The FCC - Back In Business

The FCC has resumed normal operations after the end of the recent partial government shutdown. During the shutdown, broadcast stations were unable to upload documents to the FCC's online public files, including the fourth quarter Issues/Programs Lists that would normally have been due by January 10th. 

In a Public Notice released prior to the shutdown, the FCC advised that items due to be filed or uploaded during the shutdown would be required to be uploaded on the second business day of normal resumed FCC operations. Today, the FCC issued a Public Notice extending the deadline for these filings one additional day.

In accordance with the new Public Notice, deadlines for all filings that would have been due from January 3rd, 2019, through January 29th, 2019, are now extended until January 30th, 2019. The Commission waived its rules to the extent necessary to effectuate this extension.

Issues/Programs Lists should be uploaded to each station's online public file no later than Wednesday, January 30th, 2019.  This would also include the upload of any political file or other public file material generated since the shutdown.

Finally, any STAs that would have expired from January 3rd, 2019, through January 29th, 2019, are extended until January 30th, 2019, except to the extent that such STAs relate to the post-incentive auction transition or other activities authorized under section 309(j).

Update: Further Extensions Granted to FCC Filing Deadlines

In a new Public Notice (Revisions to Deadlines Following Resumption of Normal Operations), the FCC has now further extended the deadline for uploading 4th Quarter Issues/Programs Lists and any political file or other public file material generated during the shutdown to February 11th, 2019.

The FCC in the same Public Notice addresses other fling deadlines that would have otherwise occurred during the shutdown.

While the FCC's several public notices granting additional extension of time for filings are confusing at best, given that the FCC was closed for a total of 23 days the latest extension offers broadcasters and others with business before the FCC a more relaxed opportunity to fully comply with FCC deadlines.

This column is provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice pertaining to any specific factual situation. Legal decisions should be made only after proper consultation with a legal professional of your choosing.