With the November election approaching, cable operators have begun to receive requests from candidates for advertising time.  Federal law and FCC regulations govern the rates and terms for candidate advertising.  Key provisions of the FCC’s regulations include providing legally qualified candidates equal opportunities, charging specific rates for political advertising related to the timing of when the advertisement airs, and maintaining a political advertising file containing all candidate requests for time and the disposition of those requests.  In addition, there are specific requirements regarding the inclusion of information regarding political advertising in a cable operator’s public inspection file. 

If you have questions about political advertising or public inspection file requirements, please contact please contact Scott Friedman at (312) 372-3930 or sfriedman@cm-chi.com or James Moskowitz at (202) 872-6881 or jmoskowitz@cm-chi.com.