Category Archives: The FCC

1,000 new FM “stations” to save AM

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Fred Stiening

The FCC gave AM stations an opportunity to request an FM translator without requiring them to buy an existing license. Around 1,000 licenses have been applied for. Here is The List When this process is complete, most AM stations will … Continue reading →

Posted in FM Translators, Saving AM radio, The FCC | 7 Comments

The end of AM radio

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Fred Stiening

It is painfully obvious now that the way the FCC is going to “save” AM radio is to destroy it. Part of the dowry that arrived with the Countess is a Bose wave radio. Other than infrequent use inside the … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving AM radio, The FCC | 12 Comments

The Urge to Merge

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Fred Stiening

A media merger that has been speculated about since the NAB convention has happened.   TV companies that got cash windfall from the spectrum auction are in a buying mood. One such company is Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair owns around … Continue reading →

Posted in The FCC, Trump 2017 | 4 Comments

FCC formally proposes ending Main Studio rule

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Fred Stiening

With some exceptions, all radio stations are required to have a “main studio”, which is open and staffed during business hours within close proximity to the community of service where the radio station is located. FCC proposal The new Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in The FCC | 7 Comments

Congress repeals “internet privacy” protections

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Fred Stiening

Washington Post The FCC is not part of the executive branch – it is an independent commission that is accountable to Congress. The only authority the FCC has is to do those things delegated to it by Congress by law … Continue reading →

Posted in The FCC, Trump 2017 | 1 Comment

So sorry, I forgot to renew my licenses…

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Fred Stiening

Jose Garcia holds the licenses for three AM radio stations in Texas. He failed to file his license renewals in 2013. The FCC informed him the licenses had expired and he needed to turn off the transmitter power. He filed … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving AM radio, The FCC | Leave a comment

Tom Wheeler to step down as FCC chairman

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Fred Stiening

The FCC commission is run by 5 people, no more than 3 of which can belong to the same political party. The President chooses the members who serve 5 year terms, subject to Senate confirmation. Past practice is that commissioners … Continue reading →

Posted in The FCC, Trump 2017 | 2 Comments

Welcome the online FCC Public Inspection File

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Fred Stiening

The FCC requires all full license AM and FM stations to maintain a “public inspection file” at the “main studio” for anyone to visit without prior arrangements. The content of this file has included complaint letters from crackpots, program lists, … Continue reading →

Posted in The FCC | 4 Comments

Change coming to the FCC

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Fred Stiening

While the Supreme Court has more significant long term effects, the selection of Trump will profoundly change the FCC. The FCC is legally not a direct part of the government – it is an independent “commission” that operates independently, deriving … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, The FCC | 2 Comments

TV auction update

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Fred Stiening

The FCC’s decision to be middleman between TV stations willing to surrender licenses and wireless companies willing to buy them is going horribly. The basic process is the FCC set a target of how many TV channels to eliminate nationwide, … Continue reading →

Posted in The FCC | 1 Comment