United States: Broadcasting: Film, TV & Radio

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Article
FCC Eliminates National Television Audience Reach Cap
The Federal Communications Commission has eliminated the National Television Audience Reach Cap, which previously prevented entities from owning broadcast TV stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. households. The agency will now conduct case-by-case public interest reviews of transactions that would have exceeded this threshold, fundamentally changing how broadcast television consolidation is evaluated.
United States Media & IT
WR
Wiley Rein
Article
Nationwide EAS Test Coming November 17, 2026
FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on November 17, 2026, requiring participation from all radio and television stations, cable systems, and satellite services. EAS Participants must file three separate forms through the EAS Test Reporting System, with specific deadlines ranging from October 30, 2026, through January 2027. Certain translator and repeater stations are exempt from the registration and filing requirements.
United States Media & IT
WR
Wiley Rein
Article
Fourth Circuit Rejects FCC Effort To Shield Bureau-Level Decisions From Judicial Review And Sets Aside “Lowest Unit Charge” Rate Guidance
A federal appeals court has ruled that FCC Bureau-level decisions can be judicially reviewed even without full Commission action, while simultaneously striking down guidance that would have expanded mandatory discounted advertising rates beyond candidates to include joint fundraising committees and political party coordinated expenditures. The decision challenges the FCC's increasing practice of delegating substantive policy decisions to its Bureaus while shielding those decisions from immediate judicial sc
United States Media & IT
MB
Mayer Brown
Article
Reminder: Broadcasters Must Comply By June 7 With Expanded FCC Foreign Government-Sponsored Programming Rules
Broadcasters face a critical June 7, 2026 deadline to comply with expanded Federal Communications Commission rules governing the identification of foreign government-sponsored programming. These enhanced regulations extend beyond traditional programming to encompass political issue advertising and paid public service announcements, while introducing new certification requirements and documentation procedures.
United States Media & IT
WR
Wiley Rein
Article
Franchise IP’s New Frontier: Legal Issues In The Rise Of Immersive Entertainment
Immersive, venue-based adaptations of film and TV franchises are creating unsettled legal questions about copyright classification, rights grants, and compensation structures. Using The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere as an example, this analysis explores whether these spatial experiences constitute mere exhibition or transformative derivative works, and examines the implications for legacy IP, talent rights, guild obligations, and the emergence of immersive entertainment as a distinct distribution window.
United States IP
SM
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Article
FCC Seeks Comment On Ways To Further Unleash American Drone Dominance
On April 1, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released a Public Notice (DA 26-314) seeking comment on ways in which it can unleash American drone dominance through enabling American unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and anti-drone defense systems (Counter-UAS). This Public Notice follows the Commission’s action in December 2025 that added all foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components to the FCC’s Covered List.
United States Media & IT
AG
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
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