FCC Announces Extension of the Biennial Broadcast Ownership Report Filing Deadline

The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") has announced in an order published on September 17, 2019 that it will delay the filing deadline to January 31, 2020, for broadcast ownership reports (two months later than the original deadline). This applies to licensees of commercial and noncommercial AM, FM, TV, Class A, and Low Power Television (LPTV) stations, as well as entities with attributable interests in such stations. The purpose of shifting the filing window is to allow the FCC time to make the appropriate improvements to the Form 323/323-E report as it relates to the electronic filing system. The Order also delays the opening of the window to file biennial ownership reports from October 1, 2019 to November 1, 2019.

Filers take note, the new FCC Order does not shift the required "as-of" date of the information reported on Form 323/323-E biennial ownership reports. The information reported on this form must still reflect ownership interests existing on October 1, 2019.

This order will provide filers with additional time to prepare their forms, as has been the case for past years' filing of biennial ownership reports. If any questions arise, remember to contact your counsel.