(a) The rules in this subpart are common to all AM, FM, TV and Class A TV broadcast services, commercial and noncommercial.

(b) Rules in part 73 applying exclusively to a particular broadcast service are contained in the following: AM, subpart A; FM, subpart B; Noncommercial Educational FM, subpart C; TV, subpart E; LPFM, subpart G; and Class A TV, subpart J.

(c) Certain provisions of subpart H of this part apply to International Broadcast Stations (subpart F, part 73), LPFM (subpart G, part 73), and Low Power TV and TV Translator Stations (subpart G, part 74) where the rules for those services so provide.

(d) The provisions of this part applying to licensees also apply to holders of construction permits (permittees).

[43 FR 32781, July 28, 1978, as amended at 52 FR 31399, Aug. 20, 1987; 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7253, Feb. 1, 2024]

Certain rules applicable to broadcast services, some of which are also applicable to other services, are set forth in the following Parts of the FCC Rules and Regulations.

(a) Part 1, “Practice and Procedure.”

(1) Subpart A, “General Rules of Practice and Procedure”. (§§ 1.1 to 1.117).

(2) Subpart B, “Hearing Proceedings”. (§§ 1.201 to 1.364)

(3) Subpart C, “Rulemaking Proceedings”. (§§ 1.399 to 1.430).

(4) Subpart G, “Schedule of Statutory Charges and Procedures for Payment”. (§§ 1.1101 to 1.1117.)

(5) Subpart H, “Ex Parte Communications”. (§§ 1.1200 to 1.1216).

(6) Subpart I, “Procedures Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969”. (§§ 1.1301 to 1.1319).

(7) Subpart P, “Implementation of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988”. (§§ 1.2001-1.2003.)

(8) Subpart Q, “Competitive Bidding Proceedings” (§§ 1.2101-1.2112).

(9) Subpart T, “Foreign Ownership of Broadcast, Common Carrier, Aeronautical En Route, and Aeronautical Fixed Radio Station Licensees”. (§§ 1.5000 to 1.5004).

(10) Part 1, Subpart W of this chapter, “FCC Registration Number”. (§§ 1.8001-1.8005).

(b) Part 2, “Frequency Allocations and Radio Treaty Matters, General Rules and Regulations”, including Subparts A, “Terminology”; B, “Allocation, Assignments and Use of Radio Frequencies”; C, “Emissions”; D, “Call Signs and Other Forms of Identifying Radio Transmissions”; and J, “Equipment Authorization Procedures”.

(c) [Reserved]

(d) Part 17, “Construction, Marking and Lighting of Antenna Structures”.

(e) Part 74, “Experimental, Auxiliary and Special Broadcast and Other Program Distributional Services” including:

(1) Subpart A, “Experimental Broadcast Stations”;

(2) Subpart D, “Remote Pickup Broadcast Stations”;

(3) Subpart E, “Aural Broadcast Auxiliary Stations”;

(4) Subpart F, “Television Broadcast Auxiliary Stations”;

(5) Subpart G, “Low Power TV, TV Translator and TV Booster Stations”;

(6) Subpart H, “Low Power Auxiliary Stations”;

(7) Subpart L, “FM Broadcast Translator Stations and FM Broadcast Booster Stations”.

[53 FR 2498, Jan. 28, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 48333, Oct. 23, 1992; 60 FR 55480, Nov. 1, 1995; 63 FR 48622, Sept. 11, 1998; 66 FR 47896, Sept. 14, 2001; 69 FR 72043, Dec. 10, 2004; 76 FR 70911, Nov. 16, 2011; 81 FR 86613, Dec. 1, 2016]

The Commission or its representatives may, in writing, require from any applicant, permittee, or licensee written statements of fact relevant to a determination whether an application should be granted or denied, or to a determination whether a license should be revoked, or to any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission, or, in the case of a proceeding to amend the Table of FM Allotments or Table of TV Allotments, require from any person filing an expression of interest, written statements of fact relevant to that allotment proceeding. Any such statements of fact are subject to the provisions of § 1.17 of this chapter.

[89 FR 7253, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Initial licenses for broadcast stations will ordinarily be issued for a period running until the date specified in this section for the State or Territory in which the station is located. If issued after such date, it will run to the next renewal date determined in accordance with this section. Both radio and TV broadcasting stations will ordinarily be renewed for 8 years. However, if the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served thereby, it may issue either an initial license or a renewal thereof for a lesser term. The time of expiration of normally issued initial and renewal licenses will be 3 a.m., local time, on the following dates and thereafter at 8-year intervals for radio and TV broadcast stations located in:

(1) Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia and West Virginia:

(i) Radio stations, October 1, 2027.

(ii) Television stations, October 1, 2028.

(2) North Carolina and South Carolina:

(i) Radio stations, December 1, 2027.

(ii) Television stations, December 1, 2028.

(3) Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands:

(i) Radio stations, February 1, 2028.

(ii) Television stations, February 1, 2029.

(4) Alabama and Georgia:

(i) Radio stations, April 1, 2028.

(ii) Television stations, April 1, 2029.

(5) Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi:

(i) Radio stations, June 1, 2028.

(ii) Television stations, June 1, 2029.

(6) Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana:

(i) Radio stations, August 1, 2028.

(ii) Television stations, August 1, 2029.

(7) Ohio and Michigan:

(i) Radio stations, October 1, 2028.

(ii) Television stations, October 1, 2029.

(8) Illinois and Wisconsin:

(i) Radio stations, December 1, 2028.

(ii) Television stations, December 1, 2029.

(9) Iowa and Missouri:

(i) Radio stations, February 1, 2029.

(ii) Television stations, February 1, 2030.

(10) Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Colorado:

(i) Radio stations, April 1, 2029.

(ii) Television stations, April 1, 2030.

(11) Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska:

(i) Radio stations, June 1, 2029.

(ii) Television stations, June 1, 2030.

(12) Texas:

(i) Radio stations, August 1, 2029.

(ii) Television stations, August 1, 2030.

(13) Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Idaho:

(i) Radio stations, October 1, 2029.

(ii) Television stations, October 1, 2030.

(14) California:

(i) Radio stations, December 1, 2029.

(ii) Television stations, December 1, 2030.

(15) Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Mariana Islands, Oregon and Washington:

(i) Radio stations, February 1, 2030.

(ii) Television stations, February 1, 2031.

(16) Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont:

(i) Radio stations, April 1, 2030.

(ii) Television stations, April 1, 2031.

(17) New Jersey and New York:

(i) Radio stations, June 1, 2030.

(ii) Television stations, June 1, 2031.

(18) Delaware and Pennsylvania:

(i) Radio stations, August 1, 2030.

(ii) Television stations, August 1, 2031.

(b) For the deadline for filing petitions to deny renewal applications, see § 73.3516(e).

(c) The license of a broadcasting station that fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period expires as a matter of law at the end of that period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary.

(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1068, 1082 (47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303)) [49 FR 4382, Feb. 6, 1984, as amended at 52 FR 25604, July 8, 1987; 59 FR 63051, Dec. 7, 1994; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996; 61 FR 28767, June 6, 1996; 62 FR 5347, Feb. 5, 1997; 76 FR 20249, Apr. 12, 2011; 89 FR 7253, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a)(1) Radio astronomy and radio research installations. In order to minimize harmful interference at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory site located at Green, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and at the Naval Radio Research Observatory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, West Virginia, a licensee proposing to operate a short-term broadcast auxiliary station pursuant to § 74.24 of this chapter, and any applicant for authority to construct a new broadcast station, or for authority to make changes in the frequency, power, antenna height, or antenna directivity of an existing station within the area bounded by 39°15′ N on the north, 78°30′ W on the east, 37°30′ N on the south, and 80°30′ W on the west, shall notify the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, West Virginia 24944. Telephone: (304) 456-2011; Email: [email protected]. The notification shall be in writing and set forth the particulars of the proposed station, including the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna height, antenna directivity if any, proposed frequency, type of emission and power. The notification shall be made prior to, or simultaneously with, the filing of the application with the Commission. After receipt of such applications, the FCC will allow a period of 20 days for comments or objections in response to the notifications indicated. If an objection to the proposed operation is received during the 20-day period from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for itself, or on behalf of the Naval Radio Research Observatory, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

(2) Any applicant for a new permanent base or fixed station authorization to be located on the islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo, Mona, Vieques, and Culebra, or for a modification of an existing authorization which would change the frequency, power, antenna height, directivity, or location of a station on these islands and would increase the likelihood of the authorized facility causing interference, shall notify the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory, HC3 Box 53995, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612, in writing or electronically, of the technical parameters of the proposal. Applicants may wish to consult interference guidelines, which will be provided by Cornell University. Applicants who choose to transmit information electronically should e-mail to: [email protected].

(i) The notification to the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory shall be made prior to, or simultaneously with, the filing of the application with the Commission. The notification shall state the geographical coordinates of the antenna (NAD-83 datum), antenna height above ground, ground elevation at the antenna, antenna directivity and gain, proposed frequency and FCC Rule Part, type of emission, and effective radiated power.

(ii) After receipt of such applications, the Commission will allow the Arecibo Observatory a period of 20 days for comments or objections in response to the notification indicated. The applicant will be required to make reasonable efforts to resolve or mitigate any potential interference problem with the Arecibo Observatory and to file either an amendment to the application or a modification application, as appropriate. The Commission shall determine whether an applicant has satisfied its responsibility to make reasonable efforts to protect the Observatory from interference.

(b) Radio receiving installations. Protection for Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone, Boulder County, Colorado: Applicants for a station authorization to operate in the vicinity of Boulder County, Colorado under this Part are advised to give due consideration, prior to filing applications, to the need to protect the Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone from harmful interference. These are the research laboratories of the Department of Commerce, Boulder County, Colorado. To prevent degradation of the present ambient radio signal level at the site, the Department of Commerce seeks to ensure that the field strengths of any radiated signals (excluding reflected signals) received on this 1800 acre site (within the area bounded by 40°09′10″ N Latitude on the north, 105°13′31″ W Longitude on the east, 40°07′05″ N Latitude on the south, and 105°15′13″ W Longitude on the west) resulting from new assignments (other than mobile stations) or from the modification of relocation of existing facilities do not exceed the following values:

(1) Advance consultation is recommended particularly for those applicants who have no reliable data which indicates whether the field strength or power flux density figures in the above table would be exceeded by their proposed radio facilities (except mobile stations). In such instances, the following is a suggested guide for determining whether coordination is recommended:

(i) All stations within 2.4 km (1.5 statute miles);

(ii) Stations within 4.8 km (3 statute miles) with 50 watts or more effective radiated power (ERP) in the primary plane polarization in the azimuthal direction of the Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone;

(iii) Stations within 16 km (10 statute miles) with 1 kW or more ERP in the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of Table Mountain Receiving Zone;

(iv) Stations within 80 km (50 statute miles) with 25 kW or more ERP in the primary plane polarization in the azimuthal direction of Table Mountain Receiving Zone.

(2) Applicants concerned are urged to communicate with the Radio Frequency Management Coordinator, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305; telephone (303) 497-4220, email [email protected], in advance of filing their applications with the Commission.

(3) The Commission will not screen applications to determine whether advance consultation has taken place. However, applicants are advised that such consultation can avoid objectimns from the Department of Commerce or proceedings to modify any authorization which may be granted which, in fact, delivers a signal at the site in excess of the field strength specified herein.

(c) Protection for Federal Communications Commission monitoring stations. (1) Applicants in the vicinity of a FCC monitoring station for a radio station authorization to operate new transmitting facilities or changed transmitting facilities which would increase the field strength produced over the monitoring station in excess of that previously authorized are advised to give consideration, prior to filing applications, to the possible need to protect the FCC stations from harmful interference. Geographical coordinates of the facilities which require protection are listed in § 0.121(c) of the FCC rules. Applications for stations (except mobile stations) which will produce on any frequency a direct wave fundamental field strength of greater than 10 mV/m in the authorized bandwidth of service (−65.8 dBW/m 2 power flux density assuming a free space characteristic impedance of 120 π ohms) at the referenced coordinates, may be examined to determine extent of possible interference. Depending on the theoretical field strength value and existing root-sum-square or other ambient radio field signal levels at the indicated coordinates, a clause protecting the monitoring station may be added to the station authorization.

(2) In the event that calculated value of expected field exceeds 10 mV/m (−65.8 dBW/m2) at the reference coordinates, or if there is any question whether field strength levels might exceed the threshold value, advance consultation with the FCC to discuss any protection necessary should be considered. Prospective applicants may communicate with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

(3) Advance consultation is suggested particularly for those applicants who have no reliable data which indicates whether the field strength or power flux density figure indicated would be exceeded by their proposed radio facilities (except mobile stations). In such instances, the following is a suggested guide for determining whether an applicant should coordinate:

(i) All stations within 2.4 kilometers (1.5 statute miles);

(ii) Stations within 4.8 kilometers (3 statute miles) with 50 watts or more average effective radiated power (ERP) in the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of the Monitoring Stations.

(iii) Stations within 16 kilometers (10 statute miles) with 1 kW or more average ERP in the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of the Monitoring Station;

(iv) Stations within 80 kilometers (50 statute miles) with 25 kW or more average ERP in the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of the Monitoring Station;

(4) Advance coordination for stations operating above 1000 MHz is recommended only where the proposed station is in the vicinity of a monitoring station designated as a satellite monitoring facility in § 0.121(c) of the Commission's Rules and also meets the criteria outlined in paragraphs (b) (2) and (3) of this section.

(5) The Commission will not screen applications to determine whether advance consultation has taken place. However, applicants are advised that such consultation can avoid objections from the Federal Communications Commission or modification of any authorization which will cause harmful interference.

[43 FR 32782, July 28, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 77167, Dec. 31, 1979; 47 FR 9221, Mar. 4, 1982; 50 FR 39003, Sept. 26, 1985; 52 FR 25867, July 9, 1987; 52 FR 36879, Oct. 1, 1987; 52 FR 37789, Oct. 9, 1987; 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991; 61 FR 8477, Mar. 5, 1996; 62 FR 55532, Oct. 27, 1997; 63 FR 70048, Dec. 18, 1998; 70 FR 31373, June 1, 2005; 80 FR 53750, Sept. 8, 2015; 89 FR 7253, Feb. 1, 2024]

Each AM, FM, TV and Class A TV broadcast station will be licensed to the principal community or other political subdivision which it primarily serves. This principal community (city, town or other political subdivision) will be considered to be the geographical station location.

[65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000]

Each AM, FM, TV, and Class A TV broadcast station shall maintain a local telephone number in its community of license or a toll-free number.

[82 FR 57882, Dec. 8, 2017]

(a) In transferring a broadcast station, the licensee may retain no right of reversion of the license, no right to reassignment of the license in the future, and may not reserve the right to use the facilities of the station for any period whatsoever.

(b) No license, renewal of license, assignment of license or transfer of control of a corporate licensee will be granted or authorized if there is a contract, arrangement or understanding, express or implied, pursuant to which, as consideration or partial consideration for the assignment or transfer, such rights, as stated in paragraph (a) of this section, are retained.

(c) Licensees and/or permittees authorized to operate in the 535-1605 kHz and in the 1605-1705 kHz band pursuant to the Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87-267 will not be permitted to assign or transfer control of the license or permit for a single frequency during the period that joint operation is authorized.

(d) Authorizations awarded pursuant to the noncommercial educational point system in subpart K are subject to the holding period in § 73.7005. Applications for an assignment or transfer filed prior to the end of the holding period must demonstrate the factors enumerated therein.

[44 FR 58720, Oct. 11, 1979, as amended at 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991; 65 FR 36378, June 8, 2000]

(a) When regularly required. Broadcast station identification announcements shall be made:

(1) At the beginning and ending of each time of operation, and

(2) Hourly, as close to the hour as feasible, at a natural break in program offerings. Television and Class A television broadcast stations may make these announcements visually or aurally.

(b) Content. (1) Official station identification shall consist of the station's call letters immediately followed by the community or communities specified in its license as the station's location; Provided, That the name of the licensee, the station's frequency, the station's channel number, as stated on the station's license, and/or the station's network affiliation may be inserted between the call letters and station location. TV stations, or DAB Stations, choosing to include the station's channel number in the station identification must use the station's major channel number and may distinguish multicast program streams. For example, a TV station with major channel number 26 may use 26.1 to identify an HDTV program service and 26.2 to identify an SDTV program service. A TV station that is devoting one of its multicast streams to transmit the programming of another television licensee must identify itself and may also identify the licensee that it is transmitting. If a TV station in this situation chooses to identify the station that is the source of the programming it is transmitting, it must use the following format: Station WYYY, community of license (call sign and community of license of the station whose multicast stream is transmitting the programming), bringing you WXXX, community of license (call sign and community of license of the licensee providing the programming). The transmitting station may insert between its call letters and its community of license the following information: the frequency of the transmitting station, the channel number of the transmitting station, the name of the licensee of the transmitting station and the licensee providing the programming, and/or the name of the network of either station. Where a multicast station is carrying the programming of another station and is identifying that station as the source of the programming, using the format described above, the identification may not include the frequency or channel number of the program source. A radio station operating in DAB hybrid mode or extended hybrid mode shall identify its digital signal, including any free multicast audio programming streams, in a manner that appropriately alerts its audience to the fact that it is listening to a digital audio broadcast. No other insertion between the station's call letters and the community or communities specified in its license is permissible.

(2) A station may include in its official station identification the name of any additional community or communities, but the community to which the station is licensed must be named first.

(c) Channel—(1) General. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, in making the identification announcement the call letters shall be given only on the channel, or channels in the case of a broadcaster that is multicasting more than a single channel, identified thereby.

(2) Simultaneous AM (535-1605 kHz) and AM (1605-1705 kHz broadcasts. If the same licensee operates an AM broadcast station in the 535-1605 kHz band and an AM broadcast station in the 1605-1705 kHz band with both stations licensed to the same community and simultaneously broadcasts the same programs over the facilities of both such stations, station identification announcements may be made jointly for both stations for periods of such simultaneous operations.

(3) Satellite operation. When programming of a broadcast station is rebroadcast simultaneously over the facilities of a satellite station, the originating station may make identification announcements for the satellite station for periods of such simultaneous operation.

(i) In the case of a television broadcast station, such announcements, in addition to the information required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, shall include the number of the channel on which each station is operating.

(ii) In the case of aural broadcast stations, such announcements, in addition to the information required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, shall include the frequency on which each station is operating.

(d) [Reserved]

(e) Transport Stream ID (TSID) values are identification numbers assigned to stations by the FCC and stored in the Commission's online database. Two sequential values are assigned to each station.

(1) All TV and Class A TV stations shall transmit their assigned odd-numbered TSID.

(2) In ATSC 3.0, a similar value is used called a Bit Stream ID (BSID). Stations operating in ATSC 3.0 mode shall utilize their assigned even-numbered TSID as their BSID, consistent with paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

[34 FR 19762, Dec. 17, 1969, as amended at 37 FR 23726, Nov. 8, 1972; 39 FR 6707, Feb. 22, 1974; 39 FR 9442, Mar. 11, 1974; 41 FR 29394, July 16, 1976; 47 FR 3791, Jan. 27, 1982; 48 FR 51308, Nov. 8, 1983; 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991; 65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000; 69 FR 59535, Oct. 4, 2004; 72 FR 45693, Aug. 15, 2007; 73 FR 5684, Jan. 30, 2008; 76 FR 71269, Nov. 17, 2011; 89 FR 7254, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) All requests for new or modified call sign assignments for radio and television broadcast stations shall be made via LMS with the FCC. Licensees and permittees may utilize LMS to determine the availability and licensing status of any call sign; to select an initial call sign for a new station; to change a station's currently assigned call sign; to modify an existing call sign by adding or deleting an “-FM,” “-TV,” or “-DT” suffix; to exchange call signs with another licensee or permittee in the same service; or to reserve a different call sign for a station being transferred or assigned.

(b) No request for an initial call sign assignment will be accepted from a permittee for a new radio or full-service television station until the FCC has granted a construction permit. Each such permittee shall request the assignment of its station's initial call sign expeditiously following the grant of its construction permit. All initial construction permits for low power TV stations will be issued with a low power TV call sign in accordance with § 74.791(a) of this chapter.

(c) Following the filing of a transfer or assignment application, the proposed assignee/transferee may request a new call sign for the station whose license or construction permit is being transferred or assigned. No change in call sign assignment will be effective until such transfer or assignment application is granted by the FCC and notification of consummation of the transaction is received by the FCC.

(d) Where an application is granted by the FCC for transfer or assignment of the construction permit or license of a station whose existing call sign conforms to that of a commonly-owned station not part of the transaction, the new licensee of the transferred or assigned station shall expeditiously request a different call sign, unless consent to retain the conforming call sign has been obtained from the primary holder and from the licensee of any other station that may be using such conforming call sign.

(e) Call signs beginning with the letter “K” will not be assigned to stations located east of the Mississippi River, nor will call signs beginning with the letter “W” be assigned to stations located west of the Mississippi River.

(f) Only four-letter call signs (plus an LP, FM, TV, DT, or CA suffix, if used) will be assigned. The four letter call sign for LPFM stations will be followed by the suffix “-LP.” However, subject to the other provisions of this section, a call sign of a station may be conformed to a commonly owned station holding a three-letter call assignment (plus FM, TV, DT, CA or LP suffixes, if used).

(g) Subject to the foregoing limitations, applicants may request call signs of their choice if the combination is available. Objections to the assignment of requested call signs will not be entertained at the FCC. However, this does not hamper any party from asserting such rights as it may have under private law in some other forum. Should it be determined by an appropriate forum that a station should not utilize a particular call sign, the initial assignment of a call sign will not serve as a bar to the making of a different assignment.

(h) Stations in different broadcast services (or operating jointly in the 535-1605 kHz band and in the 1605-1705 kHz band) which are under common control may request that their call signs be conformed by the assignment of the same basic call sign if that call sign is not being used by a non-commonly owned station. For the purposes of this paragraph, 50% or greater common ownership shall constitute a prima facie showing of common control.

(i) The provisions of this section shall not apply to International broadcast stations or to stations authorized under part 74 of this chapter (except as provided in § 74.791 of this chapter).

(j) A change in call sign assignment will be made effective on the date specified in the Call Sign Request Authorization generated by LMS acknowledging the assignment of the requested new call sign and authorizing the change. Unless the requested change in call sign assignment is subject to a pending transfer or assignment application, the requester is required to include in its on-line call sign request a specific effective date to take place within 45 days of the submission of its electronic call sign request. Postponement of the effective date will be granted only in response to a timely request and for only the most compelling reasons.

(k) Four-letter combinations commencing with “W” or “K” which are assigned as call signs to ships or to other radio services are not available for assignment to broadcast stations, with or without the “-FM,” “-TV,” or “-DT” suffix.

(l) Users of nonlicensed, low-power devices operating under part 15 of this chapter may use whatever identification is currently desired, so long as propriety is observed and no confusion results with a station for which the FCC issues a license.

(m) Where a requested call sign, without the “-FM,” “-TV,” “-CA,” “-DT,” or “-LP” suffix, would conform to the call sign of any other non-commonly owned station(s) operating in a different service, an applicant utilizing the on-line reservation and authorization system will be required to certify that consent to use the secondary call sign has been obtained from the holder of the primary call sign.

[63 FR 71603, Dec. 29, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7260, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a)(1) Local radio ownership rule. A person or single entity (or entities under common control) may have a cognizable interest in licenses for AM or FM radio broadcast stations in accordance with the following limits:

(i) In a radio market with 45 or more full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 8 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 5 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM);

(ii) In a radio market with between 30 and 44 (inclusive) full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 7 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 4 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM);

(iii) In a radio market with between 15 and 29 (inclusive) full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 6 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 4 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM); and

(iv) In a radio market with 14 or fewer full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 5 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 3 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM); provided, however, that no person or single entity (or entities under common control) may have a cognizable interest in more than 50% of the full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations in such market unless the combination of stations comprises not more than one AM and one FM station.

(2) Overlap between two stations in different services is permissible if neither of those two stations overlaps a third station in the same service.

(b) Local television multiple ownership rule. (1) An entity may directly or indirectly own, operate, or control two television stations licensed in the same Designated Market Area (DMA) (as determined by Nielsen Media Research or any successor entity) if:

(i) The digital noise limited service contours of the stations (computed in accordance with § 73.619(c)) do not overlap; or

(ii) At the time the application to acquire or construct the station(s) is filed, at least one of the stations is not ranked among the top four stations in the DMA, based on the Sunday to Saturday, 7AM to 1AM daypart audience share from ratings averaged over a 12-month period immediately preceding the date of application, as measured by Nielsen Media Research or by any comparable professional, accepted audience ratings service. For any station broadcasting multiple programming streams, the audience share of all free-to-consumer non-simulcast multicast programming airing on streams owned, operated, or controlled by a single station shall be aggregated to determine the station's audience share and ranking in a DMA (to the extent that such streams are ranked by Nielsen or a comparable professional, accepted audience ratings service).

