The Federal Communications Commission has released its final fee schedule which will fund its nearly $382 million budget. The increase of 8% is less than the 13% originally proposed to hit broadcasters.
The reason for the decrease in the increase had to do with the Commission removing the costs directed at broadcasters for 38 full-time employees who work on Universal Service Fund issues
Here’s a look at the fee schedule for the upcoming year. Broadcasters must pay the fees by Octobers 1st.
NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt responded, “NAB is very appreciative of the hard work and thoughtfulness shown by the Commissioners and their staffs to reduce the exorbitant increase broadcasters faced in the FCC’s draft regulatory fees order. We are also grateful to the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who voiced their opposition to overly burdensome regulatory fees that would jeopardize local broadcasters’ ability to provide local news, emergency information and community service to millions of Americans.
“Despite these important advances, there is more work to do. We hope the Notice of Inquiry serves as a springboard to a thorough modernization of the FCC’s regulatory fee methodology to ensure all parties that utilize and benefit from the Commission’s work pay their fair and appropriate share. It is no longer good enough to tinker around the edges. We remain committed to working with the FCC, lawmakers and stakeholders to create a regulatory fee structure that promotes fairness, parity and consistency.”
