger discussion, they were immediately shot down by Al Shuldiner.

New public service announcements focused on mental health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic are now available for use from the NAB. The PSAs are designed for both radio and TV stations and focus on a message of hope and encouragement as the pandemic approaches its eighth week in the U.S.

There's an organization change in order at the FCC's Media Bureau. In a move made because the Commissioners believe it will serve the public interest, improve operations and streamline the Media Bureau's organization, a division within the Bureau is no more.