FCC & Policy Briefing - October 8, 2026

 

FCC & Policy Briefing

Thursday, October 8, 2026

1. FCC schedules major satellite spectrum and direct-to-device decisions for October 29

The FCC announced yesterday that its October 29 Open Meeting will consider advancing a new spectrum auction and modernizing regulations for satellite-to-cellphone communications. The agenda includes proposals involving approximately 25 MHz of auctionable spectrum and additional spectrum for satellite services. The Commission will also consider final rules permitting certain drone operations in the 800 MHz cellular band.

Why it matters: These developments could significantly expand satellite/mobile spectrum sharing and influence future interference-protection and frequency-coordination policies. They do not presently change AM/FM/TV allocation requirements.

Action: October 29 Commission meeting. Review the resulting orders and proposed rules for spectrum-sharing provisions relevant to broadcast engineering.

2. FCC considers allowing AI-generated political robocalls without prior consent

The FCC is reviewing a petition from Club for Growth seeking permission to place political calls to wireless telephones using artificial, prerecorded or AI-generated voices without obtaining prior consent. Supporters argue that political communications deserve treatment comparable to certain exempt informational calls; opponents warn of unwanted calls and potential voter deception. The existing consent requirements remain in effect.

Why it matters: The proposal could substantially change political communications practices immediately before the November election. It also raises questions about artificial-voice authentication and consumer protections.

Action: Reply comments due October 19. No waiver has been granted; existing restrictions continue to apply.

3. Broadcasters seek voluntary software-based EAS equipment rules

The NAB, state broadcast associations and EAS equipment manufacturers have urged the FCC to authorize software-based EAS encoder/decoders without requiring replacement of functioning hardware. Their recent filings also oppose shortening the existing 60-day equipment repair-or-replacement period to 72 hours for software implementations. The Commission has not adopted these proposed changes.

Why it matters: Software-based EAS could eventually permit centralized alert processing, virtualized equipment and simpler cybersecurity updates. However, mandatory replacement or accelerated repair requirements could impose substantial costs on smaller broadcasters.

Action: No new compliance deadline. Continue using authorized EAS equipment and monitor the Commission's forthcoming modernization decision.

4. FCC proposes excluding Chinese laboratories from equipment certification

The FCC announced yesterday that it will vote October 29 on expanding restrictions against laboratories in China testing electronic equipment intended for the American market. The proposal would also restrict certification organizations in countries that do not provide reciprocal access to American testing facilities. If adopted, the new requirements are expected to take effect in December 2028.

Why it matters: Equipment certification is important to broadcast transmitters, wireless STL equipment and other regulated RF devices. Changes could affect manufacturers' certification procedures, product availability and equipment costs, although existing equipment authorizations would not automatically be invalidated.

Action: October 29 vote. No immediate equipment replacement is required.

5. Federal lawsuits challenge taxpayer-funded political television advertising

Two federal lawsuits filed this week challenge the Trump administration's use of approximately $20 million in Department of Homeland Security funding for television advertisements promoting administration policies and accomplishments. The Democratic National Committee and other plaintiffs allege that the advertising violates statutory restrictions on government-funded political publicity. The White House maintains that the advertisements are legitimate public-service communications, and no court has yet resolved the claims.

Why it matters: The litigation could establish important limits on using federal appropriations for government-sponsored television advertising that resembles political campaign messaging. The issue has direct relevance to broadcast advertising practices and the distinction between government informational advertising and partisan advocacy.

Action: No immediate station compliance change. Monitor the federal court proceedings and any injunction affecting continued government-funded advertising.

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Label: FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing

Broadcast Regulatory & Engineering Update - October 7, 2026

 

TZSTC Broadcast Regulatory & Engineering Update

October 7, 2026

FM Translator and LPFM Minor-Change Freeze Now in Effect

The FCC's temporary filing freeze on minor modification applications for LPFM stations, FM translators, and FM boosters took effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on October 2. The freeze will remain in place through the close of the upcoming reserved-band NCE FM translator filing window on November 17. FCC Docs

The first-ever filing window for new NCE FM translators on Channels 201–220 opens November 4 and closes at 6:00 p.m. ET November 17. The FCC has stated that the closing deadline will be strictly enforced, and November 17 will also be the comparative “snapshot” date for applications filed during the window. FCC Docs

TZSTC takeaway: Existing translator and LPFM operators generally cannot file routine technical modifications during the freeze. Applicants planning November NCE translator filings should have channel studies, sites, ownership information and application certifications substantially complete before the window opens.

