Media Contact: 
Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165
janice.wise@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC MODERNIZES BROADCAST CARRIAGE ELECTION NOTICE RULES 

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today voted to update its carriage election notice rules.  Under the new rules, broadcasters need only send carriage election notices to multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) when first electing carriage or changing their carriage election status from must carry to retransmission consent or vice versa.  These notices will be sent by email and will be posted in a broadcaster’s online public inspection file (OPIF).  This approach will replace the current regulatory framework, in which a broadcast station typically must send a paper notice via certified mail to MVPDs, including each individual cable system, every three years, regardless of whether its carriage election changes.  

To facilitate this new approach, the Commission also will require MVPDs to upload email and phone contact information to either the Cable Operations and Licensing System database or to their OPIF.  

The Commission also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, asking whether and how the modernized framework described in this Order should be extended to certain broadcasters and MVPDs that do not use the Commission databases referenced in this Order. Today’s action continues the Commission’s effort to modernize its media regulations.       

Action by the Commission July 10, 2019 by Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 19-69).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, Rosenworcel, and Starks approving.  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly and Rosenworcel issuing separate statements.

MB Docket Nos. 17-317, 17-105

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

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. Cir. 1974).