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November 2nd to 9th, 2021: Filing Window for Applications for New NCE FM Station Construction Permits on FM Reserved Band; 10-Application Limit Applicable to Filing Window November 4, 2021

During the brief seven day period between November 2 and November 9, NCE broadcasters are presented with a relatively infrequent opportunity—as we have previously written, an FCC filing window to...

Commission Clarifies Treatment of Ancillary and Supplementary Services Fees in Context of ATSC 3.0 Deployment, Grants NCE Stations Leeway February 26, 2021

With ATSC 3.0 deployment continuing across the nation, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (the “Order”) in December (which was published in the Federal Register this week) addressing multiple...

FCC Announces 2021 Filing Window for New NCE FM Station Applications; Proposes Limits on Number of Applications October 23, 2020

By recent Public Notice (the “Notice”), the FCC has announced that an application filing window for new non-commercial educational (“NCE”) FM stations in the reserved band (i.e., channels 201–220) will...

Guidance for Noncomm FM Stations Regarding COVID-19 Closures March 25, 2020

The FCC’s Audio Division released information in a Public Notice (“Notice”) late Friday afternoon that (1) provides general guidance for all radio services in light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19...

NCE Licensee Admits Violating FCC’s Underwriting Rules; Agrees to Pay $76,000 January 28, 2020

Commercial broadcasters aren’t the only ones who the Enforcement Bureau has targeted lately. A licensee of two noncommercial educational broadcast stations (“NCEs”) in Arkansas recently agreed to pay $76,000 and...

On-Air Third-Party Fundraising Rule Revised for Some Noncommercial Stations May 3, 2017

At its April meeting, the FCC adopted a new Order to implement rules that will provide noncommercial stations with some flexibility to conduct on-air fundraising for certain non-profit entities, while...

NOT Due June 1, 2016: Ohio Noncommercial Television Station Biennial Ownership Reports; Biennial Ownership Reports for All Ohio Stations Are Due December 1, 2017 May 2, 2017

Historically, FCC Biennial Ownership Reports for Ohio noncommercial television stations were due to be filed with the FCC by June 1 of odd-numbered years (unless a station is owned as...

Greater Third Party Fundraising Flexibility on the Horizon for NCEs March 31, 2017

It appears that the FCC is ready to complete the proceeding it began five years ago to consider allowing noncommercial broadcasters to engage in on-air fundraising activities for other entities. ...

Media Bureau Rescinds Prior Bureau Order Relating to New Noncommercial Ownership Reporting Requirement February 6, 2017

As another part of new-Chairman Pai’s post-Wheeler “clean-up” efforts, the Media Bureau—now under new management—has issued an order (the “February 2 Order”) rescinding its prior order that had affirmed new...

Noncommercial Stations: The FCC Has Announced That Biennial Ownership Reports Are Due December 1, 2017 December 21, 2016

In Ohio, noncommercial television stations have traditionally filed biennial ownership reports on June 1 of odd-numbered years (such as 2017), and noncommercial radio stations have traditionally filed biennial ownership reports...