The FCC foreign-sponsored content order “purports to govern more broadcast content than proposed in the NPRM in a way that is not readily understandable” to network affiliate groups, said all four, in comments posted Friday in docket 20-299 in support of their request to clarify the rules (see 2107190053). The order doesn’t explain the basis for applying the rules to commercial ads and “does not provide broadcasters with the information necessary for them to confidently comply,” the groups said: The “only fair path” is to refrain from applying the new rules to commercial ads that fall under general sponsorship identification requirements.

The FCC lacks authority to require audio description of content on the internet and broadcasters need the eight- and 12-hour grace periods allowed to caption video clips delivered via IP, said representatives of the top four networks, NAB and Meredith on a call Wednesday with staff from the Consumer and Governmental Affairs and Media bureaus. “Uploading IP-captioned clips is more than a simple copy-and-paste exercise, and involves work-flow processes that can sometimes present challenges,” per a filing posted in docket 21-140 Friday. “Technical challenges” remain for carrying audio description on secondary audio feeds, but those could be addressed by ATSC 3.0, the filing said. “That remains uncertain at the moment.”

The FCC Media Bureau proposed a $3,500 fine for Katahdin Communications over failure to timely file a license to cover FM translator station W273DJ Millinocket, Maine, and for operating the translator after the broadcaster’s construction permit expired, said an order and notice of apparent liability Thursday. The bureau will grant the broadcaster’s license renewal application when the forfeiture is resolved. Katahdin engaged in unauthorized operation for almost three months before seeking the license, staff said.

Comments are due Oct.1, replies Oct. 18, in docket 21-293 on FCC-proposed changes to record-keeping requirements for broadcast political advertisements, says Wednesday’s Federal Register. The tweaks could be minor and uncontroversial (see 2108040058).

The Enforcement Bureau didn’t abuse FCC processes in Auburn Network’s license hearing proceeding and won’t be sanctioned (see 2108170064), said Administrative Law Judge Jane Halprin in an order posted in docket 21-20 Tuesday. She disagreed with Auburn's argument the bureau was flouting rules with extra unauthorized filings and “hoops” for Auburn to jump through. “On the contrary, the purported ‘hoops’ were discovery decisions made by the Presiding Judge and, as detailed above, [Auburn] did not provide an appropriately targeted and explanatory response,” Halprin said. She denied Auburn's challenges to previous EB filings, required Auburn to resubmit discovery filings that the judge says weren’t sufficiently specific, and warned that future discovery filings should be focused on Auburn principal Michael Hubbard’s fitness to hold an FCC license.

No broadcast incubator applications have been filed, said the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council in early comments Tuesday on the FCC 2018 quadrennial review in docket 18-349. “Industry is balking because the agency has done nothing to welcome incubator applicants,” said MMTC, saying the FCC should do an incubator workshop. MMTC wants to alter the incubator program to prevent broadcasters from receiving benefits in markets far larger than the ones where they offer incubation opportunities (see 1809280052). MMTC again suggested diversity rules on procurement and tradable diversity credits (see 1606240058) and said the FCC shouldn't eliminate or reduce local radio ownership subcaps. Press Communications disagreed. “Expanded ownership caps are essential” to allow radio broadcasters the scale to compete with satellite radio and streaming services such as Spotify, the company said. It offered three possible solutions: caps that change based on the prospective owner’s size, caps based on where a station’s market is, or allowing Class A broadcasters to double their ownership cap limits. “The hardships faced by Class A broadcasters are irrefutable and require an immediate change to the ownership limits,” Press said.

WFHD-LP Ann Arbor, Michigan’s, license will expire Oct.1 if no renewal application is received by the FCC before then, said a public notice listed in Monday’s Daily Digest. The station is licensed to Max Henry & Associates. WFHD and other Michigan and Ohio TV stations were required to file a renewal application by June 1, the PN said.

WMDN Meridian, Mississippi, was admonished by the FCC Media Bureau for late filing of quarterly issues/programs lists to its public file, said a letter to licensee WMDN TV listed in Monday’s Daily Digest. “It uploaded two lists between one month and one year late, and eight lists between one day and one month late,” staff said. “While we do not rule out more severe sanctions for similar violations of this nature in the future, we have determined that an admonition is appropriate.”

FCC Media Bureau OK of Corridor Television’s request to change KCWX Fredericksburg, Texas, from Channel 5 to 8 takes effect Tuesday, says that day’s Federal Register. A request from Gray Television to delete Channel 4 from Superior, Nebraska, allot it to York, Nebraska, and substitute Channel 24 for 4 for its KSNB-TV York also takes effect Tuesday, the FR says.

Address a Meredith TV station’s policy against advertisements encouraging cord cutting, as a condition of approving Gray Television buying Meredith’s stations, asked an informal objection posted Friday in FCC docket 21-234 from Mr. Antenna. The Las Vegas-based company that installs outdoor TV antennas advertised on KVVU-TV Henderson, Nevada, until June, when Mr. Antenna was told KVVU would “no longer accept advertising from vendors whose products presented a ‘cord-cutting’ alternative to cable service,” the objection said. KVVU is part of Gray/Meredith broadcasting. “The reason given for the change in policy was that Meredith’s retransmission consent income is tied to cable subscribership,” the filing said. Gray and Meredith didn’t comment Monday.