Items of Note in 2014
I. Applications for Renewal of License: The three-year long license renewal cycles for broadcast stations in radio services (AM, FM, FM Translator, LPFM), which began on June 1, 2011, and for television services (television, Class A, LPTV, TV Translator), which began on June 1, 2012, continue in 2014. The date on which a station's license renewal application is due depends on the state or territory in which its community of license is located. All licensees should familiarize themselves now with the dates associated with this important filing, including the dates on which public notice announcements must air in advance of the license renewal filing; the filing date itself, which is four months before the date of license expiration; and the dates on which post-filing announcements must air.
II. Television Station Online Public Inspection File: The FCC adopted a requirement that full-power and Class A television stations post the content of their public inspection file on the FCC's website, effective as of August 2, 2012. For such stations, all references herein to the public inspection file refer to the TV station’s online public inspection file.
III. Cable and Satellite Carriage Elections: Every three years, commercial television stations with must-carry rights are required to elect either retransmission consent or mandatory carriage (must-carry) on local cable and satellite systems for the upcoming three-year period. By October 1, 2014, such stations must send their election notices to affected cable and satellite providers. This election will govern stations' carriage for the period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017.
IV. Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists: As of this publication, radio, television and Class A television licensees must continue to prepare and place these documents in their public inspection files on a quarterly basis on the dates noted. Television broadcasters should be alert to a future announcement regarding the effective and due dates of a new form the FCC has proposed to replace the Quarterly Issues/Programs List. The FCC previously adopted a new form, FCC Form 355, to replace the Quarterly Issues/Programs List for television stations. While that form was later rescinded before becoming effective, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry proposing a new FCC Form to replace the current issues/programs list. The new form requires that television stations document specific details regarding their public interest service. However, because the FCC must issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking prior to implementing any new rules, it may be some time until any new reporting form will be adopted and become effective.
V. Broadcast Annual Employment Report on FCC Form 395-B: The FCC suspended use of this form in 2001 in connection with the revision of its EEO Rule. In 2004, the FCC announced that it would
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resume use of the form and would advise the broadcast industry of the due date for the first filing of the reinstated form. As of the date of this publication, no such announcement has been made. Broadcasters should be alert to a future announcement regarding the possible reinstatement of this filing requirement. While the Form 395-B is currently suspended, other important EEO outreach and reporting obligations remain in effect, and their 2014 deadline dates are noted in this Calendar.
Disclaimer
The following deadlines are based on information known by us as of the date hereof. These deadlines may or may not apply to any particular broadcaster. These deadlines are provided for general informational purposes only and should be double-checked for currency close to each pertinent date/deadline. Actions by the FCC, Congress, or the courts could affect any of these deadlines by, for example, eliminating a particular reporting/filing obligation altogether or modifying the form used, content, deadline, fee, or manner of reporting/filing. It should also be noted that, as a general rule, when a deadline for filing a document with the FCC falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the filing deadline will shift to the next business day. The listing of deadlines below is not intended to be complete or exhaustive of all regulatory and non-regulatory deadlines that may apply to a given broadcaster year-to-year. Accordingly, broadcasters should seek the advice of communications counsel in each instance to assure timely and proper filing. This edition of our annual "Broadcasters' Calendar" supersedes all prior editions and accordingly any prior editions should no longer be used.
January 10
Quarterly Issues/Programs List Required—All full-power radio, full-power television, and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date the Quarterly Issues/Programs List covering the period October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
Certification of Children's Commercial Time Limitations Required—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date records "sufficient to verify compliance" with the FCC's commercial time limitations in children's programming broadcast during the period October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
FCC Form 398 Children's Programming Report Due—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must by this date electronically file FCC Form 398 demonstrating their responsiveness to "the educational and informational needs of children" for the period October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, and ensure a copy of the form as filed with the FCC is in the station's public inspection file.
Class A Television Continuing Eligibility Certification—Class A television stations are required to maintain documentation in their public inspection files sufficient to demonstrate continuing compliance with the FCC's Class A eligibility requirements. We recommend that by this date Class A television stations generate such documentation for the period October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 and place it in their public inspection file.
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January 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account Forms Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and online simulcasters must file Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms for the month ending November 30, 2013.
