In September 2023 — as Anna Gomez settled into the fifth Commissioner seat — the radio industry wondered, “Where is radio on the FCC’s priority list?” Sure, the 2018 Quadrennial Review would have to be dealt with, but otherwise, it looked like broadband issues, net neutrality, and ATSC 3.0 would be Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s main focus.
Oh, the difference eight months can make.
The FCC has been fast and furious in putting a full Commission to use to weigh in on radio issues old and new, including:
- Support for AM radio as a conduit of national safety
- The approval of FM geotargeting
- Radio ownership deregulation
- The literal definition of “localism” in broadcasting (and how to reward it)
- Foreign group ownership
- The restructuring of one of America’s largest broadcasters
- Aggressive anti-piracy actions
- The return of Form 395-B and stringent EEO monitoring
- Publicly questioning the Main Studio Rule elimination
- Raising digital radio power
When it feels like anything and everything could be placed on the table (and that’s not even mentioning the volatility a contentious, politically charged election throws into the mix), what’s next?
These topics and more will be addressed at the Hispanic Radio Conference’s annual Washington Update. Get to this panel early — this session will be wall-to-wall with crucial info and coverage from Washington, DC, delivered straight to San Antonio via our panel of legal eagles, policy wonks, and broadcasters.
Early bird pricing won’t last much longer! Don’t miss out on saving hundreds!
Meet The Panel
Moderator: Frank Montero is a Partner with the law firm of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, specializing in telecommunications, broadcasting, media, and technology.
Ben Downs is General Manager of a group of 11 radio stations in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
Paula Maes spent almost 30 years in broadcasting before becoming president of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association, a position she has held for over 20 years.
Matt Martinez, President at SDC Broadcasting Co., Inc., has been a New Mexico broadcaster for over 24 years, with four radio stations in Las Vegas, NM, and one in Albuquerque.
Alfredo Plascencia, President/CEO of Lazer Media since 1991, has grown the group from a single station to a network of 48 stations in 20 markets across California and in Reno, NV.
About the Hispanic Radio Conference
Celebrating 15 years, the Hispanic Radio Conference is an annual opportunity for in-person networking and sharing ideas in a multi-platform, multicultural world. For more information about the conference, which takes place on June 12-13 in San Antonio, visit the Hispanic Radio Conference website.
