NBC files ‘equal time’ notice to FCC after Harris’ ‘SNL’ appearance

NBC has filed a notice with the Federal Communications Commission and will provide former President Donald Trump with “equal time” following a brief appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris on “Saturday Night Live.”
Harris appeared on the sketch comedy show Saturday hosted by John Mulaney, in a skit offering advice in the mirror to comedian Maya Rudolph, who has played Harris in the leadup to the election.
Following her brief stint on the show, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr posted on X, formerly Twitter that it was a “clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule.” Carr, a senior Republican on the commission who was appointed by Trump, went on in the post to suggest NBC should offer equal time to “other qualifying campaigns.”
In the notice filed Sunday, NBC said Harris appeared “without charge” on “SNL” for 1 minute and 30 seconds. The broadcaster provided Trump airtime Sunday, CNN’s Brian Stelter reported, giving the former president an opportunity to directly address viewers during the NASCAR 2024 Cup playoff race.
Carr appeared on the Fox News show “The Ingraham Angle” with host Laura Ingraham Sunday to discuss Harris’ cameo.
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“I think every single option needs to be on the table for the FCC because we not only need to respond to this if it turns out to be as clear a violation as it looks like, but it sends a message to deter anybody from doing this again, whether it’s to benefit a Republican or a Democrat,” Carr told Ingraham.
The FCC’s equal time rule requires American radio and television broadcast stations to provide equal access to competing political candidates. The rules do not apply to cable channels or other video content, including podcasts or social media.
If Donald Trump were to request equal time from NBC after Harris’ appearance on “SNL,” the broadcaster would have to provide it before Election Day on Tuesday.
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(This story has been updated with new information.)