This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: March 30, 2026 to April 3, 2026
The FCC Media Bureau issued a public notice expanding Lowest Unit Charge (LUC) obligations to include joint fundraising committees and coordinated expenditures between political parties and federal candidates, contradicting a recent DOJ brief. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell wrote to FCC Chairwoman Carr demanding full Commission review of the Nexstar‑TEGNA merger, questioning the Media Bureau’s delegated authority. A federal district court has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Nexstar’s integration of TEGNA while antitrust challenges proceed, and a D.C. judge ruled that President Trump’s executive order denying NPR and PBS funding violates the First Amendment. The FCC also fined a pirate radio operator $60,000, approved a Jacksonville TV station assignment to Cox, and entered a consent decree with a Mississippi AM station requiring a $1,000 contribution and compliance plan.
April 2026 Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – EEO Public File Reports, Comment Deadlines, Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists, Political Windows, and More
April 2026 brings a packed slate of FCC deadlines for U.S. broadcasters, including April 1 EEO public‑file reports for stations in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas, and the start of Mid‑Term EEO reviews for larger units in Delaware, Pennsylvania...
With April Fools Day Almost Upon Us, Broadcasters Beware of the FCC Hoax Rule
Broadcasters face heightened scrutiny this April as the FCC re‑emphasizes its hoax rule, which bars knowingly false emergency reports that could cause public harm. The rule, codified in Section 73.1217, was created after on‑air stunts diverted first responders and can trigger...
AI in Political Attack Ads – Watch State Laws on Deep Fakes and Synthetic Media in Political Content
The article highlights a recent AI‑generated political attack ad that used a deep‑fake voice and image of Democratic Senate candidate James Tallarico, underscoring the rise of synthetic media in elections. Since the author’s last review, more than 20 additional states...
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: March 9, 2026 to March 13, 2026
The FCC’s chairman warned broadcasters that inaccurate coverage could jeopardize license renewals, heightening political pressure on news accuracy. The Copyright Royalty Board approved settlements setting higher webcasting royalties for commercial, public, educational, and religious broadcasters through 2030. The FCC also...
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: March 2, 2026 to March 6, 2026
The FCC released a draft Report and Order that modernizes broadcast licensing rules, replaces outdated CDBS references with LMS, and expands who may sign applications. The Media Bureau settled two consent decrees, penalizing an Arizona TV station for OPIF lapses...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
