The FCC has granted U.S. radio broadcasters a six-month extension on complying with new foreign sponsorship identification rules, pushing the deadline from December 8, 2025, to June 7, 2026, in response to industry lobbying and legal challenges.
The rules, aimed at enhancing transparency for ads funded by foreign entities, were upheld in court but face potential rollback under the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled deregulation of media ownership and sponsorship disclosures. Broadcasters argued the original timeline was too aggressive, risking noncompliance fines during the holiday season when political and advocacy ads surge.
Announced Thursday, the delay follows a federal judge's ruling affirming the rules' constitutionality, yet broadcasters like the NAB continue to press for revisions, citing First Amendment concerns over mandatory disclosures that could chill international sponsorships. Legal experts predict the Trump FTC and DOJ may fast-track reviews, potentially exempting domestic-focused stations, but for now, the extension averts immediate disruptions to ad sales—radio's core economic driver amid declining national spot revenue.