(2) Paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section (Top-Four Prohibition) shall not apply in cases where, at the request of the applicant, the Commission makes a finding that permitting an entity to directly or indirectly own, operate, or control two television stations licensed in the same DMA would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. The Commission will consider showings that the Top-Four Prohibition, including note 11 to this section, should not apply due to specific circumstances in a local market or with respect to a specific transaction on a case-by-case basis.

(c)-(d) [Reserved]

(e) National television multiple ownership rule. (1) No license for a commercial television broadcast station shall be granted, transferred or assigned to any party (including all parties under common control) if the grant, transfer or assignment of such license would result in such party or any of its stockholders, partners, members, officers or directors having a cognizable interest in television stations which have an aggregate national audience reach exceeding thirty-nine (39) percent.

(2) For purposes of this paragraph (e):

(i) National audience reach means the total number of television households in the Nielsen Designated Market Areas (DMAs) in which the relevant stations are located divided by the total national television households as measured by DMA data at the time of a grant, transfer, or assignment of a license. For purposes of making this calculation, UHF television stations shall be attributed with 50 percent of the television households in their DMA market.

(ii) No market shall be counted more than once in making this calculation.

(3) Divestiture. A person or entity that exceeds the thirty-nine (39) percent national audience reach limitation for television stations in paragraph (e)(1) of this section through grant, transfer, or assignment of an additional license for a commercial television broadcast station shall have not more than 2 years after exceeding such limitation to come into compliance with such limitation. This divestiture requirement shall not apply to persons or entities that exceed the 39 percent national audience reach limitation through population growth.

(f) The ownership limits of this section are not applicable to noncommercial educational FM and noncommercial educational TV stations. However, the attribution standards set forth in the Notes to this section will be used to determine attribution for noncommercial educational FM and TV applicants, such as in evaluating mutually exclusive applications pursuant to subpart K of part 73.

Note 1 to § 73.3555:

The words “cognizable interest” as used herein include any interest, direct or indirect, that allows a person or entity to own, operate or control, or that otherwise provides an attributable interest in, a broadcast station.

Note 2 to § 73.3555:

In applying the provisions of this section, ownership and other interests in broadcast licensees will be attributed to their holders and deemed cognizable pursuant to the following criteria:

a. Except as otherwise provided herein, partnership and direct ownership interests and any voting stock interest amounting to 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporate broadcast licensee will be cognizable;

b. Investment companies, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 80a-3, insurance companies and banks holding stock through their trust departments in trust accounts will be considered to have a cognizable interest only if they hold 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporate broadcast licensee, or if any of the officers or directors of the broadcast licensee are representatives of the investment company, insurance company or bank concerned. Holdings by a bank or insurance company will be aggregated if the bank or insurance company has any right to determine how the stock will be voted. Holdings by investment companies will be aggregated if under common management.

c. Attribution of ownership interests in a broadcast licensee that are held indirectly by any party through one or more intervening corporations will be determined by successive multiplication of the ownership percentages for each link in the vertical ownership chain and application of the relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product, except that wherever the ownership percentage for any link in the chain exceeds 50%, it shall not be included for purposes of this multiplication. For purposes of paragraph i. of this note, attribution of ownership interests in a broadcast licensee that are held indirectly by any party through one or more intervening organizations will be determined by successive multiplication of the ownership percentages for each link in the vertical ownership chain and application of the relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product, and the ownership percentage for any link in the chain that exceeds 50% shall be included for purposes of this multiplication. [For example, except for purposes of paragraph (i) of this note, if A owns 10% of company X, which owns 60% of company Y, which owns 25% of “Licensee,” then X's interest in “Licensee” would be 25% (the same as Y's interest because X's interest in Y exceeds 50%), and A's interest in “Licensee” would be 2.5% (0.1 × 0.25). Under the 5% attribution benchmark, X's interest in “Licensee” would be cognizable, while A's interest would not be cognizable. For purposes of paragraph i. of this note, X's interest in “Licensee” would be 15% (0.6 × 0.25) and A's interest in “Licensee” would be 1.5% (0.1 × 0.6 × 0.25). Neither interest would be attributed under paragraph i. of this note.]

d. Voting stock interests held in trust shall be attributed to any person who holds or shares the power to vote such stock, to any person who has the sole power to sell such stock, and to any person who has the right to revoke the trust at will or to replace the trustee at will. If the trustee has a familial, personal or extra-trust business relationship to the grantor or the beneficiary, the grantor or beneficiary, as appropriate, will be attributed with the stock interests held in trust. An otherwise qualified trust will be ineffective to insulate the grantor or beneficiary from attribution with the trust's assets unless all voting stock interests held by the grantor or beneficiary in the relevant broadcast licensee are subject to said trust.

e. Subject to paragraph i. of this note, holders of non-voting stock shall not be attributed an interest in the issuing entity. Subject to paragraph i. of this note, holders of debt and instruments such as warrants, convertible debentures, options or other non-voting interests with rights of conversion to voting interests shall not be attributed unless and until conversion is effected.

f. 1. A limited partnership interest shall be attributed to a limited partner unless that partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and the licensee or system so certifies. An interest in a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Registered Limited Liability Partnership (“RLLP”) shall be attributed to the interest holder unless that interest holder is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and the licensee or system so certifies.

2. For a licensee or system that is a limited partnership to make the certification set forth in paragraph f. 1. of this note, it must verify that the partnership agreement or certificate of limited partnership, with respect to the particular limited partner exempt from attribution, establishes that the exempt limited partner has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media activities of the partnership. For a licensee or system that is an LLC or RLLP to make the certification set forth in paragraph f. 1. of this note, it must verify that the organizational document, with respect to the particular interest holder exempt from attribution, establishes that the exempt interest holder has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media activities of the LLC or RLLP. The criteria which would assume adequate insulation for purposes of this certification are described in the Memorandum Opinion and Order in MM Docket No. 83-46, FCC 85-252 (released June 24, 1985), as modified on reconsideration in the Memorandum Opinion and Order in MM Docket No. 83-46, FCC 86-410 (released November 28, 1986). Irrespective of the terms of the certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, or other organizational document in the case of an LLC or RLLP, however, no such certification shall be made if the individual or entity making the certification has actual knowledge of any material involvement of the limited partners, or other interest holders in the case of an LLC or RLLP, in the management or operation of the media-related businesses of the partnership or LLC or RLLP.

3. In the case of an LLC or RLLP, the licensee or system seeking insulation shall certify, in addition, that the relevant state statute authorizing LLCs permits an LLC member to insulate itself as required by our criteria.

g. Officers and directors of a broadcast licensee are considered to have a cognizable interest in the entity with which they are so associated. If any such entity engages in businesses in addition to its primary business of broadcasting, it may request the Commission to waive attribution for any officer or director whose duties and responsibilities are wholly unrelated to its primary business. The officers and directors of a parent company of a broadcast licensee, with an attributable interest in any such subsidiary entity, shall be deemed to have a cognizable interest in the subsidiary unless the duties and responsibilities of the officer or director involved are wholly unrelated to the broadcast licensee, and a statement properly documenting this fact is submitted to the Commission. [This statement may be included on the appropriate Ownership Report.] The officers and directors of a sister corporation of a broadcast licensee shall not be attributed with ownership of that licensee by virtue of such status.

h. Discrete ownership interests will be aggregated in determining whether or not an interest is cognizable under this section. An individual or entity will be deemed to have a cognizable investment if:

1. The sum of the interests held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 20 percent; or

2. The sum of the interests other than those held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 5 percent; or

3. The sum of the interests computed under paragraph h. 1. of this note plus the sum of the interests computed under paragraph h. 2. of this note is equal to or exceeds 20 percent.

i.1. Notwithstanding paragraphs e. and f. of this Note, the holder of an equity or debt interest or interests in a broadcast licensee subject to the broadcast multiple ownership rules (“interest holder”) shall have that interest attributed if:

A. The equity (including all stockholdings, whether voting or nonvoting, common or preferred) and debt interest or interests, in the aggregate, exceed 33 percent of the total asset value, defined as the aggregate of all equity plus all debt, of that broadcast licensee; and

B.(i) The interest holder also holds an interest in a broadcast licensee in the same market that is subject to the broadcast multiple ownership rules and is attributable under paragraphs of this note other than this paragraph i.; or

(ii) The interest holder supplies over fifteen percent of the total weekly broadcast programming hours of the station in which the interest is held. For purposes of applying this paragraph, the term, “market,” will be defined as it is defined under the specific multiple ownership rule that is being applied, except that for television stations, the term “market” will be defined by reference to the definition contained in the local television multiple ownership rule contained in paragraph (b) of this section.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph i.1. of this Note, the interest holder may exceed the 33 percent threshold therein without triggering attribution where holding such interest would enable an eligible entity to acquire a broadcast station, provided that:

i. The combined equity and debt of the interest holder in the eligible entity is less than 50 percent, or

ii. The total debt of the interest holder in the eligible entity does not exceed 80 percent of the asset value of the station being acquired by the eligible entity and the interest holder does not hold any equity interest, option, or promise to acquire an equity interest in the eligible entity or any related entity. For purposes of this paragraph i.2, an “eligible entity” shall include any entity that qualifies as a small business under the Small Business Administration's size standards for its industry grouping, as set forth in 13 CFR 121.201, at the time the transaction is approved by the FCC, and holds:

A. 30 percent or more of the stock or partnership interests and more than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation or partnership that will own the media outlet; or

B. 15 percent or more of the stock or partnership interests and more than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation or partnership that will own the media outlet, provided that no other person or entity owns or controls more than 25 percent of the outstanding stock or partnership interests; or

C. More than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation that will own the media outlet if such corporation is a publicly traded company.

j. “Time brokerage” (also known as “local marketing”) is the sale by a licensee of discrete blocks of time to a “broker” that supplies the programming to fill that time and sells the commercial spot announcements in it.

1. Where two radio stations are both located in the same market, as defined for purposes of the local radio ownership rule contained in paragraph (a) of this section, and a party (including all parties under common control) with a cognizable interest in one such station brokers more than 15 percent of the broadcast time per week of the other such station, that party shall be treated as if it has an interest in the brokered station subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section. This limitation shall apply regardless of the source of the brokered programming supplied by the party to the brokered station.

2. Where two television stations are both located in the same market, as defined in the local television ownership rule contained in paragraph (b) of this section, and a party (including all parties under common control) with a cognizable interest in one such station brokers more than 15 percent of the broadcast time per week of the other such station, that party shall be treated as if it has an interest in the brokered station subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (b) and (e) of this section. This limitation shall apply regardless of the source of the brokered programming supplied by the party to the brokered station.

3. Every time brokerage agreement of the type described in this Note shall be undertaken only pursuant to a signed written agreement that shall contain a certification by the licensee or permittee of the brokered station verifying that it maintains ultimate control over the station's facilities including, specifically, control over station finances, personnel and programming, and by the brokering station that the agreement complies with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section if the brokering station is a television station or with paragraph (a) of this section if the brokering station is a radio station.

k. “Joint Sales Agreement” is an agreement with a licensee of a “brokered station” that authorizes a “broker” to sell advertising time for the “brokered station.”

1. Where two radio stations are both located in the same market, as defined for purposes of the local radio ownership rule contained in paragraph (a) of this section, and a party (including all parties under common control) with a cognizable interest in one such station sells more than 15 percent of the advertising time per week of the other such station, that party shall be treated as if it has an interest in the brokered station subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

2. Every joint sales agreement of the type described in this Note shall be undertaken only pursuant to a signed written agreement that shall contain a certification by the licensee or permittee of the brokered station verifying that it maintains ultimate control over the station's facilities, including, specifically, control over station finances, personnel and programming, and by the brokering station that the agreement complies with the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section if the brokering station is a radio station.

Note 3 to § 73.3555:

In cases where record and beneficial ownership of voting stock is not identical (e.g., bank nominees holding stock as record owners for the benefit of mutual funds, brokerage houses holding stock in street names for the benefit of customers, investment advisors holding stock in their own names for the benefit of clients, and insurance companies holding stock), the party having the right to determine how the stock will be voted will be considered to own it for purposes of these rules.

Note 4 to § 73.3555:

Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section will not be applied so as to require divestiture, by any licensee, of existing facilities, and will not apply to applications for assignment of license or transfer of control filed in accordance with § 73.3540(f) or § 73.3541(b), or to applications for assignment of license or transfer of control to heirs or legatees by will or intestacy, or to FM or AM broadcast minor modification applications for intra-market community of license changes, if no new or increased concentration of ownership would be created among commonly owned, operated or controlled broadcast stations. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section will apply to all applications for new stations, to all other applications for assignment or transfer, to all applications for major changes to existing stations, and to all other applications for minor changes to existing stations that seek a change in an FM or AM radio station's community of license or create new or increased concentration of ownership among commonly owned, operated or controlled broadcast stations. Commonly owned, operated or controlled broadcast stations that do not comply with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section may not be assigned or transferred to a single person, group or entity, except as provided in this Note, the Report and Order in Docket No. 02-277, released July 2, 2003 (FCC 02-127), or the Second Report and Order in MB Docket No. 14-50, FCC 16-107 (released August 25, 2016).

Note 5 to § 73.3555:

Paragraphs (b) and (e) of this section will not be applied to cases involving television stations that are “satellite” operations. Such cases will be considered in accordance with the analysis set forth in the Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87-8, FCC 91-182 (released July 8, 1991), as further explained by the Report and Order in MB Docket No. 18-63, FCC 19-17, (released March 12, 2019), in order to determine whether common ownership, operation, or control of the stations in question would be in the public interest. An authorized and operating “satellite” television station, the digital noise limited service contour of which overlaps that of a commonly owned, operated, or controlled “non-satellite” parent television broadcast station may subsequently become a “non-satellite” station under the circumstances described in the aforementioned Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87-8. However, such commonly owned, operated, or controlled “non-satellite” television stations may not be transferred or assigned to a single person, group, or entity except as provided in Note 4 of this section.

Note 6 to § 73.3555:

Requests submitted pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section will be considered in accordance with the analysis set forth in the Order on Reconsideration in MB Docket Nos. 14-50, et al. (FCC 17-156).

Note 7 to § 73.3555:

The Commission will entertain applications to waive the restrictions in paragraph (b) of this section (the local television ownership rule) on a case-by-case basis. In each case, we will require a showing that the in-market buyer is the only entity ready, willing, and able to operate the station, that sale to an out-of-market applicant would result in an artificially depressed price, and that the waiver applicant does not already directly or indirectly own, operate, or control interest in two television stations within the relevant DMA. One way to satisfy these criteria would be to provide an affidavit from an independent broker affirming that active and serious efforts have been made to sell the permit, and that no reasonable offer from an entity outside the market has been received.

Note 8 to § 73.3555:

Paragraph (a)(1) of this section will not apply to an application for an AM station license in the 535-1605 kHz band where grant of such application will result in the overlap of 5 mV/m groundwave contours of the proposed station and that of another AM station in the 535-1605 kHz band that is commonly owned, operated or controlled if the applicant shows that a significant reduction in interference to adjacent or co-channel stations would accompany such common ownership. Such AM overlap cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether common ownership, operation or control of the stations in question would be in the public interest. Applicants in such cases must submit a contingent application of the major or minor facilities change needed to achieve the interference reduction along with the application which seeks to create the 5 mV/m overlap situation.

Note 9 to § 73.3555:

Paragraph (a)(1) of this section will not apply to an application for an AM station license in the 1605-1705 kHz band where grant of such application will result in the overlap of the 5 mV/m groundwave contours of the proposed station and that of another AM station in the 535-1605 kHz band that is commonly owned, operated or controlled.

Note 10 to § 73.3555:

Authority for joint ownership granted pursuant to Note 9 will expire at 3 a.m. local time on the fifth anniversary for the date of issuance of a construction permit for an AM radio station in the 1605-1705 kHz band.

Note 11 to § 73.3555:

a. An entity will not be permitted to directly or indirectly own, operate, or control two television stations in the same DMA through the execution of any agreement (or series of agreements) involving stations in the same DMA, or any individual or entity with a cognizable interest in such stations, in which a station (the “new affiliate”) acquires the network affiliation of another station (the “previous affiliate”), if the change in network affiliations would result in the licensee of the new affiliate, or any individual or entity with a cognizable interest in the new affiliate, directly or indirectly owning, operating, or controlling two of the top-four rated television stations in the DMA at the time of the agreement. Parties should also refer to the Second Report and Order in MB Docket No. 14-50, FCC 16-107 (released August 25, 2016).

b. Further, an entity will not be permitted through the execution of any agreement (or series of agreements) to acquire a network affiliation, directly or indirectly, if the change in network affiliation would result in the affiliation programming being broadcast from a television facility that is not counted as a station toward the total number of stations an entity is permitted to own under paragraph (b) of this section (e.g., a low power television station, a Class A television station, etc.) or on any television station's video programming stream that is not counted separately as a station toward the total number of stations an entity is permitted to own under paragraph (b) of this section (e.g., non-primary multicast streams) and where the change in affiliation would violate this Note were such television facility counted or such video programming stream counted separately as a station toward the total number of stations an entity is permitted to own for purposes of paragraph (b) of this section.

[73 FR 9487, Feb. 21, 2008, as amended at 73 FR 28369, May 16, 2008; 75 FR 27199, May 14, 2010; 79 FR 29006, May 20, 2014; 81 FR 73041, Oct. 24, 2016; 81 FR 76262, Nov. 1, 2016; 82 FR 21127, May 5, 2017; 83 FR 755, Jan. 8, 2018; 84 FR 15128, Apr. 15, 2019; 85 FR 5164, Jan. 29, 2020; 86 FR 34628, June 30, 2021; 89 FR 7260, Feb. 1, 2024; 89 FR 12229, Feb. 15, 2024]

(a) No commercial FM radio station shall operate so as to devote more than 25 percent of the total hours in its average broadcast week to programs that duplicate those of any station in the same service which is commonly owned or with which it has a time brokerage agreement if the principal community contours (predicted 3.16 mV/m) of the stations overlap and the overlap constitutes more than 50 percent of the total principal community contour service area of either station.

(b) For purposes of this section, duplication means the broadcasting of identical programs within any 24-hour period.

[89 FR 55084, July 3, 2024]

Upon acceptance of an application, the complete file is reviewed by the staff and, except where the application is acted upon by the staff pursuant to delegation of authority, a report containing the recommendations of the staff and any other documents required is prepared and placed on the Commission's agenda.

[44 FR 38499, July 2, 1979]

Those applications which do not require action by the Commission but which, pursuant to the delegations of authority set forth in subpart B of part 0 of this chapter, may be acted upon by the Chief, Media Bureau, are forwarded to the Media Bureau for necessary action. If the application is granted, the formal authorization is issued. In any case where it is recommended that the application be set for hearing, where a novel question of policy is presented, or where the Chief, Media Bureau desires instructions from the Commission, the matter is placed on the Commission agenda.

[67 FR 13233, Mar. 21, 2002]

(a)(1) Applications tendered for filing are dated upon receipt and then forwarded to the Media Bureau, where an administrative examination is made to ascertain whether the applications are complete. Except for applications for minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM band, as defined in § 73.3573(a)(2), long form applications subject to the provisions of § 73.5005 found to be complete or substantially complete are accepted for filing and are given file numbers. In the case of minor defects as to completeness, a deficiency letter will be issued and the applicant will be required to supply the missing or corrective information. Applications that are not substantially complete will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant.

(2) In the case of minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM band, applications will be placed on public notice if they meet the following two-tiered minimum filing requirements as initially filed in first-come/first-serve proceedings:

(i) The application must include:

(A) Applicant's name and address,

(B) Applicant's signature,

(C) Principal community,

(D) Channel or frequency,

(E) Class of station, and

(F) Transmitter site coordinates; and

(ii) The application must not omit more than three of the following second-tier items:

(A) A list of the other media interests of the applicant and its principals,

(B) Certification of compliance with the alien ownership provisions contained in 47 U.S.C. 310(b),

(C) Tower/antenna heights,

(D) Effective radiated power,

(E) Whether the antenna is directional or omnidirectional, and

(F) An exhibit demonstrating compliance with the contour protection requirements of 47 CFR 73.215, if applicable.

(3) Applications found not to meet minimum filing requirements will be returned to the applicant. Applications found to meet minimum filing requirements, but that contain deficiencies in tender and/or acceptance information, shall be given an opportunity for corrective amendment pursuant to 73.3522 of this part. Applications found to be substantially complete and in accordance with the Commission's core legal and technical requirements will be accepted for filing. Applications with uncorrected tender and/or acceptance defects remaining after the opportunity for corrective amendment will be dismissed with no further opportunity for amendment.

(b) Acceptance of an application for filing merely means that it has been the subject of a preliminary review by the FCC's administrative staff as to completeness. Such acceptance will not preclude the subsequent dismissal of the application if it is found to be patently not in accordance with the FCC's rules.

(c) At regular intervals, the FCC will issue a Public Notice listing all long form applications which have been accepted for filing. Pursuant to §§ 73.3571(h), 73.3572, and 73.3573(f), such notice shall establish a cut-off date for the filing of petitions to deny. With respect to reserved band FM applications, the Public Notice shall also establish a cut-off date for the filing of mutually exclusive applications pursuant to § 73.3573(e). However, no application will be accepted for filing unless certification of compliance with the local notice requirements of § 73.3580(h) has been made in the tendered application.

(d) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to § 73.5002, a period for filing applications for new stations or for major modifications in the facilities of an existing station. Except for reserved band FM stations and TV stations on reserved noncommercial educational channels, applications for new and major modifications in facilities will be accepted only during these window filing periods specified by the Commission.

(e) Applications for minor modification of facilities may be tendered at any time, unless restricted by the FCC. These applications will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis and will be treated as simultaneously tendered if filed on the same day. Any applications received after the filing of a lead application will be grouped according to filing date, and placed in a queue behind the lead applicant. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those minor modification of facilities applications accepted for filing.

(f) If a non-reserved band FM channel allotment becomes vacant, after the grant of a construction permit becomes final, because of a lapsed construction permit or for any other reason, the FCC will, by Public Notice, announce a subsequent filing window for the acceptance of new applications for such channels.

(g) Applications for operation in the 1605-1705 kHz band will be accepted only if filed pursuant to the terms of § 73.30(b).

[63 FR 48624, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 56978, Oct. 22, 1999; 67 FR 13233, Mar. 21, 2002]

(a) Applications which are determined to be patently not in accordance with the FCC rules, regulations, or other requirements, unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver, will be considered defective and will not be accepted for filing or if inadvertently accepted for filing will be dismissed. Requests for waiver shall show the nature of the waiver or exception desired and shall set forth the reasons in support thereof.

(b) If an applicant is requested by the FCC to file any additional documents or information not included in the prescribed application form, a failure to comply with such request will be deemed to render the application defective, and such application will be dismissed.

[44 FR 38499, July 2, 1979]

(a) (1) Failure to prosecute an application, or failure to respond to official correspondence or request for additional information, will be cause for dismissal.

(2) Applicants in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding will be subject to the provisions of §§ 73.5002 and 1.2105(b) regarding the dismissal of their short-form applications.

(3) Applicants in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding will be subject to the provisions of §§ 73.5004, 73.5005 and 1.2104(g) regarding the dismissal of their long-form applications and the imposition of applicable withdrawal, default and disqualification payments.

(b)(1) Subject to the provisions of § 73.3525, dismissal of applications for channels reserved for noncommercial educational use will be without prejudice where an application has not yet been designated for hearing, but may be made with prejudice after designation for hearing.

(2) Subject to the provisions of § 73.3525, requests to dismiss an application for a channel reserved for noncommercial educational use, without prejudice, after it has been designated for hearing, will be considered only upon written petition properly served upon all parties of record. Such requests shall be granted only upon a showing that the request is based on circumstances wholly beyond the applicant's control which preclude further prosecution of his application.

(c) Subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3523 and 73.3525, any application for minor modification of facilities may, upon request of the applicant, be dismissed without prejudice as a matter of right.

(d) An applicant's request for the return of an application that has been accepted for filing will be regarded as a request for dismissal.

[63 FR 48624, Sept. 11, 1998]

(a) Applications for AM broadcast facilities are divided into three groups.

(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or for major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change for an AM station authorized under this part is any change in frequency, except frequency changes to non-expanded band first, second or third adjacent channels. A major change in ownership is a situation where the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50% ownership interest in the application as originally filed. A major change in community of license is one in which the applicant's daytime facilities at the proposed community are not mutually exclusive, as defined in § 73.37, with the applicant's current daytime facilities, or any change in community of license of an AM station in the 1605-1705 kHz band. All other changes will be considered minor.

(2) The second group consists of applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of authorized stations.

(3) The third group consists of applications for operation in the 1605-1705 kHz band which are filed subsequent to FCC notification that allotments have been awarded to petitioners under the procedure specified in § 73.30.

