FCC Sets Date for Foreign Sponsorship Rule Changes

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 2:51pm CT

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau is reminding broadcasters that revised foreign sponsorship identification requirements for leased programming will officially take effect June 7.

In a Public Notice released Tuesday, the FCC said the updated rules apply to new programming leases and renewals entered into on or after the compliance date. The changes stem from the Commission's June 2024 Second Report and Order modifying disclosure requirements originally adopted in 2021 for programming sponsored by foreign governmental entities.

The revised rules give radio and television broadcasters two options for demonstrating they have fulfilled their duty to determine whether leased programming is sponsored, paid for, or furnished by a foreign government entity.

The Media Bureau previously delayed enforcement of the revised requirements several times after approval from the Office of Management and Budget, first pushing compliance to December 2025 and later extending the deadline to June 7, 2026.

The FCC also announced an additional delay involving technical requirements tied to advertisements and paid public service announcements covered by the foreign sponsorship rules. The Bureau said compliance with those technical provisions under Section 73.1212(j)(3) will be suspended for two years or until further notice.

According to the notice, the delay will allow the Commission to further evaluate the costs and burdens associated with the requirements and determine whether they provide sufficient public benefit.

The FCC noted that the current record does not indicate any covered advertisements or paid PSAs are presently airing, but warned broadcasters they could still face liability if they knowingly accept foreign-sponsored advertising that falls under the rules.

Beginning June 7, broadcasters with actual knowledge that advertisements or paid PSAs were provided by a foreign governmental entity must still comply with the on-air disclosure requirements.