January 31
Copyright Royalty Fee: Annual Minimum Fee Statement of Account Form Due—By this date, most commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must submit the Minimum Fee Statement of Account Form and the annual copyright royalty fee to SoundExchange. January 31 is also the date by which certain webcasters and simulcasters are eligible to make elections affecting their royalty rates and reporting requirements for the upcoming year. If your radio broadcast station is simulcast or rebroadcast over the Internet, we encourage you to consult qualified counsel with regard to your obligations.
February 1
Annual EEO Public File Report Required—Station employment units that have five or more full-time employees and are comprised of radio and/or television stations licensed to communities in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, or Oklahoma must by this date place in their public inspection file and post on their station website a report regarding station compliance with the FCC's EEO Rule during the period February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014. A more detailed review of station EEO obligations and the steps for implementing an effective EEO program can be found in our most recent EEO Advisory.
FCC Form 323-E Biennial Ownership Report Due—Noncommercial radio stations licensed to communities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York, and noncommercial television stations licensed to communities in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma (other than sole proprietorships or partnerships composed entirely of natural persons) must electronically file by this date their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323-E, unless they have consolidated this filing date with that of other commonly owned stations licensed to communities in other states. FCC Form 323-E does not require a filing fee. The form as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files. Note that since this filing deadline falls on a weekend, the submission of this item to the FCC may be made on February 3.
Filing of Applications for Renewal of Licenses for Radio and Television Stations—Full-power AM and FM radio broadcast stations, as well as LPFM and FM Translator stations, licensed to communities in New Jersey or New York, and full-power television, Class A television, LPTV and TV Translator stations, licensed to communities in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, must electronically file their applications for renewal of license on FCC Form 303-S, along with their Equal Opportunity Employment Reports on FCC Form 396 by this date, and commercial stations must promptly submit their FCC license renewal application filing fee. FCC Forms 303-S and 396 as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files. Note that since this filing deadline falls on a weekend, the submission of this item to the FCC may be made on February 3.
Post-filing Renewal Announcements for Radio and Television Stations—Full-power AM and FM radio stations and LPFM stations licensed to communities in New Jersey or New York, and full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local
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origination, licensed to communities in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, must begin on this date to air their post-filing license renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on February 16, March 1, March 16, April 1 and April 16. FM Translator and TV Translator stations, as well as LPTV stations not capable of local origination, licensed to communities in these states must arrange for the required newspaper public notice of their license renewal application filing.
Pre-filing Renewal Announcements for Radio and Television Stations—Full-power AM and FM radio stations and LPFM stations licensed to communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Texas, must on this date begin to air their pre-filing renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on February 16, March 1 and March 16.
February 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form and Quarterly Report of Use Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending December 31, 2013.
March 17
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending January 31, 2014.
April 1
Annual EEO Public File Report Required—Station employment units that have five or more full-time employees and are comprised of radio and/or television stations licensed to communities in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee or Texas must by this date place in their public inspection file and post on their station website a report regarding station compliance with the FCC's EEO Rule during the period April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. A more detailed review of station EEO obligations and the steps for implementing an effective EEO program can be found in our most recent EEO Advisory.
FCC Form 323-E Biennial Ownership Report Due—Noncommercial radio stations licensed to communities in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, or Tennessee and noncommercial television stations licensed to communities in Texas (other than sole proprietorships or partnerships composed entirely of natural persons) must electronically file by this date their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323-E, unless they have consolidated this filing date with that of other commonly owned stations licensed to communities in other states. FCC Form 323-E does not require a filing fee. The form as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Filing of Applications for Renewal of Licenses for Radio and Television Stations—Full-power AM and FM radio stations, as well as LPFM and FM Translator stations, licensed to communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and full-power television, Class A television, LPTV and TV Translator
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stations, licensed to communities in Texas, must electronically file their applications for renewal of license on FCC Form 303-S, along with their Equal Opportunity Employment Reports on FCC Form 396 by this date, and commercial stations must promptly submit their FCC license renewal application filing fee. FCC Forms 303-S and 396 as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Post-filing Renewal Announcements for Radio and Television Stations—Full-power AM and FM radio stations and LPFM stations licensed to communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Texas, must begin on this date to air their post-filing license renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on April 16, May 1, May 16, June 1 and June 16. FM Translator and TV Translator stations, as well as LPTV stations not capable of local origination, licensed to communities in these states must arrange for the required newspaper public notice of their license renewal application filing.