(b)(1) The FCC may, after acceptance of an application for modification of facilities, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore is subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3522, 73.3580 and 1.1111 of this chapter pertaining to major changes. Such major modification applications will be dismissed as set forth in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.

(2) An amendment to an application which would effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, will not be accepted except as provided for in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.

(c) An application for changes in the facilities of an existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of said licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.

(d) If, upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of an application, the same will be granted. If the FCC is unable to make such a finding and it appears that a hearing may be required, the procedure set forth in § 73.3593 will be followed.

(e) Applications proposing to increase the power of an AM station are subject to the following requirements:

(1) In order to be acceptable for filing, any application which does not involve a change in site must propose at least a 20% increase in the station's nominal power.

(2) Applications involving a change in site are not subject to the requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

(3) Applications for nighttime power increases for Class D stations are not subject to the requirements of this section and will be processed as minor changes.

(4) The following special procedures will be followed in authorizing Class II-D daytime-only stations on 940 and 1550 kHz, and Class III daytime-only stations on the 41 regional channels listed in § 73.26(a), to operate unlimited-time.

(i) Each eligible daytime-only station in the foregoing categories will receive an Order to Show Cause why its license should not be modified to specify operation during nighttime hours with the facilities it is licensed to start using at local sunrise, using the power stated in the Order to Show Cause, that the Commission finds is the highest nighttime level—not exceeding 0.5 kW—at which the station could operate without causing prohibited interference to other domestic or foreign stations, or to co-channel or adjacent channel stations for which pending applications were filed before December 1, 1987.

(ii) Stations accepting such modification shall be reclassified. Those authorized in such Show Cause Orders to operate during nighttime hours with a power of 0.25 kW or more, or with a power that, although less than 0.25 kW, is sufficient to enable them to attain RMS field strengths of 141 mV/m or more at 1 kilometer, shall be redesignated as Class II-B stations if they are assigned to 940 or 1550 kHz, and as unlimited-time Class III stations if they are assigned to regional channels.

(iii) Stations accepting such modification that are authorized to operate during nighttime hours at powers less than 0.25 kW, and that cannot with such powers attain RMS field strengths of 141 mV/m or more at 1 kilometer, shall be redesignated as Class II-S stations if they are assigned to 940 or 1550 kHz, and as Class III-S stations if they are assigned to regional channels.

(iv) Applications for new stations may be filed at any time on 940 and 1550 kHz and on the regional channels. Also, stations assigned to 940 or 1550 kHz, or to the regional channels, may at any time, regardless of their classifications, apply for power increases up to the maximum generally permitted. Such applications for new or changed facilities will be granted without taking into account interference caused to Class II-S or Class III-S stations, but will be required to show interference protection to other classes of stations, including stations that were previously classified as Class II-S or Class III-S, but were later reclassified as Class II-B or Class III unlimited-time stations as a result of subsequent facilities modifications that permitted power increases qualifying them to discontinue their “S” subclassification.

(f) Applications for minor modifications for AM broadcast stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, conflicting applicants. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed and, if they are found to be mutually exclusive, must be resolved through settlement or technical amendment. Conflicting applications received after the filing of a first acceptable application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in a queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent, conflicting applicants only reserves a place in the queue. The rights of an applicant in a queue ripen only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and if the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until a construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.

(g) Applications for change of license to change hours of operation of a Class C AM broadcast station, to decrease hours of operation of any other class of station, or to change station location involving no change in transmitter site will be considered without reference to the processing line.

(h) Processing new and major AM broadcast station applications. (1)(i) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to § 73.5002, a period for filing AM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. AM applications for new facilities or for major modifications, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be accepted only during these specified periods. Applications submitted prior to the appropriate filing period or “window” opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.

(ii)(A) Such AM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§ 1.2105 of this chapter and 73.5002 regarding the submission of the short-form application, FCC Form 175, and all appropriate certifications, information and exhibits contained therein. Applications must include the following engineering data:

(1) Community of license;

(2) Frequency;

(3) Class;

(4) Hours of operations (day, night, critical hours);

(5) Power (day, night, critical hours);

(6) Antenna location (day, night, critical hours); and

(7) All other antenna data.

(B) Applications lacking data (including any form of placeholder, such as inapposite use of “0” or “not applicable” or an abbreviation thereof) in any of the categories listed in paragraph (h)(1)(ii)(A) of this section will be immediately dismissed as incomplete without an opportunity for amendment. The staff will review the remaining applications to determine whether they meet the following basic eligibility criteria:

(1) Community of license coverage (day and night) as set forth in § 73.24(i), and

(2) Protection of co- and adjacent-channel station licenses, construction permits and prior-filed applications (day and night) as set forth in §§ 73.37 and 73.182.

(C) If the staff review shows that an application does not meet one or more of the basic eligibility criteria listed in paragraph (h)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, it will be deemed “technically ineligible for filing” and will be included on a Public Notice listing defective applications and setting a deadline for the submission of curative amendments. An application listed on that Public Notice may be amended only to the extent directly related to an identified deficiency in the application. The amendment may modify the proposed power, class (within the limits set forth in § 73.21 of the rules), antenna location or antenna data, but not the proposed community of license or frequency. Except as set forth in the preceding two sentences, amendments to short-form (FCC Form 175) applications will not be accepted at any time. Applications that remain technically ineligible after the close of this amendment period will be dismissed, and the staff will determine which remaining applications are mutually exclusive. The engineering proposals in eligible applications remaining after the close of the amendment period will be protected from subsequently filed applications. Determinations as to the acceptability or grantability of an applicant's proposal will not be made prior to an auction.

(iii) AM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§ 1.2105 and 73.5002 regarding the modification and dismissal of their short-form applications.

(2) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices:

(i) Identifying the short-form applications received during the window filing period which are found to be mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), as well as the procedures the FCC will use to resolve the mutually exclusive applications;

(ii) Establishing a date, time and place for an auction;

(iii) Providing information regarding the methodology of competitive bidding to be used in the upcoming auction, bid submission and payment procedures, upfront payment procedures, upfront payment deadlines, minimum opening bid requirements and applicable reserve prices in accordance with the provisions of § 73.5002;

(iv) Identifying applicants who have submitted timely upfront payments and, thus, are qualified to bid in the auction.

(3) After the close of the filing window, the FCC will also release a Public Notice identifying any short-form applications received which are found to be non-mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6). All non-mutually exclusive applicants will be required to submit an appropriate long form application within 30 days of the Public Notice and, for applicants for commercial broadcast stations, pursuant to the provisions of § 73.5005(d). Non-mutually exclusive applications for commercial broadcast stations will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.5006 and 73.3584. Non-mutually exclusive applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.7004 and 73.3584. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the non-mutually exclusive long form application, the same will be granted.

(4)(i) The auction will be held pursuant to the procedures set forth in §§ 1.2101 et seq. and 73.5000 et seq. Subsequent to the auction, the FCC will release a Public Notice announcing the close of the auction and identifying the winning bidders. Winning bidders will be subject to the provisions of § 1.2107 of this chapter regarding down payments and will be required to submit the appropriate down payment within 10 business days of the Public Notice. Pursuant to § 1.2107 of this chapter and § 73.5005, a winning bidder that meets its down payment obligations in a timely manner must, within 30 days of the release of the Public Notice announcing the close of the auction, submit the appropriate long-form application for each construction permit for which it was the winning bidder. Long-form applications filed by winning bidders shall include the exhibits identified in § 73.5005(a).

(ii) Winning bidders are required to pay the balance of their winning bids in a lump sum prior to the deadline established by the Commission pursuant to § 1.2109(a). Long-form construction permit applications will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such applications that have been accepted for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.5006 and 73.3584. Construction permits will be granted by the Commission only after full and timely payment of winning bids and any applicable late fees, and if the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served.

(iii) All long-form applications will be cutoff as of the date of filing with the FCC and will be protected from subsequently filed long-form applications. Applications will be required to protect all previously filed commercial and noncommercial applications. Subject to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (k) of this section, winning bidders filing long-form applications may change the technical proposals specified in their previously submitted short-form applications, but such change may not constitute a major change. If the submitted long-form application would constitute a major change from the proposal submitted in the short-form application, the long-form application will be returned pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.

(i) In order to grant a major or minor change application made contingent upon the grant of another licensee's request for a facility modification, the Commission will not consider mutually exclusive applications by other parties that would not protect the currently authorized facilities of the contingent applicants. Such major change applications remain, however, subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3580 and 1.1111. The Commission shall grant contingent requests for construction permits for station modifications only upon a finding that such action will promote the public interest, convenience and necessity.

(j) Applications proposing to change the community of license of an AM station, except for an AM station in the 1605-1705 kHz band, are considered to be minor modifications under paragraphs (a)(2) and (f) of this section, and are subject to the following requirements:

(1) The applicant must attach an exhibit to its application containing information demonstrating that the proposed community of license change constitutes a preferential arrangement of assignments under Section 307(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 307(b));

(2) The daytime facilities specified by the applicant at the proposed community of license must be mutually exclusive, as defined in § 73.37, with the applicant's current daytime facilities; and

(3) The applicant must comply with the local public notice provisions of § 73.3580(c)(5).

(k)(1) An AM applicant receiving a dispositive Section 307(b) preference is required to construct and operate technical facilities substantially as proposed in its FCC Form 175. An AM applicant, licensee, or permittee receiving a dispositive Section 307(b) preference based on its proposed service to underserved populations (under Priority (1), Priority (2), and Priority (4)) or service totals (under Priority (4)) may modify its facilities so long as it continues to provide the same priority service to substantially the same number of persons who would have received service under the initial proposal, even if the population is not the same population that would have received such service under the initial proposal. For purposes of this provision, “substantially” means that any proposed modification must not result in a decrease of more than 20 percent of any population figure that was a material factor in obtaining the dispositive Section 307(b) preference.

(2) An AM applicant, licensee, or permittee that has received a dispositive preference under Priority (3) will be prohibited from changing its community of license.

(3) The restrictions set forth in paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2) of this section will be applied for a period of four years of on-air operations. This holding period does not apply to construction permits that are awarded on a non-comparative basis, such as those awarded to non-mutually exclusive applicants or through settlement.

Note to § 73.3571:

For purposes of paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this section, § 73.182(k) interference standards apply when determining nighttime mutual exclusivity between applications to provide AM service that are filed in the same window. Two applications would be deemed to be mutually exclusive if either application would be subject to dismissal because it would enter into, i.e., raise, the twenty-five percent exclusion RSS nighttime limit of the other.

[63 FR 48625, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 19501, Apr. 21, 1999; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26227, May 15, 2003; 71 FR 6228, Feb. 7, 2006; 71 FR 76219, Dec. 20, 2006; 75 FR 9806, Mar. 4, 2010; 76 FR 18952, Apr. 6, 2011; 85 FR 36794, June 18, 2020]

(a) Applications for TV stations are divided into two groups:

(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change for TV broadcast stations authorized under this part is any change in frequency or community of license which is in accord with a present allotment contained in the Table of Allotments (§ 73.622(j)). Other requests for change in frequency or community of license for TV broadcast stations must first be submitted in the form of a petition for rulemaking to amend the Table of Allotments.

(2) In the case of Class A TV stations authorized under subpart J of this part and low power TV and TV translator stations authorized under part 74 of this chapter, a major change is any change in:

(i) Frequency (output channel), except a change in offset carrier frequency; or

(ii) Transmitting antenna location where the protected contour resulting from the change is not predicted to overlap any portion of the protected contour based on the station's authorized facilities.

(3) Other changes will be considered minor, including changes made to implement a channel sharing arrangement, provided they comply with the other provisions of this section.

(4) [Reserved]

(b)(1) A new file number will be assigned to an application for a new station or for major changes in the facilities of an authorized station, when it is amended so as to effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, or result in a situation where the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50 percent ownership interest in the application as originally filed, and § 73.3580 will apply to such amended application. However, such change in ownership is minor if:

(i) The governing board change in a nonstock or membership noncommercial educational (NCE) full power television applicant occurred over a period of six months or longer; or

(ii) The governing board change in a nonstock or membership NCE full power television applicant occurred over a period of less than six months and there is no evidence of a takeover concern or a significant effect on such organization's mission.

(2) All changes in a governmental applicant are considered minor.

(3) An application for change in the facilities of any existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of such licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.

(c) Amendments to Class A TV, low power TV and TV translator stations, or non-reserved television applications, which would require a new file number pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, are subject to competitive bidding procedures and will be dismissed if filed outside a specified filing period. See 47 CFR 73.5002(a). When an amendment to an application for a reserved television allotment would require a new file number pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the applicant will have the opportunity to withdraw the amendment at any time prior to designation for a hearing if applicable; and may be afforded, subject to the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, an opportunity to withdraw the amendment after designation for a hearing.

(d)(1) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, a period for filing applications for new television stations on reserved noncommercial educational channels or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station on reserved channels. TV reserved channel applications for new facilities or for major modifications will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or “window.” Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely. Mutually exclusive applications for reserved channel television stations will be resolved using the point system in subpart K of this part.

(2) Concurrently with the filing of a new or major modification application for a reserved noncommercial educational channel, the applicant shall submit to the FCC's public reference room and to a local public inspection file consistent with § 73.3527(e)(2), supporting documentation of points claimed, as described in the application form.

(e) The FCC will specify by Public Notice a period for filing applications for a new non-reserved television, low power TV and TV translator stations or for major modifications in the facilities of such authorized stations, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), and major modifications in the facilities of Class A TV stations.

(f) Applications for minor modification of Class A TV, low power TV and TV translator stations may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first-come/first-served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, competing applicants. Provided, however, that applications for minor modifications of Class A TV and those of TV broadcast stations may become mutually exclusive until grant of a pending Class A TV or TV broadcast minor modification application.

[63 FR 48626, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 67 FR 5513, Feb. 6, 2002; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26227, May 15, 2003; 76 FR 44827, July 27, 2011; 82 FR 18249, Apr. 18, 2017; 85 FR 7889, Feb. 12, 2020; 86 FR 66213, Nov. 22, 2021; 89 FR 7260, Feb. 1, 2024]

Before recording a telephone conversation for broadcast, or broadcasting such a conversation simultaneously with its occurrence, a licensee shall inform any party to the call of the licensee's intention to broadcast the conversation, except where such party is aware, or may be presumed to be aware from the circumstances of the conversation, that it is being or likely will be broadcast. Such awareness is presumed to exist only when the other party to the call is associated with the station (such as as employee or part-time reporter), or where the other party originates the call and it is obvious that it is in connection with a program in which the station customarily broadcasts telephone conversations.

[35 FR 7733, May 20, 1970]

(a) Applications for FM broadcast stations are divided into two groups:

(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or for major changes of authorized stations. A major change in ownership is one in which the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50 percent ownership interest in the application as originally filed, except that such change in ownership is minor if: The governing board change in a nonstock or membership NCE applicant occurred over a period of six months or longer or the governing board change in a nonstock or membership NCE applicant occurred over a period of less than six months and there is no evidence of a takeover concern or a significant effect on such organization's mission. All changes in a governmental applicant are considered minor. In the case of a Class D or an NCE FM reserved band channel station, a major facility change is any change in antenna location which would not continue to provide a 1 mV/m service to some portion of its previously authorized 1 mV/m service area. In the case of a Class D station, a major facility change is any change in community of license or any change in frequency other than to a first-, second-, or third-adjacent channel. A major facility change for a commercial or a noncommercial educational full service FM station, a winning auction bidder, or a tentative selectee authorized or determined under this part is any change in frequency or community of license which is not in accord with its current assignment, except for the following:

(i) A change in community of license which complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section;

(ii) A change to a higher or lower class co-channel, first-, second-, or third-adjacent channel, or intermediate frequency;

(iii) A change to a same-class first-, second-, or third-adjacent channel, or intermediate frequency;

(iv) A channel substitution, subject to the provisions of Section 316 of the Communications Act for involuntary channel substitutions.

(2) The second group consists of applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of authorized stations.

(b)(1) The FCC may, after the acceptance of an application for modification of facilities, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3522, 73.3580 and 1.1111 of this chapter pertaining to major changes. Such major modification applications in the non-reserved band will be dismissed as set forth in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.

(2) An amendment to a non-reserved band application which would effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, will not be accepted, except as provided for in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.

(3) A new file number will be assigned to a reserved band application for a new station or for major changes in the facilities of an authorized station, when it is amended so as to effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Where an amendment to a reserved band application would require a new file number, the applicant will have the opportunity to withdraw the amendment at any time prior to designation for hearing, if applicable; and may be afforded, subject to the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, an opportunity to withdraw the amendment after designation for hearing.

(c) An application for changes in the facilities of any existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of such licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.

(d) If, upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of an application for FM broadcast facilities, the same will be granted. If the FCC is unable to make such a finding and it appears that a hearing may be required, the procedure given in § 73.3593 will be followed. In the case of mutually exclusive applications for reserved channels, the procedures in subpart K of this part will be followed. In the case of mutually exclusive applications for unreserved channels, the procedures in subpart I of this part will be followed.

(e) Processing reserved channel FM broadcast station applications. (1) Applications for minor modifications for reserved channel FM broadcast stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, competing applicants. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Conflicting applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed and mutually exclusive. Conflicting applications received after the filing of the first acceptable application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in the queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent conflicting applicants only reserves a place in the queue. The right of an applicant in a queue ripens only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and that the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until the construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.

(2) The FCC will specify by Public Notice a period for filing reserved channel FM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. FM reserved channel applications for new facilities or for major modifications will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or “window.” Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.

(3) Concurrently with the filing of a new or major modification application for a reserved noncommercial educational channel, the applicant shall submit to the FCC's public reference room and to a local public inspection file consistent with § 73.3527(e)(2), supporting documentation of points claimed, as described in the application form.

(4) Timely filed applications for new facilities or for major modifications for reserved FM channels will be processed pursuant to the procedures set forth in subpart K of this part (§ 73.7000 et seq.) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices identifying: mutually exclusive groups of applications; applications selected pursuant to the fair distribution procedures set forth in § 73.7002; applications received during the window filing period which are found to be non-mutually exclusive; tentative selectees determined pursuant to the point system procedures set forth in § 73.7003; and acceptable applications. The Public Notices will also announce: additional procedures to be followed for certain groups of applications; deadlines for filing additional information; and dates by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of § 73.3584. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the application, it will be granted. If an application is determined unacceptable for filing, the application will be returned, and subject to the amendment requirements of § 73.3522.

(f) Processing non-reserved FM broadcast station applications. (1) Applications for minor modifications for non-reserved FM broadcast stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and, generally, will be processed in the order in which they are tendered. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Processing of these applications will be on a “first come/first serve” basis with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent applicants. All applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously tendered and, if they are found to be mutually exclusive, must be resolved through settlement or technical amendment. Applications received after the tender of a lead application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in a queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, as against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent applicants for that channel and community only reserves a place in the queue. The rights of an applicant in a queue ripen only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and if the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until a construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.

(2)(i) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to § 73.5002(a), a period for filing non-reserved band FM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. FM applications for new facilities or for major modifications, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or “window.” Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.

(ii) Such FM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§ 1.2105 and 73.5002 regarding the submission of the short-form application, FCC Form 175, and all appropriate certifications, information and exhibits contained therein. FM applicants may submit a set of preferred site coordinates as a supplement to the short-form application. Any specific site indicated by FM applicants will not be studied for technical acceptability, but will be protected from subsequently filed applications as a full-class facility as of the close of the window filing period. Determinations as to the acceptability or grantability of an applicant's proposal will not be made prior to an auction.

(iii) FM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§ 1.2105 and 73.5002(c) regarding the modification and dismissal of their short-form applications.

(3) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices:

(i) Identifying the short-form applications received during the window filing period which are found to be mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), as well as the procedures the FCC will use to resolve the mutually exclusive applications;

(ii) Establishing a date, time and place for an auction;

(iii) Providing information regarding the methodology of competitive bidding to be used in the upcoming auction, bid submission and payment procedures, upfront payment procedures, upfront payment deadlines, minimum opening bid requirements and applicable reserve prices in accordance with the provisions of § 73.5002;

(iv) Identifying applicants who have submitted timely upfront payments and, thus, are qualified to bid in the auction.

(4) If, after the close of the appropriate window filing period, a non-reserved FM allotment remains vacant, the window remains closed until the FCC, by Public Notice, specifies a subsequent period for filing non-reserved band FM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section. After the close of the filing window, the FCC will also release a Public Notice identifying the short-form applications which are found to be non-mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6). These non-mutually exclusive applicants will be required to submit the appropriate long-form application within 30 days of the Public Notice and, for applicants for commercial broadcast stations, pursuant to the provisions of § 73.5005(d). Non-mutually exclusive applications for commercial broadcast stations will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.5006 and 73.3584. Non-mutually exclusive applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.7004 and 73.3584. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served by the granting of the non-mutually exclusive long-form application, it will be granted.

(5)(i) Pursuant to § 1.2107 of this chapter and § 73.5005, a winning bidder that meets its down payment obligations in a timely manner must, within 30 days of the release of the public notice announcing the close of the auction, submit the appropriate long-form application for each construction permit for which it was the winning bidder. Long-form applications filed by winning bidders shall include the exhibits identified in § 73.5005(a).

(ii) Winning bidders are required to pay the balance of their winning bids in a lump sum prior to the deadline established by the Commission pursuant to § 1.2109(a) of this chapter. Long-form construction permit applications will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such applications that have been accepted for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.5006 and 73.3584. Construction permits will be granted by the Commission only after full and timely payment of winning bids and any applicable late fees, and if the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served.

(iii) All long-form applications will be cut-off as of the date of filing with the FCC and will be protected from subsequently filed long-form applications and rulemaking petitions. Applications will be required to protect all previously filed commercial and noncommercial applications. Winning bidders filing long-form applications may change the technical proposals specified in their previously submitted short-form applications, but such change may not constitute a major change. If the submitted long-form application would constitute a major change from the proposal submitted in the short-form application or the allotment, the long-form application will be returned pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.

(6)(i) When a non-reserved channel FM allotment is added to the Table of FM Allotments using the Tribal Priority described in Note 5 to this section, the FCC will specify by Public Notice a window filing period during which only those applicants that satisfy all of the eligibility criteria listed in Note 5 to this section with regard to the specific Tribal Priority FM allotment(s) listed in the Public Notice may file a long-form application for the Tribal Priority FM allotment. Only applications from applicants meeting the “threshold qualifications” listed in Note 5 will be accepted during this window filing period.

(ii) If only one application for the Tribal Priority FM allotment is accepted for filing during the threshold qualifications window, the long-form application will be processed. If two or more applications for the Tribal Priority FM allotment are accepted for filing during the threshold qualifications window, the FCC will specify by Public Notice a period of time, after the close of the threshold qualifications window but before the next FM auction, during which the parties may negotiate a settlement or bona fide merger, as a way of resolving the conflict between their applications. Parties to a settlement must comply with § 73.3525 of the Commission's rules. If a settlement or bona fide merger is reached, the surviving application will be processed. If no settlement or bona fide merger is reached among the threshold qualifications window applicants, the Tribal Priority FM allotment will be offered at auction as described in paragraphs (f)(2) through (f)(5) of this section, except that only those applicants whose applications were accepted for filing pursuant to paragraph (f)(6)(i) of this section may participate in the initial auction of the Tribal Priority FM allotment.

(iii) If no application is accepted for filing during the threshold qualifications window, and the party that initially proposed the Tribal Priority FM allotment requests by letter to the Audio Division, Media Bureau, that its pending long-form application not be immediately processed, the Tribal Priority FM allotment will be auctioned as described in paragraphs (f)(2) through (f)(5) of this section in the normal course for vacant FM allotments. When a Tribal Priority FM allotment is offered at auction for the first time, only those applicants meeting the threshold qualifications for that specific Tribal Priority FM allotment, as described in Note 5 to this section, may participate in the auction of that allotment.

(iv) Should no applicant meeting threshold qualifications, as described in Note 5 to this section, apply to bid on a Tribal Priority FM allotment in the first auction in which it is offered, or should no applicant meeting threshold qualifications qualify to bid in the first auction in which a Tribal Priority FM allotment is offered, then the Tribal Priority FM allotment will be offered in a subsequent auction. Any such subsequent auction of a Tribal Priority FM allotment shall proceed as described in paragraphs (f)(2) through (f)(5) of this section, and any qualified applicant may participate in the auction of the Tribal Priority FM allotment in such subsequent auction, regardless of whether it meets the threshold qualifications with regard to that specific Tribal Priority FM allotment.

(g) Applications proposing to change the community of license of an FM station or assignment are considered to be minor modifications under paragraphs (a)(2), (e)(1), and (f)(1) of this section, and are subject to the following requirements:

(1) The applicant must attach an exhibit to its application containing information demonstrating that the proposed community of license change constitutes a preferential arrangement of allotments or assignments under Section 307(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 307(b));

(2) The facilities specified by the applicant at the proposed community of license must be mutually exclusive, as defined in § 73.207 or 73.509, with the applicant's current facilities or its current assignment, in the case of a winning auction bidder or tentative selectee; and

(3) The applicant must comply with the local public notice provisions of § 73.3580(c)(5).