FCC Significantly Revises Environmental Review Requirements

The FCC adopted a major revision of its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures on September 30, releasing the final order October 1. For broadcast facilities, the principal practical change is that FCC environmental review will generally be tied to construction involving a new tower that requires Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) rather than being triggered simply because an FCC spectrum authorization is involved. FCC ID

The Commission is separately seeking further comment on its related historic-preservation procedures under the National Historic Preservation Act, so broadcasters should not assume that all tower-related federal review requirements have disappeared. FCC ID

TZSTC takeaway: This should simplify the regulatory path for many broadcast facility changes using existing structures or towers that do not require ASR. Historic-preservation, RF exposure, FAA/ASR and other applicable requirements remain separate considerations.

New EAS Cybersecurity Rules Are in Force

FCC cybersecurity requirements for EAS participants became effective September 29. Stations must change default passwords, use appropriate password security, promptly install security-related software and firmware updates, and protect remotely accessible EAS, STL and program-chain equipment with firewalls or comparable network segmentation. FCC Docs

TZSTC takeaway: Stations should review actual EAS and remote-control installations rather than assume that being “behind the station firewall” by itself establishes compliance. Older equipment that cannot support appropriate security may require additional protection or replacement planning.

Dates to Watch

October 13 — Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists due in the online public inspection file for full-power radio and television stations and Class A television stations. Michigan Association of Broadcasters

October 30 — All EAS participants must file 2026 ETRS Form One. FCC Docs

November 4–17 — NCE reserved-band FM translator filing window. FCC Docs

November 17 at 2:20 p.m. ET — Nationwide EAS test. ETRS Form Two will then be due by 2:20 p.m. ET November 19. FCC Docs

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T Z Sawyer Technical Consultants
Serving broadcasters and the telecommunications community since 1985

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — October 7, 2026

 

1. ABC challenges FCC's unprecedented early license review in federal court

A federal judge heard arguments yesterday on The Walt Disney Company/ABC's request to block the FCC's early review of eight ABC-owned television licenses that ordinarily do not expire until 2028–2031. ABC argues the proceeding is retaliation for editorial decisions and violates the First Amendment; the FCC says the review arose from ABC's response to agency information requests and argues the district court lacks jurisdiction. Reuters

Why it matters: The case directly tests whether the Commission can use an extraordinary license review outside the normal renewal cycle where programming or editorial decisions are implicated. A ruling for ABC could impose meaningful limits on how FCC licensing authority may be used against broadcasters.

Action: No ruling yet. The judge requested additional briefing, so watch for a decision after mid-October.

2. FCC's Q3 station count shows accelerating AM attrition

New FCC station totals through September 30 show only 4,258 licensed AM stations, down 42 in one quarter and 84 since year-end 2025. Commercial FM fell by 20 to 6,540; NCE FM increased by nine to 4,815; translators/boosters declined by 20 to 8,826; and LPFM edged up to 2,014. Radio Ink

Why it matters: The AM decline is becoming significant rather than statistical noise—125 AM licenses have disappeared since the end of 2024. That provides additional real-world context for pending FCC debates over AM ownership limits and the economic viability of marginal facilities.

Action: No filing action. For AM allocation work, continue treating license cancellations and surrendered facilities as a meaningful source of changing preclusions, rather than assuming the AM database is static.

3. NCE translator freeze now in force — time for the post-freeze database refresh

The FCC freeze on reserved- and nonreserved-band LPFM, FM translator and FM booster minor modifications took effect after October 2 and remains through November 17 at 6:00 p.m. ET. The new reserved-band NCE translator application window itself runs November 4–17. Broadcast Law Blog

Why it matters: For November applications, the relevant secondary-service landscape is now substantially stabilized. Pre-freeze applications filed on October 1–2 can still change individual channel results, so studies performed before the freeze should not automatically be treated as final.

