Fcc Advances Eas Reform Dirs Update Broadcast Rule Repeal

As expected, the FCC advanced several items impacting broadcasters at its August Open Meeting, including reform of the Emergency Alert System, modernization of the Disaster Information Reporting System, and the elimination of nearly 100... The proceedings are part of the broader “Build America” agenda presented by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who described these changes as essential to “clearing the way for new infrastructure builds” while keeping emergency communications... The Commission formally adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reexamine both EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts, with a focus on improving resilience, clarity, and accessibility. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Zenji Nakazawa introduced the item, which asks whether EAS and WEA systems are meeting the expectations of both the public and alert originators, and whether a redesign... Commissioner Anna Gomez emphasized the need to modernize these systems in response to recent scenarios, like tsunami threats in Hawaii and Alaska, particularly language requirements. “As we look ahead at how to improve our alerting capabilities, I urge others to continue to hold this FCC accountable to its promise to ensure more people are reached in an emergency, regardless...

Commissioner Olivia Trusty added that lessons from recent flooding events in Texas, Kentucky, and North Carolina demonstrate the urgency of delivering timely, targeted alerts. The Federal Communications Commission voted at its August 7 open meeting to eliminate 98 broadcast rules and requirements identified as “obsolete, outdated or unnecessary,” continuing an aggressive deregulation effort that has removed hundreds of... The action removes broadcast service regulations spanning nearly five decades, including 1970s-era requirements for specific radio station testing equipment and procedures for defunct technologies like analog television services and obsolete TV subscription systems. “We take aim today at the broadcast service rules portion of our regulations and remove those provisions that are outdated or otherwise no longer serving the public interest,” Chairman Brendan Carr said during the... “Specifically, today’s action will remove 71 rule provisions, including 98 rules and requirements, 12 pages, and over 5,000 words from the FCC’s rule books.” The Commission used a direct final rule procedure that allows regulation removal without traditional notice-and-comment rulemaking, provided no significant adverse comments are received during a public comment period.

This streamlined approach enabled rapid elimination of rules but has drawn procedural concerns from Commissioner Anna Gomez. “The procedures implemented last month and used again today to erase rules adopted pursuant to notice and comment were put in place without seeking public comment on appropriate processes and guardrails,” Gomez wrote in... “I cannot support the elimination of substantive rules pursuant to these procedures.” The August, 2025 FCC Open Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025. This is one of the largest agendas for an Open Meeting that we have ever seen. This agenda does include some items that do impact radio and television broadcasting, which we will explain further in this report.

The FCC has released circulation drafts at this time. Until any of these items are adopted at the open meeting, these are not yet set in stone, including the rule changes that will result. The items that have little to no impact to broadcasting that are on the agenda include: Revamping NEPA Review to Accelerate Infrastructure Development. The FCC is considering a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would examine whether the FCC’s environmental rules comport with the amended National Environmental Policy Act, accelerate the federal permitting process, further a national... Streamlining Space Bureau Reviews.

The FCC will consider a Second Report and Order (R&O) that advances opportunities in the space economy to expedite the application process for space and earth stations, removing barriers for modifications and to remove... As expected, the FCC advanced several items impacting broadcasters at its August Open Meeting, including reform of the Emergency Alert System, modernization of the Disaster Information Reporting System, and the elimination of nearly 100... The proceedings are part of the broader “Build America” agenda presented by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who described these changes as essential to “clearing the way for new infrastructure builds” while keeping emergency communications... The Commission formally adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reexamine both EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts, with a focus on improving resilience, clarity, and accessibility. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Zenji Nakazawa introduced the item, which asks whether EAS and WEA systems are meeting the expectations of both the public and alert originators, and whether a redesign... Commissioner Anna Gómez emphasized the need to modernize these systems in response to recent scenarios, like tsunami threats in Hawaii and Alaska, particularly language requirements.

“As we look ahead at how to improve our alerting capabilities, I urge others to continue to hold this FCC accountable to its promise to ensure more people are reached in an emergency, regardless... Commissioner Olivia Trusty added that lessons from recent flooding events in Texas, Kentucky, and North Carolina demonstrate the urgency of delivering timely, targeted alerts. As expected, the FCC advanced several items impacting broadcasters at its August Open Meeting, including reform of the Emergency Alert System, modernization of the Disaster Information Reporting System, and the elimination of nearly 100... A leaner Top 25 Station Group ranking this year sees groups holding steady positions on the eve of likely deregulation and an M&A flurry to follow. Gary Baxter’s G Baxter Entertainment has filed a $1 million deal to buy sports “ESPN Central Texas” KRZI (1660) and classic country “Kicker 1590” KBHT from M&M Broadcasters. Paramount Global and Skydance Media have finally reached the end of their long and winding merger road, announcing the close of their $8.4 billion combination and opening a new chapter for Hollywood.

It was a footnote to the reporting regarding a deal being done. It could, in time, become a headline.

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