FCC Seeks Comment on Audible Crawl Waiver

The FCC is seeking comment on an NAB petition for an additional extension of a waiver of a 2013 rule requiring broadcasters to provide audio description on a second audio stream of emergency information conveyed through graphics, said a public notice in docket 12-107 Monday. Compliance was originally required by 2015, but the agency granted an 18-month waiver and has repeatedly extended it, most recently by five years in 2018. NAB requested a two-year extension for the current waiver, which expires May 26. NAB says it remains “unable to identify a workable solution based on existing technology that can perform the functions required by the rule,” the PN said. “We seek comment on NAB’s request, including whether two years is the appropriate timeframe for any extension.” Comments are due April 24, replies May 1.