Regulation

The FCC should seek to minimize disruptions to TV viewers and FM radio listeners as it firms up how it will distribute the $1 billion additionally allocated by Congress to reimburse broadcasters for their channel relocation expenses, NAB said in comments filed with the agency.

He will lead the company’s legal team following Todd Mayman, executive vice president and chief legal and administrative officer, who is retiring early next year.

The FCC on Wednesday in a 3-1 party-line vote approved a new rule that would limit what fees local authorities can charge wireless providers as the industry builds out its next-generation networks, known as 5G.

The New York Times Co. is asking a judge to order the FCC to turn over information related to possible Russian meddling in the agency’s recent net neutrality proceeding.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — A contempt charge has been dismissed against a former Iowa television reporter who was accused of violating a judge’s order last year not to take courtroom […]

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A federal judge in Connecticut has dismissed a lawsuit by 60 former professional wrestlers, many of them stars in the 1980s and 1990s, who claimed World […]

he Senate cleared a bill late Tuesday that creates a new independent entity that will license songs to companies that play music online. The nonprofit collective will then pay songwriters, including those who wrote pre-1970s classics before music copyrights protected their work.

In recent weeks, we’ve written about a number of legal issues that need to be considered in connection with podcasting. Another issue is sponsorship identification. Broadcasters are familiar with the FCC requirements for the identification of those who provide something of value to a station in exchange for any on-air content. While the FCC does not regulate podcasting, those issues cannot be ignored even in this online medium.

Former Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), 92, suffered a heart attack Monday morning but is “alert and in good spirits,” according to his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).

Miami journalist Michele Gillen says she was told by WFOR HR that she couldn’t claim discrimination because she had a female news director. She is suing for retaliation after being terminated, but CBS says the decision to not renew her contract was justified.

The streamer — no quarrel there — is looking to avoid paying a portion of subscription fees to Missouri towns. The argument comes from a memorandum submitted in Missouri federal court on Thursday by Netflix, which along with Hulu faces a lawsuit from the City of Creve Coeur, Mo.

Whether tracking a developing storm so the public can prepare, or disseminating evacuation orders and alerts, broadcasters continue to serve as the bedrock of the nation’s warning system in emergencies.  As Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast, TV and radio stations are hurrying to make sure they are in position to warn and inform their audiences of new developments.

With Hurricane Florence about to hit the East Coast, broadcasters are well reminded of their obligations with respect to the airing of emergency information. Broadcasters may also want to consider the benefits that the FCC can offer in an emergency. While the FCC yesterday announced the postponement of its test of DIRS, the Disaster Information Reporting System, broadcasters may want to consider quickly getting familiar with this system. The voluntary system allows stations in the area affected by any disaster to report on the status of their operations.

With the lowest unit charge window for the November elections going into effect today (Sept. 7), here’s a review of the basic FCC rules and policies affecting those charges.