(4) Non-reserved band applications must demonstrate the existence of a suitable assignment or allotment site that fully complies with §§ 73.207 and 73.315 without resort to § 73.213 or § 73.215.

Note 1 to § 73.3573:

Applications to modify the channel and/or class to an adjacent channel, intermediate frequency (IF) channel, or co-channel may utilize the provisions of the Commission's Rules permitting short spaced stations as set forth in § 73.215 as long as the applicant shows by separate exhibit attached to the application the existence of an allotment reference site which meets the allotment standards, the minimum spacing requirements of § 73.207 and the city grade coverage requirements of § 73.315. This exhibit must include a site map or, in the alternative, a statement that the transmitter will be located on an existing tower. Examples of unsuitable allotment reference sites include those which are offshore, in a national or state park in which tower construction is prohibited, on an airport, or otherwise in an area which would necessarily present a hazard to air navigation.

Note 2 to § 73.3573:

Processing of applications for new low power educational FM applications: Pending the Commission's restudy of the impact of the rule changes pertaining to the allocations of 10-watt and other low power noncommercial educational FM stations, applications for such new stations, or major changes in existing ones, will not be accepted for filing. Exceptions are: (1) In Alaska, applications for new Class D stations or major changes in existing ones are acceptable for filing; and (2) applications for existing Class D stations to change frequency are acceptable for filing. In (2), upon the grant of such application, the station shall become a Class D (secondary) station. (See First Report and Order, Docket 20735, FCC 78-386, 43 FR 25821, and Second Report and Order, Docket 20735, FCC 78-384, 43 FR 39704.) Effective date of this FCC imposed “freeze” was June 15, 1978. Applications which specify facilities of at least 100 watts effective radiated power will be accepted for filing.

Note 3 to § 73.3573:

For rules on processing FM translator and booster stations, see § 74.1233 of this chapter.

Note 4 to § 73.3573:

A Class C station operating with antenna height above average terrain (“HAAT”) of less than 451 meters is subject to reclassification as a Class C0 station upon the filing of a triggering application for construction permit that is short-spaced to such a Class C station under § 73.207 but would be fully spaced to such a station considered as a Class C0 assignment. Triggering applications may utilize § 73.215. Triggering applications must certify that no alternative channel is available for the proposed service. Available alternative frequencies are limited to frequencies that the proposed service could use at the specified antenna location in full compliance with the distance separation requirements of § 73.207, without any other changes to the FM Table of Allotments. Copies of a triggering application and related pleadings must be served on the licensee of the affected Class C station. If the staff concludes that a triggering application is acceptable for filing, it will issue an order to show cause why the affected station should not be reclassified as a Class C0 station The order to show cause will provide the licensee 30 days to express in writing an intention to seek authority to modify the subject station's technical facilities to minimum Class C HAAT or to otherwise challenge the triggering application. If no such intention is expressed and the triggering application is not challenged, the subject station will be reclassified as a Class C0 station, and processing of the triggering application will be completed. If an intention to modify is expressed, an additional 180-day period will be provided during which the Class C station licensee must file an acceptable construction permit application to increase antenna height to at least 451 meters HAAT. Upon grant of such a construction permit application, the triggering application will be dismissed. Class C station licensees must serve on triggering applicants copies of any FAA submissions related to the application grant process. If the construction is not completed as authorized, the subject Class C station will be reclassified automatically as a Class C0 station. The reclassification procedure also may be initiated through the filing of an original petition for rule making to amend the FM Table of Allotments as set forth in Note 2 to § 1.420(g).

Note 5 to § 73.3573:

The “Tribal Priority” is that established by the Commission in Policies to Promote Rural Radio Service and to Streamline Allotment and Assignment Procedures, MB Docket 09-52. See First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MB Docket 09-52, FCC 10-24, 75 FR 9797, 75 FR 9856, 75 FR 73976; Second Report and Order, First Order on Reconsideration, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MB Docket 09-52, FCC 11-28, 76 FR 14362, 76 FR 18942; Third Report and Order, MB Docket 09-52, FCC 11-190. To qualify for the Tribal Priority, and thus meet “threshold qualifications” for a particular allotment, an applicant must demonstrate that it meets all of the following eligibility criteria: (a) The applicant is either a federally recognized Tribe or Tribal consortium, or an entity 51 percent or more of which is owned or controlled by a Tribe or Tribes. Qualifying Tribes or Tribal entities must be those at least a portion of whose Tribal Lands lie within the principal community contour of the proposed facility. Although the 51 or greater percent Tribal control threshold need not consist of a single Tribe, the qualifying entity must be 51 percent or more owned or controlled by Tribes at least a portion of whose Tribal Lands lie within the facility's principal community contour; (b)(1) at least 50 percent of the area within the proposed principal community contour is over that Tribe's Tribal Lands, or (2) the proposed principal community contour (i) encompasses 50 percent or more of that Tribe's Tribal Lands, (ii) serves at least 2,000 people living on Tribal Lands, and (iii) the total population on Tribal Lands residing within the proposed service contour constitutes at least 50 percent of the total covered population (and, in the case of either (b)(1) or (b)(2) the proposed principal community contour does not cover more than 50 percent of the Tribal Lands of a Tribe that is not a party to the application); (c) the proposed community of license must be located on Tribal Lands; and (d) the proposed service must constitute first or second aural (reception) service, or first local Tribal-owned commercial transmission service at the proposed community of license. For purposes of this section, the definition of “Tribal Lands” is the same as that set forth at footnote 15 of the First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, FCC 10-24, and as further set forth at paragraphs 8-10 and 59 of the Second Report and Order, First Order on Reconsideration, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, FCC 11-28.

[63 FR 48627, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 19502, Apr. 21, 1999; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 65 FR 79780, Dec. 20, 2000; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26228, May 15, 2003; 71 FR 6228, Feb. 7, 2006; 71 FR 76220, Dec. 20, 2006; 77 FR 2922, Jan. 20, 2012; 85 FR 7890, Feb. 12, 2020; 85 FR 36794, June 18, 2020]

(a) Applications for International station facilities are divided into two groups.

(1) In the first group are applications for new stations, or for major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change is any change in or addition to authorized zones or areas of reception, any change in transmitter location other than one in the immediate vicinity of existing antennas of the station, or any change in power, or antenna directivity. However, the FCC may, within 15 days after the acceptance for filing of any other application for modification, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore is subject to §§ 1.1111 and 73.3580 pertaining to major changes.

(2) The second group consists of applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of authorized stations.

(b) If an application is amended so as to effect a major change as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or so as to result in an assignment or transfer of control which, in the case of an authorized station, would require the filing of an application therefor on FCC Form 314 or 315 (see § 73.3540), § 73.3580 will apply to such amended application.

(c) Applications for International stations will be processed as nearly as possible in the order in which they are filed.

[44 FR 38504, July 2, 1979]

(a) Any amendments to an application for renewal of any instrument of authorization shall be considered to be a minor amendment. However, the FCC may, within 15 days after tender for filing of any amendment, advise the applicant that the amendment is considered to be a major amendment and therefore is subject to the provisions of § 73.3580.

(b) Any amendment to an application for assignment of construction permit or license, or consent to the transfer of control of an entity holding such a construction permit or license, shall be considered to be a minor amendment, except that any amendment which seeks a change in the ownership interest of the proposed assignee or transferee which would result in a change in control, or any amendment which would require the filing of FCC Form 2100 Schedules 314, 315, or 345 (see § 73.3500), if the changes sought were made in an original application for assignment or transfer of control, shall be considered to be a major amendment. However, the FCC may, within 15 days after the acceptance for filing of any other amendment, advise the applicant that the amendment is considered to be a major amendment and therefore is subject to the provisions of § 73.3580.

[44 FR 38504, July 2, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 18451, May 20, 1986; 89 FR 7261, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this section:

(1) Acceptance public notice. A Commission public notice announcing that an application has been accepted for filing.

(2) Applicant-affiliated website. (i) Any of the following internet websites, to the extent they are maintained, in order of priority:

(A) The applicant station's internet website;

(B) The applicant's internet website; or

(C) The applicant's parent entity's internet website.

(ii) An applicant maintaining or having access to more than one of the internet websites in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(A) through (C) of this section shall post a link or tab to a web page containing the online notice text on the website with the highest priority.

(3) Locally originating programming. Programming from a low power television (LPTV) or television translator station as defined in § 74.701(h) of this chapter.

(4) Major amendment. A major amendment to an application is that defined in §§ 73.3571(b), 73.3572(c), 73.3573(b), and 73.3578, and 74.787(b) of this chapter.

(5) Publicly accessible website. An internet website:

(i) That is accessible to members of the public without registration or payment requirements, or any other requirement that the user provide information, or response to a survey or questionnaire in exchange for being able to access information on the website; and

(ii) That is locally targeted to the area served and/or to be served by the applicant station (e.g., local government internet website, local community bulletin board internet website, state broadcasters' association internet website). For international broadcast station applications filed pursuant to § 73.3574, the internet website must locally target the community in which the International broadcast station's transmission facilities are located or are proposed to be located (e.g., local government internet website, local community bulletin board internet website).

(b) Types of public notice. Public notice is required of applicants for certain broadcast authorizations in the manner set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section:

(1) On-air announcement. An applicant shall broadcast on-air announcements of the filing of certain applications for authorization, if required as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, over its station as follows:

(i) Content. The on-air announcement shall be in the following form:

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME], licensee of [STATION CALL SIGN], [STATION FREQUENCY], [STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE], filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for [TYPE OF APPLICATION]. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit publicfiles.fcc.gov, and search in [STATION CALL SIGN'S] public file.

An applicant station without an online public inspection file shall instead broadcast the following on-air announcement:

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME], licensee of [STATION CALL SIGN], [STATION FREQUENCY], [STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE], filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for [TYPE OF APPLICATION]. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions can visit www.fcc.gov/stationsearch, and search in the list of [STATION CALL SIGN'S] filed applications.

Television broadcast stations, in presenting on-air announcements, must use visuals with the full text of the on-air announcement when this information is being orally presented by the announcer.

(ii) Frequency of broadcast. The applicant shall broadcast the on-air announcements at least once per week (Monday through Friday) for four consecutive weeks, for a total of six (6) broadcasts, with no more than two broadcasts in a week. Broadcasts made in the same week shall not air on the same day.

(iii) Commencement of broadcast. The applicant may air the first broadcast of the on-air announcement as early as the date of release of the acceptance public notice for the application, but not later than the fifth business day following release of the acceptance public notice for the application.

(iv) Time of broadcast. The applicant shall broadcast all on-air announcements between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. local time at the applicant station's community of license, Monday through Friday.

(v) Language of broadcast. A station broadcasting primarily in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.

(vi) Silent stations or stations not broadcasting. Any station required to broadcast on-air announcements that is not broadcasting during all or a portion of the period during which on-air announcements are required to be broadcast, including silent stations and noncommercial educational broadcast stations that are not scheduled to broadcast during the portion of the year during which on-air announcements are required to be broadcast, must comply with the provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of this section during the time period in which it is unable to broadcast required on-air announcements, and must broadcast required on-air announcements during the time period it is able to do so.

(2) Online notice. An applicant shall conspicuously post on an internet website notice of the filing of certain applications for authorization, if required as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, as follows:

(i) Content. The online notice shall be in the following form:

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME], [PERMITTEE/LICENSEE] of [STATION CALL SIGN], [STATION FREQUENCY], [STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE OR, FOR INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST STATIONS, COMMUNITY WHERE THE STATION'S TRANSMISSION FACILITIES ARE LOCATED], filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for [TYPE OF APPLICATION]. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit [INSERT HYPERLINK TO APPLICATION LINK IN APPLICANT'S ONLINE PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE (OPIF) OR, IF THE STATION HAS NO OPIF, TO APPLICATION LOCATION IN THE MEDIA BUREAU'S LICENSING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; IF AN INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST STATION, TO APPLICATION LOCATION IN THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS' ICFS DATABASE].

An applicant for a proposed but not authorized station shall post the following online notice:

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME], applicant for [A NEW (STATION TYPE) STATION ON] [STATION FREQUENCY], [STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE OR, FOR INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST STATIONS, COMMUNITY WHERE THE STATION'S TRANSMISSION FACILITIES ARE TO BE LOCATED], filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for [TYPE OF APPLICATION]. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit [INSERT HYPERLINK TO APPLICATION LOCATION IN THE MEDIA BUREAU'S LICENSING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; IF AN INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST STATION, TO APPLICATION LOCATION IN THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS' ICFS DATABASE].

An applicant for an authorization under section 325(c) of the Communications Act (Studio Delivering Programs to a Foreign Station) shall post the following online notice:

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME] filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a permit to deliver programs to foreign station [FOREIGN STATION CALL SIGN], [FOREIGN STATION FREQUENCY], [FOREIGN STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE]. [DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMS TO BE TRANSMITTED OVER THE STATION]. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit [INSERT HYPERLINK TO APPLICATION LOCATION IN THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS' ICFS DATABASE].

(ii) Site. The applicant shall post online notice by posting a conspicuous link or tab labeled “FCC Applications” on an applicant-affiliated website, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The link or tab will link directly to a page containing only the online notice text referenced in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section. To the extent that there are no pending applications requiring online public notice, the link or tab should link to a page indicating that there are no pending applications subject to the posting requirement. This page must include the date when it was last updated. If the applicant does not maintain or have access to an applicant-affiliated website, the applicant may post the online notice on a publicly accessible website, as defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section. An applicant for an authorization under section 325(c) of the Communications Act (Studio Delivering Programs to a Foreign Station) shall post online notice on a publicly accessible website that is locally targeted to the principal area to be served in the United States by the foreign broadcast station.

(iii) Duration of posting. If the online notice is posted on an applicant-affiliated website or on a publicly accessible website for which the applicant is not required to compensate the website owner in exchange for posting the online notice, then the applicant must post the online notice for a minimum of 30 consecutive days. If the applicant does not maintain an applicant-affiliated website, and the applicant is required to compensate a website owner in exchange for posting on a publicly accessible website, the applicant must post the online notice for a period of not less than 24 consecutive hours, once per week (Monday through Friday), for four consecutive weeks.

(iv) Commencement of posting. The applicant must post the online notice no earlier than the date of release of the acceptance public notice for the application, and not later than five business days following release of the acceptance public notice for the application.

(c) Applications requiring local public notice. The following applications filed by licensees or permittees of the following types of stations must provide public notice in the manner set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) through (7) of this section:

(1) Applications for a construction permit for a new station, a major amendment thereto, or a major modification to a construction permit for a new unbuilt station. (i) For a commercial or noncommercial educational full power television; commercial or noncommercial educational full-service AM or FM radio station; Class A television station; low power television (LPTV) or television translator station; low-power FM (LPFM) station; or commercial or noncommercial FM translator or FM booster station, the applicant shall give online notice.

(ii) For an international broadcast station, the applicant shall give online notice on a publicly accessible website, locally targeted to the community in which the station's transmission facilities are to be located.

(2) Applications for a major change to the facilities of an operating station, or major amendments thereto. (i) For a noncommercial educational full power television; noncommercial full-service AM or FM radio station; or for an LPFM station, the applicant shall broadcast on-air announcements.

(ii) For a commercial full power television; commercial full-service AM or FM radio station; or a Class A television station, the applicant shall both broadcast on-air announcements and give online notice.

(iii) For an LPTV or television translator station; or an FM translator or FM booster station, the applicant shall give online notice.

(iv) For an international broadcast station, the applicant shall give online notice on a publicly accessible website, locally targeted to the community in which the station's transmission facilities are located.

(3) Applications for renewal of license. (i) For a full power television; full-service AM or FM radio station; Class A television station; LPTV station locally originating programming; or LPFM station, the applicant shall broadcast on-air announcements.

(ii) For an LPTV station that does not locally originate programming; or for a TV or FM translator station, the applicant shall give online notice.

(iii) For an international broadcast station, the applicant shall give online notice on a publicly accessible website, locally targeted to the community in which the station's transmission facilities are located.

(4) Applications for assignment or transfer of control of a construction permit or license, or major amendments thereto. (i) For a noncommercial educational full power television; noncommercial educational full-service AM or FM radio station; or an LPFM station, the applicant shall broadcast on-air announcements.

(ii) For a commercial full power television; commercial full-service AM or FM radio station; Class A television station; or an LPTV station that locally originates programming, the applicant shall both broadcast on-air announcements and give online notice.

(iii) For an LPTV station that does not locally originate programming, or a TV or FM translator station, the applicant shall give online notice.

(iv) For an international broadcast station, the applicant shall give online notice on a publicly accessible website, locally targeted to the community in which the station's transmission facilities are located.

(v) For any application for assignment or transfer of control of a construction permit or license, for a station that is not operating, the applicant shall give online notice.

(5) Applications for a minor modification to change a station's community of license, or major amendments thereto. (i) For a noncommercial educational full-service AM or FM radio station, the applicant shall broadcast on-air announcements.

(ii) For a commercial full-service AM or FM radio station, the applicant shall both broadcast on-air announcements and give online notice. In addition to the online notice set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of this section locally targeted to the applicant station's current community of license, the applicant shall also give online notice on a publicly accessible website locally targeted to the community that the applicant proposes to designate as its new community of license, for the same time periods and in the same manner as set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(6) Applications for a permit pursuant to section 325(c) of the Communications Act (studio delivering programming to a foreign station). The applicant shall give online notice.

(7) Applications by LPTV stations to convert to Class A status pursuant to the Low Power Protection Act. The applicant shall both broadcast on-air announcements and give online notice.

(d) Applications for which local public notice is not required. The following types of applications are not subject to the local public notice provisions of this section:

(1) A minor change in the facilities of an authorized station, as indicated in §§ 73.3571, 73.3572, 73.3573, and 73.3574, and 74.787(b) of this chapter, except a minor change to designate a different community of license for an AM or FM radio broadcast station, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 73.3571(j) and 73.3573(g).

(2) Consent to an involuntary assignment or transfer or to a voluntary assignment or transfer which does not result in a change of control and which may be applied for on FCC Form 316, or any successor form released in the future, pursuant to the provisions of § 73.3540(b).

(3) A license under section 319(c) of the Communications Act or, pending application for or grant of such license, any special or temporary authorization to permit interim operation to facilitate completion of authorized construction or to provide substantially the same service as would be authorized by such license.

(4) Extension of time to complete construction of authorized facilities.

(5) An authorization of facilities for remote pickup or studio links for use in the operation of a broadcast station.

(6) Authorization pursuant to section 325(c) of the Communications Act (Studio Delivering Programs to a Foreign Station) where the programs to be transmitted are special events not of a continuing nature.

(7) An authorization under any of the proviso clauses of section 308(a) of the Communications Act concerning applications for and conditions in licenses.

(e) Certification of local public notice. (1) The applicant must certify in the appropriate application that it will comply with the public notice requirements set forth in paragraph (c) of this section.

(2) An applicant for renewal of a license that is required to maintain an online public inspection file shall, within seven (7) days of the last day of broadcast of the required on-air announcements, place in its online public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with this section, along with the dates and times that the on-air announcements were broadcast. An applicant for renewal of a license that is required to maintain an online public inspection file, and that is not broadcasting during all or a portion of the period during which on-air announcements are required to be broadcast, as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section, shall, within seven (7) days of the last on-air announcement or last day of posting online notice, whichever occurs last, place in its online public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with this section, along with the dates and times that any on-air announcements were broadcast, along with the dates and times that online notice was posted and the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the internet website on which online notice was posted. This certification need not be filed with the Commission but shall be retained in the online public inspection file for as long as the application to which it refers.

(f) Time for acting on applications. Applications (as originally filed or amended) will be acted upon by the FCC no sooner than 30 days following release of the acceptance public notice, except as otherwise permitted in § 73.3542 or § 73.1635.

[85 FR 36794, June 18, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 14851, Mar. 19, 2021; 88 FR 21448, Apr. 10, 2023; 89 FR 1477, Jan. 10, 2024]

(a) For mutually exclusive applications subject to selection by competitive bidding (non-reserved channels) or fair distribution/point system (reserved channels), petitions to deny may be filed only against the winning bidders or tentative selectee(s), and such petitions will be governed by §§ 73.5006 and 73.7004, respectively. For all other applications the following rules will govern. Except in the case of applications for new low power TV and TV translator stations, for major changes in the existing facilities of such stations, or for applications for a change in output channel tendered by displaced low power TV and TV translator stations pursuant to § 73.3572(a)(1), any party in interest may file with the Commission a Petition to Deny any application (whether as originally filed or if amended so as to require a new file number pursuant to § 73.3571(j), § 73.3572(b), § 73.3573(b), § 73.3574(b) or § 73.3578) for which local notice pursuant to § 73.3580 is required, provided such petitions are filed prior to the day such applications are granted or designated for hearing; but where the FCC issues a public notice pursuant to the provisions of § 73.3571(c), § 73.3572(c) or § 73.3573(d), establishing a “cut-off” date, such petitions must be filed by the date specified. In the case of applications for transfers and assignments of construction permits or station licenses, Petitions to Deny must be filed not later than 30 days after issuance of a public notice of the acceptance for filing of the applications. In the case of applications for renewal of license, Petitions to Deny may be filed at any time up to the deadline established in § 73.3516(e). Requests for extension of time to file Petitions to Deny applications for new broadcast stations or major changes in the facilities of existing stations or applications for renewal of license will not be granted unless all parties concerned, including the applicant, consent to such requests, or unless a compelling showing can be made that unusual circumstances make the filing of a timely petition impossible and the granting of an extension warranted.

(b) Except in the case of applications for new low power TV or TV translator stations, or for major changes in the existing facilities of such stations, the applicant may file an opposition to any Petition to Deny, and the Petitioner a reply to such opposition in which allegations of fact or denials thereof shall be supported by affidavit of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof. The times for filing such oppositions and replies shall be those provided in § 1.45 except that as to a Petition to Deny an application for renewal of license, an opposition thereto may be filed within 30 days after the Petition to Deny is filed, and the party that filed the Petition to Deny may reply to the opposition within 20 days after opposition is due or within 20 days after the opposition is filed, whichever is longer. The failure to file an opposition or a reply will not necessarily be construed as an admission of fact or argument contained in a pleading.

(c) In the case of applications for new low power TV and TV translator stations, for major changes in the existing facilities of such stations, or for applications for a change in output channel tendered by displaced low power TV and TV translator stations pursuant to § 73.3572(a)(1), any party in interest may file with the FCC a Petition to Deny any application (whether as originally filed or if amended so as to require a new file number pursuant to § 73.3572(b)) for which local notice pursuant to § 73.3580 is required, provided such petitions are filed within 30 days of the FCC Public Notice proposing the application for grant (applicants may file oppositions within 15 days after the Petition to Deny is filed); but where the FCC selects a tentative permittee pursuant to Section 1.1601 et seq., Petitions to Deny shall be accepted only if directed against the tentative selectee and filed after issuance of and within 15 days of FCC Public Notice announcing the tentative selectee. The applicant may file an opposition within 15 days after the Petition to Deny is filed. In cases in which the minimum diversity preference provided for in § 1.1623(f)(1) has been applied, an “objection to diversity claim” and opposition thereto, may be filed against any applicant receiving a diversity preference, within the same time period provided herein for Petitions and Oppositions. In all pleadings, allegations of fact or denials thereof shall be supported by appropriate certification. However, the FCC may announce, by the Public Notice announcing the acceptance of the last-filed mutually exclusive application, that a notice of Petition to Deny will be required to be filed no later than 30 days after issuance of the Public Notice.

(d) A party in interest may file a Petition to Deny any application that proposes reclassification of a Class C authorization to Class C0 not later than 30 days after issuance of an order to show cause by the Commission notifying the affected licensee of the proposed reclassification.

(e) Untimely Petitions to Deny, as well as other pleadings in the nature of a Petition to Deny, and any other pleadings or supplements which do not lie as a matter of law or are otherwise procedurally defective, are subject to return by the FCC's staff without consideration.

[48 FR 27206, June 13, 1983, as amended at 52 FR 31401, Aug. 20, 1987; 53 FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988; 55 FR 28914, July 16, 1990; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 65 FR 79780, Dec. 20, 2000; 89 FR 7261, Feb. 1, 2024]

Before FCC action on any application for an instrument of authorization, any person may file informal objections to the grant in LMS. Such objections may be submitted in letter form (without extra copies) and shall be signed. The limitation on pleadings and time for filing pleadings provided for in § 1.45 of this chapter shall not be applicable to any objections duly filed under this section.

