Federal Register #2026-21808

FCC rule eases closed-captioning filings for qualifying video programmers

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a final rule easing certain closed-captioning compliance filings for qualifying video programmers. - Government agency: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); no sub-agency or office is identified. - Opportunity type: Regulatory rulemaking, not a procurement or contract award. No vendors or OEMs are named, and no products or services are requested. - Key requirements: - Video programmers whose programming is carried exclusively on PEG channels exempt from captioning requirements are relieved from registration and certification. - Providers serving non-exempt PEG channels may be relieved from filing when the channel administrator certifies compliance or exemption. - Providers carried on nonbroadcast networks may be relieved from certification when the network certifies its exemption or that all programming in its linear lineup is exempt or compliant. - Estimated impact: The FCC estimates about 290,000 programmers will save roughly 30 minutes each per year, resulting in net annual savings of approximately $2.41 million after channel administrators’ filing costs.

Description

The Federal Communications Commission issued a final rule modifying closed-captioning registration, certification, and filing requirements. Video programmers serving exclusively PEG channels exempt from captioning requirements are exempt from registering and certifying compliance. Providers of PEG programming may also be relieved of filing obligations when channel administrators certify compliance for non-exempt PEG channels. Providers on nonbroadcast networks may be exempt from certification when the network certifies its exemption or certifies that all programming in its linear lineup is exempt or compliant.

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