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NAB Files Ex Parte Letter Seeking Repeal of National Ownership Cap April 21, 2025

In addition to its advocacy in the above-described Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding, NAB recently filed an extensive ex parte letter in the long-pending 2017 docket regarding elimination of the broadcast...

FCC Grants TV Waiver of Two Top-Four Prohibition in Eureka, CA April 21, 2025

Recently, the Commission’s Media Bureau released another decision authorizing ownership of two Top Four ranked stations in the same market—this time in the Eureka, California, DMA (#196). This decision granting...

2018 Quadrennial Review Litigation Update: Eighth Circuit Hears Oral Argument March 24, 2025

Litigation challenging the FCC’s 2018 Quadrennial Review Report and Order (the “Order”) continues to move along in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit: last week, a three‑judge...

Media Bureau Grants Application Permitting Common Ownership of Two Top-Four Stations in the Same Market March 17, 2025

The Media Bureau issued a letter decision (the “Decision”) on March 11, 2025, authorizing common ownership of two top four ranked television stations in the same market—the first such decision...

The Release of, and Commissioner Disagreement Over, the FCC’s Long Awaited 2018 Quadrennial Review Order January 5, 2024

On December 26, 2023, the FCC completed its long-awaited and statutorily required 2018 Quadrennial Review of the agency’s broadcast multiple ownership rules. The 94-page Report and Order (the “Order”) was...

2022 Quadrennial Review of Media Ownership Rules Moving Forward with Anticipated Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines Set January 13, 2023

As we previously reported, last month the FCC announced the commencement of its statutorily required 2022 Quadrennial Review proceeding to examine its media ownership rules. According to the Federal Register...

FCC Commences 2022 Quadrennial Review of Media Ownership Rules with Public Notice Seeking Comments in Freshly Opened Docket December 22, 2022

This afternoon the FCC issued a Public Notice (the “Notice”) commencing its 2022 Quadrennial Review proceeding to examine its media ownership rules. The Notice opens a new docket for the...

Over $500,000 Fine for Violating Local Television Ownership Rules’ Prohibition on Common Ownership of Two Top-Four Same-Market Television Stations December 22, 2022

Over the dissent of Commissioner Nathan Simington, the FCC issued a significant Forfeiture Order (the “Order”) levying a $518,283 penalty—the maximum allowed by law—against a large media company (the “Company”)...

Comment Deadlines Extended for Record Refresh in 2018 Quadrennial Review July 30, 2021

The Media Bureau has extended by approximately one month the comment and reply comment deadlines in the FCC’s efforts to see a “refresh” of the record in its 2018 Quadrennial...

FCC Issues Early Reminder of Forthcoming Biennial Ownership Report Filing Window July 1, 2021

By recent Public Notice (the “Notice”), the FCC’s Media Bureau has reminded broadcasters that 2021 is a biennial ownership report filing year. That means that all licensees of commercial and...