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| - NTIA announces PTFP grant recipients. - FCC releases another list of NCE tentative selectees - FCC releases dates for Low Power Television filing - FCC releases first list of small mutually exclusive filing groups from the 2007 NCE filing window (here and here). - Common Frequency is part of the Radio For People Coalition. - NonCom radio links added here. - FCC destroys its own studies in order to bolster media consolidation: here and here. |
Community Radio Advocates Free Radio Berkeley National Federation of Community Broadcasters Prometheus Radio Project Recnet Independent Media Advocates A-Infos Radio Project Alliance for Community Media Center for Media Literacy DIY Media IMC Radio Inpedendent Media Center Future of Music Coalition Media Access Project Networks, Publications, & Broadcasts Current.Org Democracy Now Free Speech Radio News Free Speech Network Media Channel National Radio Project Pacifica Radio World |
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| Common Frequency's reply comment to the FCC regarding localism MB Docket 04-233: here. Common Frequency's comment to the FCC regarding localism MB Docket 04-233: here. FCC releases report on Broadcast Localism and Proposed Rulemaking. Read up here. FCC releases Third Report and Order proposing modifications to LPFM (low power FM) radio service. Read up here. New applications for non-commercial FM service listed in FCC's CDBS or FM Query: A complete listing is available for browsing at RECNET NCE Application Window Closes: FCC will be announcing a list of applicants in the recent Non-Commercial, Educational Radio Station Filing Window. Court Rule in Favor of Free Speech: A US Appeals court rules against the FCC's new policy to police all "vulgar" langauge regardless of context. Read "Court Rebuffs FCC..." Low Power FM Encroachment Newly loosened FCC rules make it easier for commercial radio stations to move their transmitters from small to larger, more profitable markets; the effect is smaller radio markets are more neglected. The additional by-product is that it puts some established low-power radio stations in peril. Commercial stations have greater FCC preference status compared to LPFMs. The effect is some established low power radio stations are automatically bumped off the air if a commercial station wants the frequency. Read about LPFM encroachment. LPFMs May Face Handicap in NCE Point System The upcoming NCE application window offers an opportunity for some LPFMs to upgrade to full-power noncommercial status. With some LPFMs in the midst of encroachment from full-power commercial stations, upgrading to NCE status allows for a one-time opportunity for interference protections and signal upgrades. However, the FCC's Diversity of Ownership point criteria--well-intended to give applicants that don't already cover a local market a higher filing priority--may leave LPFMs at a disadvantage to other applicants. In the past, the FCC has supported the idea of migrating Class D (10 watt non-commercial stations) to full power stations, and even currently favors established statewide networks picking up new stations, and also replacing translators with new stations. In a recent point decision, Henderson State University requested--in a waiver--to terminate the operation of a Class D station (upon winning the license in a mutually exclusive filing) in return for allowing for them to claim diversity of ownership points on their application; the FCC agreed. Existing translators are also given this option. Upon consulting legal interpretation of HSU's waiver, it appears that a similar type of waiver would not work for an LPFM. LPFM owners may want to bring some more attention to this issue to the FCC in order to elicit a clearer understanding of the uncharted rules; upgrade preference shouldn't be hindered. FCC Suppies Timeframe for Upcoming NCE Application Window Rumors had been previously circulated that Spring 2007 would be a likely time for the Commission’s next application window for new non-commercial, educational radio licenses. Recent information points to October 2007 being a firm deadline, with a prewarning between 3 to 6 months. The FCC additionally released its revised Form 340. There is still no telling how far in advance they are intending to freeze minor modifications before the application window. If you are part of an established non-com radio station, the time is now to look into minor modifications. FCC Releases Decisions Regarding Pending NCE MX Application Backlog After years of legal delay, the FCC released a judgment regarding 76 groups of "mutually exclusive" non-commercial educational application filings. These are groups of applications for new radio stations going back to the 90's that were in conflict with each other (as in, cases where multiple groups in one area file for the same [or conflicting] frequency, only one group can win the frequency). The FCC applied the newly created "point system" to each of the groups to gauge the winner. Webcasting Streaming Royalty Conflicts. Digital Radio Showdown On March 22. 2007 the Commission finally adopted official rules for IBOC (or HD) digital broadcasting. The rulemaking gives a clear push for Ibiquity’s In-Band-On-Channel proprietary codec. Although inferior in price, interference, and performance to other methods of combo-ing a digital broadcast on the analog FM band (FMeXtra (FM) and CAM-D (AM) digital formats), the ruling gives IBOC the official government approval for digital radio broadcasting in the US. The ruling comes at pivotal juncture where satellite and internet radio are competing for the same listeners. The big dilemma is current surveys show most people don’t even know what HD Radio is. In addition, product price (a receiver for $199) and availability (selected Radio Shacks, car dealerships, etc) is not swaying the consumer. The problem is content on HD channels has not been marketed (or developed in most cases) to a persuasive level to entice buyers. In effect, an electronic device is being marketed without revealing the content, product performance, or applicability. Some broadcasters, oblivious to the situation, have even begun researching “pay for play” HD feeds. As industry insiders have said, “HD radio is a solution in search for a problem.” This is not good news at a time when underperforming XM and Sirius satellite radio companies have asked the FCC to approve a merger deal. FCC Head Kevin Martin says the hurdle for such arrangement would be high. Both digital radio services seem lukewarm in growth. Regardless, IBOC and FMeXtra offer opportunities for community and public broadcasters--some of which actually have viable content to broadcast on an additional radio channel. Due to the large pricetag associated with HD setups, only a handful of community stations—such as KOTO (Telluride), KCRL (Salt Lake City), KBOO (Portland, OR)—have digital entries. For community and college stations, digital radio offers a perfect opportunity to program minority/niche programming, live events (city council meetings, sports), additional radio formats, and special archived programming. An exciting option would be for a community station to allow, say, a local college internet radio station to be broadcast to the local community (if no frequencies are left in the market for starting a college station), or a college radio station to offer a community group a way to start an HD radio community station (if no frequencies are left in the market for starting a community station). Possible loophole for pirate broadcasters Upon surprise to many people who think that pirates can't apply for broadcast licenses due to FCC laws that state so, the courts have actually overturned this. In addition, exceptions to the law have been granted for (per-case) LPFM waivers to the rules via congressional intervention--such as by senators Cantwell (D-Wash) and Reid (D-Nev). A specific case in Nevada has opened a pandora's box; a special temporary authority (STA) was awarded to a pirate broadcaster to operate a legal LPFM station without even having an FCC license. Guy Wire (Radio World) explains further here in "New Options for Pirates". In addition, the upcoming NCE application window offers unlicensed broadcasters another challenge to the FCC. Unlicensed broadcasters have claimed that it is a First Amendment right to be able to broadcast. Although inarguable by the FCC, the FCC's position to counter this claim is that since unlicensed broadcasters have not applied and been denied FCC licenses, unlicensed broadcasters cannot claim that they are not allowed legal access to the airwaves. So what happens to the rules when a pirate is denied a license after going through the proper legal process of applying? Here for past notes. |
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| Common Frequency - PO Box 4301 - Davis, California 95617 |
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