Washinton, DC – In May 2016, the FCC announced the the first group of entities being added to the Commission’s expanded online public inspection file database must commence using the database on June 24, 2016. The database was initially established in 2012 for use by television broadcasters.
On June 24, 2016, cable systems with 1,000 or more subscribers, DBS providers, SDARS licensees, and commercial radio stations in the top 50 Nielsen Audio radio markets with five or more full-time employees must place their new public inspection file documents in the Commission-hosted online public file database. In addition, these entities must place their existing public file documents into the online public file within six months after the effective date (Dec. 24, 2016). Entities will not be required to place in the online public file existing political file material.
On June 13, 2016, the FCC will conduct a public demonstration of the expanded Online Public Inspection File (OPIF), which will replace the current Broadcast Public Inspection File (BPIF) process. The FCC will exhibit the interface that will be used by broadcast television and radio stations, cable systems, satellite television, and radio systems to file documents in the online public file database. The demonstration will inform users of the design, layout, and content of the OPIF site, discuss how to upload information and files, and present the new Application Program Interface (API) functionalities. The demonstration will also be available online.
The demonstration will take place on June 13 at 1 p.m. EDT in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. It will also be streamed online. The link for the stream will be available at
The FCC’s helpdesk is available to answer questions regarding the OPIF database: 877-480-3201, 717-338-2824 (TTY) or https://esupport.fcc.gov/request.htm.
Additional info:
FCC Public Notice – June 2, 2016
Online Public Inspection File Demonstration Announced – June 13, 2016
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-607A1.pdf
FCC Public Notice – May 12, 2016
Effective Date Announced for Expanded Online Public Inspection File Database
https://www.fcc.gov/document/effective-date-announced-expanded-online-public-file