Action: Refresh FCC data and rerun final preclusion/overlap studies now. Application window opens November 4 and closes November 17 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

4. Q3 Issues/Programs Lists due Monday; ETRS deadline follows October 30

Full-power AM/FM/TV and Class A stations must upload their third-quarter Issues/Programs Lists by Monday, October 13. EAS participants separately must file ETRS Form One by October 30 for the nationwide EAS test scheduled for November 17 at 2:20 p.m. ET. Broadcast Law Blog

Why it matters: Issues/Programs Lists remain a frequent source of easily documented public-file violations. ETRS Form One is also a useful engineering checkpoint following the new EAS cybersecurity requirements that became effective September 29.

Action: October 13 — Q3 Issues/Programs List. October 30 — ETRS Form One. November 17 — nationwide EAS test.

5. Long-term Treasury yield reaches 24-year high as federal debt and inflation concerns intensify

The U.S. 30-year Treasury yield briefly reached 5.7041% today, its highest level in 24 years, amid concern over persistent inflation, rising federal debt and oil prices above $100 per barrel. Markets are awaiting today's Federal Reserve September-meeting minutes and Treasury's 10-year auction, followed by a 30-year auction Thursday. Reuters

Why it matters: This is more consequential than an ordinary market move: sustained long-term yields near these levels materially increase federal borrowing costs, mortgage and commercial financing rates, and the cost of financing capital-intensive businesses—including broadcast acquisitions and major tower/transmitter projects.

Action: Watch today's Fed minutes and 10-year auction and Thursday's 30-year auction for evidence that the yield move is becoming persistent rather than a short-term spike.

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — October 5, 2026

 

1. FCC finalizes elimination of the 39% national television ownership cap

The FCC has released the final text of its order eliminating the 39% national television audience-reach cap. Transactions exceeding the former limit will instead receive case-by-case public-interest review, considering factors such as local programming, innovation, retransmission-consent costs and employment; Commissioner Gomez dissented, arguing that Congress—not the FCC—set the 39% limit. Broadcast Law Blog

Why it matters: This is a major structural change in television ownership policy and substantially increases the potential scale of future station-group transactions. The Commission's legal authority to abolish the congressionally established limit is likely to be challenged.

Action: No station filing required. For TV ownership/transfer work, use the new case-by-case framework and watch for court challenges and the Federal Register effective date.

2. Political-advertising LUC proceeding gets another comment round

The Media Bureau has opened another comment period concerning its March guidance that lowest-unit-charge treatment applies to certain candidate-authorized advertising purchased by political parties and joint fundraising committees. The current policy remains operative; the Commission has not yet rescinded or modified it. Broadcast Law Blog

Why it matters: This lands squarely in the general-election political window and affects station pricing decisions now. The additional proceeding also makes a policy reversal before the November election increasingly unlikely.

Action: Comments due October 12; replies October 19. Stations should continue applying the existing Media Bureau LUC guidance unless the Commission or a court changes it.

3. Upper C-band transition could affect broadcast satellite receive sites

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is seeking comment on its Upper C-band Transition Preliminary Cost Catalog. Incumbent earth stations displaced or modified as the 3.7–4.2 GHz band is further cleared for terrestrial wireless service may qualify for reimbursement, and the FCC is considering whether the procedures used in the earlier lower-C-band transition should largely be reused. Broadcast Law Blog

Why it matters: Broadcasters still using licensed C-band receive facilities for network or syndicated programming should not treat this as merely a wireless proceeding. Equipment replacement, retuning, filtering and other transition expenses can become reimbursable engineering costs.

Action: Comments due October 20; replies November 9. For affected clients, verify earth-station licensing and existing equipment before the transition process advances.

4. October broadcast compliance calendar — Q3 public-file and EAS filings approaching

Full-power radio and television stations and Class A TV stations must upload their third-quarter Issues/Programs Lists by October 13 (the normal October 10 date falls on a weekend). Separately, EAS participants must submit their 2026 ETRS Form One by October 30 ahead of the November 17 nationwide EAS test. Michigan Media

Why it matters: Issues/Programs Lists remain a frequent source of public-file violations, while the ETRS filing should also prompt an engineering check of EAS monitoring assignments, firmware, CAP connectivity and equipment clocks.

Action: October 13 — Q3 Issues/Programs List. October 30 — ETRS Form One. November 17 at 2:20 p.m. ET — nationwide EAS test.

