Another day, another FCC threat to revoke a radio station license over unpaid regulatory fees.
The Commission has turned its attention to regional Mexican KXTM Benavides, TX (94.3) warning owner Ernest Lopez that he has 60 days to pay delinquent regulatory fees or explain why they should be waived or deferred before regulators move forward with license revocation proceedings.
In an order released Thursday, the FCC says KXTM owes a total of $1,849.58 tied to unpaid regulatory fees from fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The debt includes $476.64 for FY 2020 and $1,372.94 for FY 2021, along with statutory penalties, interest and administrative costs that federal law requires the agency to assess when fees go unpaid. The Commission says additional interest and charges will continue to accrue until the balance is satisfied.
According to the FCC, the agency previously sent collection notices seeking payment before referring the debt to the U.S. Department of Treasury. As has become increasingly common in recent months, Treasury has since returned the debt to the FCC at the agency’s request, allowing the Commission to pursue collection through its licensing authority.
Lopez must provide proof of payment or submit a response within 60 days showing why the debt should not be collected. Failure to do so could trigger a formal revocation proceeding for KXTM, the latest station to find itself at risk as the FCC intensifies efforts to recover overdue regulatory fees.
The order is the latest in a growing series of enforcement actions targeting broadcasters with delinquent regulatory fee obligations. The FCC has increasingly relied on its authority under federal law to pressure licensees to resolve unpaid debts, warning that stations can lose their licenses if fees, penalties and interest remain unpaid. This week it also sent a revocation warning letter to another Texas station, KPZX Paducah, TX (94.7).
Federal law requires the FCC to collect annual regulatory fees from broadcasters and other communications companies to help fund agency operations. The law also mandates a 25% late-payment penalty when fees are not paid on time, in addition to interest and administrative costs.
Last year, the FCC revoked the licenses for at least four stations for non-payment. They included regional Mexican “940 AM La Pantera” WCND Louisville, KY after owner Arce Broadcasting Company failed to pay $9,261 in back fees.
It also cancelled the licenses for country “Texas Thunder Radio” simulcast of KYKM, Yoakum, TX (94.3) and KTXM, Hallettsville, TX (99.9) after owner Kremling Enterprises failed to pay $14,222.60 in annual regulatory fees.
The FCC also revoked the license of “My Jesus Radio” KIJN Farwell, TX (1060) after its owner, Unidos Para Cristo, failed to pay $27,523.66 in back fees. The decision similarly followed years of non-payment and a lack of response from the broadcaster despite repeated notices and warnings.