Broadcasting&Cable

Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier has been confirmed as the new director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). “The Senate has confirmed a highly respected scientist and academic to help further our nation’s economic competitiveness and national security,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD). “I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Droegemeier and expect his leadership will benefit the scientific community and our nation." The director acts as the President’s chief adviser on science.

The Senate has confirmed Commissioner Brendan Carr to a full, five-year term and has confirmed Geoffrey Starks to the open seat on the Federal Communications Commission. Both had already been approved by the Senate Commerce Committee -- Starks in June and Carr in Jan 2017 for his current role filling out the unexpired term of former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. The House does not have to follow suit, so once they are sworn in, which could happen soon, the FCC will be at full strength with three Republicans and two Democrats.

The three-judge panel has been picked to hear the appeal of Mozilla et al. to the Federal Communications Commission's network neutrality deregulation. According to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the Feb 1 oral argument in the Mozilla appeal will be heard by Judges Judith Rogers, Patricia Millett, and Stephen Williams.

NBC/Telemundo has agreed to pay $495,000 to settle an Federal Communications Commission investigation into whether it fulfilled its children's TV programming obligation--in several instances, it didn't.