Broadcasters providing subscription services using their digital stream are now required to pay a five percent fee (based on the gross revenue from that subscription service) to the FCC each year. While most broadcasters do not, as yet, provide subscription services (or “ancillary and supplementary services” as the FCC refers to them), all broadcasters must nonetheless complete and submit Form 317 before December 1. Broadcasters that do sell subscription services must also file Form 159, along with payment. The five percent subscription fee was first approved by Congress in 1996 and codified by the FCC last year. For more information, click here.