FCC Issues Feb. 28 Extension for Several Required January Online Filings

posted on 1.30.2023

The FCC has released a Public Notice with new filing deadline of Feb. 28 for stations needing to upload the Issues and Programs List (typically due Jan. 10) and Children’s Commercial Limits Records (typically due Jan. 30). 

The commission also granted the Feb. 28 extension to stations needing to file their Annual Children’s Programming Report (typically due Jan. 30) using the FCC’s Licensing Management System (LMS).

The LMS filing automatically updates the station’s OPIF in the case of this one report.  

The move comes after the FCC announced an extension in early January to upload certain documents to the station Online Public Inspection File (OPIF). 

Since the beginning of 2023, stations across the U.S. reported significant filing issues with the FCC’s OPIF and other FCC electronic data systems.

“Given the technical difficulties that have plagued the OPIF and LMS all month, along with the fact that many broadcasters will be trying to make two months' worth of FCC filings in the last few days leading up to February 28, broadcasters are well advised to do all that they can to avoid being part of that last minute filing crush,” said Laurie Flick, a partner with TAB’s FCC legal counsel Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. 

“Of course, that will require the Commission's filing systems to cooperate.” 

The commission noted that “while we are extending OPIF and LMS filing deadlines, we encourage licensees to file all documents as soon as practicable.”

Maintaining the Station 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 Laurie and Scott Flick, as well as Jessica Nyman, of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, it was updated just last September.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.
 

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