FCC Unanimously Approves TV Media Modernization Item Ahead of Friday Meeting
FCC commissioners unanimously approved an order streamlining the reauthorization process for satellite TV stations, an item that was on Friday’s FCC meeting agenda (see 1803220027). “Ultimately, this item will save significant resources for both affected broadcasters and the Commission,” said…
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Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. Satellite TV stations are full-power broadcast TV stations that largely retransmit the content of a parent station, usually another full-power station owned by the same licensee. The order (here and here) allows applicants transferring a satellite TV station to do so without making extensive showings that the station should retain its satellite status, as long as they can certify there has been no other material change to the station’s situation. Under the previous rule, reauthorization was required, even though the requests were always approved, and the process was widely seen as a “rubber stamp,” attorneys told us. The media modernization item wasn't deemed controversial, and the streamlining provisions drew no opposition in the lead-up to the order. When the NPRM on the proposed order was voted, then-Commissioner Mignon Clyburn expressed concern that a satellite station changing parent stations should be considered a material change, but the final order doesn’t restrict the definition of a material change to specific situations. The “circumstances of each case” should guide the determination of whether a material change in the circumstances led to the original grant of satellite status, the order said.