WASHINGTON—Forty-seven House Republicans have sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission's Chair Brendan Carr urging the agency “review of the TV Parental Guidelines to ensure that children are not being indoctrinated with radical gender ideology behind their parents' backs.”

The July 13 letter was sent in response to an ongoing FCC probe into how existing content ratings for children might be updated. In announcing the effort with a Public Notice seeking comments on the issue in April, the FCC asked whether the ratings should be revised to include warnings about “transgender” content.

That has prompted a number of filings by conservatives and conservative groups asking the FCC to flag LGBTQ+ content and transgender content.

The NAB and the MPA have filed comments defending the current system, while progressive and liberal groups blasted the FCC probe as an attempt to censor LGBTQ voices.

In its filing Free Press wrote that the FCC proceeding is a “meritless and invalid attempt” to “chill LGBTQ+ content with which its current Chairman may disagree.”

In the July 13 letter from Republican House members blasted Democrats for defending transgender rights and contended that “American children and families are under attack. Parents deserve full transparency from television and streaming services regarding unwanted sexual content in programming rated for children, and it is our intention to provide them with the tools and information they need to make informed choices for their families.”

“Democratic opposition to protecting our children is divorced from reality,” the letter said. “Sex-rejecting content should never be targeted at children. Democrats go so far as to state explicitly in their letter [to the FCC] that transgender content in media will `improve self-acceptance’ among children experiencing gender dysphoria and confusion. American families do not need to expose their children to indoctrination, which can cause mental health disorders. We should be fighting to uphold families' rights to protect their children from harmful ideology, not grooming children behind their parents' backs in the name of `self-acceptance.’”

The letter also noted that two of the Republicans had introduced legislation on the issue that “would codify the FCC's efforts by requiring neutral disclaimers indicating that a program contains certain gender ideological themes.”

The full letter is available here.

WASHINGTON—In response to an ongoing inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission to reexamine TV ratings for children’s programming, 68 Democrats in the House of representatives have sent a strongly worded letter to the agency’s Chair Brendan Carr strongly opposing any attempt by the regulator to add labels identifying content as containing transgender or LGBTQ+ themes.

“We write in response to your questions regarding TV ratings and programs that include gender identity themes or topics and to strongly oppose efforts to censor the inclusion of transgender characters or topics, including by rating programming differently just because it includes transgender people,” the June 22 letter stated.

In April, FCC's Media Bureau issued a new Public Notice seeking comments “on any changes that can or should be made to the TV Parental Guidelines age ratings system to ensure that it is responsive to the issues that parents confront today” in determining what programming is appropriate for their kids.

In that Notice, the FCC also asked if it should consider how the systems handles content related to LGBTQ+ and transgender people. That prompted comments from a number of conservative groups and Republican politicians arguing that the system should add labels identifying content with LGBTQ+ or transgender themes.

U.S. Sen Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Center for American Rights President Daniel Suhr and the Concerned Women for America, are among those calling for updates that would flag content with LGBTQ and transgender themes. Separately, 13 Republican state attorneys general filed comments urging the FCC to create a separate system where viewers could rate programs.

In response, the House Democrats wrote that "we are deeply concerned that the questions you pose, such as whether programs should be rated differently because they discuss gender identity, indicate that you believe there is a role for the FCC to play in determining these ratings—despite Congress’ preference that these ratings be determined by the industry and Congress explicitly stripping FCC of any authority to do so if the industry establishes such ratings (as they have). This request for comment appears to be an unlawful attempt by FCC to pressure broadcast licensees to censor content, including representation of transgender people, in their programming and just the latest political attempt of FCC to censor content the Administration does not agree with.”

“Any attempt by FCC to censor content because it includes transgender characters or topics would raise both legal and constitutional concerns,” the letter concluded. “As we previously highlighted, FCC lacks authority to prescribe guidelines and recommendations for TV ratings. The FCC is also barred from engaging in censorship or promulgating regulations or conditions that interfere with the right of free speech. Any attempt to issue rating warnings for depictions and themes related to transgender people would also raise concerns of content-based and viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment…[W]e urge the FCC to abandon any efforts to seek to impose higher ratings on programs or content warnings because the program includes transgender characters or topics. As FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez stated, `This is a solution in search of a problem, and another example of this Commission prioritizing culture war politics over the real issues that affect consumers every day.’”