[89 FR 7261, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Whenever a petition to deny or an informal objection has been filed against any application, and the filing party seeks to dismiss or withdraw the petition to deny or the informal objection, either unilaterally or in exchange for financial consideration, that party must file with the Commission a request for approval of the dismissal or withdrawal, a copy of any written agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal, and an affidavit setting forth:

(1) A certification that neither the petitioner nor its principals has received or will receive any money or other consideration in excess of legitimate and prudent expenses in exchange for the dismissal or withdrawal of the petition to deny;

(2) The exact nature and amount of any consideration received or promised;

(3) An itemized accounting of the expenses for which it seeks reimbursement; and

(4) The terms of any oral agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal of the petition to deny.

In addition, within 5 days of petitioner's request for approval, each remaining party to any written or oral agreement must submit an affidavit setting forth:

(5) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals had paid or will pay money or other consideration in excess of the legitimate and prudent expenses of the petitioner in exchange for dismissing or withdrawing the petition to deny; and

(6) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of the petition to deny.

(b) Citizens' agreements. For purposes of this section, citizens agreements include agreements arising whenever a petition to deny or informal objection has been filed against any application and the filing party seeks to dismiss or withdraw the petition or objection in exchange for nonfinancial consideration (e.g., programming, ascertainment or employment initiatives). The parties to such an agreement must file with the Commission a joint request for approval of the agreement, a copy of any written agreement, and an affidavit executed by each party setting forth:

(1) Certification that neither the petitioner, nor any person or organization related to the petitioner, has received or will receive any money or other consideration in connection with the citizens' agreement other than legitimate and prudent expenses incurred in prosecuting the petition to deny;

(2) Certification that neither the petitioner, nor any person or organization related to petitioner is or will be involved in carrying out, for a fee, any programming, ascertainment, employment or other non-financial initiative referred to in the citizens' agreement; and

(3) The terms of any oral agreement.

(c) For the purposes of this section:

(1) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the applicant, permittee or licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.

(2) A petition shall be deemed to be pending before the Commission from the time a petition is filed with the Commission until an order of the Commission granting or denying the petition is no longer subject to reconsideration by the Commission or to review by any court.

(3) “Legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by a petitioner in preparing, filing, and prosecuting its petition for which reimbursement is being sought.

(4) “Other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as non-financial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.

[54 FR 22598, May 25, 1989. Redesignated and amended at 55 FR 28914, July 16, 1990]

(a) No person shall make or receive any payments in exchange for withdrawing a threat to file or refraining from filing a petition to deny or an informal objection. For the purposes of this section, reimbursement by an applicant of the legitimate and prudent expenses of a potential petitioner or objector incurred reasonably and directly in preparing to file a petition to deny will not be considered to be payment for refraining from filing a petition to deny or informal objection. Payments made directly to a potential petitioner or objector, or a person related to a potential petitioner or objector, to implement nonfinancial promises are prohibited unless specifically approved by the Commission.

(b) Whenever any payment is made in exchange for withdrawing a threat to file or refraining from filing a petition to deny or informal objection, the licensee must file with the Commission a copy of any written agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal, and an affidavit setting forth:

(1) Certification that neither the would-be petitioner, nor any person or organization related to the would-be petitioner, has received or will receive any money or other consideration in connection with the citizens' agreement other than legitimate and prudent expenses reasonably incurred in preparing to file the petition to deny;

(2) Certification that unless such arrangement has been specifically approved by the Commission, neither the would-be petitioner, nor any person or organization related to the would-be petitioner, is or will be involved in carrying out, for a fee, any programming ascertainment, employment or other nonfinancial initiative referred to in the citizens' agreement; and

(3) The terms of any oral agreement.

(c) For purposes of this section:

(1) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.

(2) “Legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by a would-be petitioner in preparing to file its petition for which reimbursement is being sought.

(3) “Other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as non-financial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.

[55 FR 28914, July 16, 1990]

(a) Except for renewal applications filed after May 1, 1995 which will be subject to paragraph (d) of this section, in the case of any application for an instrument of authorization, other than a license pursuant to a construction permit, the FCC will make the grant if it finds (on the basis of the application, the pleadings filed or other matters which it may officially notice) that the application presents no substantial and material question of fact and meets the following requirements:

(1) There is not pending a mutually exclusive application filed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section;

(2) The applicant is legally, technically, financially, and otherwise qualified;

(3) The applicant is not in violation of provisions of law, the FCC rules, or established policies of the FCC; and

(4) A grant of the application would otherwise serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.

(b) In making its determinations pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the FCC will not consider any other application, or any application if amended so as to require a new file number, as being mutually exclusive or in conflict with the application under consideration unless such other application was substantially complete, and tendered for filing by:

(1) The close of business on the day preceding the day designated by Public Notice as the day the listed application is to be available and ready for processing;

(2) The date prescribed in § 73.3516(e) in the case of applications which are mutually exclusive with applications for renewal of license of broadcast stations; or

(3) The close of business on the day designated by the FCC pursuant to § 73.3564(d) as the date(s) for filing low power TV or TV translator applications.

(c) If a petition to deny the application has been filed in accordance with § 73.3584 and the FCC makes the grant in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the FCC will deny the petition and issue a concise statement setting forth the reasons for denial and disposing of all substantial issues raised by the petition.

(d) Renewal applications filed after May 1, 1995 will be governed by the criteria established in 47 U.S.C. § 309(k).

[44 FR 38507, July 2, 1979, as amended at 50 FR 47844, Dec. 7, 1984; 59 FR 31557, June 20, 1994; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996]

(a) Where a grant of an application would preclude the grant of any application or applications mutually exclusive with it, the FCC may, if the public interest will be served thereby, make a conditional grant of one of the applications and designate all of the mutually exclusive applications for hearing. Such conditional grant will be made upon the express condition that such grant is subject to being withdrawn if, at the hearing, it is shown that public interest will be better served by a grant of one of the other applications. Such conditional grants will be issued only where it appears:

(1) That some or all of the applications were not filed in good faith but were filed for the purpose of delaying or hindering the grant of another application; or

(2) That public interest requires the prompt establishment of broadcast service in a particular community or area; or

(3) That a grant of one or more applications would be in the public interest, and that a delay in making a grant to any applicant until after the conclusion of a hearing on all applications might jeopardize the rights of the United States under the provisions of international agreement to the use of the frequency in question; or

(4) That a grant of one application would be in the public interest, and that it appears from an examination of the remaining applications that they cannot be granted because they are in violation of provisions of the Communications Act, other statutes, or the provisions of the FCC rules.

(b) When two or more applications for the same AM, FM or TV assignment have been designated for hearing, the FCC may, if the public interest will be served thereby, make a conditional grant to a group composed of any two or more of the competing applicants, such grant to terminate when the successful applicant commences operation under the terms of a regular authorization. No conditional grant will be made unless all of the competing applicants have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to participate in the group seeking the conditional grant. In its application, the group shall include a special showing as to the need for the service pending operation by the successful applicant under the terms of a regular authorization; the effect, if any, of a grant on the position of any applicant which is not a member of the group; and any other factors which are deemed pertinent to the public interest judgment.

[44 FR 38507, July 2, 1979]

If the FCC is unable, in the case of any application for an instrument of authorization, to make the findings specified in § 73.3591(a), it will formally designate the application for hearing on the grounds or reasons then obtaining and will forthwith notify the applicant and all known parties in interest of such action and the grounds and reasons therefor, specifying with particularity the matters and things in issue but not including issues or requirements phrased generally. If, however, the issue to be resolved is limited to the mutual exclusivity of applications for initial authorizations or for major changes to existing stations, that mutual exclusivity shall be resolved pursuant to competitive bidding procedures identified in subpart I (unreserved channels) or point system procedures identified in subpart K (reserved channels).

[65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000]

(a) The term rebroadcast means reception by radio of the programs or other transmissions of a broadcast or any other type of radio station, and the simultaneous or subsequent retransmission of such programs or transmissions by a broadcast station.

(1) As used in this section, “program” includes any complete programs or part thereof.

(2) The transmission of a program from its point of origin to a broadcast station entirely by common carrier facilities, whether by wire line or radio, is not considered a rebroadcast.

(3) The broadcasting of a program relayed by a remote pickup broadcast station is not considered a rebroadcast.

(b) No broadcast station may retransmit the program, or any part thereof, of another U.S. broadcast station without the express authority of the originating station. A copy of the written consent of the licensee originating the program must be kept by the licensee of the station retransmitting such program and made available to the FCC upon request.

(1) Stations originating emergency communications under a State EAS plan are considered to have conferred rebroadcast authority to other participating stations.

(2) Permission must be obtained from the originating station to rebroadcast any subsidiary communications transmitted by means of a multiplex subcarrier.

(3) Programs originated by the Voice of America (VOA) and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS) cannot, in general, be cleared for domestic rebroadcast, and may therefore be retransmitted only by special arrangements among the parties concerned.

(4) Except as otherwise provided by international agreement, programs originated by foreign broadcast stations may be retransmitted without the consent of the originating station.

(c) The transmissions of non-broadcast stations may be rebroadcast under the following conditions:

(1) Messages originated by privately-owned non-broadcast stations other than those in the Amateur and CB Radio Services may be broadcast only upon receipt of prior permission from the non-broadcast licensee. Additionally, messages transmitted by common carrier stations may be rebroadcast only upon prior permission of the originator of the message as well as the station licensee.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, messages originated entirely by non-broadcast stations owned and operated by the Federal Government may be rebroadcast only upon receipt of prior permission from the government agency originating the messages.

(3) Messages originated by stations in the Amateur and CB Radio Services may be rebroadcast at the discretion of broadcast station licensees.

(4) Emergency communications originated under a State EAS plan.

(d) The rebroadcasting of time signals originated by the Naval Observatory and the National Bureau of Standards and messages from the National Weather Service stations is permitted without specific authorization under the following procedures:

(1) Naval Observatory Time Signals. (i) The time signals rebroadcast must be obtained by direct radio reception from a naval radio station, or by land line circuits.

(ii) Announcement of the time signal must be made without reference to any commercial activity.

(iii) Identification of the Naval Observatory as the source of the time signal must be made by an announcement, substantially as follows: “With the signal, the time will be . . . courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory.”

(iv) Schedules of time signal broadcasts may be obtained upon request from the Superintendent, U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, DC 20390.

(2) National Bureau of Standards Time Signals. (i) Time signals for rebroadcast must be obtained by direct radio reception from a National Bureau of Standards (NBS) station.

(ii) Use of receiving and rebroadcasting equipment must not delay the signals by more than 0.05 second.

(iii) Signals must be rebroadcast live, not from tape or other recording.

(iv) Voice or code announcements of the call signs of NBS stations are not to be rebroadcast.

(v) Identification of the origin of the service and the source of the signals must be made by an announcement substantially as follows: “At the tone, 11 hours 25 minutes Coordinated Universal Time. This is a rebroadcast of a continous service furnished by the National Bureau of Standards, Ft. Collins, Colo.” No commercial sponsorship of this announcement is permitted and none may be implied.

(vi) Schedules of time signal broadcasts may be obtained from, and notice of use of NBS time signals for rebroadcast must be forwarded semiannually to:

National Bureau of Standards, Radio Stations WWV/WWVB, 2000 East County Road 58, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80524.

(vii) In the rebroadcasting of NBS time signals, announcements will not state that they are standard frequency transmissions. Voice announcements of Coordinated Universal Time are given in voice every minute. Each minute, except the first of the hour, begins with an 0.8 second long tone of 1000 hertz at WWV and 1200 hertz tone at WWVH. The first minute of every hour begins with an 0.8 second long tone of 1500 hertz at both stations. This tone is followed by a 3-second pause, than the announcement, “National Bureau of Standards Time.” This is followed by another 3-second pause before station identification. This arrangement allows broadcast stations sufficient time to retransmit the hour time tone and the words “National Bureau of Standards Time” either by manual or automatic switching.

(viii) Time signals or scales made up from integration of standard frequency signals broadcast from NBS stations may not be designated as national standard scales of time or attributed to the NBS as originator. For example, if a broadcasting station transmits time signals obtained from a studio clock which is periodically calibrated against the NBS time signals from WWV or WWVH, such signals may not be announced as NBS standard time or as having been originated by the NBS.

(3) National Weather Service Messages. (i) Messages of the National Weather Service must be rebroadcast within 1 hour of receipt.

(ii) If advertisements are given in connection with weather rebroadcast, these advertisements must not directly or indirectly convey an endorsement by the U.S. Government of the products or services so advertised.

(iii) Credit must be given to indicate that the rebroadcast message originates with the National Weather Service.

[44 FR 36040, June 20, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 26065, Apr. 17, 1980; 48 FR 28456, June 22, 1983; 50 FR 25246, June 18, 1985; 59 FR 67102, Dec. 28, 1994; 61 FR 36305, July 10, 1996; 82 FR 41103, Aug. 29, 2017; 89 FR 7254, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) When an application subject to the provisions of § 73.3580 is designated for hearing, the applicant shall give notice of such designation as follows:

(1) On-air announcement. The applicant (except an applicant filing an application for an International broadcast, low power TV, TV translator, FM translator, and FM booster station) shall broadcast an on-air announcement of the designation of an application for hearing over its radio or television station as follows:

(i) Content. The on-air announcement shall be in the following form:

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME], licensee of [STATION CALL SIGN], [STATION FREQUENCY], [STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE], filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for [TYPE OF APPLICATION]. On [DATE], the Commission designated the application for an evidentiary hearing on certain issues. Members of the public wishing to view the Hearing Designation Order and list of issues can visit [URL OF INTERNET WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE STATION, THE LICENSEE/PERMITTEE, OR THE LICENSEE/PERMITTEE'S PARENT ENTITY, OR OTHER PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE], and click the link in the “Hearing Designation Order” notice.

Television broadcast stations (commercial and noncommercial educational), in presenting on-air announcements, must use visuals [with the full text of the on-air announcement] when this information is being orally presented by the announcer.

(ii) Frequency of broadcast. The on-air announcements shall be broadcast a total of six (6) times, once per week for four consecutive weeks.

(iii) Commencement of broadcast. The first broadcast of the on-air announcement shall occur no earlier than the date of release of the Hearing Designation Order, Order to Show Cause, or other order designating issues for hearing, and no later than the fifth business day following release of said order.

(iv) Time of broadcast. The on-air announcements shall be broadcast between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. local time at the applicant station's community of license, Monday through Friday.

(v) Language of broadcast. A station broadcasting primarily in a foreign language shall broadcast the announcements in that language.

(2) Online notice. The applicant shall also post an online notice of the designation of an application for hearing conspicuously on an internet website as follows:

(i) Content. The online notice shall be in the following form:

HEARING DESIGNATION ORDER

On [DATE], [APPLICANT NAME], licensee of [STATION CALL SIGN], [STATION FREQUENCY], [STATION COMMUNITY OF LICENSE], filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for [TYPE OF APPLICATION]. On [DATE], the Commission designated the application for an evidentiary hearing on the following issues: [LIST OF ISSUES IN THE HEARING AS LISTED IN THE FCC's ORDER OR SUMMARY OF DESIGNATION FOR HEARING]. Members of the public wishing to view the Hearing Designation Order or to file comments can visit [INSERT HYPERLINK TO THE HEARING DESIGNATION ORDER, ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE, OR OTHER ORDER DESIGNATING THE APPLICATION FOR HEARING, ON THE FCC's INTERNET WEBSITE].

(ii) Site. (A) The applicant shall post online notice by posting a conspicuous link or tab labeled “FCC Hearing” on an applicant-affiliated website, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The link or tab will link directly to a page containing only the online notice text referenced in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section. The applicant shall post online notice on one of the following internet websites, to the extent such websites are maintained, in order of priority:

(1) The applicant station's internet website;

(2) The applicant's internet website; or

(3) The applicant's parent entity's internet website.

(B) If the applicant does not maintain an internet website for the station or itself, or if the applicant's parent entity does not maintain an internet website, the applicant shall post online notice on an internet website:

(1) That is accessible to members of the public without registration or payment requirements, or any other requirement that the user provide information, or response to a survey or questionnaire in exchange for being able to access information on the website; and

(2) That is locally targeted to the area served and/or to be served by the applicant station (e.g., local government internet website, local community bulletin board internet website, state broadcasters' association internet website).

(iii) Commencement of posting. The online notice shall be posted no earlier than the date of release of the Hearing Designation Order, Order to Show Cause, or other order designating issues for hearing, and no later than the fifth business day following release of said order.

(iv) Length of posting. The online notice must be posted for a minimum of 30 consecutive days.

(b) Within seven (7) days of the last day of broadcast of the notice required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the applicant shall file a an original statement and one copy with the Secretary of the Commission setting forth the dates and times on which the on-air announcements were made, the date the online notice was first posted, and the Universal Resource Locator (URL) address of the internet website on which online notice is posted.

(c) The failure to comply with the provisions of this section is cause for dismissal of an application with prejudice. However, upon a finding that applicant has complied (or proposes to comply) with the provisions of section 311(a)(2) of the Communications Act, and that the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served thereby, the presiding officer may authorize an applicant, upon a showing of special circumstances, to give notice in a manner other than that prescribed by this section; may accept notice that is given in a manner which does not conform strictly in all respects with the provisions of this section; or may extend the time for giving notice.

[85 FR 36797, June 18, 2020]

(a) If, upon the examination of an application for FCC consent to an assignment of a broadcast construction permit or license or for a transfer of control of a corporate permittee or licensee, it appears that the station involved has been operated on-air by the current licensee or permittee for less than one year, the application will be designated for hearing on appropriate issues unless the FCC is able to find that:

(1) The permit or license was not authorized either through the Minority Ownership Policy or after a comparative hearing or, in the case of low power TV and TV translator stations, the permit or license was not authorized after a lottery in which the permittee or licensee benefited from minority or diversity preferences;

(2) The application involves an FM translator station or FM booster station only;

(3) The application involves a pro forma assignment or transfer of control; or

(4) The assignor or transferor has made an affirmative factual showing, supported by affidavits of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, which establishes that, due to unavailability of capital, to death or disability of station principals, or to other changed circumstances affecting the licensee or permittee occurring subsequent to the acquisition of the license or permit, FCC consent to the proposed assignment or transfer of control will serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.

(5) the assignee or transferee has made an affirmative factual showing, supported by affidavits of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, which established that the proposed transaction would involve an assignment or transfer to a minority-owned or minority controlled entity in furtherance of our Minority Ownership Policy.

(b)(1) The commencement date of the one-year period set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall be the date on which the station initiated program tests in accordance with § 73.1620 or § 74.14.

(2) In determining whether the station has been operating on-air for one year, the FCC will calculate the period between the date of initiation of program tests (as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section) and the date the application for transfer or assignment is tendered for filing with the FCC.

(c)(1) As used in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section:

(i) Unbuilt station refers to an AM, FM, or TV broadcast station or a low power TV or TV translator station for which a construction permit is outstanding, and, regardless of the stage of physical completion, as to which program tests have not commenced or, if required, been authorized.

(ii) Seller includes the assignor(s) of a construction permit for an unbuilt station, the transferor(s) of control of the holder of such construction permit, and any principal or such assignor(s) or transferor(s) who retains an interest in the permittee or acquires or reacquires such interest within 1 year after commencing program tests.

(iii) The provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section apply only to mutually exclusive noncommercial educational applications filed on or after the release of the Report and Order in MM Docket 98-43, where the construction permit is issued pursuant to settlement agreement.

(2) The FCC will not consent to the assignment or transfer of control of the construction permit of an unbuilt station if the agreements or understandings between the parties provide for, or permit, payment to the seller of a sum in excess of the aggregate amount clearly shown to have been legitimately and prudently expended and to be expended by the seller, solely for preparing, filing, and advocating the grant of the construction permit for the station, and for other steps reasonably necessary toward placing the station in operation.

(3)(i) Applications for consent to the assignment of a construction permit or transfer of control shall, in the case of unbuilt stations, be accompanied by declarations both by the assignor (or transferor) and by the assignee (or transferee) that, except as clearly disclosed in detail in the applications, there are no agreements or understandings for reimbursement of the seller's expenses or other payments to the seller, for the seller's retention of any interest in the station, for options or any other means by which the seller may acquire such an interest, or for any other actual or potential benefit to the seller in the form of loans, the subsequent repurchase of the seller's retained interest, or otherwise.

(ii) When the seller is to receive reimbursement of his expenses, the applications of the parties shall include an itemized accounting of such expenses, together with such factual information as the parties rely upon for the requisite showing that those expenses represent legitimate and prudent outlays made solely for the purposes allowable under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

(d)(1) Whenever an agreement for the assignment of the construction permit of an unbuilt station or for the transfer of control of the permittee of an unbuilt station, or any arrangement or understanding incidental thereto, provides for the retention by the seller of any interest in the station, or for any other actual or potential benefit to the seller in the form of loans or otherwise, the question is raised as to whether the transaction involves actual or potential gain to the seller over and above the legitimate and prudent out-of-pocket expenses allowable under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. In such cases the FCC will designate the assignment or transfer applications for evidentiary hearing. However, a hearing is not mandatory in cases coming within paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(2) It is not intended to forbid the seller to retain an equity interest in an unbuilt station which he is transferring or assigning if the seller obligates himself, for the period ending 1 year after commencing program tests, to provide that part of the total capital made available to the station, up to the end of that period, which is proportionate to the seller's equity share in the permittee, taking into account equity capital, loan capital, and guarantees of interest and amortization payments for loan capital provided by the seller before the transfer or assignment. This condition will be satisfied:

(i) In the case of equity capital: By paid-in cash capital contributions proportionate to the seller's equity share;

(ii) In cases where any person who has an equity interest in the permittee provides loan capital: By the seller's provision of that part of the total loan capital provided by equity holders which is proportionate to the seller's equity share; and

(iii) In cases where any person cosigns or otherwise guarantees payments under notes given for loan capital provided by nonequity holders: By similar guarantees by the seller covering that part of such payments as is proportionate to the seller's equity share. However, this condition shall not be deemed to be met if the guarantees given by persons other than the seller cover, individually or collectively, a larger portion of such payments than the ratio of the combined equities of persons other than the seller to the total equity.

(3) In cases which are subject to the requirements of paragraphs (d)(2) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section:

(i) The assignee's (or transferee's) application shall include a showing of the anticipated capital needs of the station through the first year of its operation and the seller's financial capacity to comply with the above requirements, in the light of such anticipated capital needs.

(ii) The FCC will determine from its review of the applications whether a hearing is necessary to ensure compliance with the above requirements.

(iii) Compliance with the above requirements will be subject to review by the FCC at any time, either when considering subsequently filed applications or whenever the FCC may otherwise find it desirable.

(iv) Within 30 days after any time when a seller is required to provide equity or loan capital or execute guarantees, the permittee shall furnish the FCC a written report containing sufficient details as to the sources and amounts of equity capital paid in, loan capital made available, or guarantees obtained as to enable the FCC to ascertain compliance with the above requirements.

(v) No steps shall be taken by the permittee to effectuate arrangements for the provision of equity or loan capital from sources not previously identified and disclosed to the FCC, until 30 days after the permittee has filed with the FCC a report of such arrangements and of provisions made for the seller's compliance with the above requirement.

(vi) The provisions of paragraphs (d)(3) (iv) and (v) of this section shall cease to apply 1 year after commencing program tests.

(4) Applications subject to this paragraph (d) of this section will, in any event, be designated for evidentiary hearing in any case where the agreements, arrangements or understandings with the seller provide for the seller's option to acquire equity in the station or to increase equity interests he retains at the time of the assignment or transfer of control. An evidentiary hearing will similarly be held in any case in which the assignee(s), transferee(s) or any of their principals, or any person in privity therewith, has an option to purchase all or part of the seller's retained or subsequently acquired equity interests in the station.

[44 FR 38509, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 24580, June 7, 1982; 47 FR 55930, Dec. 14, 1982; 48 FR 9012, Mar. 3, 1983; 48 FR 27207, June 13, 1983; 50 FR 6946, Feb. 19, 1985; 53 FR 36787, Sept. 22, 1988; 63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998]

(a) Except as provided in the last two sentences of this paragraph (a), each original construction permit for the construction of a new TV, AM, FM or International Broadcast; low power TV; low power FM; TV translator; FM translator; or FM booster station, or to make changes in such existing stations, shall specify a period of three years from the date of issuance of the original construction permit within which construction shall be completed and application for license filed. An eligible entity that acquires an issued and outstanding construction permit for a station in any of the services listed in this paragraph (a) shall have the time remaining on the construction permit or eighteen months from the consummation of the assignment or transfer of control, whichever is longer, within which to complete construction and file an application for license. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an “eligible entity” shall include any entity that qualifies as a small business under the Small Business Administration's size standards for its industry grouping, as set forth in 13 CFR parts 121 through 201, at the time the transaction is approved by the FCC, and holds:

(1) 30 percent or more of the stock or partnership interests and more than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation or partnership that will hold the construction permit; or

(2) 15 percent or more of the stock or partnership interests and more than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation or partnership that will hold the construction permit, provided that no other person or entity owns or controls more than 25 percent of the outstanding stock or partnership interests; or

(3) More than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation that will hold the construction permit if such corporation is a publicly traded company.

