Last week, the FCC issued an order postponing the filing deadline for Form 323, which provides ownership information about station facilities. Broadcasters will not be required to file until the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves the recent revisions to Form 323.

The revised Form 323, which was introduced in April 2009, imposes a uniform biennial filing deadline in place of traditional rolling filing deadlines. The FCC originally set November 1, 2009, as the first of these deadlines.

In May 2009, the FCC suspended the filing requirement of the revised Form 323 for filers who normally submit between June and October of 2009, noting that it was in the public interest to allow submission of the existing form instead.

The recent FCC order further suspends the requirement, pending the approval of the revised form by OMB. Specifically, stations will be required to submit reports by a date no earlier than 30 days after public notice of OMB approval of a revised Form 323. The reports must reflect current ownership data as of November 1, 2009.

The order marks a success for broadcasters and NAB, who have recently urged the FCC to provide clarity about the ownership reporting requirements.

Click here to access the FCC order.