In addition to the letter from the House Democrats, the public interest group Free Press has also urged the Federal Communications Commission to abandon its efforts to "silence the voices of the LGBTQ+ community." 

The FCC issued a notice on April 22 to consider whether industry’s voluntary television-ratings system should apply warning labels to programs that feature transgender and nonbinary characters or discuss gender-identity themes. The group argued that the FCC has no authority to dictate these ratings, and that Carr "is merely trying to help Donald Trump further his anti-trans agenda."

In a filing responding to the agency’s inquiry, Free Press wrote that Carr’s proposal to attach warning labels to LGBTQ+ content makes a mockery of Congress’ mandate. The law stipulates that the FCC must allow the broadcast industry to develop its own ratings system, without federal intervention. “The agency should abandon this contrived and morally repugnant exercise, as it has no authority to suggest any changes to the TV ratings system,” reads Free Press’ filing.

Three major industry trade groups—the Motion Picture Association, the National Association of Broadcasters and NCTA–The Internet & Television Association—have defended the current system of TV ratings for children’s programming in a May 22 joint FCC filing.

In April, the Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau issued a Public Notice that it would examine several issues related to TV content ratings and warning labels, including the current system’s handling of content related to LGBTQ+ and transgender people.

The joint response from the main trade groups representing the motion picture, broadcast TV and pay TV industries provides extensive detail on how the system works and how the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board actively seeks feedback from parents to refine its work. But it avoids the controversial question of LGBTQ+ content in addressing the FCC’s ask for public comments on how the ratings system might be improved.

“The TV Parental Guidelines continue to provide an effective tool to help parents and caregivers to make informed viewing choices about age-appropriate programming,” the joint filing said. “The Monitoring Board plays a vital role in fostering consistent TV ratings across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. The Board is committed to continuing working diligently to further promote consistency and transparency in ratings and support public understanding.

“At the outset, we agree with the Media Bureau that parents must be empowered to make informed choices when it comes to the type of television programs that are appropriate for their children,“ it continued. “As discussed below, the Monitoring Board and the voluntary TV Parental Guidelines are doing just that. Indeed, the Guidelines are a widely recognized, well-understood and broadly used tool to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions about the television programs their children watch. The television industry carefully developed this decades-old TV ratings system and continues to seek feedback from stakeholders and refine ratings practices.”

The FCC’s Public Notice read: “Recently, parents have raised concerns that controversial gender identity issues are being included or promoted in children’s programs without providing any disclosure or transparency to parents.”

That prompted a number of filings by conservative politicians and groups, including U.S. Sen Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Center for American Rights President Daniel Suhr and the Concerned Women for America, calling for updates that would flag content with LGBTQ and transgender themes. Separately, 13 Republican state attorneys general filed comments urging the FCC to create a separate system where viewers could rate programs.

More than 40 organizations and industry associations, including Free Press, responded with comments opposing the idea. In its filing, public-interest group Free Press said the FCC lacks the authority to change the current system and that efforts to add the labels would silence LGBTQ+ voices.

The full filing from the MPA, NAB and NCTA can be found here.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission is once again exploring the issue of children’s programming, with a new Public Notice seeking comments “on any changes that can or should be made to the TV Parental Guidelines age ratings system to ensure that it is responsive to the issues that parents confront today” in determining what programming is appropriate for their kids.

“Over the years, Congress and the FCC have acted to empower parents to determine the type of television programming that is appropriate for their children,” the FCC noted, adding that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other legislation has attempted to ensure that “parents should be provided with timely information about the nature of upcoming video programming and have the ability to block violent, sexual, or other programming that parents believe is harmful to their children. Congress specifically excluded ratings based on political or religious content.”

As part of that, Congress told the industry it could establish their own voluntary system for rating video programming or the Commission could establish a ratings system itself. As a result, industry established the TV Oversight Management Board (TVOMB).