(b) The period of construction for an original construction permit shall toll when construction is prevented by the following causes not under the control of the permittee:

(1) Construction is prevented due to an act of God, defined in terms of natural disasters (e.g., floods, tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes);

(2) The grant of the permit is the subject of administrative or judicial review (i.e., petitions for reconsideration and applications for review of the grant of a construction permit pending before the Commission and any judicial appeal of any Commission action thereon), or construction is delayed by any cause of action pending before any court of competent jurisdiction relating to any necessary local, state or federal requirement for the construction or operation of the station, including any zoning or environmental requirement;

(3) [Reserved]

(4) A request for international coordination, with respect to a construction permit for stations in the Low Power FM service, on FM channels reserved for noncommercial educational use, and for noncommercial educational full power television stations, has been sent to Canada or Mexico on behalf of the station and no response from the country affected has been received; or

(5) Failure of a Commission-imposed condition precedent prior to commencement of operation.

(c) A permittee must notify the Commission as promptly as possible and, in any event, within 30 days, of any pertinent event covered by paragraph (b) of this section, and provide supporting documentation. All notifications must be filed in LMS and must be placed in the station's local public file. For authorizations to construct stations in the Low Power FM service, on FM channels reserved for noncommercial educational use, and for noncommercial educational full power television stations, the Commission will identify and grant an initial period of tolling when the grant of a construction permit is encumbered by administrative or judicial review under the Commission's direct purview (e.g., petitions for reconsideration and applications for review of the grant of a construction permit pending before the Commission and any judicial appeal of any Commission action thereon), a request for international coordination under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, or failure of a condition under paragraph (b)(5) of this section. When a permit is encumbered by administrative or judicial review outside of the Commission's direct purview (e.g., local, state, or non-FCC Federal requirements), the permittee is required to notify the Commission of such tolling events.

(d) A permittee must notify the Commission promptly when a relevant administrative or judicial review is resolved. Tolling resulting from an act of God will automatically cease six months from the date of the notification described in paragraph (c) of this section, unless the permittee submits additional notifications at six-month intervals detailing how the act of God continues to cause delays in construction, any construction progress, and the steps it has taken and proposes to take to resolve any remaining impediments. For authorizations to construct stations in the Low Power FM service, on FM channels reserved for noncommercial educational use, and for noncommercial educational full power television stations, the Commission will cease the tolling treatment and notify the permittee upon resolution of either:

(1) Any encumbrance by administrative or judicial review of the grant of the construction permit under the Commission's direct purview;

(2) The request for international coordination under paragraph (b)(4) of this section; or

(3) The condition on the commencement of operations under paragraph (b)(5) of this section.

(e) Any construction permit for which construction has not been completed and for which an application for license has not been filed, shall be automatically forfeited upon expiration without any further affirmative cancellation by the Commission.

[63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 68 FR 12761, Mar. 17, 2003; 69 FR 53352, Sept. 1, 2004; 73 FR 5684, Jan. 30, 2008; 73 FR 28369, May 16, 2008; 74 FR 8879, Feb. 27, 2009; 85 FR 7890, Feb. 12, 2020; 89 FR 7261, Feb. 1, 2024]

When an application is granted by the FCC necessitating the issuance of a modified license less than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license sought to be modified, and an application for renewal of the license is granted subsequent or prior thereto (but within 30 days of expiration of the present license), the modified license as well as the renewal license shall be issued to conform to the combined action of the FCC.

[44 FR 38511, July 2, 1979]

(a) In the case of any broadcast applications designated for hearing, the parties may request the FCC to grant or deny an application upon the basis of the information contained in the applications and other papers specified in paragraph (b) of this section without the presentation of oral testimony. Any party desiring to follow this procedure should execute and file with the FCC a waiver in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, and serve copies on all other parties, or a joint waiver may be filed by all the parties. Upon the receipt of waivers from all parties to a proceeding, the FCC will decide whether the case is an appropriate one for determination without the presentation of oral testimony. If it is determined by the FCC that, notwithstanding the waivers, the presentation of oral testimony is necessary, the parties will be so notified and the case will be retained on the hearing docket. If the FCC concludes that the case can appropriately be decided without the presentation of oral testimony, the record will be considered as closed as of the date the waivers of all the parties were first on file with the FCC.

(b) In all cases considered in accordance with this procedure, the FCC will decide the case on the basis of the information contained in the applications and in any other papers pertaining to the applicants or applications which are open to public inspection and which were on file with the FCC when the record was closed. The FCC may call upon any party to furnish any additional information which the FCC deems necessary to a proper decision. Such information shall be served upon all parties. The waiver previously executed by the parties shall be considered in effect unless within 10 days of the service of such information the waiver is withdrawn.

(c) Any decision by the FCC rendered pursuant to this section will be in the nature of a final decision, unless otherwise ordered by the FCC.

(d) By agreeing to the waiver procedure prescribed in this section, no party shall be deemed to waive the right to petition for reconsideration or rehearing, or to appeal to the courts from any adverse final decision of the FCC.

(e) The waiver provided for by this section shall be in the following form:

Waiver Name of applicant Call letters Docket No.

The undersigned hereby requests the FCC to consider its application and grant or deny it in accordance with the procedure prescribed in § 73.3603 of the FCC's rules and regulations. It is understood that all the terms and provisions of ____ are incorporated in this waiver.

[44 FR 38511, July 2, 1979]

(a) After an application for a broadcast facility is designated for hearing, it will be retained in hearing status upon the dismissal or amendment and removal from hearing of any other application or applications with which it has been consolidated for hearing.

(b) Where any applicants for a broadcast facility file a request pursuant to § 73.3525(a) for approval of an agreement to remove a conflict between their applications, the applications will be retained in hearing status pending such proceedings on the joint request as may be ordered and such action thereon as may be taken.

(1) If further hearing is not required on issues other than those arising out of the agreement, the proceeding shall be terminated and appropriate disposition shall be made of the applications.

(2) Where further hearing is required on issues unrelated to the agreement, the presiding officer shall continue to conduct the hearing on such other issues pending final action on the agreement, but the record in the proceeding shall not be closed until such final action on the agreement has been taken.

(3) In any case where a conflict between applications will be removed by an agreement for an engineering amendment to an application, the amended application shall be removed from hearing status upon final approval of the agreement and acceptance of the amendment.

(c) An application for a broadcast facility which has been designated for hearing and which is amended so as to eliminate the need for hearing or further hearing on the issues specified, other than as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, will be removed from hearing status.

[44 FR 38511, July 2, 1979]

Each licensee or permittee of a commercially or noncommercially operated AM, FM, TV, Class A TV or International Broadcast station with five or more full-time employees shall file an annual employment report with the FCC on or before September 30 of each year on FCC Form 395-B. Data concerning the gender, race and ethnicity of a broadcast station's workforce collected in the annual employment report will be used only for purposes of analyzing industry trends and making reports to Congress. Such data will not be used for the purpose of assessing any aspect of an individual broadcast licensee's or permittee's compliance with the nondiscrimination or equal employment opportunity requirements of § 73.2080. Compliance with this section will not be required until this sentence is removed or contains a compliance date, which will not occur until after the Office of Management and Budget completes review of any information collection requirements pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act or until after the Office of Management and Budget determines that such review is not required.

[89 FR 36718, May 3, 2024]

Each licensee or permittee of a commercial or noncommercial AM, FM, TV or International broadcast station shall provide the FCC with copies of the following contracts, instruments, and documents together with amendments, supplements, and cancellations (with the substance of oral contracts reported in writing), within 7 days of a request by the FCC.

(a) Network service: Network affiliation contracts between stations and networks will be reduced to writing and filed upon request as follows:

(1) All network affiliation contracts, agreements, or understandings between a TV broadcast or low power TV station and a national network. For the purposes of this paragraph the term network means any person, entity, or corporation which offers an interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25 affiliated television licensees in 10 or more states; and/or any person, entity, or corporation controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person, entity, or corporation.

(2) Each such filing shall consist of all of the terms and conditions of such contract, agreement or understanding, including any other paper or document incorporated by reference or otherwise.

(b) Ownership or control: Contracts, instruments or documents relating to the present or future ownership or control of the licensee or permittee or of the licensee's or permittee's stock, rights or interests therein, or relating to changes in such ownership or control shall include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Articles of partnership, association, and incorporation, and changes in such instruments;

(2) Bylaws, and any instruments effecting changes in such bylaws;

(3) Any agreement, document or instrument providing for the assignment of a license or permit, or affecting, directly or indirectly, the ownership or voting rights of the licensee's or permittee's stock (common or preferred, voting or nonvoting), such as:

(i) Agreements for transfer of stock;

(ii) Instruments for the issuance of new stock; or

(iii) Agreements for the acquisition of licensee's or permittee's stock by the issuing licensee or permittee corporation, pledges, trust agreements or abstracts thereof, options to purchase stock and other executory agreements. Should the FCC request an abstract of the trust agreement in lieu of the trust agreement, the licensee or permittee will submit the following information concerning the trust:

(A) Name of trust;

(B) Duration of trust;

(C) Number of shares of stock owned;

(D) Name of beneficial owner of stock;

(E) Name of record owner of stock;

(F) Name of the party or parties who have the power to vote or control the vote of the shares; and

(G) Any conditions on the powers of voting the stock or any unusual characteristics of the trust.

(4) Proxies with respect to the licensee's or permittee's stock running for a period in excess of 1 year, and all proxies, whether or not running for a period of 1 year, given without full and detailed instructions binding the nominee to act in a specified manner. With respect to proxies given without full and detailed instructions, a statement showing the number of such proxies, by whom given and received, and the percentage of outstanding stock represented by each proxy shall be submitted by the licensee or permittee if the stock covered by such proxies has been voted. However, when the licensee or permittee is a corporation having more than 50 stockholders, such complete information need be filed only with respect to proxies given by stockholders who are officers or directors, or who have 1% or more of the corporation's voting stock. When the licensee or permittee is a corporation having more than 50 stockholders and the stockholders giving the proxies are not officers or directors or do not hold 1% or more of the corporation's stock, the only information required to be filed is the name of any person voting 1% or more of the stock by proxy, the number of shares voted by proxy by such person, and the total number of shares voted at the particular stockholders' meeting in which the shares were voted by proxy.

(5) Mortgage or loan agreements containing provisions restricting the licensee's or permittee's freedom of operation, such as those affecting voting rights, specifying or limiting the amount of dividends payable, the purchase of new equipment, or the maintenance of current assets.

(6) Any agreement reflecting a change in the officers, directors or stockholders of a corporation, other than the licensee or permittee, having an interest, direct or indirect, in the licensee or permittee as specified by § 73.3615.

(7) Agreements providing for the assignment of a license or permit or agreements for the transfer of stock filed in accordance with FCC application Forms 314, 315, 316 need not be resubmitted pursuant to the terms of this rule provision.

(c) Personnel: (1) Management consultant agreements with independent contractors; contracts relating to the utilization in a management capacity of any person other than an officer, director, or regular employee of the licensee or permittee; station management contracts with any persons, whether or not officers, directors, or regular employees, which provide for both a percentage of profits and a sharing in losses; or any similar agreements.

(2) The following contracts, agreements, or understandings need not be filed: Agreements with persons regularly employed as general or station managers or salesmen; contracts with program managers or program personnel; contracts with attorneys, accountants or consulting radio engineers; contracts with performers; contracts with station representatives; contracts with labor unions; or any similar agreements.

(d) Other agreements: Subchannel leasing agreements for Subsidiary Communications Authorization operation; franchise/leasing agreements for operation of telecommunications services on the television vertical blanking interval and in the visual signal; time sales contracts with the same sponsor for 4 or more hours per day, except where the length of the events (such as athletic contests, musical programs and special events) broadcast pursuant to the contract is not under control of the station; and contracts with chief operators or other engineering personnel.

[44 FR 38512, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 21496, May 18, 1982; 50 FR 4664, Feb. 1, 1985; 50 FR 30951, July 31, 1985; 51 FR 9966, Mar. 24, 1986; 51 FR 15785, Apr. 28, 1986; 57 FR 18093, Apr. 29, 1992; 57 FR 42706, Sept. 16, 1992; 61 FR 36305, July 10, 1996; 63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998; 64 FR 50646, Sept. 17, 1999; 66 FR 9972, Feb. 13, 2001; 68 FR 46358, Aug. 5, 2003; 79 FR 29006, May 20, 2014; 83 FR 757, Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 85558, Dec. 21, 2018]

(a) The Ownership Report for Commercial Broadcast Stations (FCC Form 323) must be filed electronically every two years by each licensee of a commercial AM, FM, or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the licensee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”). The ownership report shall be filed by December 1 in all odd-numbered years. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323 (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on October 1 of the year in which the ownership report is filed. The information provided on each ownership report shall be current as of October 1 of the year in which the ownership report is filed. A Respondent with a current and unamended biennial ownership report (i.e., an ownership report that was filed pursuant to this subsection) on file with the Commission that is still accurate and which was filed using the version of FCC Form 323 that is current on October 1 of the year in which its biennial ownership report is due may electronically validate and resubmit its previously filed biennial ownership report.

(b)(1) Each permittee of a commercial AM, FM or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the permittee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”) shall file an ownership report on FCC Form 323 within 30 days of the date of grant by the FCC of an application by the permittee for original construction permit. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323 (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on the date on which the ownership report is filed.

(2) Except as specifically noted below, each permittee of a commercial AM, FM or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the permittee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”) shall file an ownership report on FCC Form 323 on the date that the permittee applies for a station license. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323 (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on the date on which the ownership report is filed. If a Respondent has a current and unamended ownership report on file with the Commission that was filed pursuant to paragraphs (b)(1) or (c) of this section, was submitted using the version of FCC Form 323 that is current on the date on which the ownership report due pursuant to paragraph(b)(2) is filed, and is still accurate, the Respondent may certify that it has reviewed such ownership report and that it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new ownership report.

(c) Each permittee or licensee of a commercial AM, FM or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the permittee or licensee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”), shall file an ownership report on FCC Form 323 within 30 days of consummating authorized assignments or transfers of permits and licenses. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323 (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on the date on which the ownership report is filed.

(d) The Ownership Report for Noncommercial Broadcast Stations (FCC Form 323-E) must be filed electronically every two years by each licensee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the licensee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”). The ownership report shall be filed by December 1 in all odd-numbered years. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323-E (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on October 1 of the year in which the ownership report is filed. The information provided on each ownership report shall be current as of October 1 of the year in which the ownership report is filed. A Respondent with a current and unamended biennial ownership report (i.e., an ownership report that was filed pursuant to this subsection) on file with the Commission that is still accurate and which was filed using the version of FCC Form 323-E that is current on October 1 of the year in which its biennial ownership report is due may electronically validate and resubmit its previously filed biennial ownership report.

(e)(1) Each permittee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the permittee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”) shall file an ownership report on FCC Form 323-E within 30 days of the date of grant by the FCC of an application by the permittee for original construction permit. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323-E (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on the date on which the ownership report is filed.

(2) Except as specifically noted below, each permittee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station and any entity that holds an interest in the permittee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”) shall file an ownership report on FCC Form 323-E on the date that the permittee applies for a station license. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323-E (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on the date on which the ownership report is filed. If a Respondent has a current and unamended ownership report on file with the Commission that was filed pursuant to paragraphs (e)(1) or (f) of this section, was submitted using the version of FCC Form 323-E that is current on the date on which the ownership report due pursuant to this subsection is filed, and is still accurate, the Respondent may certify that it has reviewed such ownership report and that it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new ownership report.

(f) Each permittee or licensee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station, and any entity that holds an interest in the permittee or licensee that is attributable pursuant to § 73.3555 (each a “Respondent”), shall file an ownership report on FCC Form 323-E within 30 days of consummating authorized assignments or transfers of permits and licenses. Each ownership report shall provide all information required by, and comply with all requirements set forth in, the version of FCC Form 323-E (including all instructions for the form and schedule) that is current on the date on which the ownership report is filed.

(g) A copy of all ownership and supplemental ownership reports and related materials filed pursuant to this section shall be maintained and made available for public inspection in the online public inspection file as required by §§ 73.3526 and 73.3527.

[44 FR 38513, July 2, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 19498, May 8, 1984; 50 FR 27450, July 3, 1985; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 53 FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988; 53 FR 5684, Feb. 25, 1988; 63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998; 66 FR 9973, Feb. 13, 2001; 66 FR 12897, Mar. 1, 2001; 74 FR 25168, May 27, 2009; 74 FR 56134, Oct. 30, 2009; 81 FR 19459, Apr. 4, 2016; 82 FR 55771, Nov. 24, 2017; 85 FR 21078, Apr. 16, 2020]

(a) Any taped, filmed or recorded program material in which time is of special significance, or by which an affirmative attempt is made to create the impression that it is occurring simultaneously with the broadcast, shall be announced at the beginning as taped, filmed or recorded. The language of the announcement shall be clear and in terms commonly understood by the public. For television stations, the announcement may be made visually or aurally.

(b) Taped, filmed, or recorded announcements which are of a commercial, promotional or public service nature need not be identified as taped, filmed or recorded.

[37 FR 23726, Nov. 8, 1972]

The Media Bureau and each of its Divisions provide information on the internet regarding rules and policies, pending and completed rulemakings, and pending applications. These sites also include copies of public notices and texts of recent decisions. The Media Bureau's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/; the Audio Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio; the Video Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video; the Policy Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy; and the Industry Analysis Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/industry_analysis.

[85 FR 58297, Sept. 18, 2020]

(a) Definitions—(1) Broadcast television station. For purposes of this section, broadcast television station means full power television stations and Class A television stations.

(2) Channel reassignment public notice. For purposes of this section, Channel Reassignment Public Notice means the public notice released upon the completion of the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction conducted under section 6403 of the Spectrum Act specifying the new channel assignments and technical parameters of any broadcast television stations that are reassigned to new channels. Incentive Auction Closing and Channel Reassignment Public Notice: The Broadcast Television Incentive Auction Closes; Reverse Auction and Forward Auction Results Announced; Final Television Band Channel Assignments Announced; Post-Auction Deadlines Announced, GN Docket No. 12-268, Public Notice, 32 FCC Rcd 2786 (WTB/MB 2017).

(3) Channel sharee station. For purposes of this section, channel sharee station means a broadcast television station for which a winning channel sharing bid, as defined in § 1.2200(d) of this chapter, was submitted, or a broadcast television station for which a winning license relinquishment bid, as defined in § 1.2200(g) of this chapter, was submitted where the station licensee executes and implements a post-auction channel sharing agreement.

(4) Channel sharer station. For purposes of this section, channel sharer station means a broadcast television station that shares its television channel with a channel sharee.

(5) Channel sharing agreement (CSA). For purposes of this section, channel sharing agreement or CSA means an executed agreement between the licensee of a channel sharee station or stations and the licensee of a channel sharer station governing the use of the shared television channel.

(6)-(7) [Reserved]

(8) MVPD. For purposes of this section, MVPD means a person such as, but not limited to, a cable operator, a multichannel multipoint distribution service, a direct broadcast satellite service, or a television receive-only satellite program distributor, who makes available for purchase, by subscribers or customers, multiple channels of video programming as set forth in section 602 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522).

(9) Pre-auction channel. For purposes of this section, pre-auction channel means the channel that is licensed to a broadcast television station on the date that the Channel Reassignment Public Notice is released.

(10) Predetermined cost estimate. For purposes of this section, predetermined cost estimate means the estimated cost of an eligible expense as generally determined by the Media Bureau in a catalog of expenses eligible for reimbursement.

(11) Post-auction channel. For purposes of this section, post-auction channel means the channel specified in the Channel Reassignment Public Notice or a channel authorized by the Media Bureau in a construction permit issued after the date that the Channel Reassignment Public Notice is released under the procedures set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.

(12) Reassigned station. For purposes of this section, a reassigned station means a broadcast television station that is reassigned to a new channel in the Channel Reassignment Public Notice, not including channel sharing stations, UHF-to-VHF stations, or High-VHF-to-Low-VHF stations.

(13) Reimbursement period. For purposes of this section, reimbursement period means the period ending three years after the completion of the forward auction pursuant to section 6403(b)(4)(D) of the Spectrum Act.

(14) Spectrum Act. The term Spectrum Act means Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-96).

(15) Transitioning station. For purposes of this section, a transitioning station means a:

(i) Reassigned station,

(ii) UHF-to-VHF station,

(iii) High-VHF-to-Low-VHF station,

(iv) License relinquishment station, or

(v) A channel sharee or sharer station.

(16) TV broadcaster relocation fund. For purposes of this section, the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund means the fund established by section 6403(d)(1) of the Spectrum Act.

(b) Post-auction licensing—(1)-(4) [Reserved]

(5) Applications for additional time to complete construction—(i) Delegation of authority. Authority is delegated to the Chief, Media Bureau to grant a single extension of time of up to six months to licensees of reassigned stations, UHF-to-VHF stations, and High-VHF-to-Low-VHF stations to complete construction of their post-auction channel upon demonstration by the licensee that failure to meet the construction deadline is due to circumstances that are either unforeseeable or beyond the licensee's control. Licensees needing additional time beyond such a single extension of time to complete construction shall be subject to the tolling provisions in § 73.3598.

(ii) Circumstances that may justify an extension of the construction deadline of a licensee of a reassigned station, a UHF-to-VHF station, or a High-VHF-to-Low-VHF station include but are not limited to:

(A) Weather-related delays, including a tower location in a weather-sensitive area;

(B) Delays in construction due to the unavailability of equipment or a tower crew;

(C) Tower lease disputes;

(D) Unusual technical challenges, such as the need to construct a top-mounted or side-mounted antenna or the need to coordinate channel changes with another station; and

(E) Delays faced by licensees that must obtain government approvals, such as land use or zoning approvals, or that are subject to competitive bidding requirements prior to purchasing equipment or services.

(iii) A licensee of a reassigned station, UHF-to-VHF station, or High-VHF-to-Low-VHF station may rely on “financial hardship” as a criterion for seeking an extension of time if it is subject to an active bankruptcy or receivership proceeding, provided that the licensee makes an adequate showing that it has filed requests to proceed with construction in the relevant court proceedings. Any other licensee that seeks an extension of time based on financial hardship must demonstrate that, although it is not subject to an active bankruptcy or receivership proceeding, rare and exceptional financial circumstances warrant granting additional time to complete construction.

(iv) Applications for additional time to complete construction must be filed electronically in CDBS using FCC Form 337 no less than 90 days before the expiration of the construction permit.

(c) Consumer education for transitioning stations. (1) License relinquishment stations that operate on a commercial basis will be required to air at least one Public Service Announcement (PSA) and run at least one crawl in every quarter of every day for 30 days prior to the date that the station terminates operations on its pre-auction channel. One of the required PSAs and one of the required crawls must be run during prime time hours (for purposes of this section, between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. in the Eastern and Pacific time zones, and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. in the Mountain and Central time zones) each day.

(2) Noncommercial educational full power television license relinquishment stations may choose to comply with these requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this section or may air 60 seconds per day of on-air consumer education PSAs for 30 days prior to the station's termination of operations on its pre-auction channel.

(3) Transitioning stations, except for license relinquishment stations, must air 60 seconds per day of on-air consumer education PSAs or crawls for 30 days prior to the station's termination of operations on its pre-auction channel.

(4) Transition crawls. (i) Each crawl must run during programming for no less than 60 consecutive seconds across the bottom or top of the viewing area and be provided in the same language as a majority of the programming carried by the transitioning station.

(ii) Each crawl must include the date that the station will terminate operations on its pre-auction channel; inform viewers of the need to rescan if the station has received a new post-auction channel assignment; and explain how viewers may obtain more information by telephone or online.

(5) Transition PSAs. (i) Each PSA must have a duration of at least 15 seconds.

(ii) Each PSA must be provided in the same language as a majority of the programming carried by the transitioning station; include the date that the station will terminate operations on its pre-auction channel; inform viewers of the need to rescan if the station has received a new post-auction channel assignment; explain how viewers may obtain more information by telephone or online; and for stations with new post-auction channel assignments, provide instructions to both over-the-air and MVPD viewers regarding how to continue watching the television station; and be closed-captioned.

(6) [Reserved]

(d) [Reserved]

(e) Reimbursement rules—(1) Entities eligible for reimbursement. The Commission will reimburse relocation costs reasonably incurred only by:

(i) The licensees of full power and Class A broadcast television stations that are reassigned under section 6403(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Spectrum Act, including channel sharer stations that are reassigned to a new channel in the Channel Reassignment Public Notice; and

(ii) MVPDs in order to continue to carry the signal of a full power or Class A broadcast television station that is:

(A) Described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section;

(B) A UHF-to-VHF station;

(C) A High-VHF-to-Low-VHF station; or

(D) A channel sharee station.

(2) Estimated costs. (i) No later than three months following the release of the Channel Reassignment Public Notice, all broadcast television station licensees and MVPDs that are eligible to receive payment of relocation costs will be required to file an estimated cost form providing an estimate of their reasonably incurred relocation costs.

