By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable Online, 6-21-18
The FCC is tentatively proposing to eliminate a number of children’s TV rules, and seeks comment on changing others, tentatively concluding that educational and informational programming does not have to be at least a half-hour in length and regularly scheduled.
The agency also proposes cutting the frequency of kids TV reports to the FCC from quarterly to annually.That is according to a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) released by the FCC Thursday (June 21) for a July 12 vote. The NPRM seeks comment on whether there still needs to be a three-hour-per-week mandate and whether the hours in the day when programming qualifies as filling the requirement should be expanded.
Other suggested changes include potentially allowing broadcasters to fulfill their children’s educationald and informational programming requirements with off-air efforts or “special sponsored efforts,” and whether to allow Media Bureau staffers to approve license renewals of stations who opt for that route, rather than requiring a full commission vote. » Read More