In the new Public Notice issued April 22, the FCC noted that “in recent years, however, significant concerns have been raised about the ratings system. For instance, commenters have raised concerns with the FCC about the accuracy of the ratings, the appropriateness of the ratings, and a shift or ratings creep in which mature, adult, or inappropriate content is being rated as appropriate for young children.”

To ensure that “the ratings system continues to serve the purpose that Congress had in mind—empowering parents to make informed decisions for their children,” the FCC said that it is seeking comment on a number of issues.

In doing so the probe reflects both the agency’s growing willingness to regulate the content of TV programming and the Trump administration’s more conservative approach to gender issues.

The Public Notice seeking comments also broaches the issue of whether more faith-based organizations should be involved in setting the ratings.

“Recently, parents have raised concerns that controversial gender identity issues are being included or promoted in children’s programs without providing any disclosure or transparency to parents,” the Public Notice stated. “Specifically, the industry guidelines that parents rely on are rating shows with transgender and gender non-binary programming as appropriate for children and young children, and doing so without providing this information to parents, thereby undermining the ability of parents to make informed choices for their families. Consistent with Congress’s vision for the ratings system, we seek comment on whether the industry’s approach is continuing to provide the information that is relevant to parents today.”

“Accordingly, we seek comment here on any changes that can or should be made to the current ratings system to ensure that it is responsive to the issues that parents confront today,” the FCC wrote.

The Public Notice also comments on how “how ratings can be applied consistently across broadcast, MVPDs, and streaming platforms” and asked for feedback on how the TVOMB operates.

“We seek comment on…regarding increased transparency of the TVOMB and accuracy of TV ratings, have been implemented…How does the TVOMB engage with the public and are the steps taken sufficient? Is the composition of the board sufficiently balanced to represent a broad range of stakeholders outside of the entertainment industry? What more could the board do to include family-oriented perspectives—which are not well represented in the media industry—in its ratings process? Should additional faith-based organizations be represented on the TVOMB?”

The full Public Notice can be accessed here.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has entered into consent decrees with several broadcasters that resolve a 2018 case relating to violations of rules governing children’s programming.

As part of recent orders and consent degrees issued between July 17 and 22, the FCC also agreed to renew the broadcast TV licenses for stations owned by MPS Media, Mercury Broadcasting, Second Generation of Iowa, Deerfield and Manhan Media, Waitt Broadcasting, New Age Media and GoCom Media.

The investigations stem from violations occurring between Nov. 10 and Dec, 16, 2018, when a commercial for “Hot Wheels Super Garage” was inadvertently aired 11 times during eight 30-minute-long episodes of “Team Hot Wheels.” The FCC found that this violated the Children’s Television Act of 1990 which, among other things, states that a program associated with a product, in which commercials for that product are aired, would be treated as a program-length commercial.

In 2022, the FCC levied $3.3 million in fines and September of 2024 the FCC has released a forfeiture order against 19 station groups covering 113 TV stations for a total $3,334,000 in fines for violations in the case.

The newest consent degrees follow a major settlement in late June of 2024 with Sinclair of various investigations, including violations of children's programming rules in the “Hot Wheels” case. In that settlement, Sinclair did not admit to wrongdoing but agreed to make a voluntary payment of $500,000 and to put systems in place to avoid future violations.

The FCC had initially levied a $2.652 million fine on Sinclair, which was opposed by then-commissioner Brendan Carr, a Republican appointee who is now FCC chair.

