FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — September 23, 2026

1. FCC regulatory fees due tomorrow — payment responsibility is on the licensee

FY 2026 FCC regulatory fees must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT tomorrow, September 24, through CORES. The FCC does not bill regulatees; each licensee is responsible for determining and paying the correct amount, and late payment automatically triggers a 25% penalty. (Mondaq)

Why it matters: This is the immediate hard deadline for commercial AM/FM/TV/LPTV/translator facilities. Delinquency can also cause the FCC to withhold action on or dismiss otherwise unrelated applications. (Broadcast Law Blog)

Action: Confirm actual CORES payment today, particularly for clients with pending STAs, modifications, CPs, assignments or renewals.

2. EAS cybersecurity rules become effective Monday

The FCC's new EAS cybersecurity requirements take effect September 29 under PS Docket Nos. 22-329 and 25-224. The rules require targeted protections including stronger authentication/password practices, prompt security-related software and firmware updating, and firewalling or equivalent isolation of covered equipment. (Fastnexa)

Why it matters: The rule reaches beyond the EAS encoder/decoder to STLs and remotely managed equipment used to route, process or insert programming, potentially including automation, processors, remote controls and other IP-connected broadcast-chain equipment. (Broadcast Law Blog)

Action: Complete and document the station network/equipment review before Monday, September 29.

3. Nationwide EAS test — translator/repeater filing distinction deserves attention

FCC/FEMA's nationwide EAS test is confirmed for November 17 at 2:20 p.m. ET, with December 3 as the backup date. EAS Participants generally must file three ETRS forms, but certain translator and repeater facilities are exempt from ETRS registration and reporting even though the underlying EAS requirements applicable to the facility still need to be considered. (Mondaq)

Why it matters: For groups operating full-power stations plus translators/LPTVs, this is a reason to determine facility-by-facility ETRS responsibility rather than simply generating filings for every Facility ID.

Action: ETRS Form One is due October 30. Test November 17; Form Two follows shortly after the test and Form Three is due in January.

4. Auction 114 FM freeze has one week remaining

The FCC's freeze on commercial and NCE FM minor-change applications remains in force through September 30 while Auction 114 short-form applications are accepted. Form 175 applications for the 132 vacant commercial FM allotments also close September 30.

Why it matters: Ordinary §73.207/§73.215 FM facility-change applications remain blocked this week. For engineering already underway, Auction 114 applicants' disclosed preferred-site coordinates should be checked before finalizing post-freeze spacing work.

Action: Do not submit covered FM minor changes until the freeze terminates. Auction 114 Form 175 deadline: September 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

5. White House press-access dispute escalates into federal litigation

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have sued the Trump administration after being barred from White House access; major television networks responded by suspending participation in the White House television pool, temporarily removing the principal shared video source for presidential events. The plaintiffs contend the exclusions violate the First Amendment; no court has yet resolved those claims. (Reuters)

Why it matters: This has moved beyond a routine press dispute: it directly concerns whether the executive branch may condition access to government facilities on the perceived favorability of news coverage, while simultaneously affecting the broadcast networks' ability to obtain presidential video.

Action: No broadcaster compliance action. Watch the federal court proceeding; any ruling defining the government's authority to exclude specific news organizations could have substantial First Amendment and newsgathering consequences.

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — September 22, 2026

1. FCC dismisses 36 LPFM applications — strong warning on localism and de facto networks

The Media Bureau yesterday dismissed 36 applications from the 2023 LPFM window after concluding that the applicants did not actually satisfy §73.853(b)'s local-presence requirement. The applicants shared ties to Wade Rathke and the Affiliated Media Foundation Movement; although the Bureau did not need to reach a final real-party-in-interest finding, it said the record suggested an effort to establish a prohibited multistate LPFM network. (FCC ID)

Why it matters: This is useful precedent for LPFM application work: a convenient local mailing address or "local representative" is not a substitute for an actual local headquarters/campus or the required board residency. The dismissals also converted three MX situations into singleton grants.

Action: For pending LPFM matters, verify that claimed local headquarters are genuine operating locations and documented as such. The Bureau says remaining related applications—and any reconsideration petitions—may receive additional real-party-in-interest scrutiny.

2. FCC regulatory fees due Thursday — two days remain

FY 2026 regulatory fees must be received through CORES by 11:59 p.m. EDT September 24. Commercial AM/FM, full-power TV and applicable secondary television facilities should now be considered at the hard-deadline stage; late payment produces the statutory 25% penalty and delinquency can interfere with processing other FCC applications. (Broadcast Law Blog)

Why it matters: For clients with active STAs, CPs, modifications, assignments or renewals, an overlooked accounting item can become a licensing problem.