Pre-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, or Wyoming must on this date begin to air their pre-filing renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on April 16, May 1 and May 16.
April 10
Quarterly Issues/Programs List Required—All full-power radio, full-power television, and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date the Quarterly Issues/Programs List covering the period January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014.
Certification of Children's Commercial Time Limitations Required—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date records "sufficient to verify compliance" with the FCC's commercial time limitations in children's programming broadcast during the period January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014.
FCC Form 398 Children's Programming Report Due—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must by this date electronically file FCC Form 398 demonstrating their responsiveness to "the educational and informational needs of children" for the period January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014, and ensure a copy of the form as filed with the FCC is in the station's public inspection file.
Class A Television Continuing Eligibility Certification—Class A television stations are required to maintain documentation in their public inspection files sufficient to demonstrate continuing compliance with the FCC's Class A eligibility requirements. We recommend that by this date Class A television stations generate such documentation for the period January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014 and place it in their public inspection file.
April 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending February 28, 2014.
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May 15
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form and Quarterly Report of Use Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must submit by this date the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending March 31, 2014.
June 1
Annual EEO Public File Report Required—Station employment units that have five or more full-time employees and are comprised of radio and/or television stations licensed to communities in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia or Wyoming must by this date place in their public inspection file and post on their station website a report regarding station compliance with the FCC's EEO Rule during the period June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. A more detailed review of station EEO obligations and the steps for implementing an effective EEO program can be found in our most recent EEO Advisory.
FCC Form 323-E Biennial Ownership Report Due—Noncommercial radio stations licensed to communities in Michigan or Ohio and noncommercial television stations licensed to communities in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia or Wyoming (other than sole proprietorships or partnerships composed entirely of natural persons) must electronically file by this date their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323-E, unless they have consolidated this filing date with that of other commonly owned stations licensed to communities in other states. FCC Form 323-E does not require a filing fee. The form as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files. Note that since this filing deadline falls on a weekend, the submission of this item to the FCC may be made on June 2.
Filing of Applications for Renewal of Licenses for Television Stations—Full-power television, Class A television, LPTV and TV Translator stations licensed to communities in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, or Wyoming must electronically file their applications for renewal of license on FCC Form 303-S, along with their Equal Opportunity Employment Reports on FCC Form 396 by this date, and commercial stations must promptly submit their FCC license renewal application filing fee. FCC Forms 303-S and 396 as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files. Note that since this filing deadline falls on a weekend, the submission of this item to the FCC may be made on June 2.
Post-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, or Wyoming, must begin on this date to air their post- filing license renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on June 16, July 1, July 16, August 1 and August 16. TV Translator stations, as well as LPTV stations not capable of local origination, licensed to communities in these states must arrange for the required newspaper public notice of their license renewal application filing.
Pre-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in California must on this date begin to air their pre-filing renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on June 16, July 1 and July 16.
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June 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit to SoundExchange the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms for the month ending April 30, 2014.
July
Regulatory Fees Announced—The FCC is expected to release a Public Notice this month indicating the date by which annual regulatory fees must be filed with the FCC and the amounts of those fees. Broadcasters should remain alert for this announcement.
July 10
Quarterly Issues/Programs List Required—All full-power radio, full-power television, and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date the Quarterly Issues/Programs List covering the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.
Certification of Children's Commercial Time Limitations Required—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date records "sufficient to verify compliance" with the FCC's commercial time limitations in children's programming broadcast during the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.
FCC Form 398 Children's Programming Report Due—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must by this date electronically file FCC Form 398, demonstrating their responsiveness to "the educational and informational needs of children" for the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014, and ensure a copy of the form as filed with the FCC is in the station's public inspection file.
Class A Television Continuing Eligibility Certification—Class A television stations are required to maintain documentation in their public inspection files sufficient to demonstrate continuing compliance with the FCC's Class A eligibility requirements. We recommend that by this date Class A television stations generate such documentation for the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014 and place it in their public inspection file.