As part of the newest consent degrees issued between July 17 and 22, the FCC also agreed to renew the following broadcast licenses:

• Mercury Broadcasting Company, Inc., licensee of full-power television station KMTW, Hutchinson, Kan.
• MPS Media of Tennessee License, LLC, licensee of full-power television station WFLI-TV, Cleveland, Tenn.
• Second Generation of Iowa, LTD, licensee of full-power television station KFXA, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
• Waitt Broadcasting, Inc., licensee of full-power television station KMEG, Sioux City, Iowa.
• GoCom Media of Illinois, LLC, licensee of full-power television stationn WBUI, Decatur, Ill.
• Deerfield Media’s KBTV-TV in Port Arthur, Texas; KMYS in Kerrville, Texas; WHAM-TV in Rochester, N.Y.; WSTR-TV in Cincinnati; and Manhan Media’s WWHO, Chillicothe, Ohio.
• New Age Media’s WGFL in High Springs, Fla.; WOLF-TV in Hazleton, Pa.,;WQMY in Williamsport, Pa.; and W24DB-D, a Class A station operating as a translator of WOLF-TV.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters has filed a massive document with the Federal Communications Commission detailing rules that it would like the agency to delete or revise, with the complete abolition of national and local broadcast ownership rules topping its wish-list.

Earlier this year, the FCC has opened a docket called “Delete, Delete, Delete” seeking comments on rules that need to be eliminated as part of a larger deregulatory push. The action has prompted a massive response from industry organizations, non-profits and individuals, with over 880 comments filed by 3 pm on Monday April 14. It is currently the most active FCC docket on the agency’s site.

In the filing the NAB continued its full court press for eliminating national and local broadcast ownership rules. It repeated many familiar arguments against the rules, asserting that the antiquated limits no longer reflect the realities of the media landscape and make it impossible for broadcasters to effectively compete against more lightly regulated tech, social media and streaming companies.

It also reiterated arguments previously made by the NAB to sunset ATSC 1.0 broadcasts and reduce or modify regulations that might slow the transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.

Last week the FCC opened a separate docket seeing comments on the NAB’s NextGen TV filing that will examine its proposals and others.

“If there was ever a proceeding tailor-made for broadcasters, this is it,” the NAB wrote. “Due to history – broadcast stations were the first regulated entities placed under the FCC’s purview – and a general lack of will, to date, the Commission has consistently failed to modernize, let alone delete, delete, delete, the myriad antiquated and ineffective rules that apply only to the nation’s free, over-the-air broadcasters. Simply because the Commission has jurisdiction over many aspects of broadcasting but not over the nation’s Big Tech and streaming giants, the Commission has traditionally donned blinders and addressed nearly every purported communications-related public concern by regulating broadcasters alone. This is a major policy failure that NAB has long urged the FCC to correct."

“But now, with Delete, Delete, Delete, the Commission has an historic opportunity to correct course, bring rationality to its regulatory regime, and make television and radio broadcasting stronger and more competitive with unregulated national and global companies that gobble up content and advertising dollars, while ignoring the needs of local communities,” the filing said. “To be successful in this critical endeavor, however, the FCC’s first step must be eliminating the national TV ownership rule and local TV rules and adopting NAB’s comprehensive proposal for local radio ownership modernization.”

Other major requests included:

• The commission should eliminate or at the very least minimize reporting obligations that impose extraordinary paperwork burdens on broadcasters while generating little-to-no benefit to the public. As part of that FCC should minimize the burden of the online public file and public file requirements; eliminate the FCC’s expanded foreign sponsorship identification rules; eliminate the eliminate the biennial ownership report requirement; drop antiquated requirements that compel broadcasters to announce renewals or transfers of broadcast licenses
• The NAB also argued that the EEO rule is ripe for reexamination and should be substantially “cut back.” In addition, it argued that the FCC should eliminate the EEO audit process, eliminate Form 395-B filing requirements and eliminate other EEO compliance burdens.
• The filing argued that the FCC to eliminate outdated Children’s programming rules, which the NAB argued are unconstitutional and unnecessary given changes in the marketplace.
• Following up on another recent NAB filing, the group also urged the FCC to permit software-based EAS operations. As part of its EAS requests, the NAB also urged the FCC to terminate consideration of certain unnecessary EAS proposals and said the rule governing “False EAS Alerts is “overly broad and ambiguous."
• The filing also addressed what the NAB called “certain unnecessarily burdensome accessibility requirements." The NAB requested that its proposal to update the Audible Crawl Rule should be promptly granted by the FCC. It also argued that the requirement to publish a station employee’s contact information to receive closed captioning complaints is unnecessarily burdensome.
• In addition, the NAB argued that FCC should eliminate rules that are duplicative of other laws or otherwise are obsolete. Those include eliminating the contest rule, which the NAB said is duplicative of other laws that protect the public from deceptive contests and the FCC should eliminate technical definitions that no longer are used or relied upon in the rule.

