Media Contact: 
Janice Wise (202) 418-8165
janice.wise@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC EXPANDS ONLINE PUBLIC FILE REQUIREMENT TO MOVE CABLE, 
RADIO, AND SATELLITE PUBLIC FILES ONLINE
WASHINGTON, January 28, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules to 
require cable operators, satellite television (DBS) providers, and broadcast radio and satellite radio 
licensees to post their public and political files to the FCC’s online public inspection file database.  
The Commission adopted online public file rules for broadcast television licensees in 2012, moving 
television public files online to a central, Commission-hosted database rather than maintaining files 
locally at their main studios. TV broadcasters completed their transition to the online file in July 2014. 
Modernizing the filing process made it easier for consumers to access information about their broadcast 
services without having to travel to the station’s main studio and reduced the cost of broadcaster 
compliance. 
The rules adopted today extend the online file to these additional entities and include a number of 
measures to minimize the effort and cost associated with moving the public files online. Specifically, the 
rules adopted today:
? Require entities to upload to the online file only public file documents that are not 
already on file with the Commission or maintained by the Commission in its own 
database; the Commission will include in the online file documents already on file with 
the Commission;
? Exempt existing political file material from the online file requirement and require that 
political file documents be uploaded only on a going-forward basis, consistent with the 
approach taken in the television transition;
? Exempt cable systems with fewer than 1,000 subscribers from all online file 
requirements, as these systems have few public file requirements and are not required to 
maintain a political file; 
? Delay for two years the requirement to upload new political file material to the online file 
for cable systems with between 1,000 and 5,000 subscribers, similar to the approach 
taken toward smaller television stations in the television transition;
? With respect to radio broadcasters, impose the online file requirement initially only on 
commercial stations in the top 50 Nielsen Audio markets with 5 or more full-time 
employees while delaying for two years all mandatory online public file requirements for 
other radio stations;
? Permit entities that are temporarily exempt from part or all online public file 
requirements to upload material to the online file voluntarily before the delayed effective 
date of their online file requirement;
? Permit entities that have fully transitioned to the online public file to cease maintaining a 
local public file, as long as they provide online access to back-up political file material 
via the entity’s own website if the FCC’s online file database becomes temporarily 
unavailable.
Today’s action furthers the Commission’s effort to modernize the way consumers are able to access 
information about a station’s or other video program provider’s programming, operations, and compliance 
with the FCC’s rules, including candidate requests for political advertising time.  Public inspection files 
have been maintained for decades at the local station, cable office, or DBS or satellite radio headquarters 
office.  The Commission’s online database makes these files easier to access, reducing consumer time and 
expense as well as the long-term costs for government and the private sector.  The new rules would not 
impose new or modified public file requirements, with some streamlining exceptions.
The public file database is available on the Commission’s website at https://stations.fcc.gov/.  
Action by the Commission January 28, 2016 by Report and Order (FCC 16-004). Chairman Wheeler and 
Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, and O'Rielly approving and issuing separate statements. 
Commissioner Pai approving in part and concurring in part and issuing separate statement.
MB Docket No. 14-127
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Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission 
order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).