5. Supreme Court opens new term today with major federal-state power cases

The Supreme Court of the United States begins its new term today with a docket involving immigration, voting, firearms and executive authority. Today's opening argument involves whether state-law climate-damage suits against oil companies are displaced by federal law; nearly 60 similar cases could be affected, making the case an important test of the boundary between federal and state regulatory authority. Reuters

Why it matters: Several cases this term could materially redefine the respective powers of the federal government, states and the executive branch rather than simply resolve individual disputes. Today's climate case is the first significant example.

Action: No immediate compliance action. A decision in the climate case is expected by June 2027; the Court's forthcoming immigration and voting cases warrant particular attention as the term develops.

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — October 2, 2026

1. NCE translator filing freeze begins tonight

The Media Bureau stops accepting reserved- and nonreserved-band LPFM, FM translator and FM booster minor-modification applications at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight, October 2. The freeze continues through the November NCE reserved-band translator window, which runs November 4–17.

Why it matters: This is the key engineering cutoff for the upcoming NCE translator work. Once tonight's filings are incorporated, the secondary-service landscape should be substantially fixed for final channel/preclusion studies.

Action: File any necessary LPFM/translator/booster minor changes before 11:59 p.m. ET tonight. Afterward, refresh the FCC database before performing final November-window studies. FCC Docs

2. FCC formally eliminates Form 395-B broadcast employment reporting requirement

The Media Bureau yesterday ordered removal of the broadcast Form 395-B race, ethnicity and gender employment-reporting provisions from Parts 73 and 74, conforming the rules to the Fifth Circuit's 2025 decision that the FCC lacked statutory authority for the requirement. The change becomes effective upon Federal Register publication; the reporting requirement had already been suspended, so stations have no new filing obligation.

Why it matters: This finally cleans up the rulebook after the unsuccessful 2024 attempt to revive Form 395-B. Importantly, ordinary broadcast EEO requirements and FCC EEO audits remain in force.

Action: No Form 395-B filing is required. Stations receiving a 2026 EEO audit letter still face the separate October 20 response deadline. Radio World

3. October 10 Quarterly Issues/Programs List deadline approaching

Full-power radio and television stations must place their third-quarter Issues/Programs Lists covering July 1–September 30 in their online public inspection files by October 10. The lists must identify the significant community issues addressed during the quarter and programming responsive to those issues.

Why it matters: This remains one of the most common public-file compliance vulnerabilities encountered during license renewal and FCC review. Translators do not independently carry this obligation, but the originating full-power station does.

Action: October 10 deadline. Begin assembling the Q3 list now rather than reconstructing programming records at the last minute. Broadcast Law Blog

4. FCC's new tower environmental rules are now released — 200-foot threshold deserves attention

The text of the FCC's September 30 NEPA overhaul, FCC 26-64, is now available. The Commission concludes that privately constructed facilities generally are not subject to FCC NEPA review unless Commission action such as Antenna Structure Registration makes the project a major federal action; in practice, towers 200 feet or shorter and sufficiently removed from airports can often fall outside ASR and therefore the FCC's NEPA process. Separate Section 106 historic-preservation, RF exposure and Endangered Species Act requirements are not automatically eliminated.

Why it matters: This is directly relevant to AM/FM/TV tower siting and could substantially simplify environmental processing for some new broadcast structures. The accompanying proceeding considers further changes to historic-preservation review, but those are proposals, not current rules.

Action: For new tower projects, distinguish NEPA/ASR requirements from Section 106 and other federal obligations rather than assuming the entire environmental process disappeared. Watch Federal Register publication for effective and comment dates. Wireless Estimator

5. Supreme Court's new term opens Monday with major executive-power cases

The Supreme Court of the United States begins its new term Monday, October 5, with a docket containing consequential disputes involving Trump administration immigration policies, voting restrictions, firearms regulation, climate liability and LGBT rights. Yesterday the Court also agreed to review the administration's policy requiring mandatory detention of millions of immigrants during removal proceedings; numerous lower-court judges have found the policy unlawful.

Why it matters: The term is shaping up as another major test of the scope of presidential and federal administrative authority, with decisions potentially affecting immigration enforcement, election administration and federal-state power well beyond the individual cases.

Action: No immediate compliance action. Watch the cases involving executive authority particularly closely as arguments begin this month; acceptance of a case for review does not indicate how the Court will rule. reuters.com