July 15
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending May 31, 2014.
July 31
Copyright Royalty Claims Due—Television stations with locally-produced programming whose signals were carried as distant signals by at least one cable or satellite system in 2013 are eligible to file royalty claims for compensation with the Copyright Office in Washington, DC by this date. Under the federal Copyright Act, cable systems and satellite operators must pay "compulsory license" royalties to carry
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distant TV signals on their systems. The royalties are used to compensate the owners of copyrighted works broadcast on those signals. Stations that do not file claims by the deadline will not be able to collect royalties for carriage of their signals during 2013.
August 1
Annual EEO Public File Report Required—Station employment units that have five or more full-time employees and are comprised of radio and/or television stations licensed to communities in California, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina or Wisconsin must by this date place in their public inspection file and post on their station website a report regarding station compliance with the FCC's EEO Rule during the period August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014. A more detailed review of station EEO obligations and the steps for implementing an effective EEO program can be found in our most recent EEO Advisory.
FCC Form 323-E Biennial Ownership Report Due—Noncommercial radio stations licensed to communities in Illinois or Wisconsin and noncommercial television stations licensed to communities in California, North Carolina or South Carolina (other than sole proprietorships or partnerships composed entirely of natural persons) must electronically file by this date their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323-E, unless they have consolidated this filing date with that of other commonly owned stations licensed to communities in other states. FCC Form 323-E does not require a filing fee. The form as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Filing of Applications for Renewal of Licenses for Television Stations—Full-power television, Class A television, LPTV and TV Translator stations licensed to communities in California must electronically file their applications for renewal of license on FCC Form 303-S, along with their Equal Opportunity Employment Reports on FCC Form 396 by this date, and commercial stations must promptly submit their FCC license renewal application filing fee. FCC Forms 303-S and 396 as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Post-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in California must begin on this date to air their post-filing license renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on August 16, September 1, September 16, October 1 and October 16. TV Translator stations, as well as LPTV stations not capable of local origination, licensed to communities in these states must arrange for the required newspaper public notice of their license renewal application filing.
Pre-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Mariana Islands, Oregon, Saipan or Washington must on this date begin to air their pre-filing renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on August 16, September 1 and September 16.
August 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form and Quarterly Report of Use Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending June 30, 2014.
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September 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending July 31, 2014.
September 30
EEO 1 Report Due—Broadcasters that are subject to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) reporting requirements must file their EEO 1 Report (Form 100) by this date. We encourage you to consult with counsel on the filing and visit http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo1survey/.
October 1
Must-carry/Retransmission Consent Election. Every three years, commercial television stations with must-carry rights are required to elect either retransmission consent or mandatory carriage (must-carry) on local cable and satellite systems for the upcoming three-year period. By this date, such stations must send their election notices to affected cable and satellite providers.
Annual EEO Public File Report Required—Station employment units that have five or more full-time employees and are comprised of radio and/or television stations licensed to communities in Alaska, American Samoa, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, the Mariana Islands, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico Saipan, and the Virgin Islands or Washington must by this date place in their public inspection file and post on their station website a report regarding station compliance with the FCC's EEO Rule during the period October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. A more detailed review of station EEO obligations and the steps for implementing an effective EEO program can be found in our most recent EEO Advisory.
FCC Form 323-E Biennial Ownership Report Due—Noncommercial radio stations licensed to communities in Iowa or Missouri and noncommercial television stations licensed to communities in Alaska, American Samoa, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, the Mariana Islands, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Saipan, the Virgin Islands or Washington (other than sole proprietorships or partnerships composed entirely of natural persons) must electronically file by this date their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323-E, unless they have consolidated this filing date with that of other commonly owned stations licensed to communities in other states. FCC Form 323-E does not require a filing fee. The form as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Filing of Applications for Renewal of Licenses for Television Stations— Full-power television, Class A television, LPTV and TV Translator stations licensed to communities in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Mariana Islands, Oregon, Saipan or Washington must electronically file their applications for renewal of license on FCC Form 303-S, along with their Equal Opportunity Employment Reports on FCC Form 396 by this date, and commercial stations must promptly submit their FCC license renewal application filing fee. FCC Forms 303-S and 396 as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Post-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Mariana Islands, Oregon, Saipan or Washington, must begin on this date to air their post-filing license renewal announcements in accordance
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with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on October 16, November 1, November 16, December 1 and December 16. TV Translator stations, as well as LPTV stations not capable of local origination, licensed to communities in these states must arrange for the required newspaper public notice of their license renewal application filing.
