This advisory is directed to television stations with locally-produced programming whose signals were carried by at least one cable system located outside the station’s local service area or by a satellite provider that...more
On March 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules that require cable television operators and satellite video providers to specify the aggregate monthly all-in price for video programming services on...more
The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, have provisionally concluded that stricter advertising regulations for commercially-funded public service broadcasting (“PSB”) channels are no longer ‘justified’ or ‘proportionate’...more
With the end of another year soon upon us, we have begun to look forward to the highs, lows, joys, and filings that 2023 has in store. In accordance with a Pillsbury holiday tradition, earlier this month we published our...more
The FCC has updated its Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules to make emergency alerts easier for the public to understand and more accessible to those with certain disabilities. EAS messages are currently transmitted using...more
The next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ Public Inspection Files by April 10, 2022, reflecting information for the months of January, February, and March 2022. Content of the...more
In light of the ubiquity of cable and satellite, a controversy over the ownership of terrestrial broadcast stations may seem like a sideshow. The reality is, however, that an increasing number of American households are...more
The FCC has released its annual Report and Order showing the regulatory fees due for the 2020 fiscal year. Fees must be paid by 11:59 pm Eastern time on September 25, although the FCC's Fee Filer is accepting fee payments...more
On July 30, 2020, the FCC released a Public Notice and Final Cost Category Schedule for the C-Band Relocation, and established August 31, 2020 as the deadline for C-Band earth station licensees to submit their lump sum...more
Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others....more
Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: -...more
On December 20, 2019, the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019 (new Section 642 of the Communications Act) became law as part of the "must-pass" 2020 appropriations act. ...more
Each full power and Class A TV station being repacked must file its next quarterly Transition Progress Report with the FCC by October 10, 2019. The Report must detail the progress a station has made in constructing...more
Every three years, commercial television stations must choose between retransmission consent and mandatory carriage, also known as must-carry status, for the carriage of their broadcast signals on cable and satellite systems...more
Amid the frozen free agent market this hot (cold) stove season is a potential transaction that, while not necessarily dictating the headlines, could have significant positive effects on how Major League Baseball (MLB) games...more
Womble Bond Dickinson attorney John Garziglia and members of the firm’s Communications, Technology and Media Sector Team have prepared a number of state-specific checklists on FCC public file requirements....more
The long-awaited judgment of the General Court (GC) in the pay-TV saga (case AT.40023 Cross-border access to pay-TV) has finally been delivered, two years after the annulment action was brought. It was worth waiting for: The...more
C-Band Registration Filing Window Closes October 17, 2018 - Cable operators, Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs), radio and/or video broadcasters, video programmers, and other Fixed Satellite Service (FSS)...more
The Federal Communications Commission has slowly opened the door to indirect parent entity foreign ownership of broadcast station licenses. This gradual relaxation of longstanding U.S. federal policy has continued to the...more
On September 4, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission issued a new rule requiring foreign media outlets to submit reports to the FCC disclosing their relationships with foreign principals. The notice was issued pursuant...more
The FCC has announced a deadline of September 25 for receipt of its Fiscal Year 2018 annual regulatory fees. Fees are owed on all authorizations held as of October 1, 2017, or held on the fee due date. Licensees who...more
Each year around this time, Pillsbury’s Communications Practice releases its Broadcasters’ Calendar for the upcoming year. It may not be the perfect stocking stuffer, but broadcasters that don’t read it closely are much more...more
On October 26, 2017, the FCC released a draft Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would permit TV broadcasters to use the next generation broadcast television transmission standard (“ATSC 3.0”) on...more