2016 Audio Division Headlines

December 20, 2016
   Media Bureau temporarily suspends Biennial Form 323-E Filing Deadlines for noncommercial educational broadcast licensees, Order, MB Dockets 07-294 and 10-234, DA 16-1407, released December 21, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Filing deadline for FCC Form 323-E suspended to 12/1/2017.

December 15, 2016
   Media Bureau Seeks Comment of Petition for Rulemaking to Allow the Sole Use of of Internet Sources for FCC EEO Recruitment Requirements, Public Notice, MB Docket 15-410, DA 16-1391, released December 15, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Comments due 1/30/2017, reply comments due 2/14/2017.

November 2, 2016
   Community Radio of Decorah, Postville, and Northeast Iowa, re construction permit application for KCOD-LP (FM), Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), FCC 16-150, released November 2, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ]. Ajit Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  Denied the application for review. ordered applicant to certify compliance with 47 CFR 73.860, and ordered Media Bureau to commence further investigative and enforcement proceedings.

October 27, 2016
   Renewal application for Entercom License, LLC's station KDND (FM), Sacramento, CA, Designated for Hearing, Hearing Designation Order and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, FCC 16-153, released October 27, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].

October 27, 2016
   Applications for Renewal of Licenses of seven Entercom Communications Corp. radio stations in Massachusetts, Washington, and New York, Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), FCC 16-141, released October 27, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  wo applications for review dismissed in part and denied in part.

October 6, 2016
   PSHSB, in Coordination with Other Bureaus, Issues Procedures to Provide Emergency Communications in Areas Affected by Hurricane Matthew, Public Notice, DA 16-1148, released October 6, 2016. [ PDF | Word ].

October 5, 2016
   Federal Communications Commission Provides 24/7 Emergency Contact Information for Hurricane Matthew, Public Notice, DA 16-1143, released October 5, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].

September 6, 2016
   Fee Filer Open for Payment of FY 2016 Regulatory Fees, Public Notice, Regulatory Fees Fact Sheet, released September 6, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].

September 6, 2016
   What You Owe - Media Services Licensees for FY 2016, Regulatory Fees Fact Sheet, released September 6, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Regulatory fee payments MUST be received no later than 9/27/2016.  This applies to commercial AM and FM stations, including FM translators and boosters.

September 6, 2016
   FY 2016 Regulatory Fees Informational Look-Up for Media Services Available Now, Regulatory Fees Fact Sheet, released September 6, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  An FY 2016 regulatory fees media services look-up site to view fee rates and other fee information.

September 6, 2016
   Regulatory Fee Exemptions for FY 2016 (General Exemptions), Regulatory Fees Fact Sheet, released September 6, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  May apply to noncommercial educational broadcast stations.

September 6, 2016
   Procedures for Filing Waivers, Reductions, and Deferments of regulatory Fees, Regulatory Fees Fact Sheet, released September 6, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].

July 25, 2016
   Media Bureau Advises AM Radio and and FM Translator Licensees and Permittees That Second AM Station Filing Window for FM Translator Modifications Will Open July 29, 2016, Public Notice, DA 16-836, released July 25, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ]. 

June 24, 2016
  LPFM MX Group 37, Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), FCC 16-83, released June 24, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Granted in part, denied in part, and dismissed in part various petitions to peny, and identified new tentative selectees in LPFM MX Group 37.

June 17, 2016
   Estate of Linda Ware: Cynthia Ramage, Executor, Assignor, et al., re applications for assignments of license of five California FM stations, Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), FCC 16-75, released June 17, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Commission denies the application for review of the dismissal of Distress Sale Applications filed by Estate of Linda Ware, Cynthia Ramage, Executor, Assignor, et al.

June 15, 2016
   FCC Continues 2016 EEO Audits, Public Notice, DA 16-662, released June 16, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Includes list of AM and FM stations in the audit.

June 2, 2016
   Demonstration of Expanded Online Public Inspection File (OPIF) Interface, Public Notice, MB Docket 14-127, DA 16-607, released June 2, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Demonstration at the FCC on June 13, 2016, at 1 PM Eastern time, access available online also.  This is the replacement online system for the Broadcast Public Inspection files currently maintained by broadcasters.

May 25, 2016
   Revisions to Public Inspection File Requirements -- Broadcaster Correspondence File and Cable Principal Headend Location, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), MB Docket 16-161, FCC 16-62, released May 23, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ]. wheeler: [ PDF | Word ].  Clyburn: [ PDF | Word ].  Rosenworcel: [ PDF | Word ].  Ajit Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  O'Rielly: [ PDF | Word ].  Elimination of these requirements is proposed.

April 29, 2016
   Tower Construction Guidance for Protection of Northern Long-Eared Bat Under the Endangered Species Act, Public Notice, DA 16-476, released April 29, 2016. [ PDF | Word ].

April 5, 2016
   Cancellation of construction permit for DWURB (FM), Cross City, FL, Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), FCC 16-43, released April 5, 2016. [ PDF | Word ]. Clyburn: [ PDF | Word ].  Denied the application for review.  Construction not completed by permit expiration date.

February 18, 2016
   Media Bureau Announces Effective date of Modified Rule Governing AM Station MDCL Operation and Procedure for Submitting FCC Form 338 to Notify Commission of Commencement of MDCL Operation, Public Notice, DA 16-168, released February 18, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].

February 1, 2016
   Statement of Commissioner Ajit Pai on the Succesful Launch of the AM Revitalization Effort, released February 1, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ]. 

January 28, 2016
   Expansion of Online Public File Obligations to Cable and Satellite TV Operatots and Broadcasrt and Satellite Radio Licensees, Report and Order, 07-294FCC 16-4, released January 29, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Wheeler: [ PDF | Word ]. Clyburn: [ PDF | Word ].  Rosenworcel: [ PDF | Word ].  Ajit Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  O"Rielly: [ PDF | Word ].  News Release: [ PDF | Word ].

January 28, 2016
   FCC and DOL Announce Agenda for Second Workshop on Tower Climber Safety and Apprenticeship Program, Public Notice, DA 16-94, released January 28, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].

January 20, 2016
   Promoting Diversification of Ownership in the Broadcasting Services; Review of Media Bureau Data Practices; Amendment of Part 1 of the Commission's Rules, Practice and Procedure, Amendment of CORES Registration System , Report and Order, Second Report and order, and Order on Reconsideration, MB Dockets 07-294, 10-103, and 10-234, DA 16-1, released January 20, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Ajit Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  O"Rielly: [ PDF | Word ].  FCC adopts item to improve the data collected on FCC Forms 323 and 323-E to better analyze issues relevant to ownership and viewpoint diversity.

January 19, 2016
   Media Bureau Announces Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry in Revitalization of the AM Radio Service Published in Federal Register Today, Public Notice, MB Docket 13-249, DA 16-51, released January 19, 2016.  [ PDF | Word ].  Comment date on the FNPRM is 03/21/2016; reply comment date is 04/18/2016