Entercom CEO David Field told FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Brendan Carr he’s concerned proposed modifications to low-power FM technical rules could increase congestion on the FM dial (see 1907310044) and he supported the upcoming media modernization item to eliminate broadcaster notices in newspapers (see 1909030057), said filings on meetings last week posted in docket 18-349 Tuesday. Field also supported NAB's proposal to deregulate radio ownership (see 1905300018).

Opening the 2019 biennial filing window for broadcast ownership reports using FCC Form 323 was postponed from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, and will extend until Jan. 31 instead of Dec. 1, said a Media Bureau public notice on docket 07-294 Tuesday. That "will ensure sufficient time to properly implement additional technical improvements” to filing system, the PN said.

Deadlines for Entertainment Media Trust to respond to inquiries from the FCC Enforcement Bureau and other parties in its case are suspended until Administrative Law Judge Jane Halprin rules on EMT’s request for a stay, Halprin said in an order posted in docket 19-156 Thursday. EMT’s stay request is based on its having filed for bankruptcy (see 1909030061). “If the requested stay is not ultimately granted, the Presiding Judge intends to establish a new due date for EMT to file its responses,” she said.

Nexstar buying Tribune would harm localism and should be denied, Common Cause told an aide to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks in a meeting Friday, said a filing posted in docket 19-30 Wednesday. The deal -- expected to be approved this week (see 1909040035) -- would also give Nexstar increased bargaining power over retransmission consent negotiations, the group said: “These harms run contrary to the Commission’s goals of promoting localism, diversity, and competition.”

WRNN License Co. wants the FCC to modify the market for WRNN-TV New Rochelle, New York, to include communities served by Altice in several New York and New Jersey counties, said a petition for special relief posted in docket 12-1 Wednesday. WRNN recently relocated within the New York designated market area as part of a channel sharing agreement, “resulting in a material change to the service it provides,” the petition said. Altice has historically carried WRNN’s channel sharing partner WWOR-TV Secaucus, the petition said.

The FCC Media Bureau and Office of Managing Director revoked the license of Shelley Broadcasting (SBC) of Montgomery, Alabama, over close to $10,000 in unpaid fees dating to 2008, said a revocation order released Tuesday. It deleted the call sign of Shelley’s AM WGEA Geneva. Staff gave SBC 60 days in June to pay the fees or show why it couldn’t (see 1906060034). The company said it couldn’t pay due to an IRS tax refund owed to the broadcaster’s owners since 1987, the order said. Evidence about the tax refund doesn’t show why Shelley can’t make good, it said: “SBC has provided no documentary evidence that SBC itself is financially unable to pay.”

The FCC Media Bureau will add more applications to the licensing management system (LMS) that were originally accessed through the consolidated database system (CDBS), said a public notice in Tuesday’s Daily Digest. The forms include construction permit and license applications for FM, low-power FM and translator stations. Starting Sept. 25, those forms will no longer be available on the CDBS, and accessible only on LMS, the PN said. “The Bureau will be adding more filing schedules to LMS on an ongoing basis.”

NAB completed purchase of its new headquarters (see 1606200050) at the Capital Riverfront, the trade group confirmed. The 130,000 square-foot building at 1 M St. SE was purchased for $62.76 million. NAB expects to move there in 2020; its sold its current HQ in January. "YOUR RETRANS DOLLARS AT WORK," responded Ted Hearn, spokesperson for frequent NAB retransmission consent opponent America's Communications Association.

Nexstar has “defrauded” and “made deliberate misrepresentations” to the FCC about its conduct toward Marshall Broadcasting Group, MBG CEO Pluria Marshall said in a supplemental filing to its June complaint against Nexstar seeking a hearing designation order. Marshall argues Nexstar exerted undue control over stations it divested to Marshall in 2014. MBG sued Nexstar over similar allegations in April (see 1904030071). Nexstar held onto revenue streams from the stations it sold to MBG, charged Marshall excess fees, and tried to renege on a promised credit extension, the supplement said, with no docket and released Monday. “The damages caused by Nexstar’s actions have undermined MBG’s ability to operate its stations independently.” Nexstar should be “subject to the severest level of FCC disciplinary action,” the supplement said. Nexstar didn’t comment. The FCC is expected to soon approve the company buying Tribune (see 1909060045).

Commissioners proposed a $272,000 CBS fine for broadcasting simulated emergency alert system tones during a 2018 episode of the sitcom Young Sheldon, said a notice of apparent liability and release Monday. “The episode included a sound effect accompanying a tornado warning, which the producers modified, but still audibly resembled actual EAS tones,” the release said. CBS argued “no reasonable viewer” would have mistaken the depiction for an actual EAS tone, but the FCC found that argument “unconvincing,” the NAL said. “The issue is whether the program included actual or simulated EAS Tones -- even if only for a few moments.” The agency recently fined several networks and broadcasters for similar violations and issued an advisory (see 1908150045). The Young Sheldon episode aired on “at least” 227 TV stations, including 15 CBS owned-and-operated stations, the release said. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks -- a former Enforcement Bureau official -- would supported further violations against CBS. “I also would have supported a finding of apparent violations of section 325(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, prohibiting false distress communications,” Starks said. “Should broadcasters continue to run afoul of the clear and simple requirements imposed upon them by the Act and our Rules regarding the use of EAS tones, I would welcome additional enforcement.” CBS didn’t comment.