Washington Beat

The NAB has launched a redesigned Spot Center, a move the association says makes it easier for local radio and television stations to access "high-quality public service campaigns from trusted nonprofit organizations."

Updated guides providing broadcasters with practical guidance for conducting self-inspections of their stations have been released for AM, FM and both UHF and VHF television stations by the NAB. The guides are a free member benefit to NAB and SBE members.

Six former FCC vote-makers were joined by the current junior Republican Commissioner at the agency on Thursday at the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council's annual symposium. Exceptional activity from the agency led for 18 months by Brendan Carr has much to do with increased interest in the event, MMTC President Bob Branson noted.

From AI to updates to rules and regulations deemed outdated, the Carr Commission has taken aggressive approach to deleting what is no longer necessary to keep on the books. An AEI session with the FCC's Senior Counsel kicking off the discussion touched on how the "multi-modal future" is being addressed.

The D.C. think tank focused on a world in which "technology enhances freedom, and freedom enhances technology" on Monday filed reply comments in response to the FCC's request for comment regarding ABC chat show "The View" that implore the agency to cease interfering with politically based discussions.

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty penned an essay that reflects on a mutual pledge made by our nation's forefathers. As she notes, they did not craft a policy or profess a principle. Instead, they made a promise, "made person to person."

Anna Gómez has spoken up in response to the Supreme Court decision released Monday that upends 90 years of legal precedent by allowing a president to dismiss an agency Commissioner such as herself. “This decision puts at risk how Congress intended independent agencies to function in American democracy," she says.

As 2026 began, the Enforcement Bureau notified the individual identified as the operator of an unlicensed FM radio station that he would face a possible fine for $20,000 for his illegal activity. The Commission has just affirmed that proposed fine, while simultaneously issuing two proposed forfeiture notices to a pair of other radio pirates.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday adopted rules to modernize the Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and "preserve the public’s trust in EAS" by requiring targeted cybersecurity improvements that the FCC believes will protect against hijacking by cybercriminals and U.S. adversaries.

Last fall's government shutdown has produced an unexpected downstream effect for broadcasters: FCC penalties will not increase in 2026. The Enforcement Bureau confirmed this month that civil monetary penalties will remain frozen at 2025 levels.

Auction bidding beat expectations with significant per-unit prices and gross winning bids exceeding $3.5 billion. Through the auction, valuable mid-band spectrum that was previously idle has been allocated for productive use.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has advanced proposed legislation designed to protect children and teens online — an accomplishment that sees the creation of an act that includes portions of 14 different pieces of intended legislation.

Five docket items are on the agenda for the next FCC open Commission meeting, scheduled for Thursday. Among them are two Public Safety & Homeland Security items for consideration by the three voting members of the agency.

The FCC is expected to adopt its final FY 2026 fee schedule later this year, and the NAB wants the Commission to reconsider a proposed 46% fee increase for broadcaster-operated earth stations. Why? The association believes the raise is disproportionate and penalizes broadcasters.

The junior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission has been selected to serve as the Keynote Speaker at an annual gathering of former FCC leaders hosted by the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC).