By Adam R Jacobson
RBR + TVBR
The Commission on Thursday (Sept. 29) at its Open Commission Meeting gave the green light to a report and order that improves the nation’s wireless emergency alerts.
The Commissioner also approved a report and order that extends to broadcast licensees the same streamlined rules and procedures that common carrier wireless licensees use to seek approval for foreign ownership, with “appropriate broadcast-specific modifications.” The item also establishes a framework for a publicly traded common carrier or broadcast licensee or controlling U.S. parent to ascertain its foreign ownership levels.
U.S. broadcasters that wonder what a loosening of the FCC’s foreign-ownership rules may bring could be thinking about companies active in Mexico, Spain, Europe or China.
Perhaps they better study up on Rogers Media, the Toronto-based owner of 51 radio stations, 24 TV stations, 57 publications and 93 website that dominates the Canadian landscape.
It just added two stations in the London, Ontario area, and this company – along with two others – could easily enter the U.S. if restrictions were to disappear.