(ii) Each broadcast television station licensee and MVPD that submits an estimated cost form will be required to certify, inter alia, that:

(A) It believes in good faith that it will reasonably incur all of the estimated costs that it claims as eligible for reimbursement on the estimated cost form;

(B) It will use all money received from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund only for expenses it believes in good faith are eligible for reimbursement;

(C) It will comply with all policies and procedures relating to allocations, draw downs, payments, obligations, and expenditures of money from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund;

(D) It will maintain detailed records, including receipts, of all costs eligible for reimbursement actually incurred; and

(E) It will file all required documentation of its relocation expenses as instructed by the Media Bureau.

(iii) If a broadcast television station licensee or MVPD seeks reimbursement for new equipment, it must provide a justification as to why it is reasonable under the circumstances to purchase new equipment rather than modify its corresponding current equipment in order to change channels or to continue to carry the signal of a broadcast television station that changes channels.

(iv) Entities that submit their own cost estimates, as opposed to the predetermined cost estimates provided in the estimated cost form, must submit supporting evidence and certify that the estimate is made in good faith.

(3) Final Allocation Deadline. (i) Upon completing construction or other reimbursable changes, or by a specific deadline prior to the end of the Reimbursement Period to be established by the Media Bureau, whichever is earlier, all broadcast television station licensees and MVPDs that received an initial allocation from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund must provide the Commission with information and documentation, including invoices and receipts, regarding their actual expenses incurred as of a date to be determined by the Media Bureau (the “Final Allocation Deadline”).

(ii) If a broadcast television station licensee or MVPD has not yet completed construction or other reimbursable changes by the Final Allocation Deadline, it must provide the Commission with information and documentation regarding any remaining eligible expenses that it expects to reasonably incur.

(4) Final accounting. After completing all construction or reimbursable changes, broadcast television station licensees and MVPDs that have received money from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund will be required to submit final expense documentation containing a list of estimated expenses and actual expenses as of a date to be determined by the Media Bureau. Entities that have finished construction and have submitted all actual expense documentation by the Final Allocation Deadline will not be required to file at the final accounting stage.

(5) Progress reports. Broadcast television station licensees and MVPDs that receive payment from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund are required to submit progress reports at a date and frequency to be determined by the Media Bureau.

(6) Documentation requirements. (i) Each broadcast television station licensee and MVPD that receives payment from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund is required to retain all relevant documents pertaining to construction or other reimbursable changes for a period ending not less than 10 years after the date on which it receives final payment from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund.

(ii) Each broadcast television station licensee and MVPD that receives payment from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund must make available all relevant documentation upon request from the Commission or its contractor.

(7) Delegation of authority. The Commission delegates authority to the Chief, Media Bureau, to adopt the necessary policies and procedures relating to allocations, draw downs, payments, obligations, and expenditures of money from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund in order to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse and in the event of bankruptcy, to establish a catalog of expenses eligible for reimbursement and predetermined cost estimates, review the estimated cost forms, issue initial allocations for costs reasonably incurred pursuant to section 6403(b)(4) of the Spectrum Act, set filing deadlines and review information and documentation regarding progress reports, final allocations, and final accountings, and issue final allocations to reimburse for costs reasonably incurred pursuant to section 6403(b)(4) of the Spectrum Act.

(f) [Reserved]

(g) Low Power TV and TV translator stations.

(1) through (3) [Reserved]

(4) Notification and termination provisions for displaced low power TV and TV translator stations. (i) A wireless licensee assigned to frequencies in the 600 MHz band under part 27 of this chapter must notify low power TV and TV translator stations of its intent to commence operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter, and the likelihood of receiving harmful interference from the low power TV or TV translator station to such operations within the wireless licensee's licensed geographic service area.

(ii) The new wireless licensees must:

(A) Notify the low power TV or TV translator station in the form of a letter, via certified mail, return receipt requested;

(B) Indicate the date the new wireless licensee intends to commence operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter, in areas where there is a likelihood of receiving harmful interference from the low power TV or TV translator station; and

(C) Send such notification not less than 120 days in advance of the commencement date.

(iii) Low power TV and TV translator stations may continue operating on frequencies in the 600 MHz band assigned to wireless licensees under part 27 of this chapter until the wireless licensee commences operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter, as indicated in the notification sent pursuant to this paragraph.

(iv) After receiving notification, the low power TV or TV translator licensee must cease operating or reduce power in order to eliminate the potential for harmful interference before the commencement date set forth in the notification.

(v) Low power TV and TV translator stations that are operating on the UHF spectrum that is reserved for guard band channels as a result of the broadcast television incentive auction conducted under section 6403 of the Spectrum Act may continue operating on such channels until the end of the post-auction transition period as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter, unless they receive notification from a new wireless licensee pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this section that they are likely to cause harmful interference in areas where the wireless licensee intends to commence operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter, in which case the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this section will apply.

(h) Channel sharing operating rules. (1) Each broadcast television station licensee that is a party to a CSA shall continue to be licensed and operated separately, have its own call sign, and be separately subject to all of the Commission's obligations, rules, and policies applicable to the television service.

(2) Upon termination of the license of a party to a CSA, the spectrum usage rights covered by that license may revert to the remaining parties to the CSA. Such reversion shall be governed by the terms of the CSA in accordance with paragraph (h)(5)(i)(E) of this section. If upon termination of the license of a party to a CSA only one party to the CSA remains, the remaining licensee may file an application to change its license to non-shared status using FCC Form 2100, Schedule B (for a full power licensee) or F (for a Class A licensee).

(3) Channel sharing between full power television and Class A television stations. (i) A CSA may be executed between licensees of full power television stations, between licensees of Class A television stations, and between licensees of full power and Class A television stations.

(ii) A Class A channel sharee station licensee that is a party to a CSA with a full power channel sharer station licensee must comply with the rules of part 73 governing power levels and interference, and must comply in all other respects with the rules and policies applicable to Class A television stations, as set forth in §§ 73.6000 et seq.

(iii) A full power channel sharee station licensee that is a party to a CSA with a Class A channel sharer station licensee must comply with the rules of part 74 of this chapter governing power levels and interference.

(iv) A Class A channel sharee station may qualify only for the cable carriage rights afforded to “qualified low power television stations” in § 76.56(b)(3) of this chapter.

(4) Channel sharing between commercial and noncommercial educational television stations. (i) A CSA may be executed between commercial and NCE broadcast television station licensees.

(ii) The licensee of an NCE station operating on a reserved channel under § 73.621 that becomes a party to a CSA, either as a channel sharee station or as a channel sharer station, will retain its NCE status and must continue to comply with § 73.621.

(iii) If the licensee of an NCE station operating on a reserved channel under § 73.621 becomes a party to a CSA, either as a channel sharee station or as a channel sharer station, the portion of the shared television channel on which the NCE station operates shall be reserved for NCE-only use.

(iv) The licensee of an NCE station operating on a reserved channel under § 73.621 that becomes a party to a CSA may assign or transfer its shared license only to an entity qualified under § 73.621 as an NCE television licensee.

(5) Required CSA provisions. (i) CSAs must contain provisions outlining each licensee's rights and responsibilities regarding:

(A) Access to facilities, including whether each licensee will have unrestrained access to the shared transmission facilities;

(B) Allocation of bandwidth within the shared channel;

(C) Operation, maintenance, repair, and modification of facilities, including a list of all relevant equipment, a description of each party's financial obligations, and any relevant notice provisions;

(D) Transfer/assignment of a shared license, including the ability of a new licensee to assume the existing CSA; and

(E) Termination of the license of a party to the CSA, including reversion of spectrum usage rights to the remaining parties to the CSA.

(ii) CSAs must include provisions:

(A) Affirming compliance with the requirements in paragraph (h)(5) of this section and all relevant Commission rules and policies; and

(B) Requiring that each channel sharing licensee shall retain spectrum usage rights adequate to ensure a sufficient amount of the shared channel capacity to allow it to provide at least one Standard Definition (SD) program stream at all times.

(6) If the rights under a CSA are transferred or assigned, the assignee or the transferee must comply with the terms of the CSA. If the transferee or assignee and the licensees of the remaining channel sharing station or stations agree to amend the terms of the existing CSA, the agreement may be amended, subject to Commission approval.

(7) Preservation of carriage rights. A channel sharee station that possessed carriage rights under section 338, 614, or 615 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 338; 534; 535) on November 30, 2010, shall have, at its shared location, the carriage rights under such section that would apply to such station at the shared location if it were not sharing a channel.

(i) A broadcast television station licensed in the 600 MHz band, as that band is defined in section 27.5(l)—

(1) Shall not be permitted to modify its facilities, except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, if such modification will expand its noise limited service contour (in the case of a full power station) or protected contour (in the case of a Class A station) in such a way as to:

(i) Increase the potential of harmful interference to a wireless licensee which is co-channel or adjacent channel to the broadcast television station; or

(ii) Require such a wireless licensee to restrict its operations in order to avoid causing harmful interference to the broadcast television station's expanded noise limited service or protected contour;

(2) Shall be permitted to modify its facilities, even when prohibited by paragraph (i)(1) of this section, if all the wireless licensees in paragraph (i)(1) who either will experience an increase in the potential for harmful interference or must restrict their operations in order to avoid causing interference agree to permit the modification and the modification otherwise meets all the requirements in this part;

(3) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(i) Co-channel operations in the 600 MHz band are defined as operations of broadcast television stations and wireless services where their assigned channels or frequencies spectrally overlap.

(ii) Adjacent channel operations are defined as operations of broadcast television stations and wireless services where their assigned channels or frequencies spectrally abut each other or are separated by up to 5 MHz.

[79 FR 48539, Aug. 15, 2014, as amended at 79 FR 76914, Dec. 23, 2014; 80 FR 46846, Aug. 6, 2015; 80 FR 67342, 67346, Nov. 2, 2015; 80 FR 71743, Nov. 17, 2015; 81 FR 4975, Jan. 29, 2016; 86 FR 66213, Nov. 22, 2021; 89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Definitions—(1) Eligibility Certification/Reimbursement Form. For purposes of this section, the term Eligibility Certification/Reimbursement Form means the form(s) developed by the Media Bureau for processing reimbursement requests under the Reimbursement Expansion Act.

(2) FM station. For purposes of this section, the term FM station means an “FM broadcast station” as defined in § 73.310.

(3) Incentive Auction. For purposes of this section, the term Incentive Auction means the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction and repacking process conducted under section 6403 of the Spectrum Act specifying the new channel assignments and technical parameters of any broadcast television stations that are reassigned to new channels.

(4) Licensed. For purposes of this section, the term licensed means a station that was licensed or that had an application for a license to cover on file with the Commission on April 13, 2017.

(5) Low power television station. For purposes of this section, the term low power television station means a low power television station as defined in 47 CFR 74.701.

(6) Predetermined cost estimate. For purposes of this section, predetermined cost estimate means the estimated cost of an eligible expense as generally determined by the Media Bureau in a catalog of expenses eligible for reimbursement.

(7) Reimbursement Expansion Act or REA. For purposes of this section, the term Reimbursement Expansion Act or REA means Division E, Financial Services & General Appropriation Act, 2018, Title V Independent Agencies, Public Law 115-141, Section 511 (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1452(j)-(n)) adopted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115-141 (2018).

(8) Reimbursement period. For purposes of this section, reimbursement period means the period ending July 3, 2023, pursuant to section 511(j)(3)(B) of the REA.

(9) Replacement translator station. For purposes of this section, the term replacement translator station means analog to digital replacement translator stations authorized pursuant to 47 CFR 74.787(a)(5).

(10) Spectrum Act. For purposes of this section, the term Spectrum Act means Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-96).

(11) Special Displacement Window. For purposes of this section, the term Special Displacement Window means the displacement application filing window conducted April 10, 2018 to June 1, 2018 for low power television, TV translator, and analog-to-digital replacement translator stations that were displaced by the incentive auction and repacking process.

(12) Transmitting. For purposes of this section, the term transmitting means a low power television station, TV translator station, or replacement translator station operating not less than 2 hours in each day of the week and not less than a total of 28 hours per calendar week for 9 of the 12 months prior to April 13, 2017.

(13) Reimbursement Fund. For purposes of this section, the Reimbursement Fund means the additional funding established by the REA.

(14) TV translator station. For purposes of this section, the term TV translator station means a “television broadcast translator station” as defined in 47 CFR 74.701.

(b) Eligibility for reimbursement. Only the following entities are eligible for reimbursement of relocation costs reasonably incurred:

(1) Low power television stations. Low power television stations that filed an application for construction permit during the Special Displacement Window and such application was subsequently granted. Station must have been licensed and transmitting for not less than 2 hours in each day of the week and not less than a total of 28 hours per calendar week for 9 of the 12 months prior to April 13, 2017.

(2) TV translator stations. TV translator stations that filed an application for construction permit during the Special Displacement Window and such application was subsequently granted. Station must have been licensed and transmitting for not less than 2 hours in each day of the week and not less than a total of 28 hours per calendar week for 9 of the 12 months prior to April 13, 2017.

(3) Replacement translator stations. Replacement translator stations that filed an application for construction permit during the Special Displacement Window and such application was subsequently granted. Station must have been licensed and transmitting for not less than 2 hours in each day of the week and not less than a total of 28 hours per calendar week for 9 of the 12 months prior to April 13, 2017.

(4) FM station. FM stations licensed and transmitting as of April 13, 2017, that experienced, at the site at which they were licensed and transmitting on that date, a disruption of service as a result of the reorganization of broadcast television spectrum under 47 U.S.C. 1452(b).

(c) Reimbursement process—(1) Estimated costs. (i) All entities that are eligible to receive reimbursement will be required to file an estimated cost form providing an estimate of their reasonably incurred costs and provide supporting documentation.

(ii) Each eligible entity that submits an estimated cost form will be required to certify on its Eligibility Certification/Reimbursement Form inter alia, that:

(A) It is eligible for reimbursement;

(B) It believes in good faith that it will reasonably incur all of the estimated costs that it claims are eligible for reimbursement on the estimated cost form;

(C) It will use all money received from the Reimbursement Fund only for expenses it believes in good faith are eligible for reimbursement;

(D) It will comply with all policies and procedures relating to allocations, draw downs, payments, obligations, and expenditures of money from the Reimbursement Fund;

(E) It will maintain detailed records, including receipts, of all costs eligible for reimbursement actually incurred;

(F) It will file all required documentation of its relocation expenses as instructed by the Media Bureau;

(G) It has not received nor does it expect to receive reimbursement from other sources for costs for which they are requesting reimbursement from the REA; and

(H) Low power television stations, TV translator stations, and replacement translator stations must certify compliance with the minimum operating requirement set forth in paragraph (b)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(I) FM stations must certify that they were licensed and transmitting at the facility implicated by the Incentive Auction on April 13, 2017.

(iii) If an eligible entity seeks reimbursement for new equipment, it must provide a justification as to why it is reasonable under the circumstances to purchase new equipment rather than modify its corresponding current equipment.

(iv) Eligible entities that submit their own cost estimates, as opposed to the predetermined cost estimates provided in the estimated cost form, must submit supporting evidence and certify that the estimate is made in good faith.

(2) Final Allocation Deadline. (i) Upon completing construction or other reimbursable changes, or by a specific deadline prior to the end of the Reimbursement Period to be established by the Media Bureau, whichever is earlier, all eligible entities that received an initial allocation from the Reimbursement Fund must provide the Commission with information and documentation, including invoices and receipts, regarding their actual expenses incurred as of a date to be determined by the Media Bureau (the “Final Allocation Deadline”).

(ii) If an eligible entity has not yet completed construction or other reimbursable changes by the Final Allocation Deadline, it must provide the Commission with information and documentation regarding any remaining eligible expenses that it expects to reasonably incur.

(3) Final accounting. After completing all construction or reimbursable changes, eligible entities that have received money from the Reimbursement Fund will be required to submit final expense documentation containing a list of estimated expenses and actual expenses as of a date to be determined by the Media Bureau. Entities that have finished construction and have submitted all actual expense documentation by the Final Allocation Deadline will not be required to file at the final accounting stage.

(4) Documentation requirements. (i) Each eligible entity that receives payment from the Reimbursement Fund is required to retain all relevant documents pertaining to construction or other reimbursable changes for a period ending not less than 10 years after the date on which it receives final payment from the Reimbursement Fund.

(ii) Each eligible entity that receives payment from the Reimbursement Fund must make available all relevant documentation upon request from the Commission or its contractor.

[84 FR 11252, Mar. 26, 2019]

(a) Eligibility. Subject to the provisions of this section, a full power television station with an auction-related Channel Sharing Agreement (CSA) may voluntarily seek Commission approval to relinquish its channel to share a single six megahertz channel with a full power, Class A, low power, or TV translator television station. An auction-related CSA is a CSA filed with and approved by the Commission pursuant to § 73.3700(b)(1)(vii).

(b) Licensing of channel sharing stations. (1) Each station sharing a single channel pursuant to this section shall continue to be licensed and operated separately, have its own call sign, and be separately subject to all applicable Commission obligations, rules, and policies.

(2) A full power television channel sharing station relinquishing its channel must file an application for a construction permit (FCC Form 2100), include a copy of the CSA as an exhibit, and cross reference the other sharing station(s). Any engineering changes necessitated by the CSA may be included in the station's application. Upon initiation of shared operations, the station relinquishing its channel must notify the Commission that it has terminated operation pursuant to § 73.1750 and each sharing station must file an application for license (FCC Form 2100).

(c) Channel sharing between full power television stations and Class A, Low power television, or TV translator stations. (1) A full power television sharee station (defined as a station relinquishing a channel in order to share) that is a party to a CSA with a Class A sharer station (defined as the station hosting a sharee pursuant to a CSA) must comply with the rules governing power levels and interference applicable to Class A stations, and must comply in all other respects with the rules and policies applicable to full power television stations set forth in this part.

(2) A full power television sharee station that is a party to a CSA with a low power television or TV translator sharer station must comply with the rules of part 74 of this chapter governing power levels and interference applicable to low power television or TV translator stations, and must comply in all other respects with the rules and policies applicable to full power television stations set forth in this part.

(d) Channel sharing between commercial and noncommercial educational television stations. (1) A CSA may be executed between commercial and NCE broadcast television station licensees.

(2) The licensee of an NCE station operating on a reserved channel under § 73.621 that becomes a party to a CSA, either as a channel sharee station or as a channel sharer station, will retain its NCE status and must continue to comply with § 73.621.

(3) If the licensee of an NCE station operating on a reserved channel under § 73.621 becomes a party to a CSA, either as a channel sharee station or as a channel sharer station, the portion of the shared television channel on which the NCE station operates shall be reserved for NCE-only use.

(4) The licensee of an NCE station operating on a reserved channel under § 73.621 that becomes a party to a CSA may assign or transfer its shared license only to an entity qualified under § 73.621 as an NCE television licensee.

(e) Deadline for implementing CSAs. CSAs submitted pursuant to this section must be implemented within three years of the grant of the channel sharing construction permit.

(f) Channel sharing agreements (CSAs). (1) CSAs submitted under this section must contain provisions outlining each licensee's rights and responsibilities regarding:

(i) Access to facilities, including whether each licensee will have unrestrained access to the shared transmission facilities;

(ii) Allocation of bandwidth within the shared channel;

(iii) Operation, maintenance, repair, and modification of facilities, including a list of all relevant equipment, a description of each party's financial obligations, and any relevant notice provisions; and

(iv) Transfer/assignment of a shared license, including the ability of a new licensee to assume the existing CSA; and

(v) Termination of the license of a party to the CSA, including reversion of spectrum usage rights to the remaining parties to the CSA.

(2) CSAs must include provisions:

(i) Affirming compliance with the channel sharing requirements in this section and all relevant Commission rules and policies; and

(ii) Requiring that each channel sharing licensee shall retain spectrum usage rights adequate to ensure a sufficient amount of the shared channel capacity to allow it to provide at least one Standard Definition program stream at all times.

(g) Termination and assignment/transfer of shared channel. (1) Upon termination of the license of a party to a CSA, the spectrum usage rights covered by that license may revert to the remaining parties to the CSA. Such reversion shall be governed by the terms of the CSA in accordance with paragraph (f)(1)(v) of this section. If upon termination of the license of a party to a CSA only one party to the CSA remains, the remaining licensee may file an application for license to change its status to non-shared.

(2) If the rights under a CSA are transferred or assigned, the assignee or the transferee must comply with the terms of the CSA in accordance with paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section. If the transferee or assignee and the licensees of the remaining channel sharing station or stations agree to amend the terms of the existing CSA, the agreement may be amended, subject to Commission approval.

(h) Notice to MVPDs. (1) Stations participating in channel sharing agreements must provide notice to MVPDs that:

(i) No longer will be required to carry the station because of the relocation of the station;

(ii) Currently carry and will continue to be obligated to carry a station that will change channels; or

(iii) Will become obligated to carry the station due to a channel sharing relocation.

(2) The notice required by this section must contain the following information:

(i) Date and time of any channel changes;

(ii) The channel occupied by the station before and after implementation of the CSA;

(iii) Modification, if any, to antenna position, location, or power levels;

(iv) Stream identification information; and

(v) Engineering staff contact information.

(3) Should any of the information in paragraph (h)(2) of this section change, an amended notification must be sent.

(4) Sharee stations must provide notice as required by this section at least 90 days prior to terminating operations on the sharee's channel. Sharer stations and sharee stations must provide notice as required by this section at least 90 days prior to initiation of operations on the sharer channel. Should the anticipated date to either cease operations or commence channel sharing operations change, the stations must send a further notice to affected MVPDs informing them of the new anticipated date(s).

(5) Notifications provided to cable systems pursuant to this section must be either mailed to the system's official address of record provided in the cable system's most recent filing in the FCC's Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) Form 322, or emailed to the system if the system has provided an email address. For all other MVPDs, the letter must be addressed to the official corporate address registered with their State of incorporation.

[82 FR 18249, Apr. 18, 2017]

Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 45366, July 17, 2023.

(a) Simulcasting arrangements. For purposes of compliance with the simulcasting requirement in paragraph (b) of this section, a full power television station may partner with one or more other full power stations or with one or more Class A, LPTV, or TV translator stations in a simulcasting arrangement for purposes of airing either an ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal on a host station's (i.e., a station whose facilities are being used to transmit programming originated by another station) facilities. Noncommercial educational television stations may participate in simulcasting arrangements with commercial stations.

(1) A full power television station airing an ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal on the facilities of a Class A host station must comply with the rules governing power levels and interference applicable to Class A stations, and must comply in all other respects with the rules and policies applicable to full power television stations set forth in this part.

(2) A full power television station airing an ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal on the facilities of a low power television or TV translator host station must comply with the rules of part 74 of this chapter governing power levels and interference applicable to low power television or TV translator stations, and must comply in all other respects with the rules and policies applicable to full power television stations set forth in this part.

(3) A full power noncommercial educational television (NCE) station airing an ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal on the facilities of a commercial television host station must comply with the rules applicable to NCE licensees.

(b) Simulcasting requirement. A full power television station that chooses to air an ATSC 3.0 signal must simulcast the primary video programming stream of that signal in an ATSC 1.0 format. This requirement does not apply to any multicast streams aired on the ATSC 3.0 channel.

(1) The programming aired on the ATSC 1.0 simulcast signal must be “substantially similar” to that aired on the ATSC 3.0 primary video programming stream. For purposes of this section, “substantially similar” means that the programming must be the same except for advertisements, promotions for upcoming programs, and programming features that are based on the enhanced capabilities of ATSC 3.0. These enhanced capabilities include:

(i) Hyper-localized content (e.g., geo-targeted weather, targeted emergency alerts, and hyper-local news):

(ii) Programming features or improvements created for the ATSC 3.0 service (e.g., emergency alert “wake up” ability and interactive program features);

(iii) Enhanced formats made possible by ATSC 3.0 technology (e.g., 4K or HDR); and

(iv) Personalization of programming performed by the viewer and at the viewer's discretion.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) of this section, programming that airs at a different time on the ATSC 1.0 simulcast signal than on the primary video programming stream of the ATSC 3.0 signal is not considered “substantially similar.”

(3) The “substantially similar” requirement in paragraph (b)(1) of this section will sunset on July 17, 2027.

(c) Coverage requirements for the ATSC 1.0 simulcast signal. For full power broadcasters that elect temporarily to relocate their ATSC 1.0 signal to the facilities of a host station for purposes of deploying ATSC 3.0 service (and that convert their existing facilities to ATSC 3.0), the ATSC 1.0 simulcast signal must continue to cover the station's entire community of license (i.e., the station must choose a host from whose transmitter site the Next Gen TV station will continue to meet the community of license signal requirement over its current community of license, as required by § 73.625) and the host station must be assigned to the same Designated Market Area (DMA) as the originating station (i.e., the station whose programming is being transmitted on the host station).

