Lerman Senter Releases Updated Political Broadcasting Guide

To help broadcasters prepare for the fall 2024 elections, Lerman Senter has updated its comprehensive guide to political broadcasting. Our guide is available here.

Broadcasters are reminded that during the 45-day period before a primary election or caucus, and the 60-day period before a general election, the rate charged to a candidate may not exceed the rate charged to the station’s most favored commercial advertiser. This is known as the Lowest Unit Rate or “LUR.” The general election is November 5, 2024; therefore, the LUR period begins on September 5, 2024.

Federal election laws and the FCC’s political broadcasting rules are complex. Political broadcasting – and particularly the extensive recordkeeping requirements for the sale of political ads – has been a hot button issue at the FCC for several years. Several media companies have been forced to enter into consent decrees with the FCC due to recordkeeping violations.

Please contact Sally Buckman, Lerman Senter’s Managing Member and a member of our Media practice group, if you have questions about Lerman Senter’s political broadcasting guide, or the FCC’s political broadcasting rules in general.