LAST REMINDER: December 20, 2018 Accessible User Interfaces Deadline for Smaller and Mid-Sized MVPDs
December 11, 2018 Unless subject to either of two waivers requested by the American Cable Association and granted last month by the FCC, all smaller and mid-sized MVPDs must comply with the FCC’s accessible user interface rules by December 20, 2018. Now is the time for small and mid-sized MVPDs to take steps to come into compliance or confirm that they qualify for either of the two ACA waivers.
FCC Rules That Cable Operators May Deliver Subscriber Notices Via Email
November 27, 2018 On November 16, 2018, the FCC released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking modernizing its rules so that multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) may deliver notices to subscribers electronically via verified email.
Media Bureau Reminds Mid-Sized and Smaller MVPDs of December 20, 2018 Accessible User Interfaces Deadline, Also Grants ACA Waiver Request
November 13, 2018 On November 5, 2018, the FCC’s Media Bureau released a Public Notice reminding smaller and mid-sized MVPDs that they must comply with the FCC’s accessible user interfaces rules by December 20, 2018. This followed the Bureau’s November 2, 2018 Order which granted two waivers requested by the American Cable Association.
Earth Station Filing Window Extended Until October 31, 2018
October 17, 2018 Today, the FCC’s International Bureau announced a two-week extension to the filing window to register fixed-satellite service (“FSS”) earth stations currently operating in the 3.7-4.2 GHz frequency band. The filing window was scheduled to expire today, October 17, 2018, but the large influx of applications has caused intermittent difficulties to the International Bureau Filing System (“IBFS”). MVPDs now have additional time to file applications.
October 15, 2018 The FCC’s filing window for a limited class of operational, but unregistered earth stations closes October 17, 2018. MVPDs therefore have only days remaining to file applications to register fixed-satellite service (“FSS”) earth station licenses currently operating in the 3.7-4.2 GHz frequency band. The Bureau also clarified filing options for operators with multiple earth station antennas.
October 3, 2018 FEMA, in conjunction with the FCC, will hold the Emergency Alert System National Test today, October 3, 2018 at 2:20pm EDT. All EAS Participants, including cable operators, must participate in this nationwide test.