Bulletin Categories: FCC Regulatory Reform

FCC May Eliminate Broadcast License Posting Requirements May 17, 2018

Stations might soon be able to put away some of their thumb tacks and scotch tape and recycle some old binders. That’s because the FCC, on May 10, 2018, adopted...

Rule Requiring Stations to Keep Paper Copies of FCC Regulations Officially “Off the Books” April 5, 2018

Stations can recycle their paper copies of the FCC’s rules. The requirement that certain television and radio broadcast entities (as well as certain cable operators) maintain paper copies of the...

FCC’s Broadcast Mid-Term EEO Reporting Requirement May Also Be Eliminated March 28, 2018

Another FCC reporting requirement may also be on its way out. Comments are due May 21, 2018, on the Commission’s Noticed of Proposed Rulemaking (“Notice”) that would eliminate FCC Form 397,...

FCC Appears Poised to Eliminate Ancillary/Supplementary Services Reporting Requirement for Most Stations March 28, 2018

At its April meeting, the FCC is expected to adopt a Report and Order (a draft of which is available here) that will spare thousands of digital television broadcast licensees...

FCC Proposes to Eliminate Broadcast Mid-Term EEO Report – FCC Form 397 – Filing Requirement February 23, 2018

The Broadcast Mid-Term EEO Report (FCC Form 397) may soon be a thing of the past. The FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) at its February 22, 2018,...

Main Studio Rule Eliminated as of January 8, 2018 January 17, 2018

The Main Studio Rule was officially eliminated as of January 8, 2018. Stations will recall that the FCC adopted a Report and Order (Order) last year eliminating the Main Studio...

Main Studio Rule Elimination Effective as of January 8, 2018 December 8, 2017

As we reported previously, the FCC at its October meeting adopted a Report and Order (“Order”) eliminating the Main Studio Rule and several requirements associated with it, including the requirement...

One Less Thing to Worry About: FCC Waives This Year’s Form 317 Filing Requirement for Most TV Stations November 17, 2017

Most digital television licensees and permittees will not have to file the annual Form 317 DTV Ancillary/Supplementary Services Report by December 1, 2017, the FCC announced in a Public Notice...

FCC Eliminates the Main Studio Rule and Related Requirements, Including Full-Time Staffing Obligation – But Changes Not Yet in Effect November 2, 2017

As expected, the FCC at its October meeting adopted a Report and Order (“Order”) eliminating the main studio rule and several requirements associated with it, including the requirement that broadcasters...

Local Media Ownership Rules to Be Relaxed Significantly at FCC’s November 16 Meeting October 27, 2017

Significant relaxation of the FCC’s local media ownership rules is close to becoming reality. At its November 16 meeting, the FCC will consider adopting an Order on Reconsideration that would...