FCC Won't Move Before August, Broadcaster Reg Fee Relief on Table, Pai Tells NAB
The FCC could move to its new headquarters in August (see 2005010052), but not sooner, Chairman Ajit Pai said in an interview with NAB President Gordon Smith Wednesday to kick off NAB Express, the group’s virtual replacement for the postponed…
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NAB Show. FCC staff needs “plenty of time” to pack up their offices, and time is also needed to make the new building ready, Pai said. The new HQ is Sentinel Square III, at 90 K St. NE, near Union Station in Washington. Smith told Pai that broadcast advertising has been crippled by COVID-19. “Broadcasters are confronting plummeting advertising sales and enormous operational challenges,” said Smith in a keynote. Smith said there’s bipartisan support in Congress for initiatives to allow stations to apply for forgivable loans and to direct federal advertising to local media. The chairman responded he’s open to suggestions for how the FCC can provide relief for broadcasters, possibly by some action on regulatory fees. Pai made similar comments last month (see 2004230046). “Let us know how we can advocate for you,” Pai told Smith. An item on regulatory fees approved by commissioners 5-0 earlier Wednesday seeks comment on possible COVID-19 relief measures (see 2005130057). Any action the FCC could take to waive fees would be appreciated, Smith said. Pai deflected questions from Smith about when he plans to leave the chairmanship or what he might seek to do after --- Pai joked that he could seek to replace TV host “Judge Judy” or Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.