In a Public Notice released by the FCC yesterday, the Media Bureau has announced that it has extended to January 11, 2010, the prior December 15, 2009 deadline for commercial radio and television broadcast station licensees to file their Biennial Ownership Reports on revised FCC Form 323.

This announcement comes as a great relief to licensees of commercial broadcast stations given that the electronic version of revised FCC Form 323 is not yet available on the FCC’s CDBS system for uploading of data. In the meantime, every licensee should continue their preparations by compiling an accurate (as of November 1, 2009) and complete list of all individuals and legal entities which have a direct or indirect attributable interest in their station licenses. All such individuals and legal entities will have to obtain Federal Registration Numbers (“FRNs”) by registering with the FCC. The following link may be used for that purpose: https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/coresWeb/regEntityType.do

With those tasks completed, licensees will be in better position to expeditiously upload all of the data required in the newly revised FCC Form 323 when it becomes available. Licensees are encouraged to file well before the new deadline to avoid the expected onslaught of FCC Form 323 filings. We will issue an update of this Alert as soon as the FCC issues another Public Notice announcing when the electronic version of FCC Form 323 is available on CDBS. Further information about the FCC’s requirements may be obtained at http://.www.fcc.gov/form323.

The FCC urges members of the public to continue to submit questions regarding the new form and filing procedures to Form323@fcc.gov.

FCC commissioner also criticizes media coverage of ownership issues

By John Eggerton — Broadcasting & Cable, 11/3/2009 10:28:09 AM

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps took it to broadcasters again Tuesday, saying that if the FCC can’t rejuvenate shuttered newsrooms, put the brakes on “mind-numbing ‘monoprogramming’ and otherwise turn the tide (he calls it a “tsunami”), of consolidation, then “maybe those who want the spectrum back have the better of the argument after all.”

He was referring to calls from wireless and computer companies, and an FCC outreach to broadcasters, to reclaim some, or even all, of their spectrum for wireless broadband. Copps was delivering the opening statement at the FCC’s second of three hearings this week teeing up its 2010 quadrennial review of media ownership rules. He echoed some of the criticisms he leveled Monday in kicking off the quadrennial review, which is mandated by Congress. Copps complained that the first hearing Monday, which featured academics, was not well covered by the media. He said he did not see Tuesday’s press galleries teeming either, and wondered what was more important in town. He has criticized major media for under-covering the media ownership issue before. Copps argues that consolidation has only been slowed by the tanking economy, whose problems he ascribed to the kind of policies he has been complaining about in media for years. Copps laid into “financiers and see-no-evil regulators” who have made it harder for what he characterized as the thinning ranks of broadcasters still trying to serve the public interest. He said the FCC has been asleep at the switch when it wasn’t actually being destructive.

The FCC has divided up the panels into academics, public interest groups, and industry, with broadcasters getting the chance to tell their side of the story Wednesday (Nov. 4).

Admittedly, it’s been a difficult year for Massachusetts’ broadcasters.

Today marks a year since we lost our former president, Al Sprague. It seemed like a perfect storm. The organization was suddenly without it’s leader at a time when stations were struggling financially, people were losing their jobs and meanwhile we were preparing for the DTV transition and Congress was proposing bills like the performance royalty tax and other legislation that threatened our already-wounded broadcasters. In the last year we have seen a new administration come into the White House, a new head of the FCC and NAB and a shift in Washington D.C. that has made working for, managing or owning radio and television stations even more difficult.

As I reflect on the last year, I feel that our organization is as strong as ever. We have weathered the storm and have changed the way we do business, we approach new ventures and measure success. We have learned a lot over the last year (I have especially) and I believe it’s made me, our organization and our members stronger and more determined. I sense a renewed motivation among our stations and their people.

The MBA continues to work hard on behalf of broadcasters – with as much passion and vigor as Al during his career. We do this everyday not only to honor Al but also because he taught us why it was important to be a voice for the broadcasting industry and stand up for the hard working men and women that make our stations outstanding. He believed that free over-the-air broadcasting is what made this country great. He had tremendous respect for his colleagues and broadcasters. He knew that our stations build strong communities, help their neighbors in good times and bad and help our local businesses thrive. He established strong relationships with our legislators and built bridges across the aisle with the best interest of broadcasters in mind. He would have tackled these difficult times head-on and we will continue to do just that – with the same tenacity as Al.

While this is still a nerve-wracking time for our industry and country, the MBA will continue to go to bat for broadcasters. We will continue to work as hard as Al did on their behalf to both honor him and ensure our stations know we truly believe in them, their contribution to society and the service they provide to our communities.