The NAB also urged the FCC to get rid of its “News Distortion Policy” which the agency has recently been using to hold up the Paramount/Skydance merger and to investigate TV stations accused of “news distortion” relating to their coverage of Donald Trump during the campaign. The parent companies of those stations were subsequently sued by Donald Trump.

“As NAB recently explained in another proceeding, the news distortion policy does not pass legal and constitutional muster for several reasons,” the filing stated. “First, the policy is not based on any explicit statutory mandate and therefore it is questionable whether the FCC has authority to enforce it. Second, the policy is contrary to the public interest and the First Amendment. The news distortion policy impermissibly chills speech and discourages coverage of important public issues. It also places the Commission into the intrusive and constitutionally suspect role of scrutinizing program content and the editorial choices of broadcasters.”

More on those "news distortion" investigations by the FCC can be found here, here and here.

The full NAB filing can be found here.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The FCC has released a Forfeiture Order against 19 station groups covering 113 TV stations for a total $3,334,000 in fines for violations of rules regarding children’s programming. 

The Forfeiture Order, which rejected broadcasters arguments seeking to reduce penalties originally proposed in 2022, ordered that 19 different station groups pay fines ranging from $20,000 to $2.6 million.  That includes a $2,652,000 fine on Sinclair and $182,000 from Nexstar.  

The Order follows a lengthy investigation and a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) released on September 20, 2022,  in which the Commission found that the broadcasters’ multiple airings of a commercial for a Hot Wheels-themed toy during a Hot Wheels-themed television show fit within the Commission definition of a program-length commercial.

“After considering the responses to the NAL filed by the Respondent Broadcasters,  we find no reason to cancel, withdraw, or reduce the penalties proposed, and we hereby affirm the NAL and its proposed forfeitures for all the broadcasters subject to this Forfeiture Order,” the FCC noted in the Forfeiture Order that was adopted on August 14 and released Sept. 5. 

In a statement FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel argued that “the Children’s Television Act puts strict limits on advertising during kids’ programming.  There is no question these limits were crossed here, where broadcasters mixed toy commercials with programming and violated our rules.  This is laid out clearly in the underlying unanimous Notice of Apparent Liability that preceded this action. Here we follow through on that earlier effort with a virtually identical Forfeiture Order that involves 19 different station groups and 113 stations. This approach is consistent with our precedent and the principle that failure to follow the law must have consequences.”

Both Republican-appointed commissioners dissented. 

Commissioner Brendan Carr noted that “the forfeiture assessed in this Order may not seem large in the grand scheme. But it illustrates broader problems with the FCC’s approach to enforcement. If we do not fix them, the courts will.”  

Carr noted that “in this case, Sinclair aired a 30-minute children’s program titled Team Hot Wheels. As the name suggests, this is a children’s TV show based around Mattel’s Hot Wheels line of toys. Standing alone, Team Hot Wheels constitutes qualifying children’s programming under federal law and, as a general matter, broadcasting that program does not constitute a violation of any rules. Sinclair also aired a commercial advertisement for Hot Wheels toys.  Again, standing alone, there is no general FCC prohibition on broadcasting those types of commercials. The problem—and the violation in this case—arose because Sinclair combined the two.”

“At bottom, there is no question in this case that Sinclair exceeded the FCC’s limits on commercial material in children’s programming," Carr explained. " A technical error at its central facility caused the broadcaster to insert those ads for Hot Wheels toys during the kids’ show Team Hot Wheels. This happened 11 times over a single month in 2018.  After discovering this, Sinclair fixed the error and disclosed it to the Media Bureau. Ordinarily, the parties would have entered a consent decree and the licensee would have agreed to a penalty. After all, nobody disputes that a violation took place. But that is not what happened here.  Rather than settle what everyone understood to be a short-lived error, the FCC decided to throw the book and impose a forfeiture of $2,652,000.”

