February 6, 2014 MEMORANDUM. WBK Advisory Calendar of Important Dates for Broadcasters

Transcription

1 2300 N S TREET, NW S UITE 700 W ASHINGTON, DC T EL F AX WWW. W BKLAW. COM February 6, 2014 MEMORANDUM From: Re: Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP WBK Advisy Calendar of Imptant Dates f Broadcasters Each year, every broadcaster has many routine regulaty deadlines that it must meet. A broadcaster s routine regulaty obligations include its annual Equal Employment Opptunities ( EEO ) public file rept, quarterly issues/programs lists, and annual FCC regulaty fees. Television stations have the extra burden of complying with requirements of the children s television rules. With the TV license renewal cycle in full swing, many TV broadcasters also have additional obligations to meet the deadlines imposed by the renewal process. Radio stations in most states have already filed their renewal applications, but radio broadcasters in a number of states still have renewal post-filing obligations, and stations in New Yk, New Jersey and Pennsylvania still have to file their renewals as the radio renewal cycle comes to a close in To help keep track of these and other obligations, we have put together this advisy to provide a useful preview of, and some guidance f, many of the imptant FCC compliancerelated dates, as well as other deadlines broadly applicable to significant ptions of the broadcast industry. The attached calendar is not intended to cover all filing dates that apply to a station licensee. Instead, the calendar is meant to highlight some of the me critical deadlines which we have identified in advance. Remember, these dates can change, so be sure to keep up with the latest developments by talking to your attney other adviss. It is also imptant to check with your accountant, tax advis and local counsel on dates f filings such as those relating to local business and real estate fees and taxes, filing dates f Equal Employment Opptunity Commission ( EEOC ) submissions f large employers, and other requirements that may be applicable to your station(s). In our calendar, we provide a description of the obligation, the due date and the place where compliance is required (e.g. through an FCC filing, an addition to the public file, etc.). Note that TV broadcasters now have an online public file obligation. So all of those documents that had simply been put into a station's paper public file (like the annual EEO public inspection file rept the quarterly issues programs lists) now need to be uploaded by the applicable deadline to the station's online public file, hosted by the FCC. Also included in the calendar are other one-time events unique to this year, including the obligation f television stations that are not an affiliate of one of the Big 4 netwks in a Top 50

2 February 6, 2014 Page 2 market to upload new documents added to their political files to the FCC s online public inspection file website on a going-fward basis starting on July 1, With the 2014 elections f Congress, as well as f many state and local offices, broadcasters around the country must be mindful of a number of Lowest Unit Rate periods during which stations can charge political candidates (federal, state, and local) who are running in a general primary election no me than the Lowest Unit Rate f the same class and amount of time on the station. Lowest Unit Rate periods begin 45 days befe each primary election and 60 days befe the general election. The 45 day period also applies to primary runoff elections. While the reasonable access provisions of the political rules do not apply to state and local races, if stations decide to sell time to candidates in these elections, they do have to charge Lowest Unit Rates in the 45 days befe a primary and the 60 days befe the general election. In the calendar, we have attempted to identify the Lowest Unit Rate periods f all federal elections taking place in These dates are based on certain calendars maintained by the FEC and the National Association of Secretaries of State. As such, they may not be entirely accurate, and they may change befe the actual election. Thus, it is imptant f stations to confirm these primary dates, and the cresponding Lowest Unit Rate periods, locally f the states they serve. There may also be different dates f local primaries and elections, so be aware of the Lowest Unit Rate periods that may arise f candidates participating in those elections. The calendar also reflects the monthly obligation to pay SoundExchange royalties f streaming music on the Internet under the rate structures generally applicable to broadcasters, and the associated requirement to provide infmation about the songs played in these online streams. F noncommercial webcasters, small webcasters, and those electing to pay royalties based on various other webcasting agreements, webcasters should check the agreement under which they are operating to make sure that these are the dates applicable under those agreements. The details of the SoundExchange obligations are complex. So seek legal advice with any questions about the details of your compliance. Stations also have obligations to pay ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Review your agreements with these ganizations to make sure that you meet all required deadlines. As the year progresses, there will no doubt be other compliance deadlines that arise. We try to provide infmation about many of these deadlines, and about other regulaty issues that arise during the course of the year, on our blog: Check our blog regularly, and talk to any of the attneys in our Broadcast Group, f me infmation about the many deadlines and other issues that will be imptant to broadcasters in While we have included explanaty notes at the end of this document that try to clarify some of the FCC obligations that are not otherwise clear, this calendar is meant only as a guide, and not as a definitive delineation of all obligations of broadcasters. Check with your counsel

3 February 6, 2014 Page 3 regularly to make sure that these dates remain accurate, and that no regulaty obligations have changed arisen since the preparation of this memo. With that background, some imptant dates f 2014 are set out in the calendar that follows.