Action: Confirm actual CORES payment—not merely that payment was authorized—by Thursday night.

3. EAS cybersecurity deadline is one week away

The FCC's new EAS security practices become mandatory September 29. Broadcasters must address authentication/password security, timely installation of security-related software and firmware updates, and firewalling or equivalent network segmentation for EAS equipment and other remotely managed equipment in the program chain. (Broadcast Law Blog)

Why it matters: Engineering compliance can extend beyond the EAS encoder/decoder to IP STLs, automation, processors, remote controls and transmitter-related equipment where those systems route, process or insert programming.

Action: Finish the station equipment/network inventory and document compliance before September 29. Do not assume that securing only the EAS box satisfies the rule.

4. Nationwide EAS test adds October 30 ETRS deadline

The FCC has formally announced that FEMA will conduct a nationwide EAS test November 17 at 2:20 p.m. ET, using a CAP/IPAWS message and the NPT event code; December 3 is the backup date. The FCC specifically recommends checking EAS handbooks, equipment configuration and monitoring arrangements in advance. (FCC Docs)

Why it matters: This turns EAS readiness into a two-stage engineering task: satisfy next week's cybersecurity rules, then prepare stations for the first nationwide EAS test since 2023.

Action: ETRS Form One is due October 30. The nationwide test is November 17; stations should verify monitoring assignments, CAP connectivity and EAS equipment operation well before then.

5. U.S.–Greenland agreement substantially expands American Arctic military presence

The United States, Denmark and Greenland are expected today to formalize an agreement allowing a substantial expansion of the U.S. military presence in Greenland, including two additional operating locations alongside Pituffik Space Base. Denmark maintains that sovereignty remains Danish/Greenlandic despite President Trump's characterization of the agreement as giving the United States permanent security control; the complete legal text has not yet been published. (Reuters)

Why it matters: This is a consequential U.S. defense-policy development rather than routine diplomacy. It substantially expands American Arctic infrastructure at a time when missile warning, space operations, Russian activity and access to Arctic routes and minerals have become strategic priorities.

Action: No public compliance action. Treat claims about permanent U.S. control cautiously until the actual agreement is released; the confirmed development is expanded U.S. military access, not a transfer of Greenlandic sovereignty.

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — September 21, 2026

 

1. FCC schedules nationwide EAS test — new ETRS deadlines now fixed

The FCC and FEMA have scheduled the first nationwide EAS test since 2023 for November 17 at 2:20 p.m. ET, with December 3 as the backup date. FEMA will originate a CAP message through IPAWS using the NPT event code; AM/FM, LPFM, full-power TV, Class A and LPTV stations and other EAS participants must participate. (FCC Docs)

Why it matters: This creates a new set of mandatory station filings and makes EAS equipment configuration, monitoring assignments, firmware and clock synchronization immediate engineering issues.

Action: ETRS Form One is due October 30. Form Two is due by 2:20 p.m. ET November 19 and Form Three by January 4, 2027. Stations should verify monitoring assignments and current EAS firmware well before the test.

2. FCC inspection of Michigan AM is a useful warning on DA operation, STA and EAS

The Enforcement Bureau issued a Notice of Violation to WSDS(AM), Salem Township, Michigan, after finding the station operating 36.6% above authorized daytime power, continuing after sunset with its daytime power and pattern, lacking reliable antenna-monitor phase/current readings, and failing to obtain an STA for extended operation at variance. Inspectors also found deficient EAS logs and monitoring of the wrong Local Primary stations. (Radio World)

Why it matters: This is unusually relevant to AM consulting because the violations cover several recurring real-world issues at once: DA monitor operation, day/night switching, power tolerance, operation beyond the 30-day notification period, STA requirements and EAS monitoring assignments.

Action: The licensee has 20 days to respond. For clients operating reduced power or with impaired DA monitoring, this is a good reminder to check whether a notification has aged into an STA requirement.

3. Regulatory fees due Thursday — FCC has demonstrated that nonpayment can ultimately cost the license

FY 2026 regulatory fees must reach the FCC through CORES by 11:59 p.m. EDT September 24. Late payment carries a 25% penalty and can interfere with application processing; the Commission recently revoked a Montana FM license after the licensee failed to resolve $6,754.80 in delinquent regulatory fees despite an Order to Pay or Show Cause. (Broadcast Law Blog)

Why it matters: This week's deadline has a genuine licensing consequence, not merely a financial penalty. A fee delinquency can become particularly troublesome when a client subsequently needs an STA, modification, assignment or renewal processed.