“Today’s $2.652 million penalty is not how any of this should work under the law,” Carr concluded. “Our enforcement practices are at a fork in the road after the Supreme Court’s latest string of administrative law decisions. As I’ve said before, it is time for the FCC to start the process of fundamentally reforming our enforcement practices—lest the courts step in, including in cases where bad actors deserve accountability. I think the days are numbered for FCC enforcement decisions that rest on stacked penalties, creative math, surprise standards, and extraneous behavioral conditions.”

The full Order with the commissioners statements is available here. 

WASHINGTON—For several years now cable operators have been arguing that the FCC needs to recognize the shift in children's video consumption from "'traditional linear television' to unregulated online programming," and deregulate accordingly.

The 1990 Children's Television Act set limits on ads in children's programming and the FCC in 2004 limited the display of website addresses during children's programming.

NCTA told the FCC this week, as it did back in 2018, that it was time to eliminate those restrictions.

Also: FCC's O'Rielly Says Kids TV Rules Have Not Produced Great TV

In a July 1 filing, in response to a request for comment on the FCC's upcoming report on the state of competition in the communications marketplace, NCTA said that video competition among MVPDs is "vibrant," and video regulation should reflect that.

It said that means that Congress' concerns--some 30 years ago--about a lack of competition to cable and potential anticompetitive conduct by cable--have been obviated by that robust competition, including from over-the-top video providers like Netflix.

NCTA suggested that children's regulations imposed on cable (and broadcast) but not over-the-top "artificially distort and suppress the proconsumer benefits of competition."

"[E]ntities that compete in the provision of like services should not face different public interest or customer service obligations, which is both arbitrary and capricious and skews the marketplace," NCTA said. "For example, the Commission should take a fresh look at its children’s television advertising rules, which should at the least be revised consistent with NCTA’s prior recommendations. None of the new online video providers that target children—such as YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon—are
burdened by FCC restrictions on advertising. This disparity negatively impacts competition in children’s television programming. This is particularly detrimental given that cable networks have invested countless hours and billions of dollars in developing trusted brands that serve the programming needs of parents and children."

And while not calling out program access and carriage regs by name as some others in need of jettisoning, NCTA might as well have. "[T]t is time for regulations premised on a lack of competition in the video marketplace to be repealed," NCTA also told the Commission in its advice on the upcoming competition report. 

This article originally appeared on TV Tech sister brand B+C.

OKAYAMA, Japan & NEW YORK CITY—Several new research studies suggest that excessive TV viewing can have adverse effects on both young children and older adults. 

A study in the Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology from researchers at Okayama University found that long hours in front of the television in children under 3 years of age produced increased eyesight concerns during later years.

Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that prolonged viewing of television and use of smart gadgets during early years can adversely affect a child's eyesight and behavioral development. 

The Okayama University study goes beyond that by providing scientific evidence based on a large Japanese government database covering 47,015 eligible children. They found that if children had high television exposure at the ages of 1.5 years or 2.5 years, parents showed significant concerns around their children's eyesight in later years. 

These results were consistent for children of both sexes and did not change based on such factors as a residential area or parents' education. 

The researchers also re-analyzed the responses of a smaller pool of participants—those who participated in all surveys conducted when the children were between 7 to 12 years of age—and found they confirmed the primary findings. 

"This nationwide population-based longitudinal study is the first to demonstrate that television-watching only in the earlier years of life, but not in the later years, leads to the later consequence of visual acuity problems at elementary school age," concluded Professor Matsuo Toshihiko and Professor Yorifuji Takashi in a statement. 

For the full article see: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10384-021-00831-x

Separately, HealthDay reported that three studies presented on May 21 at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Conference found that “middle-aged folks who regularly turn to TV for entertainment appear to have a greater risk of decline in their reasoning and memory later in life.”  

