The FCC record shows an industry ready to strengthen emergency alerting—but wary of reforms that could exchange familiar limitations for new and less visible points of failure. As the deadline for comments to the FCC’s latest EAS proceeding on modernizing EAS draws here, here is a rundown of industry […]

The FCC has announced plans to complete the auction of the remaining frequencies broadcasters have been using in the C-Band by next July. By 2030, the frequencies will host a totally different set of users.   A lot is going on in the broadcast industry, what with various pressures to […]

The FCC has become very aware of the increasing attacks on broadcasters, and proposes to “harden” broadcasters IP activities. An example of how important it is, the initial requirements are set to go into effect just 60 days after the publication in the Federal Register. What do you need to […]

The FCC requires that AM stations perform their NRSC measurements each year. What do they mean? And how can this measurement be used to improve your station? James Boyd runs it down. There are still some of us who remember those all-nighters at our AM stations doing the annual Equipment Performance Measurement (EPM), […]

Have you – or your Chief Operator – actually listened to your on-air product recently? There are a number of reasons you should, but here are a couple of cases that could result in a fine if the FCC gets involved. Most stations put a lot of effort into creating a “sound” with […]

Most broadcasters use wireless microphones in some parts of their operations. However, from studio operations to remote broadcasts, broadcasters (and many churches) may need to plan for buying new gear. Here is what you need to know: Sometime in the First Quarter of 2024, the broadcast and microphone industries expect new regulations that […]

On December 12, 2022, the FCC Report & Order modified the EAS rules to makes changes to the clarity and accessibility of EAS messages. This may lead to a significant cost for some stations. The clock is ticking. No matter which EAS machine you have in service, there will be a cost before […]

For a lot of folks, there are few moments as anxiety-filled as when a visitor shows his or her badge and announces “I’m from the FCC.” Your station(s) may well be inspected. This week, the FCC Enforcement Bureau (EB) told the field offices that they were able to go out and do […]

Each renewal cycle (and for other reasons) brings the need to do on-air announcements relating to filings. Sometime in 2020, 73.3580 (b) was adjusted. Formerly, post-filing announcements were spread over three months. This is no longer true: Applicants may broadcast the first on-air announcement as early as the date of the release of […]

Dane Ericksen has had a long career as an FCC Field Agent and Broadcast Consultant. He understands how the Rules and Regulations are put together – or was that all just a strange dream?   In prior years, the Federal Communications Commission required stations to have an up-to-date copy of the Rules and […]