Latest in FCC

The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday issued its formal approval of the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, a proposed $26 billion tie-up that would unite the No. 3 and No. 4 U.S. telecom providers. The party-line vote was held last month but officially revealed today. The news comes after the U.S Department of…

The ongoing battle over rules of the road for the internet will go on longer – maybe even much longer – after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a mixed ruling that will send some of the efforts at deregulation back to the FCC. The battle is over net neutrality, or a set of rules to prohibit internet…

The Republican-led FCC’s efforts to relax a series of restrictions on ownership of TV stations has been sidelined by a federal appeals court. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled 2-1 that the FCC, in making the changes over the past three years, did not adequately consider the effect that the revised…

The Federal Communications Commission has given the OK to Nexstar Media Group to acquire Tribune Media, a little more than a year after blocking Sinclair Broadcast Group from buying Tribune. FCC review was the final hurdle the transaction needed to clear. The Department of Justice gave its blessing in July. Nexstar is…

UPDATED with details: Another hit show is in the FCC’s crosshairs over misuse of the Emergency Alert System’s tone. The federal regulator today proposed a $272,000 fine against CBS’ Young Sheldon for using a simulated version of the distinctive warning sound. “On April 12, 2018, CBS transmitted an episode of Young Shel…

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau today handed out fines to three TV shows and a radio company for “misusing” the Emergency Alert System or Wireless Emergency Alert tones. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and AMC’s The Walking Dead were hit with six-figure penalties, while Animal Planet’s Lone Star Law and the parent company of…

In a 3-2 party-line vote, the Republican-controlled FCC voted Wednesday to ease rules governing children’s programming broadcasts. The move, which had been widely expected, is the first update of the so-called “kid vid” restrictions since they were imposed nearly 30 years ago. In essence, the original aim of the rules…

In the year since the Federal Communications Commission effectively torpedoed Sinclair Broadcast Group’s planned $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media, the possibility has existed that an investigation could result. This week, the FCC confirmed it is formally looking into whether Sinclair had intentionally misled…

The Federal Communications Commission plans to vote July 10 on possible easing of rules enacted in 1996 that require broadcasters to air a certain amount of children’s TV programming. Judging by statements from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the likely outcome will be a much looser regulatory environment, given the multitude…

UPDATED with WGAW statement, 10: 26: The $26 billion merger of Sprint and T-Mobile will get the blessing of the Federal Communications Commission in exchange for pledges by the company to build out a 5G network that will cover 99% of the U.S. by 2026, officials said Monday. The WGA West issued this statement Tuesday…

The House voted Wednesday to approve the “Save the Internet Act,” a bill that would restore net neutrality, which proponents see as a way of safeguarding free and open information exchange online. Reaction among industry factions was predictably split, with the FCC issuing a salty statement and the Writers Guild and…

Nexstar Media Group, whose pending deal to acquire Tribune Media will make it the No. 1 owner of local TV stations in the U.S., said it is selling off 19 stations in 15 markets, a move that will net the company $1.32 billion in cash. Rival station groups Tegna and E.W. Scripps are acquiring the stations. Nexstar said…