Mid-Term Self-Identification

On February 15, 2019, the Commission released a Report and Order (“Order”), MB Docket No. 18-23, FCC 19-10; In the Matter of Elimination of Obligation to File Broadcast Mid-Term Report (Form 397) Under Section 73.2080(f)(2). The Order eliminates the provision of Section 73.2080(f)(2) which requires stations to file Form 397 and replaces it with a more streamlined technological approach designed to be more efficient and less burdensome to licensees. When uploading future EEO public file reports to the Commission’s Online Public Inspection File (OPIF), broadcast radio and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS) licensees will be prompted to answer “Yes” or “No” regarding whether they have eleven or more full-time employees. All television stations required to upload an EEO public file report to the OPIF necessarily have sufficient staff sizes to trigger a mid-term review, as the requisite staff size for both obligations with respect to television employment units is five full-time employees. Thus, the very act of filing the report will be sufficient to identify these television stations.

The latest form for Mid-Term Self-Identification expires 2021-08-31 and can be found here.