Discussion of FCC, copyright, advertising and other legal issues of importance to radio and television broadcasters and other media companies
Principal Editor: David O’Connor
Annual EEO Public File Report Deadline – October 1
Affected States: Alaska, American Samoa, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Mariana Islands, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Washington
By October 1, 2007, radio and television Station Employment Units (SEU) in the states listed above must: (1) prepare their Annual EEO Public File Report; (2) place…
In a very unusual process – one that is probably unprecedented – the FCC last week announced that it is opening a window for parties to file applications for a new AM station to serve Rockland County, New York. AM stations are traditionally made available for filing on an on-demand basis – when the FCC accepts applications for new stations, parties can file in any location in the country, specifying any city of license that they select, as long as the station that they propose will not create interference to existing stations. This is unlike FM and TV, where there is a two step process – new channels are first allotted at specific locations based on a party’s request, but that party gets no rights to the channel. Instead, after the allotment has been made, anyone can file for in a specified window seeking a construction permit to build the new station. In this window, the FCC has adopted a unique process for an AM stations, a process much more like that used in FM and TV. The Commission had been asked by a party for permission to operate a new station in Rockland County. Instead of simply permitting that party to build a station without competition, the FCC decided that a new station was necessary to provide emergency information about the nuclear power plant in the Rockland area, but determined that anyone could file for that channel. Applications for the channel (1700 AM – on the expanded band, for which there have been no applications for almost 10 years since the first set of expressions of interest were taken), will be accepted from October 1 through October 5.
In order to give parties the ability to prepare applications, the FCC is imposing a freeze on the filing of minor change applications for AM stations throughout the country during the filing window. Any minor change application that is filed during the window will be returned. So if you are planning an application for a technical change to your AM station, you need to plan to avoid that filing window.Continue Reading AM Filing Freeze While FCC Accepts Applications for a New AM in Rockland County, New York
We’ve recently written much about Internet radio, digital radio, digital television and all sorts of new technologies to electronically deliver media content. But the grandfather of all electronic media – AM radio – still provides significant service. A recent Petition for Rulemaking suggests certain technical changes to increase the service provided by these stations. In particular, the proposed changes would…
This article is no longer available. For more information on this topic, see February Legal Deadlines for Broadcasters – Online Public File, Review of Incentive Auction Comments, Filing Deadline for FM Auction, and Lots of Renewals and EEO Public File Reports
The FCC today issued the long-awaited text of its decision on Digital Audio radio – the so-called IBOC system. As we have written, while adopted at its March meeting, the text of the decision has been missing in action. With the release of the decision, which is available here, the effective date of the new rules can be set in the near future – 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register. With the Order, the Commission also released its Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, addressing a host of new issues – some not confined to digital radio, but instead affecting the obligations of all radio operations.
The text provides the details for many of the actions that were announced at the March meeting, including authorizing the operation of AM stations in a digital mode at night, and the elimination of the requirements that stations ask permission for experimental operations before commencing multicast operations. The Order also permits the use of dual antennas – one to be used solely for digital use – upon notification to the FCC. In addition, the order addresses several other matters not discussed at the meeting, as set forth below. Continue Reading FCC Issues Rules on Digital Radio – With Some Surprises that Could Eventually Impact Analog Operations
The FCC has asked for public comment on a change in its rules which would allow broadcasters to conduct proofs of performance for a new directional AM antenna system to be conducted by a computer modeling system, rather than the extensive system of field tests that currently are required. While generations of broadcast engineers have grown…
The FCC has just released a Public Notice providing guidance on various situations that may arise under the new simplified processing rules for changes in the city of license of AM and FM stations. These clarifications had been promised for many months, ever since the new rules became effective in mid-January. The Public Notice sets…
This article is no longer available. For more information on this topic, see AM Daytime Stations to Use October Power for PSSA and PSRA Until Daylight Savings Time Ends
Last week, we reported on the FCC’s release of a Public Notice announcing the recomputation of new power levels for Pre-Sunrise and Post-Sunset Authority for AM stations. These computations were done because of the change in Daylight Savings Time that goes into effect this weekend. We’ve heard from clients, and saw in yesterday’s broadcast…
As we’ve written before, when Congress passed a new law extending Daylight Savings Time, AM stations that adjust power levels at sunrise and sunset would be affected. Today, the FCC took action to adjust to those differences by announcing changes in Pre-Sunrise (PSRA) and Post-Sunset (PSSA) authority for all AM stations that have such authority. Effective March 11…
