FCC Holds Back on Enforcing Ownership Report Obligation
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has temporarily halted the biennial ownership report filing requirement for broadcast stations, providing a reprieve for licensees of full-power television, Class A television, low power television, AM radio, and FM radio stations [1][2][3]. This pause moves the next filing deadline to June 1, 2027, or until further notice.
The decision comes after feedback from broadcasters and industry groups in the FCC's ongoing "Delete, Delete, Delete" proceeding, where commenters argued that the biennial ownership reports impose significant regulatory burden with limited public benefit [1][3]. The suspension applies to both commercial and noncommercial radio stations, with the filing window for the previously due reports on December 1, 2025, now being postponed [1][2].
The FCC emphasized that other non-biennial ownership reporting requirements remain in effect. Broadcasters still must file ownership reports in situations such as after a construction permit is granted, license applications, or ownership transfers under Section 73.3615 [1][2]. This waiver reflects the FCC Media Bureau’s authority to temporarily waive the biennial filing requirement under its rules, similar to a prior waiver issued in 2009 [1][2].
The FCC's Media Bureau made this announcement regarding the review of obsolete broadcast rules at its August open meeting, where it also revealed its intention to review 98 obsolete broadcast rules and requirements for potential repeal [1][8]. The rules being reviewed include those that reference transmission-related rules from long ago [9].
Broadcasters are reminded that the ownership report for commercial stations is Form 323, and for noncommercial stations, it is Form 323-E [7]. The details of these rules and requirements, as well as the Media Bureau's public notice on the biennial ownership report waiver, are available for viewing [5][6].
[1] FCC Media Bureau Announces Review of Obsolete Broadcast Rules at August Open Meeting. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-media-bureau-announces-review-obsolete-broadcast-rules-august-open-meeting [2] FCC Grants Temporary Waiver of Biennial Ownership Report Filing Requirements for Broadcast Stations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-grants-temporary-waiver-biennial-ownership-report-filing-requirements-broadcast [3] FCC Seeks Comment on Proposed Biennial Ownership Report Waiver for Broadcast Stations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-proposed-biennial-ownership-report-waiver-broadcast-stations [4] FCC's August Open Meeting Agenda Includes Review of 98 Obsolete Broadcast Rules for Potential Repeal. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-s-august-open-meeting-agenda-includes-review-98-obsolete-broadcast-rules-potential [5] FCC's Media Bureau Public Notice on the Biennial Ownership Report Waiver. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-s-media-bureau-public-notice-biennial-ownership-report-waiver [6] Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/federal-communications-commission-fcc-rules-and-requirements [7] FCC Form 323 and FCC Form 323-E. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-form-323-and-fcc-form-323-e [8] FCC's Media Bureau Announces Review of Obsolete Broadcast Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-s-media-bureau-announces-review-obsolete-broadcast-rules [9] FCC's August Open Meeting to Review 98 Obsolete Broadcast Rules for Potential Repeal. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-s-august-open-meeting-to-review-98-obsolete-broadcast-rules-for-potential-repeal
- The FCC's suspension of the biennial ownership reporting requirement applies to both commercial and noncommercial radio stations, affecting media businesses that operate AM radio, FM radio, and television stations.
- In the wake of the FCC's decision, media finance groups will need to take note of the postponed filing window for the previously due reports on December 1, 2025, as the new deadline moves to June 1, 2027, or until further notice.