4 2014 BROADCASTERS CALENDAR

5 JANUARY 2014 WHERE MUST IT BE FILED January 1, 2014 Announcements (third of the six required announcements) Television Stations in Colado, Minnesota, Montana, Nth Dakota, and South Dakota; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Announcements (third of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk January 10, 2014 Children s Television Programming Repts (FCC Fm 398) f Q must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations January 10, 2014 Recds showing compliance with commercial limits on Children s Television Programming during Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations 1

6 JANUARY 2014 WHERE MUST IT BE FILED Issues/Programs Lists f Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations; Commercial and Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations Documentation of Class A Television Continuing Eligibility should be placed in Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations stations public inspection files. 2 January 14, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Nov. 30, 2013 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 January 16, 2014 Announcements (fourth of the required six Television Stations in Colado, Minnesota, Montana, Nth Dakota, and South Dakota; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont 2

7 JANUARY 2014 WHERE MUST IT BE FILED Airing of License Renewal Pre-filing Announcements (last of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk January 18, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in primaries to be held on March 4, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Texas 4 Annual, nonrefundable minimum fee of $500 f each channel and station SoundExchange Webcasters 3 January 31, 2014 Notice of Election f treatment as a small broadcaster SoundExchange Broadcasters streaming (on the web) less than 27,777 aggregate tuning hours each year Notice of Election to be covered by the Webcasters Settlement Agreement SoundExchange Noncommercial webcasters 5 3

8 FEBRUARY 2014 Announcements (fifth of the required six Television Stations in Colado, Minnesota, Montana, Nth Dakota, and South Dakota; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont February 1, 2014 Announcements (first of the required six Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk Announcements (first of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania 4

9 FEBRUARY 2014 February 1, 2014 Annual EEO Public File Repts must be placed in stations public inspection files. Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on March 18, Stations Public Inspection File Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Yk, and Oklahoma Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Illinois 4 February 3, License Renewal Applications (FCC Fm 303-S) and EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396) must be filed. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations, TV Translats, 7 and LPTV Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; Commercial and Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations, FM Translats, 7 and LPFM Stations 7 in New Jersey and New Yk 5

10 FEBRUARY 2014 February 3, Biennial Ownership Repts (FCC Fm 323-E) must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Noncommercial Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; Noncommercial Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New Yk February 14, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Dec. 31, 2013 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 February 15, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on April 1, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in the District of Columbia 4 6

11 FEBRUARY 2014 February 16, 2014 Announcements (last of the required six Television Stations in Colado, Minnesota, Montana, Nth Dakota, and South Dakota; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont February 16, 2014 Announcements (second of the required six Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk Announcements (second of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania 7

12 MARCH 2014 March 1, 2014 Announcements (third of the required six Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk Announcements (third of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania March 16, 2014 Announcements (fourth of the required six Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk Announcements (last of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania 8

13 MARCH 2014 March 17, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Jan. 31, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 March 22, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on May 6, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Indiana, Nth Carolina, Ohio 4 March 29, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on May 13, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Nebraska West Virginia 4 9

14 APRIL 2014 Announcements (fifth of the required six Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk April 1, 2014 License Renewal Applications (FCC Fm 303-S) and EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396) must be filed. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations, TV Translats, 7 and LPTV Stations in Texas; Commercial and Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations, FM Translats, 7 and LPFM Stations 7 in Delaware and Pennsylvania Announcements (first of the required six Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania Announcements (first of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 10

15 APRIL 2014 April 1, 2014 Annual EEO Public File Repts must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection File Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas Biennial Ownership Repts (FCC Fm 323-E) must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Noncommercial Television Stations in Texas; Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee April 5, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on May 20, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Arkansas, Gegia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania 4 April 10, 2014 Children s Television Programming Repts (FCC Fm 398) f Q must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations 11

