Broadcasting Regulation

Broadcasters are regulated by the Mass Media Buruea, which, under Title III of the Communications Act, focuses on licensing in the "public interest." Wireless telecommunications services, e.g., cellular carriers, also are regulated under Title III, but they fall under the purview of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and cable systems are regulated, under Title VI of the Communications Act, by the Cable Services Bureau. Because of "technological convergence," the distinctions between services based on the delivery technology used are breaking down. Today there are some firms that act like broadcasters, mostly, but transmit by wire, e.g., cable television, and there are companies that act like common carriers, but transmit on radio, e.g., cellular and PCS carriers. This convergence has has begun to undermine any coherence that ever existed in the FCC's regulatory structure.

Media Bureau Divisions

Audio Division:

The Audio Division licenses commercial and noncommercial educational AM, FM, Low Power FM, FM Translator and FM Booster broadcast services. The Division provides legal analysis of broadcast, technical and engineering radio filings and recommends appropriate disposition of applications, requests for waivers and other pleadings.

Video Division:

The Video Division licenses commercial and noncommercial educational TV, Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV translators and TV Booster broadcast services. The Division provides legal and technical analysis of applications and recommends appropriate disposition of applications, requests for waivers and other pleadings.

Policy Division:

The Policy Division conducts proceedings concerning broadcast, cable and post-licensing Direct Broadcast Satellite issues, including the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, Over-the-Air-Reception Devices, digital transition, customer premises equipment, access to programming and distribution platforms and other related matters. It also facilitates competition in the multichannel video programming marketplace by resolving carriage and other complaints involving access to facilities as well as petitions for findings of effective competition. In addition, the Division administers the FCC’s programs for political broadcasting and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) matters.

Industry Analysis Division:

The Industry Analysis Division conducts and participates in proceedings regarding media ownership and the economic aspects of existing and proposed rules and policies. The Division reviews license transfers that implicate significant policy issues. The Division collects, compiles, analyzes and develops reports on relevant industry and market data and information, including preparing the annual report to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming.

Engineering Division:

The Engineering Division conducts technical reviews of media related matters. The Division processes Cable Television Relay Service (CARS) applications, special relief and show cause petitions involving technical matters, and requests for rulings on technical matters and requests for waivers of the rules. The Division processes signal leakage performance reports filed by cable system operators, analyzes aeronautical frequency usage data and takes appropriate action to ensure compliance with FCC requirements.

Office of Communication Industry Information

The Office of Communications and Industry Information, in coordination with the Office of Legislative Affairs, responds to inquiries from Members of Congress and their staffs, prepares material for FCC personnel participating in Congressional hearings and meetings, and provides analysis of legislative proposals concerning specific matters within the jurisdiction of the Media Bureau. The Office also distributes official Bureau decisions and reports and processes FOIA requests.

Management & Resources Staff:

The Management and Resources staff oversee the direction of Bureau-wide management and administrative programs, including personnel management, budget formulation and execution, information technology management, and administrative support services.