FCC Should Deny Canal Partners Media's LIFO Petition, Says NAB

Stations' use of last-in, first-out (LIFO) is consistent with Communications Act Section 315(b)(1) and FCC rules, NAB said in an ex parte notice Friday in docket 15-24. NAB officials met with Media Bureau officials March 23 to urge the commission to deny Canal Partners Media's petition for a declaratory ruling on how broadcasters sell political time, it said. Canal didn't provide facts for its claims and the commission shouldn't grant its petition, NAB said. If the bureau granted the petition, the LIFO category of time, an inexpensive option for political candidates and other advertisers, would be eliminated, it said. This wouldn't be in the public interest, it said. Media buyer Jan Crawford Communications (JCC) explained that Canal's claims "do not bear any resemblance to actual political advertising practices," NAB said. LIFO creates "an equitable and legal rate structure for all buyers," NAB said, agreeing with JCC. Canal has said TV stations haven't been disclosing LIFO policies to political ad buyers (see 1503180041).