16 APRIL 2014 Recds showing compliance with commercial limits on Children s Television Programming during Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations April 10, 2014 Issues/Programs Lists f Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations; Commercial and Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations Documentation of Class A Television Continuing Eligibility should be placed Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations in stations public inspection files. 2 April 12, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in primaries runoffs to be held on May 27, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary runoff election in Texas 4 April 14, 2013 F songs streamed during the month ending Feb. 28, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 12

17 APRIL 2014 Announcements (last of the required six Television Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; New Jersey and New Yk April 16, 2014 Announcements (second of the required six Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania Announcements (second of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming April 19, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on June 3, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Alabama, Califnia, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota 4 13

18 APRIL 2014 April 26, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries runoffs to be held on June 10, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Maine, Nevada, Nth Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia 4 [Note that Arkansas will hold a congressional primary runoff election on June 10 th, so the LUR period f any congressional candidates in Arkansas who are participating in a runoff will be extended until June 10 th ] 4 April 29, 2014 Deadline f FCC Release of the Bidding Schedule f Auction 84, a closed auction of AM broadcast construction permits scheduled to begin on May 6, 2014 Entities Eligible to Participate in Auction 84 (identified in Attachment A to Sept. 9, 2013 Public Notice) 14

19 MAY 2014 May 1, 2014 Announcements (third of the required six Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania Announcements (third of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming May 10, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries runoffs to be held on June 24, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Colado, Maryland, New Yk, Oklahoma, Utah 4 [Note that Mississippi and South Carolina will hold congressional primary runoff elections on June 24 th, so the LUR period f any congressional candidates who are participating in a runoff will be extended until June 24 th ] 4 15

20 MAY 2014 May 15, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Mar. 31, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 May 16, 2014 Announcements (fourth of the required six Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania Announcements (last of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 16

21 MAY 2014 May 31, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in primaries runoffs to be held on July 15, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary runoff election in Nth Carolina 4 [Note that Alabama will hold a congressional primary runoff election on July 15 th, so the LUR period f any congressional candidates who are participating in a runoff will be extended until July 15 th ] 4 17

22 JUNE 2014 Announcements (fifth of the required six Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania Announcements (first of the required six Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming June 1, 2014 Announcements (first of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Califnia Annual EEO Public File Repts must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection File Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia June 2, License Renewal Applications (FCC Fm 303-S) and EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396) must be filed. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations, TV Translats, 7 and LPTV Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 18

23 JUNE 2014 Biennial Ownership Repts (FCC Fm 323-E) must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Noncommercial Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia; Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations in Ohio and Michigan June 7, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in primary elections runoffs to be held on July 22, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary runoff election in Gegia 4 June 14, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Apr. 30, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 June 16, 2014 Announcements (last of the required six Television Stations in Texas; Delaware and Pennsylvania 19

24 JUNE 2014 Announcements (second of the required six Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming Announcements (second of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Califnia June 21, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on August 5, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington 4 June 23, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on August 7, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Tennessee 4 20

25 JUNE 2014 June 25, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on August 9, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Hawaii the Virgin Islands 4 June 28, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries and runoffs to be held on August 12, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Connecticut, Minnesota, Wisconsin, 4 a congressional primary runoff election in South Dakota 4 21

26 JULY 2014 Announcements (third of the required six Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming July 1, 2014 Announcements (third of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Califnia Upload the Political File to the FCC s Online Public Inspection File Website on a Going-Fward Basis Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations that are not an Affiliate of the Big 4 Netwks in a Top 50 Market 9 July 5, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on August 19, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Alaska Wyoming 4 July 10, 2014 Children s Television Programming Repts (FCC Fm 398) f Q must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations 22

27 JULY 2014 Recds showing compliance with commercial limits on Children s Television Programming during Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations July 10, 2014 Issues/Programs Lists f Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations; Commercial and Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations Documentation of Class A Television Continuing Eligibility should be placed Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations in stations public inspection files. 1 July 12, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries runoffs to be held on August 26, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Arizona, Flida, Vermont, 4 a congressional primary runoff election in Oklahoma 4 July 15, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending May 31, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 23