Action: Thursday, September 24, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Confirm payment rather than merely assuming accounting has handled it.

4. ABC asks federal court to stop FCC's unprecedented early license reviews

The Walt Disney Company and ABC filed their latest challenge Thursday seeking to block the FCC from forcing early renewal review of eight ABC-owned television licenses that ordinarily would not come up for renewal until 2028. ABC argues the action is retaliation for protected editorial speech; the FCC disputes that characterization and says its investigation concerns potential Communications Act and rule violations. The court has not decided the merits. (Reuters)

Why it matters: The case could establish important limits on the Commission's ability to use the broadcast license-renewal process outside the normal renewal cycle, with implications extending well beyond ABC.

Action: No station action presently required. A federal-court hearing is expected in early October; the FCC has agreed to provide advance notice before issuing a hearing order involving the licenses.

5. Supreme Court leaves USPS mail-ballot restrictions blocked for November election

The Supreme Court of the United States declined to allow the Postal Service to enforce the administration's new mail-ballot requirements while litigation continues. USPS subsequently stopped work on the computer system intended to implement those requirements, meaning existing state mail-ballot procedures remain operative for the November 3 midterms. (Investing.com)

Why it matters: This resolves, at least for the coming election, a significant uncertainty over federal intervention in state mail-voting procedures and removes the immediate prospect of a new nationwide USPS ballot-verification regime.

Action: No new USPS ballot requirements apply for November 3. The separate Supreme Court dispute over use of the federal SAVE citizenship database for voter-roll verification remains a matter to watch.

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — September 18, 2026

 

1. FCC approves unusually high foreign equity in Paramount/WBD transaction

The FCC's Media Bureau yesterday granted Paramount authority for foreign investors to hold 49.5% of its equity in connection with the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. Because Paramount controls 28 television stations, the transaction implicated the Communications Act's 25% foreign-ownership benchmark; the approved interests are non-voting, and the ruling permits aggregate indirect foreign equity of up to 100% subject to national-security conditions. (Spokesman.com)

Why it matters: This is a significant application of the FCC's §310(b)(4) foreign-ownership policy to a major broadcast licensee. It demonstrates considerable flexibility where voting control and influence over licensees remain insulated, potentially relevant to future broadcast financing and transaction structures.

Action: No general rule changed. For ownership work, treat this as a useful precedent—not as elimination of the 25% statutory benchmark.

2. FCC regulatory fees due next Thursday — payment must actually reach the Commission

FY 2026 regulatory fees must be received through CORES by 11:59 p.m. EDT September 24. The FCC's final fee rule became effective September 14; late payments incur the statutory 25% penalty, and delinquency can cause the Commission to withhold action on or ultimately dismiss unrelated applications. (FR Tracker)

Why it matters: This is now the most immediate universal FCC deadline for commercial broadcast clients. The current licensee is responsible for facilities held on October 1, 2025, even where a station was subsequently transferred; entities owing $1,000 or less in total FY2026 fees remain exempt. (Wiley Rein LLP)

Action: Verify client CORES accounts and payments early next week rather than relying on September 24 processing.

3. EAS cybersecurity deadline — 11 days remain, and the rule reaches the whole IP-connected program chain

The new FCC cybersecurity requirements become mandatory September 29. Covered systems include EAS equipment, STLs and remotely managed signal-chain equipment; required safeguards include strong authentication/password practices, prompt security patching and firewalls or comparable network segmentation. (SBE37)

Why it matters: For engineering purposes this can encompass automation, processors, RDS encoders, transmitters, remote controls and IP STLs, not merely the EAS encoder/decoder. Passwords using the FCC's specified approach must be at least 15 characters, non-dictionary based and not reused, although equivalent robust authentication is permitted. (Colorado Broadcasters Association)

Action: Complete and document station-by-station signal-chain/network reviews before September 29.

4. NCE translator window: October 2 database freeze is now only two weeks away

The Media Bureau's freeze associated with the first reserved-band NCE FM translator filing window begins after 11:59 p.m. ET October 2. After that point the Bureau will not accept reserved- or non-reserved-band LPFM, FM translator or FM booster minor-modification applications until the November window closes; the application snapshot date is November 17. (FCC Docs)

Why it matters: For current translator searches, October 2—not November 4—is the important engineering date. Facility changes that could improve an applicant's channel environment need to be filed before the database effectively freezes.

