by Cody Duncan, FMC Policy Intern
Last week, the FCC released a public notice announcing a filing window for applications for new low power FM radio stations. Those interested may find the application online through the FCC, which must be submitted between October 15th and 29th, 2013. As announced by our friends at Prometheus Radio Project:
The new low power application has a few important changes from the past. First, new stations will be permitted in urban areas for the first time ever. As long as an applicant can prove that their station would cause no harmful interference, the FCC will grant a special waiver. This new change will double or triple the number of new stations available, and it’s a major victory for Prometheus and our allies who fought for it.
Additionally, the FCC will offer special incentives to stations that provide local programming, and who maintain publicly accessible studios, demonstrating an admirable focus on community-driven broadcasting.
This round of applications represents the culmination of over a decade of work, and is a long-awaited milestone for the development of local or otherwise niche programming, particularly in those areas that have been historically underserved by commercial radio. As we have noted in the past, for a significant portion of the population, FM radio remains vitally important as a source of local information, culture, and entertainment, even in the internet era.
An accessible spectrum of diverse programming created to serve diverse demographics benefits artists and listeners in ways that the internet may not. First, many people lack access to broadband internet service. Second, LPFM remains an ideal platform for serving smaller markets by providing access to local news and music programming, and dissemination of vital information in times of emergency.
For more information on how to start a community station visit the Prometheus Radio Project, and consider signing up to attend their training webinar on Tuesday July 2.
[Photo: ”Radio Transmission towers” by FastLizard4 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution]
Related Campaign:
FCC Announces Application Window for New Low Power FM Stations | Future of Music Coalition
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