Bryan TV station fined $3k for missing reports

The FCC has fined Centex Television Limited Partnership, licensee of Class A television station KRHD-CD Bryan, $3,000 for failing to file with the commission the station's Children's Television Programming Reports.

Section 73.3526(e)(11)(iii) of the FCC’s rules requires each commercial broadcast licensee to maintain a public inspection file containing specific types of information related to station operations including  preparing and placing in the file a Children’s Television Programming Report (FCC Form 398) for each calendar quarter reflecting the efforts that the station made during that quarter to serve the educational and informational needs of children.

The rule also requires TV licensees to file the reports with the FCC and to publicize for the public the existence and location of the reports.

On March 31, 2011, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued a letter to Centex saying it failed to make the required Form 398 electronic filings for KRHD-CD for all four quarters of 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The letter required Centex to provide information, identifying the quarters in 2008, 2009, and 2010 for which a Children’s Television Programming Report was prepared and placed in KRHD’s public inspection file, and the location of the file.

The letter also required Centex to provide information regarding the certification made in FCC File No. BLDTA-20100520AAO that the station complied with all Part 73 requirements that are applicable to Class A stations.

On April 29, 2011, Centex filed a response acknowledging that it inadvertently failed to prepare and file its Children’s Television Programming Reports with the FCC for each of the four quarters of 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Centex explained that during this period of time, KRHD aired the required amount of children’s programming, and timely prepared and placed the required reports in its public inspection file located at the station’s main studio.

Centex said the filing oversight had been corrected and the missing reports had been filed with the FCC.

In its Notice of Apparent Liability, the FCC noted that Centex had acknowledged the error and the commission issued a $3,000 forfeiture to be paid within 30 days of issuance of the NAL.