Pre-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont must on this date begin to air their pre-filing renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on October 16, November 1 and November 16.
October 10
Quarterly Issues/Programs List Required—All full-power radio, full-power television, and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date the Quarterly Issues/Programs List covering the period July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014.
Certification of Children's Commercial Time Limitations Required—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must place in their public inspection files by this date records "sufficient to verify compliance" with the FCC's commercial time limitations in children's programming broadcast during the period July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014.
FCC Form 398 Children's Programming Report Due—Commercial full-power and Class A television stations must by this date electronically file FCC Form 398, demonstrating their responsiveness to "the educational and informational needs of children" for the period July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014, and ensure a copy of the form as filed with the FCC is in the station's public inspection file.
Class A Television Continuing Eligibility Certification—Class A television stations are required to maintain documentation in their public inspection files sufficient to demonstrate continuing compliance with the FCC's Class A eligibility requirements. We recommend that by this date Class A television stations generate such documentation for the period July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014 and place it in their public inspection file.
October 15
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending August 31, 2014.
November 14
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form and Quarterly Report of Use Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending September 30, 2014.
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December 1
Annual EEO Public File Report Required—Station employment units that have five or more full-time employees and are comprised of radio and/or television stations licensed to communities in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota or Vermont must by this date place in their public inspection file and post on their station website a report regarding station compliance with the FCC's EEO Rule during the period December 1, 2013 through November 30, 2014. A more detailed review of station EEO obligations and the steps for implementing an effective EEO program can be found in our most recent EEO Advisory.
FCC Form 323-E Biennial Ownership Report Due—Noncommercial radio stations licensed to communities in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, or South Dakota, and noncommercial television stations licensed to communities in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont (other than sole proprietorships or partnerships composed entirely of natural persons) must electronically file by this date their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323-E, unless they have consolidated this filing date with that of other commonly owned stations licensed to communities in other states. FCC Form 323-E does not require a filing fee. The form as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Filing of Applications for Renewal of Licenses for Television Stations—Full-power television, Class A television, LPTV and TV Translator stations licensed to communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont must electronically file their applications for renewal of license on FCC Form 303-S, along with their Equal Opportunity Employment Reports on FCC Form 396 by this date, and commercial stations must promptly submit their FCC license renewal application filing fee. FCC Forms 303-S and 396 as filed must be placed in stations' public inspection files.
Post-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont must begin on this date to air their post-filing license renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on December 16, 2014, and January 1, January 16, February 1 and February 16, 2015. TV Translator stations, as well as LPTV stations not capable of local origination, licensed to communities in these states must arrange for the required newspaper public notice of their license renewal application filing.
Pre-filing Renewal Announcements for Television Stations—Full-power television stations and Class A television stations, as well as LPTV stations capable of local origination, licensed to communities in New Jersey and New York must on this date begin to air their pre-filing renewal announcements in accordance with the FCC's regulations. Additional announcements must air on December 16, 2014, and January 1, and January 16, 2015.
FCC Form 317 DTV Ancillary/Supplementary Services Report Due—Commercial television, digital Class A television, and digital LPTV stations must by this date electronically file FCC Form 317, the Annual DTV Ancillary/Supplementary Services Report for Commercial Digital Television Stations, with the FCC whether or not they have received any income from transmitting ancillary or supplementary services. If a digital station provided ancillary or supplementary services during the 12-month time period ending on the preceding September 30, and received compensation for doing so, the station is required to pay to the FCC five percent of the gross revenue from such services concurrently with the filing of Form 317.
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December 15
Copyright Royalty Fee: Monthly Usage Statement of Account Form Due—Commercial and noncommercial webcasters and those simulcasting radio programming over the Internet must by this date submit the Monthly Report of Use and Monthly Usage Statement of Account forms to SoundExchange for the month ending October 31, 2014.
For further information about this Advisory, please contact any of the following attorneys in the Communications Practice Group.
