Perusing various Federal Communications Commission’s proceedings, a coordinated campaign of state broadcasting association visits caught my eye. They’re all omnibus do-this do-that advisory statements that cross many dockets, but interestingly, a few urge the agency to “look into” the question of getting FM tuner chips in cell phones. Here’s the California Broadcasters Association’s input on […]
Tag Archives | FCC
FCC Proposes $1.9 million+ Fines for Viacom, ESPN and NBCUniversal for Misused EAS Tones
Yet again, the FCC is making a firm stance about the sanctity of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and is proposing major fines against Viacom, ESPN and NBCUniversal for recent infractions. In a Notice of Apparent Liability (PDF) sent to all three organizations, the FCC is asking for a voluntary forfeiture amount of $1,120,000 from […]
LPFM Watch: Close to 1000 stations granted & more LPFM news
This week we’re up to 983 low-power FM construction permits granted, leaving a little more than 100 singleton, non competitive, applications left to be processed. More Top 20 Urban Stations As I reported a couple of weeks ago, the first LPFM in the urban core of a Top 20 market was granted in Phoenix. Since […]
Net neutrality, mobile data caps, and the future of Internet radio
The Federal Communications Commission has opened up a new conversation on net neutrality in light of an Appeals Court’s mid-January strikedown of some of the agency’s Open Internet rules. “We establish a new docket within which to consider how the Commission should proceed in light of the court’s guidance in the Verizon v. FCC opinion,” […]
Pirate Radio Round-Up: Syrian opposition stations; Protests grow over jailed Irish radio activist; FCC enforcement in 2013; more
There’s been quite a bit about unlicensed radio in the news lately. So it’s time for a pirate radio round-up: NY Times reports on Syrian opposition stations; Protest grow in Ireland over jailed peace and radio activist; FCC’s 2013 enforcement tallied up; When pirate radio ruled an English seaside town. NY Times Reports on Syrian […]
Pirate Cat Radio attorney responds to the FCC’s order upholding fine
I talked with attorney Michael Couzens about the case of Pirate Cat Radio and his client, Daniel Roberts. This week the FCC released an order rejecting Roberts’ petition for reconsideration of a $10,000 fine the Commission levied against him for unlicensed broadcasting. Couzens brought to my attention a footnote (32) in the Commission’s order (PDF) […]
FCC upholds fine for Pirate Cat founder as station re-emerges in Berlin
Today the FCC released an order upholding a $10,000 fine against Dan Roberts, former manager of Pirate Cat Radio, for unlicensed broadcasting. The fine was originally issued in 2011. Pirate Cat Radio began as an audacious and prominent unlicensed station operating out of a San Francisco cafe, headed up by charismatic leader Dan Roberts who […]
LPFM Watch: First LPFM granted in a Top 20 urban market
The FCC’s Media Bureau continues its breakneck pace approving low-power FM license applications. More than 200 additional construction permits have been issued since our report last week, bringing the grand total to 708 new LPFM stations authorized. Yesterday the first LPFM in the urban core of a major top 20 market was issued. That went […]
LPFM Watch: More than 400 LPFM Applications Granted this Month
It’s been a busy week at the FCC, with the tally of newly granted low power FM (LPFM) applications now inching towards 500 (up from just over 200 at this time last week). It’s incredible to see the wide variety of organizations that are now one step closer to getting on the air. Animal advocacy […]
Pirate Radio Round-Up: Welsh nationalists were pirate pioneers; protest broadcasts in MN; more
It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed what’s news in pirate radio. Here’s what’s up, including: 22 year-old N. London pirate stays true to drum & bass; Welsh nationalists were pirate radio pioneers in 1959; protest broadcasts in Minnesota, and more. Quietus writer John Doran pays a visit to long-running North London pirate station Rude […]