Feature:
FCC Legalizes FM (III)
|
|
|
| Site
Highlights: XML/RSS
Feed Site Search News
Archives Latest
Schnazz FCC
Watch Media
Collage A/V
Library Features
Index Links
Directory Mbanna Kantako |
Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Ownership Restrictions: No current radio station owner or anyone with broadcast interests can own an LPFM station. During the first two years LPFM licenses will be available, only local entities will be permitted to hold a license. Licensees during this time must live within 10 miles of the station. However, local chapters of national organizations (like the Lion's Club, NORML, Lutheran Church, etc.) will be permitted to have their own stations, and it won't be considered as "owned" by the national organization. After two years, nobody can own more than one station in any given community. You will not see "clusters" of LPFM stations under one roof in a market like you do in the full-power station arena. For the first two years of the LPFM service, only one station can be owned by one entity nationwide. In the third year, that cap jumps to five stations; after the first three years a maximum of 10 stations will be allowed nationally. Character Qualifications: The current (and nebulous) rules on FCC "character qualifications" remain in effect for LPFM station applicants and owners. This may prohibit some 'pirate' station operators from obtaining a low power radio license, unless they have shut their stations down once they had first contact with the FCC. However, there are cases of past 'pirates' getting legal licenses by appealing the Commission's denial - so don't let this scare you too badly! Applying for an LPFM License:Details about the requirements for an LPFM station license remain sketchy and the application fee hasn't been set, but the FCC will allow applications to be electronically filed. If two applications are filed for the same frequency in a community, the FCC will not use auctions to determine who gets it. Instead, a 'point system' has been created to determine which applicant has the best potential to serve the community. The application who gets the most points wins. Points will be given out for applicants who: --Have least two years of established community presence --Propose longer broadcast hours (any station agreeing to operate a minimum of 12 hours a day will be awarded points toward a license) --Propose lots of locally-originated programming (points will be awarded if an LPFM station promises eight or more hours of locally-originated programming per day Applicants who lose in a competition, though, are not completely out of luck: The FCC will encourage the winning applicant to time-share their station with other interested parties, and may also limit the amount of license renewals one station may get in order to give a competing station a shot to broadcast in the future. Next Page --> License
Terms --> |