FCC & Policy Briefing
Thursday, October 15, 2026
1. Supreme Court blocks deadline for FCC political-advertising ruling
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled October 14 that the FCC need not meet a court-imposed deadline to decide a challenge to its political-advertising guidance. The March policy extending lowest-unit-charge eligibility to certain candidate-authorized advertisements purchased by political parties and joint fundraising committees remains operative. The Court did not decide the underlying legality of the policy.
Why it matters: Broadcasters retain the existing political-advertising pricing requirements during the final weeks before the November election. The ruling reduces the likelihood of an immediate regulatory change but leaves the underlying dispute unresolved.
Action: Continue existing lowest-unit-charge practices. Reply comments in the related FCC proceeding are due October 19.
2. AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act — Senate considers path to passage
Senator Chuck Grassley outlined two possible routes October 12 for advancing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act: unanimous Senate consent or inclusion in year-end legislation. The House approved H.R. 979 on September 15, and the measure is awaiting Senate action. If enacted, it would require AM reception capability as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles, subject to implementing regulations.
Why it matters: The legislation could help preserve AM broadcasting's long-term accessibility, particularly as manufacturers increasingly eliminate AM receivers from electric vehicles. Its emergency-information provisions also reinforce AM radio's public-safety role.
Action: Senate action remains pending. No implementation deadline exists because the legislation has not become law. Watch for action before the current congressional session ends.
3. FCC limits satellite must-carry rights to one television market
In FCC 26-68, Docket 24-27, the Commission reversed a previous Media Bureau decision that would have required DISH Network to carry an Alabama television station in two designated market areas. The FCC determined that a television station may claim satellite must-carry rights in only one DMA, together with the county containing its community of license when that county lies outside the selected DMA.
Why it matters: The decision establishes an important limitation on satellite carriage rights for television stations whose Nielsen market assignments differ from their geographic locations. It may affect the economic value of television facilities and decisions involving distributed transmission systems or market assignments.
Action: Review the decision when evaluating television station acquisitions, market assignments or satellite carriage rights. The parties were directed to comply within 30 days of the order.
4. FCC 5G Broadcast proposal — LPTV comment deadline Monday
The Media Bureau is considering a petition in MB Docket 26-263 to permit LPTV stations to voluntarily use the 3GPP 5G Broadcast standard as an alternative to ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0. The proposal would require free-to-air television programming and restrict participation by stations qualifying for mandatory cable or satellite carriage. No changes to existing television transmission standards have been adopted.
Why it matters: Authorization could create new technical and commercial opportunities for LPTV operators while introducing substantial questions involving transmitter equipment, receiver compatibility, interference protection and spectrum utilization.
Action: Comments due October 19; reply comments November 18. Interested LPTV operators should evaluate the engineering implications before the initial comment deadline.
5. Federal court declines to block executive order affecting government contractors
A federal judge ruled October 14 against temporarily blocking the administration's executive order restricting certain diversity, equity and inclusion activities by federal contractors. The court interpreted the order as prohibiting intentional racial or ethnic discrimination already barred by federal law, rather than broadly prohibiting diversity programs. The litigation continues, and a separate challenge brought by 19 states and Washington, D.C., remains pending.
Why it matters: The ruling has consequences for federal contracting requirements and the scope of executive authority over private businesses receiving government contracts. It also clarifies that the challenged restrictions apply to activities performed under covered federal contracts rather than automatically extending to all company operations.
Action: No new general compliance deadline. Federal contractors should review applicable contract certifications and monitor subsequent court proceedings.
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Label: FCC & U.S. Policy Briefing
