Tag Archives: pirate radio

Another Pirate Radio Equipment Seizure, as Bill to Increase Pirate Radio Penalties Introduced in Congress

Yesterday, the FCC announced that it had seized the equipment of another pirate radio operator, this time one who was operating from a high-rise in Manhattan. The pirate was operating an unauthorized FM radio station from a New York apartment building. As we recently wrote in connection with another seizure of the equipment of a pirate… Continue Reading

FM Translators and Pirates on the FCC Agenda at the NAB Convention – New Rules on Translator Interference to be Proposed

By David Oxenford on April 13, 2018 Posted in AM Radio, FCC Fines, FM Radio, FM Translators and LPFM

At this week’s NAB Convention, issues about FM translators and pirate radio dominated the radio news from the sessions that featured FCC speakers. On the translator front, FCC Chairman Pai, in his speech to the convention, announced that there is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that has been drafted and is being considered by the… Continue Reading

FCC Continues War on Pirate Radio – Seizes Equipment of Boston Stations While New Legislative Tools May Be on the Way

By David Oxenford on March 29, 2018 Posted in Emergency Communications, FCC Fines, FM Radio, General FCC, Programming Regulations, Public Interest Obligations/Localism

The FCC yesterday announced that they had seized the equipment of two Boston-area pirate radio stations that had refused to cease operations after receiving FCC notices to do so. The FCC Public Notice on the seizure thanks the US Attorney’s Office and US Marshall’s Office, and the Boston Police Department, for assisting the FCC Field… Continue Reading

FCC Proposes $144,344 Fine on Pirate Radio Operator and His Landlord

By David Oxenford on September 27, 2017 Posted in FCC Fines, FM Radio, General FCC

Yesterday, the FCC adopted a Notice of Apparent Liability proposing to fine three individuals $144,344 for operating a pirate radio station in North Miami, Florida. One individual is alleged to have programed and operated the station while the other two are a husband and wife who owned the property from which the station transmitted. The… Continue Reading

More and More Actions on Pirate Radio – What is Next?

By David Oxenford on August 30, 2017 Posted in FCC Fines, FM Radio, Programming Regulations

It seems like virtually every day, the FCC announces that it has sent numerous Notices to pirate radio operators warning them that their operations are illegal and that, if the operations do not cease, legal penalties may follow. Yesterday, the FCC released ten such Notices, including ones sent to operators of pirate radio stations themselves… Continue Reading

And Then There Were Three – Chairman Wheeler to Step Down on Inauguration Day Leaving a Republican-Controlled FCC – What’s It Mean for Broadcasters?

By David Oxenford on December 15, 2016 Posted in AM Radio, EEO Compliance/Diversity, General FCC, Multiple Ownership Rules

After months of speculation, Chairman Wheeler today announced that he will step down from the FCC on Inauguration Day. Together with the Senate not confirming the renomination of Commissioner Rosenworcel (as the Senate is effectively on recess and not expected to return before the end of the term, her renomination will almost certainly not be… Continue Reading

Update: Pirate Radio

By David Oxenford on August 19, 2016 Posted in FCC Fines, FM Translators and LPFM, General FCC

A few months ago, we wrote about pirate radio and the FCC’s efforts to stop these stations from popping up all around the country. In the last few weeks, the FCC has issued several fines to pirate radio operators – including one who shut down his operations and gave his transmitter to the FCC when… Continue Reading

Combatting Pirate Radio – What Can the FCC Do?

By David Oxenford on April 13, 2016 Posted in FCC Fines, FM Radio, General FCC, Programming Regulations

Pirate radio is still a problem. While pirate radio was much in the news a decade ago, and was even glamorized in movies, the popular perception may be that it has disappeared. In fact, particularly in major urban areas, it is still a major issue – causing interference to licensed broadcast stations and even, at… Continue Reading

Pirates, Pirates Everywhere – Fines Up to $25,000 for Unlicensed Radio Stations

By David Oxenford on February 2, 2012 Posted in FCC Fines, FM Translators and LPFM

For an industry that some say is about to be made obsolete because of its digital competition, there are still many people who want a piece of the FM spectrum. We’ve written much about the contest between LPFM and translator proponents seeking their piece of FM spectrum – a contest that we should see resolved by… Continue Reading

Issues on the Post-Transition Use of the Television Spectrum – White Spaces and Distributed Transmission Service (DTS)

By David Oxenford on October 25, 2008 Posted in Digital Television

With the final transition of television from analog to digital soon upon us, the FCC has scheduled for consideration at its November meeting two items that will address the use of the television spectrum after the transition – one designed to improve television reception, and the other viewed by television broadcasters as a threat to… Continue Reading

Who Needs LPFM? – Why Not Just Expand the FM Dial?

By David Oxenford on November 30, 2007 Posted in Digital Television, FM Radio, FM Translators and LPFM, Low Power Television/Class A TV

At last Tuesday’s FCC meeting, the Commission adopted a controversial order, over the objection of two Commissioners, that could limit the processing of some applications for improvements by some full power FM stations, and would restrict translator applications, all in the name of encouraging Low Power FM (LPFM) stations to provide outlets for expression by… Continue Reading