28 JULY 2014 July 16, 2014 Announcements (fourth of the required six Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming Announcements (last of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Califnia July 16, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries and caucuses to be held on August 30, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Guam 4 July 26, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in congressional primaries to be held on September 9, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to political candidates who are running in a congressional primary election in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island 4 July 31, Requests to receive compensation f retransmissions of over-the-air television signals by cable and satellite systems Copyright Royalty Board Eligible Television Stations 11 24

29 AUGUST 2014 Announcements (fifth of the required six Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming License Renewal Applications (FCC Fm 303-S) and EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396) must be filed. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations, TV Translats, 7 and LPTV Stations in Califnia August 1, 2014 Announcements (first of the required six Television Stations in Califnia Announcements (first of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan Annual EEO Public File Repts must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection File Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations in Califnia, Illinois, Nth Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin 25

30 AUGUST 2014 August 1, 2014 Biennial Ownership Repts (FCC Fm 323-E) must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Noncommercial Television Stations in Califnia, Nth Carolina, and South Carolina; Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations in Illinois and Wisconsin August 14, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending June 30, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 Announcements (last of the required six Television Stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming August 16, 2014 Announcements (second of the required six Television Stations in Califnia Announcements (second of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan 26

31 SEPTEMBER 2014 Announcements (third of the required six Television Stations in Califnia September 1, 2014 Announcements (third of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan September 5, 2014 Begin charging Lowest Unit Rates to political candidates who are running in general elections to be held on November 4, 2014 Class A Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations that sell time to candidates f federal, state, and local races to be decided by a November 4 th election September 2014 (day TBD) 12 Annual FCC Regulaty Fees must be paid. FCC Class A Television Stations, TV Translats, TV Boosters, and LPTV Stations; Commercial AM and FM Radio Stations, FM Translats, and FM Boosters 13 September 14, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending July 31, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 27

32 SEPTEMBER 2014 Announcements (fourth of the required six Television Stations in Califnia September 16, 2014 Announcements (last of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan 28

33 OCTOBER 2014 Announcements (fifth of the required six Television Stations in Califnia License Renewal Applications (FCC Fm 303-S) and EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396) must be filed. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations, TV Translats, 7 and LPTV Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan October 1, 2014 Announcements (first of the required six Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan Announcements (first of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont 29

34 OCTOBER 2014 Annual EEO Public File Repts must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection File Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations in Alaska, Flida, Hawaii, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands October 1, 2014 Biennial Ownership Repts (FCC Fm 323-E) must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Noncommercial Television Stations in Alaska, Flida, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands; Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations in Iowa and Missouri Statements of Election with respect to either must-carry retransmission consent must be placed in stations public inspection files and sent via certified mail to all cable systems in each station s defined market. Stations Public Inspection Files; via Certified Mail to all cable systems in a station s market Class A Television Stations October 10, 2014 Children s Television Programming Repts (FCC Fm 398) f Q must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. 1 FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations 30

35 OCTOBER 2014 Recds showing compliance with commercial limits on Children s Television Programming during Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations October 10, 2014 Issues/Programs Lists f Q must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations; Commercial and Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations Documentation of Class A Television Continuing Eligibility should be placed Stations Public Inspection Files Class A Television Stations in stations public inspection files. 1 October 15, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Aug. 31, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 October 16, 2014 Announcements (last of the required six Television Stations in Califnia 31

36 OCTOBER 2014 Announcements (second of the required six Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan October 16, 2014 Announcements (second of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont 32

37 NOVEMBER 2014 Announcements (third of the required six Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan November 1, 2014 Announcements (third of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont November 14, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Sept. 30, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 November 16, 2014 Announcements (fourth of the required six Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan 33

38 NOVEMBER 2014 November 16, 2014 Announcements (last of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont 34

39 DECEMBER 2014 Announcements (fifth of the required six Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan December 1, 2014 License Renewal Applications (FCC Fm 303-S) and EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396) must be filed. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Television Stations, TV Translats, 7 and LPTV Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Announcements (first of the required six Television Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Announcements (first of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in New Jersey and New Yk 35

40 DECEMBER 2014 Annual EEO Public File Repts must be placed in stations public inspection files. Stations Public Inspection File Television Stations and AM and FM Radio Stations in Alabama, Colado, Connecticut, Gegia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Nth Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont December 1, 2014 Biennial Ownership Repts (FCC Fm 323-E) must be filed and placed in stations public inspection files. FCC; Stations Public Inspection Files Noncommercial Television Stations in Alabama, Connecticut, Gegia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Noncommercial AM and FM Radio Stations in Colado, Minnesota, Montana, Nth Dakota, and South Dakota Annual DTV Ancillary/Supplementary Services Rept (FCC Fm 317) must be filed. FCC Full-Power and Digital Class A Television Stations, Digital TV Translats, and Digital LPTV Stations 14 36

