1. Political-ad LUC comments due today — existing FCC guidance remains operative
Today is the comment deadline in the FCC proceeding reviewing the Media Bureau's guidance extending lowest-unit-charge treatment to certain candidate-authorized party and joint-fundraising committee advertising. The Fourth Circuit previously rejected the guidance, but the Supreme Court stayed that decision on procedural grounds, effectively restoring the FCC policy while the administrative review proceeds. (Broadcast Law Blog)
Why it matters: Stations are inside the general-election political window, so this is an immediate traffic, sales and billing issue. The proceeding could ultimately alter the policy, but the existing FCC guidance should presently be treated as controlling.
Action: Comments are due today, September 25; replies are due September 30.
2. EAS cybersecurity compliance deadline arrives Monday
The FCC's new cybersecurity requirements become mandatory Monday, September 29. They require secure authentication, timely security-related software/firmware updates, and firewalling or equivalent network protection for EAS equipment and remotely managed equipment used to route, process or insert broadcast programming.
Why it matters: This is not confined to the EAS encoder/decoder. Depending on station architecture, IP STLs, automation, processors, remote controls, transmitters and other remotely accessible program-chain equipment can be implicated.
Action: Use the weekend to resolve remaining legacy passwords, unpatched equipment and exposed Internet connections and document compliance by September 29.
3. Regulatory-fee deadline has passed — late accounts now incur 25% penalty
The FY 2026 regulatory-fee deadline expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT last night. Any required payment not received by the FCC on time is now delinquent and subject to the statutory 25% late-payment penalty, with interest and collection charges potentially following. (Radio News Now)
Why it matters: Delinquency can become an engineering/licensing problem because the FCC can withhold action on or dismiss applications involving a debtor. That can complicate an otherwise routine STA, CP, modification, assignment or renewal.
Action: For any client whose payment status is uncertain, check CORES today and cure a missed payment immediately rather than waiting for an FCC demand.
4. Auction 114/FM minor-change freeze ends next week — NCE translator freeze follows almost immediately
The Auction 114 freeze on commercial and NCE FM minor-change applications continues through September 30. The separate freeze associated with the November NCE FM translator window begins after October 2, affecting LPFM, FM translator and FM booster minor modifications.
Why it matters: There is effectively only a very narrow October 1–2 interval between these restrictions for certain FM-related work. For November translator studies, October 2 is particularly important because it largely fixes the secondary-service facility landscape against which applications are being engineered.
Action: Identify any translator/LPFM/booster facility changes that genuinely need filing before 11:59 p.m. ET October 2. Auction 114 Form 175 also closes September 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
5. Federal judge restores White House access to CNN, Politico and MS NOW
The Trump administration yesterday complied with a federal judge's order restoring White House access to CNN, Politico and MS NOW, which had been excluded after disputes over their coverage. The underlying First Amendment case continues, and the administration may appeal if the preliminary order is converted into an injunction. (Reuters)
Why it matters: The case is becoming an important test of how far the executive branch may go in conditioning government press access on editorial treatment, with obvious implications for television newsgathering and the broader press.
Action: No broadcaster compliance action. Watch the next district-court ruling and any D.C. Circuit appeal; the restored access is presently in effect.
