Fighting Unfairly High Regulatory Fees

In August, the FCC released its regulatory fee order addressing NAB's longstanding concern that the regulatory fee methodology unfairly forces broadcasters to subsidize work performed on behalf of other industries.

• At NAB's urging, the FCC began reallocating a portion of costs to other industries that benefit directly from the commission's work, resulting in significantly lower costs for broadcasters and collectively saving stations $7 million.
• Small radio broadcasters below the de minimis level, including all those serving populations of less than 10,000, will be exempt from paying regulatory fees.
• "This year's order is a significant step toward ensuring all parties benefitting from the FCC's work pay their fair share," said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.

Why it matters:

Overly burdensome regulatory fees impact local broadcasters' ability to deliver the trusted local news, information and entertainment viewers and listeners rely on each day.