NEW NCE FM Window - More Information

More information and a really good summary can be found on the Foster Garvey law firm site.  

If you are new to the FCC process of awarding applicants for non-commercial FM stations - particularly the point-system used to decided tie-breakers between completing applicants - you need to read the summary of "Key Considerations" by following the link below:

FCC’s Noncommercial FM Filing Window Opens in Early 2021 – Key Considerations for Applicants: Foster Garvey PC: Law Firm - Attorneys

NCE NEW (or major change) Filing Window - November 2021

The FCC has announced an upcoming NEW NCE FM filing window: The filing window will open at 12:01 am EDT on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, and close at 6:00 pm EST on November 9, 2021. The window is available for FM reserved band (channels 201 – 220) proposals only.

If you're already qualified as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an educational purpose - you might consider filing for a new FM station to serve your community.

Our firm may be able to help. The first step is to determine if a frequency/channel is available in your area for use. Channels are limited (20 in total) and extend from channel 201 (88.1 MHz) to Channel 220 (91.9 MHz.). Minimum facilities are 100 watts at any height. Maximum facilities can be as much as 100 kilowatts (doubtful) depending on location. The FM NCE (reserved band) is very crowded, so limited facilities (if any) are available in developed urban areas.

But you never know until you look (FM Channel Allocation-Spectrum Study).

Latest data from Edison Research’s “Share of Ear” study

 

My limited programming knowledge observation

4 YEAR SPAN 2016 VS 2020

SIRIUS - FLAT

STREAMING MUSIC SERVICE - FLAT

AM/FM  - 9% DECLINE

PODCASTS  +9 INCREASE.

What does AM/FM Radio have in common with podcasts? 

>>INFORMATION/ENTERTAINMENT<< 

 

FCC NEW APPLICATION AND LICENSING FEES ADOPTED - 12/29/2020

A number of minor increases to application and licensing fees paid to the Commission concerning media (radio/tv) stations are affected.

A fee will now be required for minor changes to FM translators - in the past, no fee was required.

In the Matter of Amendment of the Schedule of Application Fees Set Forth in Sections 1.1102 through 1.1109 of the Commission’s Rules 

MD Docket No. 20-270 

REPORT AND ORDER Adopted: December 23, 2020  Released: December 29, 2020

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Commission's rules ARE AMENDED as set forth in Appendix A, and such rule amendments SHALL BE EFFECTIVE 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register, except for sections 1.1102, 1.1103, 1.1104, 1.1105, 1.1106, 1.1107, and 1.1109, which require notice to Congress and also require certain updates to the FCC’s information technology systems and internal procedures to ensure efficient and effective implementation. 

Sections 1.1102, 1.1103, 1.1104, 1.1105, 1.1106, 1.1107, and 1.1109 will not take effect until the requisite notice has been provided to Congress, the FCC’s information technology systems and internal procedures have been updated, and the Commission publishes notice(s) in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of such rules.

FCC Link to FCC Report & Order