On Friday, August 19th, I will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico to make a presentation on the FCC license renewal process for radio stations in Puerto Rico, Florida, and the US Virgin Islands. The seminar is being hosted by the Puerto Rico Radio Broadcasters Association (Asociacion de Radiodifusores de Puerto Rico). The seminar will be held at the El Zipperle restaurant on Ave. Roosevelt # 352 in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, starting at 8:00 AM with a welcoming breakfast. The FCC license renewal seminar will begin at 8:30 and after lunch there will be a presentation on the FCC’s emergency alert system (EAS) requirements. This is a very important seminar as the license renewal process is complicated and contains many new requirements than it did eight years ago.
The renewal applications must be filed with the FCC by no later than October 1, 2011. Every station must also begin broadcasting on-air announcements related to the upcoming renewal applications by no later than August 1, 2011. The text of the announcements is specifically written to provide listeners with required information about the station and the renewal process. The announcement must also be made in the primary language of the station.
In addition to filing the main license renewal application (FCC Form 303-S), you must also file an EEO Program Report (FCC Form 396) by October 1. Non-commercial stations also must file biennial ownership reports.
License renewal applications are filed once every eight (8) years, but are critically important. Failure to file a renewal application on time can result in significant fines and other penalties from the FCC. There have also been a number of changes to the FCC’s forms and procedures since your station’s last renewal applications were filed eight years ago.
If you have any questions about the seminar please contact the Puerto Rico Radio Broadcasters Association (Asociacion de Radiodifusores) at (787) 783-8810 or (787) 637-9273, and if you have any questions about the FCC license renewal process, or would like our assistance in preparing the required applications and announcements, please contact me as soon as possible at 703-812-0480 or montero@fhhlaw.com.
Francisco R. Montero
Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, P.L.C.
1300 North 17th Street
11th Floor
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Tel: 703-812-0480
Mobile: 202-841-6358
Fax: 703-812-0486
E-mail: montero@fhhlaw.com
Web site: www.fhhlaw.com
