FCC Extends January Public File Deadlines to Jan. 31
posted on 1.09.2023- Affects Quarterly Issues/Programs List+
Broadcast stations across the U.S. this year have reported significant problems with using various FCC electronic filing systems, notably, the Online Public Inspection File (OPIF) system.
That’s a major issue for stations seeking to timely file required documents due in January, including this week’s filing of the Quarterly Issues/Programs list due by Jan. 10.
In a public notice released last Friday, the FCC recognized those issues and extended the deadline for filing the Quarterly Issues/Programs list and all other items required to be placed in the file between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31.
The new deadline is Jan. 31.
The FCC noted that while it was “extending OPIF filing deadlines, we encourage licensees to file all documents as soon as practicable.”
Attorney Lauren Lynch Flick with TAB’s FCC counsel Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, said the extension also impacts television stations’ 2022 annual certification of compliance with the commercial limits in children’s programming, which would normally be due on Jan. 30.
Flick notes that the extension does not affect the filing deadline for television stations’ 2022 Annual Children’s Television Programming Report due on Jan. 30, because that filing is submitted via the FCC’s Licensing and Management System and then is automatically transferred into the OPIF.
“Accordingly, television stations should be sure to file that report by the normal Jan. 30 deadline,” Flick said.
Maintain Your Station’s OPIF
If you have questions concerning this report and/or other elements of maintain your station’s OPIF, an
advisory on the public file is available in the Members section of www.tab.org.
Prepared by Flick and other Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman attorneys, it was updated last September and is an excellent resource for stations.
Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.
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