41 DECEMBER 2014 December 15, 2014 F songs streamed during the month ending Oct. 31, 2014 (1) Repts of Use containing infmation about songs streamed; and (2) Monthly royalty fee SoundExchange Webcasters 3 Announcements (last of the required six Television Stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and Saipan December 16, 2014 Announcements (second of the required six Television Stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Announcements (second of the required four pre-filing announcements) Television Stations in New Jersey and New Yk 37

42 ENDNOTES 1 Because these fms are filed with the FCC and TV stations public files are now maintained online, TV stations do not have to upload these fms to their online public inspection files. Instead, the FCC will upload a TV station s electronically filed fm to its online public inspection file. Stations should check periodically to make sure that the automatic upload has indeed occurred, and check with the FCC if there are any issues. 2 The FCC s rules do not specifically require Class A Television Stations to place documentation in their public inspection files demonstrating continuing eligibility f Class A Status on a quarterly basis. However, preparation of the quarterly issues/programs lists provides stations a good opptunity to prepare documentation suppting Class A eligibility also. Class A Television Stations are strongly encouraged to place this infmation in their public inspection files. 3 Webcasting royalty and repting obligations includes radio stations that simulcast their programming on the Internet. There are a number of different royalty arrangements by which webcasters can pay royalties to SoundExchange. The dates provided here are the most common dates f broadcasters who stream their signals on the Internet. To the extent that a webcaster has elected a different royalty arrangement, including noncommercial webcasters, please confirm the details of the obligations attached to the royalty arrangement that you elected. 4 This infmation is based on the list of dates available on the website of the Federal Election Commission and/ the National Association of Secretaries of State. It is imptant to remember that many primary dates are subject to change, and there may be other Lowest Unit Rate periods f state and local elections that are not identified on this calendar. 5 This DOES NOT include broadcasters that are members affiliates of NPR, American Public Radio, Public Radio International, Public Radio Exchange. Additionally, members of the National Federal of Community Broadcasters and any other public radio stations that qualify f CPB funding are not subject to this filing requirement, as well as certain other noncommercial broadcasters who elected coverage under a particular royalty settlement agreement and are deemed to be covered by that agreement until they notify SoundExchange to the contrary. Under certain agreements, if no election is made, by default the previous election remains in place. Check the terms of the agreement under which you are operating. 6 Because the February 1 st deadline falls on a Saturday and these documents must be submitted to the FCC, the February 1 st deadline is extended to the next business day (Monday, February 3 rd ). 7 LPFM stations and TV and FM Translat Stations are not required to file EEO Program Repts (FCC Fm 396). 8 Because the June 1 st deadline falls on a Sunday and these documents must be submitted to the FCC, the June 1 st deadline is extended to the next business day (Monday, June 2 nd ). 9 TV stations affiliated with the Top 4 national TV netwks in the Top 50 TV markets were required to begin uploading their political files to the FCC s online public inspection file website on a going-fward basis on August 2, Claims f compensation from the 2013 funds may be filed beginning in July 2014 but must be filed no later than July 31, A television station may be eligible to receive compensation from the 2013 cable and satellite royalty funds if (1) it holds the copyright to programming it has produced and (2) its signal was either carried as a distant signal on a cable system in 2013 rebroadcast by a satellite television service provider directly to individual homes. 12 The precise date f payment of annual FCC regulaty fees is usually determined during the summer. However, the deadline typically is set f a date in mid-september. 13 Most likely, annual FCC regulaty fees also will have to be paid by licensees who hold auxiliary broadcast service licenses f stations operated in conjunction with the main station (e.g., remote pickup stations, aural broadcast STLs, intercity relay stations and low power auxiliary stations) in cases were the license permit was granted on befe October 1, 2013, even if the license permit expires after October 1, Filers must also pay a fee equal to 5% of any gross revenues received from any ancillary supplementary services provided f a subscription fee charge f ancillary supplementary services f which the filer received compensation from a third party (other than a commercial advertiser) in exchange f transmission of material provided by the third party. 38