The FCC has issued a Public Notice stating that stations will not be required to file Form 395-B by the usual September 30 deadline this year. According to the notice, the FCC will allow broadcasters “ample time to implement the necessary data collection processes” before the first filing deadline, though it did not confirm if the initial filing will be delayed until September 30, 2025.
However, given that the rule requires stations to report employee data based on a two-week pay period in July, August, or September, it seems unlikely that stations would be asked to establish data collection processes in December and then retroactively gather data from the previous summer. Therefore, we remain hopeful that a court decision will be reached before the FCC moves forward with its employment data collection requirements.
Click the link below for a copy of the official Public Notice.