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News•Feb 26, 2026
FCC Waivers Needed for EAS Equipment that Is Not Operational But Not Defective
In the past three weeks the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau granted waivers allowing broadcast stations to temporarily disconnect Emergency Alert System (EAS) equipment while relocating towers. FCC rules require continuous EAS operation, but Section 11.35(b) permits up to 60 days of unapproved downtime only when equipment is “defective.” The Bureau clarified that equipment taken offline for relocation is not defective, so a waiver is mandatory. These decisions establish that any voluntary shutdown of functional EAS gear, even for a few hours, must be approved in advance.
By Broadcast Law Blog (WBK)
News•Feb 25, 2026
March 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Daylight Savings Time, Applications for New LPTV/TV Translator Stations, Political Windows, and More
The FCC’s March 2026 calendar is packed with compliance milestones for broadcasters. Daylight‑Saving Time begins on March 8, forcing AM stations to verify sign‑on and sign‑off times, while a filing freeze on March 12 pauses all Class A, LPTV and translator modifications until...
By Broadcast Law Blog (WBK)
News•Feb 15, 2026
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: February 9, 2026 to February 13, 2026
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on media ownership in the digital age, zeroing in on the FCC’s 39% national TV ownership cap as the Nexstar‑TEGNA merger moves forward. FCC Commissioner Gomez publicly objected to an investigation of ABC’s...
By Broadcast Law Blog (WBK)
News•Feb 12, 2026
FCC Sets Requirement to Promptly Update FCC Registration Numbers – No Need to Panic, But Licensees Should Ensure All FCC...
The FCC has finalized a rule requiring all users of the Commission Registration System (CORES) to update their FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) within ten business days of any contact‑information change. The regulation, introduced in a robocalling proceeding, replaces the vague...
By Broadcast Law Blog (WBK)
News•Feb 8, 2026
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: February 2, 2026 to February 6, 2026
Congress reauthorized funding for the FCC and other agencies, preventing a shutdown and keeping regulatory operations running smoothly. The FCC implemented a new CORES database rule that forces broadcasters to update their FCC Registration Number and related contact details within...
By Broadcast Law Blog (WBK)