The Broadcasters' Desktop Resource

Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…
This is BDR Newsletter 808, Volume 16, #28 for February 12, 2025

FCC GIVES ATTENTION TO TWO ISSUES
In a response to a Senatorial request, the FCC issued a statement reminding stations that if they press bands to play at station concerts – especially at a reduced cost – or participate in other promotional activity to avoid the station cutting airplay, that is a violation … sometimes called Plugola.

An NPRM is now out, and will be part of the Commission’s February Open Meeting, regarding the loudness of commercials. The CALM Act from 2010 reduced a lot of complaints. But in recent years, as a lot of viewing has moved to streaming from multichannel video programmers, the level of commercial audio has become noticeably louder than surrounding program material. (Some viewers who have dozed off sometimes suddenly jump when a commercial comes on with elevated levels.) \

DO NON-COMM STATIONS PAY ANNUAL REGULATORY FEES?
Simple answer: no. Non-comms are exempt. However, there are examples where some Non-comms (including LPFMs) have been  assessed fees in error. Occasionally one gets a demand letter or is notified that their application (or renewal) is on “hold” with the dreaded “red flag” because their FCC record shows unpaid fees. Quick check: Actually all stations should occasionally check their CORES file on the FCC website to ensure there are no “pending charges.”

TOWERS, LIGHTS, AND THE FAA
If you are thinking about changing the lighting scheme on your tower, building a new tower, decommissioning an old one, or are just correcting tower information, along the way you will eventually have to look into what the FAA requires to keep things safe and legal.

Even adding a new station to an existing tower or changing a frequency of a tenant station can trigger a need for FAA review. This week we offer you a chance to learn more about some of the processes and procedures by joining the conversation with James Scott and Gary Cavell of Capitol Airspace Group. A short presentation will lead to questions and answers.

Yes… you guessed it. Thursday at 2 PM Eastern /11 AM Pacific. Join us and learn things! The link is at www.theBDR.net/TLG/

By the way, we do have a reminder note about each week’s program that goes out on Tuesdays. If you wish to be on that list, just let us know. And, if you would, please go to www.youtube.com/thebdrnet channel and subscribe. Not only will you get notice of each video as it is posted, you will help us reach 1000 subscribers.