Broadcasting and Media

• Media Consolidation Proceedings and Media Property Transactions
• Regulatory Compliance for Radio and TV Stations, including the Digital Television Transition
• Programming and Cable Agreements

Wilkinson Barker Knauer has a wealth of experience in the broadcast industry derived from its long history of representing television and radio clients in transactional, policy, and regulatory matters before the FCC. The firm’s clients include commercial and noncommercial broadcasters, and range from multi-station broadcast groups and large media investment funds to single station licensees.

In the regulatory area, Wilkinson Barker works diligently with FCC attorneys and engineers to assist broadcast clients in navigating the myriad of FCC regulatory compliance issues and all technical and operational rules relating to the industry. WBK representation includes facilitating the television and radio license renewal process; providing counsel on channel allocations matters, facility modifications and station licensing; working closely with licensees on the transition to digital television; defending against enforcement actions and petitions to deny FCC applications; representing clients in complaint proceedings; lending support in the Commission’s auctions process; counseling with regard to contests, advertising and promotional issues; and advising clients on EEO audit and compliance matters.

In the policy arena, WBK actively participates in media rulemaking proceedings before the FCC including their consideration of the attribution of television joint sales agreements for media ownership purposes, and the rulemaking on localism in radio. Recently, the firm has taken an active role in proceedings involving the transition to digital television as well as the promulgation of rules for In-Band-On-Channel (IBOC) digital radio and the FCC’s national and local media ownership rules.

On the transactional front, Wilkinson Barker’s extensive experience is showcased in a wide variety of matters, including small market purchases as well as complex acquisitions and mergers involving multi-station, large-market television and radio properties. Our attorneys negotiate and draft agreements for asset and stock acquisitions, mergers, equity investment, debt financing and other business transactions affecting programming, syndication, and station services. WBK brings formidable expertise to the structuring and formation of corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies on behalf of both broadcasters and media investors.