Action: Finish prospective NCE translator screenings and identify any necessary LPFM/translator/booster minor modifications now. Window: November 4–17; hard close 6:00 p.m. ET November 17. (FCC Docs)

5. Federal Register briefly used Chinese AI model for regulatory searches

A Federal Register website operated by the National Archives briefly deployed a search feature using Alibaba's Qwen AI model; the feature was removed after its use became public. The episode comes amid federal restrictions and national-security scrutiny of Chinese technology, although experts noted that the Federal Register itself primarily contains public information. (Reuters)

Why it matters: This is a consequential federal IT-governance issue because the Federal Register is a core publication system for legally operative agency rules, including FCC actions. The concern is less the public documents themselves than federal procurement, data handling and provenance of AI-generated regulatory search results.

Action: No change to Federal Register legal status or FCC filing procedures. For regulatory work, continue treating the published Federal Register document itself—not an AI-generated search summary—as the controlling source.

FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing — September 17, 2026

 

1. FCC opens formal comment cycle on expanded political-ad LUC policy

The FCC's Media Bureau has opened MB Docket No. 26-253 for an application for review challenging the Commission's March guidance expanding lowest-unit-charge treatment to certain party-coordinated and joint-fundraising political advertising. This is particularly significant because the policy is already being litigated and broadcasters are currently inside the November 3 general-election LUC window. (TheDesk.net)

Why it matters: The Commission is now developing an administrative record on a policy that directly affects station political-ad revenue and traffic practices. The proceeding could modify, affirm or ultimately replace the March interpretation; for now, the existing operative requirements should continue to be followed.

Action: Comments/oppositions are due September 25; replies October 5. Broadcasters with substantial political advertising may want counsel or their associations to participate.

2. FCC nominee's Senate hearing scheduled for today has been postponed

The Senate Commerce Committee has officially postponed today's confirmation hearing for Danielle Thumann Severs, President Trump's nominee for the vacant Republican FCC seat. The Committee currently lists the hearing simply as "Postponed," with no replacement date announced. (Senate Commerce Committee)

Why it matters: This corrects yesterday's briefing: there will not be an FCC nomination hearing today. Until Severs is confirmed, the FCC remains at three sitting commissioners rather than moving to a 3-1 Republican majority.

Action: No filing action. Watch for the Senate Commerce Committee to announce a new hearing date.

3. Regulatory fees due one week from today

FY 2026 FCC regulatory fees must be received through CORES by 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, September 24. Commercial AM/FM, full-power television, LPTV/Class A/TV translator and other fee-bearing facilities should now be treated as being inside the final compliance week.

Why it matters: Late payment carries the statutory 25% penalty, and an FCC delinquency can hold up or prevent processing of otherwise unrelated applications. For engineering clients with active CP, STA, assignment or modification work, that makes this more than an accounting deadline.

Action: Verify clients' CORES status and payment obligations now. For LPTV/Class A/TV translators, remember the FCC's corrected FY2026 fee is $255 per facility.

4. Senate panel advances bill restricting federal pressure on broadcasters and online platforms

The Senate Commerce Committee yesterday approved, 18-10, legislation allowing individuals to sue federal employees who coerce private companies into suppressing constitutionally protected speech. Supporters cited government interactions with both broadcasters and technology platforms under the Trump and Biden administrations; the measure specifically enters the debate surrounding FCC pressure on broadcast programming and licensing decisions. (Reuters)

Why it matters: If enacted, this could create a statutory cause of action directly relevant to disputes over FCC pressure on broadcast editorial decisions, rather than leaving those questions principally to First Amendment litigation and administrative-law review.

Action: This is not law yet. It must still pass the full Senate and House and be signed by the president; watch whether Senate leadership schedules floor consideration.

5. Federal Reserve raises rates for first time in more than three years

The Federal Reserve yesterday raised its benchmark federal-funds target by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, its first increase in more than three years, and its new projections indicate that additional tightening may follow. The decision reflects persistent inflation pressures, including the economic effects of elevated energy prices. (Reuters)

Why it matters: The significant policy signal is not yesterday's quarter-point move by itself but the Fed's indication that this may be the beginning of additional tightening. Higher short- and long-term rates increase federal debt-service expense while raising borrowing costs for businesses, property, construction and infrastructure.

Action: No regulatory action. Watch subsequent inflation data and Treasury yields for evidence that the Fed will deliver the additional increase implied by its year-end projections.