The FCC, which previously announced a force reduction, has now released the field offices the agency intends to shutter. The order, titled “Reorganization of the Enforcement Bureau’s Field Operations,” says, “Through this Order, we act to improve the Commission’s efficiency,…
The war on Public File violations continues.
The FCC just handed out fines to three more radio licensees for public file problems. J & J Broadcasting was slammed $10,500 for quarterly issues/programs lists and tower-ownership problems at its stations in Ironwood, MI; WEKC, Williamsburg, KY, was fined…
Survey says: local radio up, network radio down.
According to a study released last week by Kantar Media, total ad expenditures in the US went down 4% in the first quarter of 2015, to $37.4 billion. If you remove the impact of the Olympics from last year’s numbers,…
Schmidt is the new Potter.
The title might be the same—RAB Senior Vice President/Professional Development—but the position includes some expanded duties, as Jeff Schmidt signs on, reporting to RAB President/CEO Erica Farber. According to the RAB, “Schmidt will oversee the professional development group across all…
EAS changes take effect EOM.
Now that the FCC’s revisions to the Emergency Alert Systems rules have been published in the Federal Register, the countdown clock has started, with Zero Day set as July 30. The Report and Order sets up the national location code…
SESAC doubles down.
The music licensing company has acquired the Harry Fox Agency, allowing them to control mechanical licenses for music sales as well as broadcast, digital and public-performance royalty collections. SESAC can do this because, unlike ASCAP and BMI, it is not…
FCC updates Auction 98.
The auction is scheduled for July 23, and 88 out of the original 112 short-form applications filed are considered qualified to bid.
Latest FCC station count shows am shrinkage, LPFM explosion.
The count, as of June 30, 2015, shows a decline in AM stations from 4721 to 4698 in the past year. Meanwhile, commercial FM stations grew from 6622 to 6666, and LPFM stations jumped from 814 to 1149.
AM-only filing window for FM translators urged by Congresspersons.
Representatives Pete Olson (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX), in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, expressed their support for AM revitalization, but questioned Wheeler’s hesitation to dedicate and exclusive filing window for AM stations to apply for FM translators.…