New
LPFM Filing Window - December, 2023
The FCC has announced that there will
be a filing window for new Low Power FM (LPFM) stations.
The window will open at 12:01 AM EST
on December 6, 2023, and will close on at 6:00 PM EST on December 13,
2023. (It was originally scheduled for early November.)
The following provides some basic
information about LPFM stations:
- LPFM stations can be used to
serve communities such as schools, tribes, churches, and special
interest groups such as arts societies and Chambers of Commerce.
LPFM stations may also be licensed to governmental agencies,
particularly for Public Safety services. LPFM stations cannot be
licensed to individuals. Only not-for-profit entities are
eligible.
- LPFM stations have limited
coverage areas, with an effective radiated power of 100 Watts or
less, so it's best if the intended audience is concentrated
geographically.
- LPFM stations cannot air
commercials. Sponsorship announcements are permitted. The
primary difference is that commerical announcements tend to be
written in active voice, with a call to action such as "Come in
to the store" or "Access the website at www.xyzco.com" or
comparison of products, services, or companies ("The best
restaurant in town."). These types of announcements are strictly
prohibited. Sponsorship announcements are generally written in
passive voice, and describe a sponsor or its products. There can
be no call to action, but sponsorship announcements can provide
information such as a street address, a description of a product
or service, or a statement like "Information is available at
www.xyzco.com." Note that in these examples, the website
www.xyzco.com is being promoted. The difference is the call to
action in the commercial announcement: "Access the website."
Skywaves stands ready to help your
organization apply for an LPFM station. We have decades of
experience with FCC applications, and we have obtained LPFM licenses
for a number of entities.
For more information, please call or
email. Our contact information is below.
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