The FCC said broadcasters don't have to offer the lowest unit rate for political ads in the post-election period--some races may not have been decided and counting could go on for days and some close races may not be called for longer than that if there are legal challenges and/or recounts.
The FCC's Media Bureau said that it had been getting a lot of inquiries from broadcasters, TV and radio, about whether they would be obligated to provide those government-dictated lower prices--the lowest price it charges commercial advertisers--for any political ads "on behalf of contenders in races for which final results of the election remain pending."
The FCC said that the lowest unit charge is confined to the days preceding the date of the general election, which the FCC is interpreting as Nov. 3, as "designated by federal law."
Earlier in the election season, the FCC advised broadcasters that ad time they gave to businesses to help them out during the pandemic would not factor into lowest unit rate calculations, so long as those free spots are not part of an existing ad contract.
