FCC Sets Comment Dates on MVPD Notification Rule Changes

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WASHINGTON--The FCC has announced deadlines for the NPRM it issued last month that changes the method for cable and satellite TV providers to notify broadcast television stations from paper to electronic delivery.

Deadline for comments is Sept. 4, 2019 and reply comments, Sept. 19.

On July 10, the commission approved an NPRM that would allow cable and satellite TV providers to notify broadcast TV stations about must-carry or retransmission consent issues by email rather than traditional certified mail. The move was supported by most TV lobbyists, including the NAB, APTS and NCTA-The Internet and Television Association.

The NPRM also seeks comments on whether electronic notification should also be extended to LPTV without Class A status and certain noncommercial translator stations that don’t have FCC public record requirements. 

Tom Butts
Tom Butts

Tom has covered the broadcast technology market for the past 25 years, including three years handling member communications for the National Association of Broadcasters followed by a year as editor of Video Technology News and DTV Business executive newsletters for Phillips Publishing. In 1999 he launched digitalbroadcasting.com for internet B2B portal Verticalnet. He is also a charter member of the CTA's Academy of Digital TV Pioneers. Since 2001, he has been editor-in-chief of TV Tech (www.tvtech.com), the leading source of news and information on broadcast and related media technology and is a frequent contributor and moderator to the brand’s Tech Leadership events.