"I don't think it's necessarily the act of watching TV itself that is bad for brain health, but that it may potentially be a proxy measure of sedentary behavior," Priya Palta, an assistant professor of medical sciences and epidemiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City told Health Day. She is the lead researcher for one of the studies.

For the full article in HealthDay visit: https://consumer.healthday.com/5-20-too-much-tv-may-dull-the-aging-brain-2652987940.html

WASHINGTON—TV stations have more flexibility to air live local community events, including religious services, during typical children’s programming time slots for a limited window thanks to an FCC decision. 

This comes as two major religious holidays take place, Easter and Passover, and the ability to air religious services are meant to encourage people to stay home rather than go to live services as the U.S. practices social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

“By making it easier for local TV stations to broadcast religious services and rituals to the faithful in their homes, we can enable both social distancing and observance,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

The waiver allows local broadcasters to air important local community content in place of weekly, regularly scheduled children’s programming without the requirement that it be rescheduled, per the FCC. Stations will be required to inform viewers that children’s programming has been preempted and encourages stations to reschedule that programming, along with providing rescheduling info to viewers.

The waiver will remain in effect until April 30.

Easter was Sunday, April 12. Passover continues until Thursday, April 16.

WASHINGTON—Following the FCC’s recent update to children’s television programming rules, the commission has released a Small Entity Compliance Guide aimed at smaller TV stations and other organizations to help them comply with the revised rules.

The new KidVid rules, which officially went into effect on Sept. 16., cover how and when TV stations can air educational/informational programming. These changes include extending the time frame when children’s programming can air from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. to 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; allowing for programming to be aired on multicast OTA channels and count toward required hours; and more.

While these new rules are now in effect, reporting requirements for them must still get approval from the Office of Management and Budget.

That is an example of an element that is covered in this Compliance Guide, which also address implementation dates, internet links and other recordkeeping requirements.

However, the FCC reminds those using the Compliance Guide that it is not a catch-all for all situations, and while it can be used as a form of protection against potential violations, “this Guide is not intended to replace or supersede these rules.”

The full Small Entity Compliance Guide is available here.

Both commercial and government entities are taking a closer look at the rules and practices they employ for children’s programming.

The FCC this week asked for public input (aka Report & Order) regarding its children programming rules with a vote set for the commission’s July open meeting. Meanwhile, YouTube, after some recent controversial incidents, is considering its own rule changes to where it places kids’ content.

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly described the proposed changes in the R&O as “modest.” Among them are changes to the requirements for airing educational and informational children’s programming. This includes extending the time range for when E/I programming satisfies the required three-hours-per-week window (6 a.m.-10 p.m.); counting a limited number of non-regularly scheduled programming toward the three-hour total, though the majority still regularly scheduled programming; allowing a limited number of short-form programming; and more.

The order says these changes would provide “additional schedule flexibility, allow broadcasters to offer more diverse and innovative educational programming, and relieve unnecessary burdens on broadcasters, while also ensuring that high quality educational programming remains available to all children.”

The FNPRM, meanwhile, is seeking comments on a regime that would allow broadcasters to meet kid programming obligations by, in part, producing or funding programs that aired on another station in their markets.

Some, like the NAB, see these proposed rule changes as a necessary modernization. In an official statement, NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton said:

“NAB appreciates the efforts of Commissioner O’Rielly, Chairman Pai and FCC staff in crafting common-sense reform to children’s TV regulations long out of step with 21st century marketplace dynamics. Children today can watch video content anytime, anywhere and on any device. While NAB believes the record supports even further relief from KidVid rules, we appreciate the flexibility these revised rules will provide to broadcasters to better serve children, parents and our local communities.”

One of those new sources for children’s content that Wharton referenced is YouTube, which is reviewing some of its own procedures when it comes to such content. As The Wall Street Journal has reported, following some incidents where children were exposed to inappropriate content, the online video platform is looking at a couple of different options: one is moving all children’s content into the already existing YouTube Kids app; another is switching off a feature that automatically plays a new video after one has been completed for kids’ programming.

No decision has yet been made as to how YouTube will address these concerns and proposed changes. The FCC will hold a vote on the R&O on July 10.