Action Alert: FCC Proposes PEG Exemption From Certain Closed Captioning Requirements.

By Michael C. Athay

The FCC proposes exempting video programmers from its closed captioning registration and certification requirements if they provide programming to public, educational, and governmental access channels (PEG channels);or to non-broadcast networks for distribution by a cable operator or other MVPD if the PEG channels or the network are exempt from or have certified compliance with the captioning rules. The FCC’s July 16, 2024, Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Closed Captioning of Video Programming Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, CG # 05-231,is available here. Dates for Comments and Reply Comments are pending publication in the Federal Register. The Alliance for Community Media filed a petition nearly 8 years ago in this matter, requesting that the closed captioning registration and certification requirements be waived for program producers that provide programs exclusively over PEG channels.

You can read the July 16, 2024, FNPRM on Closed Captioning of Video Programming Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Petition for Rulemaking, CG # https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-80A1.pdf