According to the Washington, DC EAS mailing list, SiriusXM has discontinued its Regular Weekly EAS Test (RWT). The SiriusXM free promotional “barker” channel 01 has been a satellite-based Primary Entry Point (PEP) for remote radio transmission sites that may have difficulty receiving broadcast PEP stations. PEPs relay national emergency messages and NPT tests. According to William Fawcett of Virginia, SiriusXM will continue to broadcast Regular Monthly Tests that should be logged by the same remote radio stations that may have few options for relaying national tests, though only the NPTs are required to be logged. Fawcett says that Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS) are specifically exempted from transmitting RWTs.
Category Archives: National
FCC Plans FM Radio Auction
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially announced plans to conduct an auction for FM radio construction permits beginning in February 2027. Designated as Auction 114, the event is designed to expand opportunities for new voices in the media industry and ensure that broadcast spectrum is utilized effectively.
The upcoming auction will offer a total of 132 construction permits in the FM broadcast service. Notably, nearly 100 of these permits have never been offered to the public, marking a significant milestone in radio spectrum availability. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the auction is a key component of the agency’s strategy to strengthen competition in the radio marketplace while modernizing outdated regulations.
More details on the FCC website.
SBE Events at the 2026 NAB Show
Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, April 18
SBE BEITC Session: Unique and Particular Technical Requirements for Live Sports Production; 2 – 3 p.m.; N261
Sunday, April 19
SBE Booth NL5, Drawing, $200 Amazon gift card; 5 p.m.
Monday, April 20
Using the SBE/NAB Self-Inspection Guides; 3:30-4:30 p.m.; N225. Open to anyone interested in the SBE/NAB Self-Inspection Guides.
SBE Membership Meeting; 5 – 6 p.m.; N256. Sponsored by Blackmagic Design. Membership Meeting prize drawings include the grand prize of two Blackmagic Design Micro Studio Camera 4K 2Gs to two winners. The first 100 attendees will receive an SBE-logoed keychain.
SBE Booth Drawing, sponsored by Blackmagic Design, at the SBE Membership Meeting, N256
SBE Member Reception; 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.; N250. Member Reception prize drawings: American Tower: Three $100 Amazon gift cards; Dielectric: Techie backpacks; Heartland Video Systems: $100 Amazon gift card
Tuesday, April 21
SBE Ennes Workshop (two tracks); 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Rooms N250 and N254
SBE Certification Exam Session; 9 a.m. – noon; N227, advance registration required
SBE Booth Drawing, $200 Amazon gift card; 5 p.m. SBE Booth NL5, sponsored by Broadcasters General Store
Wednesday, April 22
SBE Ennes Workshop (two tracks); 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Rooms N250 and N254
New SBE/NAB Guides and Other News for 2026. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.; C2450 – TV and Radio HQ on the floor of the Central Hall.
KFMB-TV 8 Joins The Nexstar Group
[Update – On Friday, March 27, a U.S. district judge ordered television operator Nexstar Media Group to temporarily keep TEGNA’s assets separate pending a review of the acquisition for potential antitrust violations.]
On March 19, 2026, the FCC approved the $6.2 billion acquisition of TEGNA TV stations by Nexstar Media Inc., including KFMB-TV 8 San Diego. The CBS network affiliate will join independent KUSI and Fox network affiliate KSWB (“Fox 5”) under common ownership in the San Diego market. The deal makes Nexstar the owner of 259 television stations in the U.S. and includes a waiver of the FCC’s national ownership rule, which prohibits a single corporation from owning more than 39% of the country’s stations. Cable and satellite distribution groups have filed legal challenges, citing Nexstar’s future leverage in retransmission fee negotiations. Some states and Newsmax have also filed legal challenges.
FCC rules currently disallow a single entity from owning more than two full-power TV stations in a given Designated Market Area (DMA), but the FCC waived this rule for San Diego, citing a possible loss of local news should KUSI be divested.
There is some speculation and rumors that the local operating group of stations will close the Engineer Road plant, where KFMB has operated since 1976. No word yet on what will happen with the current engineering staff.
Cox Cable and Charter to Merge
Remember when San Diego was once served by two cable companies? Southwestern Cable had the territory north of Interstate 8, and Cox Cable had the territory south of that highway. Well, now it’ll be one company.
On February 27, the FCC approved Charter Communications’ $34.5-billion purchase of Cox Communications. The combined corporation will be called Cox Communications, but the fiber and cable TV delivery service will continue to be called “Spectrum.” It’s set to become the largest internet service provider, with 38 million customers.
The two companies’ business services have been competitive over most of San Diego County for some time.
The future impact on San Diego employees is unknown.