October 28, 2020, the Commission released a Report and Order (“R&O”) authorizing AM radio stations to transition to an all-digital signal on a voluntary basis. This item was adopted during the October Open Meeting (MB Docket No. 19-311; MB Docket No. 13-249).

Specifically, the R&O adopts rules to allow AM radio stations – at their discretion – to broadcast an all-digital signal using the HD Radio in-band on-channel (“IBOC”) mode named MA3, and rejects proposals to mandate that some or all AM stations continue broadcasting in analog. The R&O recognizes benefits of digital broadcasting, including improved audio quality and coverage, as well as energy and spectrum efficiencies, but also references that broadcasters should take into account the cost of conversion (which it anticipates will be minimal) and access to digital receivers, when determining whether to convert to all-digital. Accordingly, the Commission anticipates that “while some broadcasters may be prepared for immediate conversion, many broadcasters may choose to postpone all-digital conversion based on their own circumstances and the readiness of their market.” (¶ 17).

It looks like the Commission has finally gotten the word: Newspapers are out – broadcast and the internet are in. And that means a big change for broadcasters FCC public notice requirements as of October 30. Broadcasters have complained for many years that FCC public ...

In these last days of the presidential election, I am hearing that some stations are being flooded with so much demand by the presidential campaigns that they actually want to turn some down. That raises the question: can they? The answer is probably not, but yes under ...

In the new era of staff reductions, doing more with less, and the potential of increased local programming should some amount of translator program origination be allowed, many a broadcaster is asking, how can I get a bit more from my staff and comply with legal ...

Question 1: Do you run programming from any national or statewide unwired network? Question 2: Does your network run political advertising? If you answered YES, you have work to do! Did you know that your station is subject to the very same FCC political rules that ...

If you want the FCC and its Enforcement Bureau to stay off your back for advertising, one cardinal rule is: always tell the audience who is speaking to them. Section 317 of the Communications Act of 1934, and its counterpart, 47 C.F.R. 73.1212, require that whenever a ...

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit broadcasters hard. Characteristically, they have stepped up to meet the public interest need for vital information about how the pandemic has affected their local community, but advertiser economic support has been dwindling and cancellations ...

Credits: My firm, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP has created a COVID-19 task force to provide information and support to our clients and neighbors during the current, unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. I am honored to be a contributor on that task-force. While I have added ...

By Gregg P. Skall Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP With 2020 election less than a year away and the fourth quarter of 2019 already a hot issue advertising season, the FCC rules on issue ads are more important than ever. Not only are candidates beginning to advertise ...

By Gregg P. Skall Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP The FCC finally has finally released its order on regulatory fees for fiscal year 2019. On August 27th, it issued a public notice announcing the opening of its automated filing and payment system. Notably, the ...