By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer

This past Monday (7/31), the FCC’s Media Bureau announced the rules for the filing window for new LPFM stations that is to open on November 1, 2023.  As part of that announcement of the rules for the preparation and processing of applications to be submitted in the filing window, the Media Bureau stated that a freeze on the filing of applications for changes in the facilities of FM translators and existing LPFM stations would go into effect on September 1, 2023.  Thus, if you are planning any technical changes to any FM translator, or any change in an existing LPFM, file before midnight on August 31, 2023 to avoid processing delays.  The freeze will be in effect at least until the end of the LPFM window on November 8, 2023.

The freeze is meant to provide a stable database so that applicants in the LPFM window can accurately determine where there are available channels, and where there are stations or applications that need to be protected from interference.

The full text of the public notice announcing the processing rules for the LPFM window and details of the freeze, is available here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-642A1.pdf