(d) Coverage requirements for ATSC 3.0 signals. For full power broadcasters that elect to continue broadcasting in ATSC 1.0 on the station's existing facilities and transmit an ATSC 3.0 signal on the facilities of a host station, the ATSC 3.0 signal must be established on a host station assigned to the same DMA as the originating station.

(e) Simulcasting agreements. (1) Simulcasting agreements must contain provisions outlining each licensee's rights and responsibilities regarding:

(i) Access to facilities, including whether each licensee will have unrestrained access to the host station's transmission facilities;

(ii) Allocation of bandwidth within the host station's channel;

(iii) Operation, maintenance, repair, and modification of facilities, including a list of all relevant equipment, a description of each party's financial obligations, and any relevant notice provisions;

(iv) Conditions under which the simulcast agreement may be terminated, assigned or transferred; and

(v) How a guest station's (i.e., a station originating programming that is being transmitted using the facilities of another station) signal may be transitioned off the host station.

(2) Broadcasters must maintain a written copy of any simulcasting agreement and provide it to the Commission upon request.

(f) Licensing of simulcasting stations and stations converting to ATSC 3.0 operation. (1) Each station participating in a simulcasting arrangement pursuant to this section shall continue to be licensed and operated separately, have its own call sign, and be separately subject to all applicable Commission obligations, rules, and policies. ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 signals aired on the facilities of a host station will be licensed as temporary second channels of the originating station. The Commission will include a note on the originating station's license identifying any ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal being aired on the facilities of a host station. The Commission will also include a note on a host station's license identifying any ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 guest signal(s) being aired on the facilities of the host station.

(2) Application required. A full power broadcaster must file an application (FCC Form 2100) with the Commission, and receive Commission approval, before:

(i) Moving its ATSC 1.0 signal to the facilities of a host station, moving that signal from the facilities of an existing host station to the facilities of a different host station, or discontinuing an ATSC 1.0 guest signal;

(ii) Commencing the airing of an ATSC 3.0 signal on the facilities of a host station (that has already converted to ATSC 3.0 operation), moving its ATSC 3.0 signal to the facilities of a different host station, or discontinuing an ATSC 3.0 guest signal; or

(iii) Converting its existing station to transmit an ATSC 3.0 signal or converting the station from ATSC 3.0 back to ATSC 1.0 transmissions.

(3) Streamlined process. With respect to any application in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, a full power broadcaster may file only an application for modification of license, provided no other changes are being requested in such application that would require the filing of an application for a construction permit as otherwise required by the rules (see, e.g., § 73.1690).

(4) Host station. A host station must first make any necessary changes to its facilities before a guest station may file an application to air a 1.0 or 3.0 signal on such host.

(5) Expedited processing. An application filed in accordance with the streamlined process in paragraph (f)(3) of this section will receive expedited processing provided, for stations requesting to air an ATSC 1.0 signal on the facilities of a host station, the station will provide ATSC 1.0 service to at least 95 percent of the predicted population within the noise limited service contour of its original ATSC 1.0 facility.

(6) Required information. (i) An application in paragraph (f)(2) of this section must include the following information:

(A) The station serving as the host, if applicable;

(B) The technical facilities of the host station, if applicable;

(C) The DMA of the originating broadcaster's facility and the DMA of the host station, if applicable; and

(D) Any other information deemed necessary by the Commission to process the application.

(ii) If an application in paragraph (f)(2) of this section includes a request to air an ATSC 1.0 signal on the facilities of a host station, the broadcaster must, in addition to the information in paragraph (f)(6)(i), also indicate on the application:

(A) The predicted population within the noise limited service contour served by the station's original ATSC 1.0 signal;

(B) The predicted population within the noise limited service contour served by the station's original ATSC 1.0 signal that will lose the station's ATSC 1.0 service as a result of the simulcasting arrangement, including identifying areas of service loss by providing a contour overlap map; and

(C) Whether the ATSC 1.0 simulcast signal aired on the host station will serve at least 95 percent of the population in paragraph (f)(6)(ii)(A) of this section.

(iii)(A) If an application in paragraph (f)(2) of this section includes a request to air an ATSC 1.0 signal on the facilities of a host station and does not meet the 95 percent standard in paragraph (f)(6)(ii) of this section, the application must contain, in addition to the information in paragraphs (f)(6)(i) and (ii) of this section, the following information:

(1) Whether there is another possible host station(s) in the market that would result in less service loss to existing viewers and, if so, why the Next Gen TV broadcaster chose to partner with a host station creating a larger service loss;

(2) What steps, if any, the station plans to take to minimize the impact of the service loss (e.g., providing ATSC 3.0 dongles, set-top boxes, or gateway devices to viewers in the loss area); and

(3) The public interest benefits of the simulcasting arrangement and a showing of why the benefit(s) of granting the application would outweigh the harm(s).

(B) These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

(g) Consumer education for Next Gen TV stations. (1) Commercial and noncommercial educational stations that relocate their ATSC 1.0 signals (e.g., moving to a host station's facility, subsequently moving to a different host, or returning to its original facility) are required to air daily Public Service Announcements (PSAs) or crawls every day for 30 days prior to the date that the stations will terminate ATSC 1.0 operations on their existing facilities. Stations that transition directly to ATSC 3.0 will be required to air daily PSAs or crawls every day for 30 days prior to the date that the stations will terminate ATSC 1.0 operations.

(2) PSAs. Each PSA must be provided in the same language as a majority of the programming carried by the transitioning station and be closed-captioned.

(3) Crawls. Each crawl must be provided in the same language as a majority of the programming carried by the transitioning station.

(4) Content of PSAs or crawls. For stations relocating their ATSC 1.0 signals or transitioning directly to ATSC 3.0, each PSA or crawl must provide all pertinent information to consumers.

(h) Notice to MVPDs. (1) Next Gen TV stations relocating their ATSC 1.0 signals (e.g., moving to a temporary host station's facilities, subsequently moving to a different host, or returning to its original facility) must provide notice to MVPDs that:

(i) No longer will be required to carry the station's ATSC 1.0 signal due to the relocation; or

(ii) Carry and will continue to be obligated to carry the station's ATSC 1.0 signal from the new location.

(2) The notice required by this section must contain the following information:

(i) Date and time of any ATSC 1.0 channel changes;

(ii) The ATSC 1.0 channel occupied by the station before and after commencement of local simulcasting;

(iii) Modification, if any, to antenna position, location, or power levels;

(iv) Stream identification information; and

(v) Engineering staff contact information.

(3) If any of the information in paragraph (h)(2) of this section changes, an amended notification must be sent.

(4)(i) Next Gen TV stations must provide notice as required by this section:

(A) At least 120 days in advance of relocating their ATSC 1.0 signals if the relocation occurs during the post-incentive auction transition period; or

(B) At least 90 days in advance of relocating their ATSC 1.0 signals if the relocation occurs after the post-incentive auction transition period (see 47 CFR 27.4).

(ii) If the anticipated date of the ATSC 1.0 signal relocation changes, the station must send a further notice to affected MVPDs informing them of the new anticipated date.

(5) Next Gen TV stations may choose whether to provide notice as required by this section either by a letter notification or electronically via email if the relevant MVPD agrees to receive such notices by email. Letter notifications to MVPDs must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested to the MVPD's address in the FCC's Online Public Inspection File (OPIF), if the MVPD has an online file. For cable systems that do not have an online file, notices must be sent to the cable system's official address of record provided in the system's most recent filing in the FCC's Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS). For MVPDs with no official address in OPIF or COALS, the letter must be sent to the MVPD's official corporate address registered with their State of incorporation.

[83 FR 3801, Feb. 2, 2018, as amended at 85 FR 43492, July 17, 2020; 88 FR 45366, July 17, 2023]

(a) No licensee of a radio or television broadcast station shall broadcast any material which is obscene.

(b) No licensee of a radio or television broadcast station shall broadcast on any day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. any material which is indecent.

[60 FR 44439, Aug. 28, 1995]

The following sections list, solely for the purpose of reference and convenience, certain Policies of the FCC. The present listing of FCC policies and citations thereto should not be relied upon as an all-inclusive list. Failure to include a policy in this list does not affect its validity. In addition, documents listed may be revised by subsequent decisions and the inclusion of a document on this list does not necessarily reflect that it is currently valid. Each section bears the title of one Policy and the citations which will direct the user to the specific document(s) pertaining to that Policy.

[89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

See 412 U.S. 94 (Supreme Court, 1973).

[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979]

See Public Notice, FCC 84-366, dated August 2, 1984, 49 FR 47331, December 3, 1984.

[49 FR 50048, Dec. 26, 1984]

See §§ 73.5000 through 73.5009.

[89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

See Order, FCC 72-167, adopted February 16, 1972. 33 FCC 2d 653; 37 FR 4009, February 25, 1972.

[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979]

Unless specifically designated as “standard (non-advanced)” or “advanced,” all references to time contained in this part, and in license documents and other authorizations issued thereunder shall be understood to mean local time; i.e., the time legally observed in the community.

[39 FR 26736, July 23, 1974]

(a) See Report and Policy Statement, Docket 19142, FCC 74-1174, adopted October 24, 1974. 50 FCC 2d 1; 39 FR 39396, November 6, 1974.

(b) See Report and Order; Policy Statement, Docket 19142, FCC 83-609, adopted December 22, 1983. 96 FCC 2d 634; 49 FR 1704, January 13, 1984.

(c) See Report and Order, MM Dockets 90-570 and 83-670, FCC 91-113, adopted April 9, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 2111; 56 FR 19611, April 19, 1991; Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Dockets 90-570 and 83-670, FCC 91-248, adopted August 1, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 5093; 56 FR 42707, August 29, 1991.

[49 FR 14509, Apr. 12, 1984, as amended at 59 FR 52086, Oct. 14, 1994]

See 15 U.S.C. 1335; 15 U.S.C. 4402(c).

[89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) See Report and Order, Docket 20495, FCC 75-1359, adopted December 10, 1975. 57 F.C.C. 2d 42; 40 FR 459730, December 30, 1975.

(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 78-875, adopted December 21, 1978. 70 F.C.C. 2d 1672.

[44 FR 58720, Oct. 11, 1979, as amended at 89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

See Memorandum Opinion and Order, BC Docket 79-168, FCC 84-300, adopted June 27, 1984. 49 FR 28077, July 10, 1984.

[49 FR 38132, Sept. 27, 1984]

(a) See Report and Order, General Docket 80-603, FCC 82-285, adopted June 23, 1982. 90 FCC 2d 676; 47 FR 31555, July 21, 1982.

(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 82-427, adopted September 23, 1982. 91 FCC 2d.

(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 82-498, adopted November 4, 1982. 91 FCC 2d.

[48 FR 9012, Mar. 3, 1983]

See Public Notice dated July 10, 1974, 72 FCC 2d 790.

[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980]

(a) See Public Notice, FCC 71-205, dated March 5, 1971. 28 FCC 2d 409; 36 FR 4901, March 13, 1971.

(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 71-428, adopted April 16, 1971. 31 FCC 2d 377; 36 FR 8090, April 29, 1971.

[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979]

See Public Notice dated March 1, 1979. 72 FCC 2d 788; 44 FR 17792, March 23, 1979.

[49 FR 50049, Dec. 26, 1984, as amended at 59 FR 67103, Dec. 28, 1994]

See Public Notice, FCC 87-97, adopted March 19, 1987. 52 FR 17333, May 7, 1987.

[53 FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988]

(a) For the purpose of this section, dual-language broadcasting shall be understood to mean the telecasting of a program in one language with the simultaneous transmission, on the main channel of a participating FM broadcast station, of companion sound track information in a different language.

(b) Television and Class A television licensees in Puerto Rico may enter into dual-language time purchase agreements with FM broadcast licensees, subject to the following conditions:

(1) All such agreements shall be reduced to writing and retained by the licensee for possible Commission inspection, in accordance with § 73.3613 of this chapter.

(2) All such agreements shall specify that the FM licensee will monitor sound track material with a view to rejecting any material deemed to be inappropriate or objectionable for broadcast exposure.

(3) No television, Class A television, or FM broadcast station may devote more than 15 hours per week to dual-language broadcasting, nor may more than three (3) hours of such programming be presented on any given day.

(4) Noncommercial educational television broadcast stations shall take all necessary precautions to assure that the entire operation is conducted on a noncommercial basis and otherwise in accordance with § 73.621 of this part.

[40 FR 17259, Apr. 18, 1975, as amended at 49 FR 33663, Aug. 24, 1984; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000]

See Public Notice, FCC 78-556, dated August 2, 1978. 69 FCC 2d 407; 43 FR 34841, August 7, 1978. See also Revision of Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station (FCC Form 301), Memorandum Opinion and Order, 50 R.R.2d 381, para. 6 (1981) and Certification of Financial Qualification by Applicants for Broadcast Station Construction Permits, Public Notice, 2 FCC Rcd 2122 (1987), 52 FR 17333 (May 7, 1987).

[89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

See Public Notice, FCC 79-299, dated May 11, 1979. 72 F.C.C. 2d 784; 44 FR 29160, May 18, 1979. See also Revision of Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station (FCC Form 301), Memorandum Opinion and Order, 50 R.R.2d 381, para. 6 (1981) and Certification of Financial Qualification by Applicants for Broadcast Station Construction Permits, Public Notice, 2 FCC Rcd 2122 (1987), 52 FR 17333 (May 7, 1987).

[89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

See Public Notice, FCC 72-105, dated February 2, 1972. 37 FR 3567, February 17, 1972.

[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980]

See Report and Order, BC Docket 80-130, FCC 82-240, adopted May 20, 1982. 90 FCC 2d, 88; 47 FR 26625, June 21, 1982.

[47 FR 54448, Dec. 3, 1982]

See Memorandum Opinion and Order, Docket 20682, FCC 76-744, adopted July 28, 1976. 60 FCC 2d 858; 41 FR 37153, September 2, 1976.

[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979]

See Public Notice, FCC 67-1012, dated August 30, 1967, 74 FCC 2d 619.

(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1068, 1082 (47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303)) [44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 28142, Apr. 28, 1980; 49 FR 45154, Nov. 15, 1984; 50 FR 5073, Feb. 6, 1985; 51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986]

(a) See Public Notice, FCC 78-322, dated May 25, 1978. 68 FCC 2d 979; 43 FR 25188, June 9, 1978.

(b) See Public Notice, FCC 78-725, dated October 11, 1978. 43 FR 47612, October 16, 1978.

(c) See Policy Statement, General Docket 82-797, FCC 82-523, adopted December 2, 1982. 92 FCC 2d 849; 48 FR 5943, February 9, 1983.

(d) See Report and Order, General Docket 82-797, FCC 84-647, adopted December 21, 1984. 99 FCC 2d 1249; 50 FR 1239, January 10, 1985.

[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 38132, Sept. 27, 1984; 49 FR 50049, Dec. 26, 1984; 50 FR 47055, Nov. 14, 1985; 52 FR 11656, Apr. 10, 1987]

(a) No licensee of an AM, FM, television, or Class A television broadcast station, except as in paragraph (c) of this section, shall broadcast any advertisement of or information concerning any lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme, offering prizes dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance, or any list of the prizes drawn or awarded by means of any such lottery, gift enterprise or scheme, whether said list contains any part or all of such prizes. (18 U.S.C. 1304, 62 Stat. 763).

(b) The determination whether a particular program comes within the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section depends on the facts of each case. However, the Commission will in any event consider that a program comes within the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section if in connection with such program a prize consisting of money or other thing of value is awarded to any person whose selection is dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance, if as a condition of winning or competing for such prize, such winner or winners are required to furnish any money or other thing of value or are required to have in their possession any product sold, manufactured, furnished or distributed by a sponsor of a program broadcast on the station in question. (See 21 FCC 2d 846).

(c) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to an advertisement, list of prizes or other information concerning:

(1) A lottery conducted by a State acting under the authority of State law which is broadcast by a radio or television station licensed to a location in that State or any other State which conducts such a lottery. (18 U.S.C. 1307(a); 102 Stat. 3205).

(2) Fishing contests exempted under 18 U.S. Code 1305 (not conducted for profit, i.e., all receipts fully consumed in defraying the actual costs of operation).

(3) Any gaming conducted by an Indian Tribe pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.)

(4) A lottery, gift enterprise or similar scheme, other than one described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, that is authorized or not otherwise prohibited by the State in which it is conducted and which is:

(i) Conducted by a not-for-profit organization or a governmental organization (18 U.S.C. 1307(a); 102 Stat. 3205); or

(ii) Conducted as a promotional activity by a commercial organization and is clearly occasional and ancillary to the primary business of that organization. (18 U.S.C. 1307(a); 102 Stat. 3205).

(d)(1) For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, “lottery” means the pooling of proceeds derived from the sale of tickets or chances and allotting those proceeds or parts thereof by chance to one or more chance takers or ticket purchasers. It does not include the placing or accepting of bets or wagers on sporting events or contests.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section, the term “not-for-profit organization” means any organization that would qualify as tax exempt under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

[40 FR 6210, Feb. 10, 1975, as amended at 45 FR 6401, Jan. 28, 1980; 54 FR 20856, May 15, 1989; 55 FR 18888, May 7, 1990; 65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000]

See Report, Statement of Policy, and Order, Docket 20721, FCC 77-206, adopted March 10, 1977. 63 FCC 2d 674.

[47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982]

See Public Notice, FCC 79-387, dated April 20, 1970. 22 F.C.C. 2d 779.

[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980]

(a) See Second Report and Order, BC Docket 21136, FCC 81-204, adopted April 23, 1981. 86 FCC 2d 141; 46 FR 27944, May 22, 1981.

(b) See Order, BC Docket 21136, FCC 82-327 adopted July 15, 1982. 90 FCC 2d 895; 47 FR 36171, August 19, 1982.

(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, BC Docket 21136, FCC 84-105, adopted March 28, 1984. 97 FCC 2d 255; 49 FR 13534, April 5, 1984.

(d) See, Public Notice, FCC 86-161, dated April 11, 1986. 51 FR 21800, June 16, 1986. Excerpt reprinted at 7 FCC Rcd 827.

(e) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 90-111, adopted March 28, 1990. 5 FCC Rcd 4920.

[47 FR 54448, Dec. 3, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986; 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

(a) See FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, 438 U.S. 726, 57 L.Ed 2d 1073, 46 U.S.L.W. 5018 (1978). See also Action for Children's Television v. FCC, 852 F.2d 1332 (D.C. Cir. 1988).

(b) See Action for Children's Television v. FCC, [ACT III] 11 F.3d 170 (D.C. Cir. 1993). See also, Action for Children's Television v. FCC, [ACT IV] 15 F.3d 186 (D.C. Cir. 1994), rehearing granted, en banc.

(c) See Report and Order, GC Docket 92-223, FCC 93-42, adopted January 19, 1993. 8 FCC Rcd 704; 58 FR 5937, January 25, 1993.

(d) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 93-246, adopted May 11, 1993, 8 FCC Rcd 3600.

(e) See Letter to Rusk Corporation, dated May 6, 1993, FCC 93-229, 8 FCC Rcd 3228.

(f) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 93-4, adopted January 5, 1993. 8 FCC Rcd 498

(g) See Branton v. FCC, 993 F.2d 906 (D.C. Cir. 1993).

(h) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 91-557, adopted April 30, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 2560.

[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

(a) See Miller v. California, 413 U.S.C. 15 (1973). See also Pope v. Illinois, 107 S.Ct. 1918 (1987). 18 U.S.C. 1464.

(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 83-575, FCC 88-4, adopted January 12, 1988. 3 FCC Rcd 757. See also Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 83-575, FCC 93-180, adopted April 2, 1993. 8 FCC Rcd 2753.

(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 87-365, adopted November 24, 1987. 3 FCC Rcd 930.

(d) See “Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice concerning Complaints and Cases Involving Obscenity and Indecency,” released April 9, 1991. See also News Release dated April 19, 1991.

[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

(a) See 47 U.S.C. 507.

(b) See Public Notice, FCC 70-593, dated June 4, 1970. 23 FCC 2d 588; 35 FR 9045, June 11, 1970.

(c) See Public Notice, FCC 88-175, dated May 18, 1988.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 20504, May 15, 1984; 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

(a) See “The Law of Political Broadcasting and Cablecasting: Political Primer 1984,” 100 FCC 2d 1476 (1984).

(b) See Report and Order, MM Docket 91-168, FCC 91-403, adopted December 12, 1991. 7 FCC Rcd 678; 57 FR 189, January 3, 1992; Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 91-168, FCC 92-210, adopted May 14, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 4611; 57 FR 27705, June 22, 1992.

[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

(a) See Joint Public Notice by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Election Commission, FCC 78-419, dated June 19, 1978. 69 FCC 2d 1129; 43 FR 30126, July 13, 1978.

(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 92-55, adopted February 12, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 1616.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979, as amended at 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

See Public Notice, FCC 76936, dated October 8, 1976. 62 FCC 2d 896; 41 FR 45043, October 14, 1976.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979]

See The Public and Broadcasting, a copy of which is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/public-and-broadcasting.

[89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 57793, July 16, 2024.

(a) When a broadcast station transmits any matter for which money, service, or other valuable consideration is either directly or indirectly paid or promised to, or charged or accepted by such station, the station, at the time of the broadcast, shall announce:

(1) That such matter is sponsored, paid for, or furnished, either in whole or in part, and

(2) By whom or on whose behalf such consideration was supplied: Provided, however, That “service or other valuable consideration” shall not include any service or property furnished either without or at a nominal charge for use on, or in connection with, a broadcast unless it is so furnished in consideration for an identification of any person, product, service, trademark, or brand name beyond an identification reasonably related to the use of such service or property on the broadcast.

(i) For the purposes of this section, the term “sponsored” shall be deemed to have the same meaning as “paid for.”

(ii) In the case of any television political advertisement concerning candidates for public office, the sponsor shall be identified with letters equal to or greater than four percent of the vertical picture height that air for not less than four seconds.

(b) The licensee of each broadcast station shall exercise reasonable diligence to obtain from its employees, and from other persons with whom it deals directly in connection with any matter for broadcast, information to enable such licensee to make the announcement required by this section.

(c) In any case where a report has been made to a broadcast station as required by section 507 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, of circumstances which would have required an announcement under this section had the consideration been received by such broadcast station, an appropriate announcement shall be made by such station.

(d) In the case of any political broadcast matter or any broadcast matter involving the discussion of a controversial issue of public importance for which any film, record, transcription, talent, script, or other material or service of any kind is furnished, either directly or indirectly, to a station as an inducement for broadcasting such matter, an announcement shall be made both at the beginning and conclusion of such broadcast on which such material or service is used that such film, record, transcription, talent, script, or other material or service has been furnished to such station in connection with the transmission of such broadcast matter: Provided, however, That in the case of any broadcast of 5 minutes' duration or less, only one such announcement need be made either at the beginning or conclusion of the broadcast.

(e) The announcement required by this section shall, in addition to stating the fact that the broadcast matter was sponsored, paid for or furnished, fully and fairly disclose the true identity of the person or persons, or corporation, committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity by whom or on whose behalf such payment is made or promised, or from whom or on whose behalf such services or other valuable consideration is received, or by whom the material or services referred to in paragraph (d) of this section are furnished. Where an agent or other person or entity contracts or otherwise makes arrangements with a station on behalf of another, and such fact is known or by the exercise of reasonable diligence, as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, could be known to the station, the announcement shall disclose the identity of the person or persons or entity on whose behalf such agent is acting instead of the name of such agent. Where the material broadcast is political matter or matter involving the discussion of a controversial issue of public importance and a corporation, committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity is paying for or furnishing the broadcast matter, the station shall, in addition to making the announcement required by this section, require that a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of the corporation, committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity shall be made available for public inspection at the location specified under § 73.3526. If the broadcast is originated by a network, the list may, instead, be retained at the headquarters office of the network or at the location where the originating station maintains its public inspection file under § 73.3526. Such lists shall be kept and made available for a period of two years.

(f) In the case of broadcast matter advertising commercial products or services, an announcement stating the sponsor's corporate or trade name, or the name of the sponsor's product, when it is clear that the mention of the name of the product constitutes a sponsorship identification, shall be deemed sufficient for the purpose of this section and only one such announcement need be made at any time during the course of the broadcast.

(g) The announcement otherwise required by section 317 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is waived with respect to the broadcast of “want ad” or classified advertisements sponsored by an individual. The waiver granted in this paragraph shall not extend to a classified advertisement or want ad sponsorship by any form of business enterprise, corporate or otherwise. Whenever sponsorship announcements are omitted pursuant to this paragraph, the licensee shall observe the following conditions:

(1) Maintain a list showing the name, address, and (where available) the telephone number of each advertiser;

(2) Make this list available to members of the public who have a legitimate interest in obtaining the information contained in the list. Such list must be retained for a period of two years after broadcast.

(h) Any announcement required by section 317(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is waived with respect to feature motion picture film produced initially and primarily for theatre exhibition.

Note:

The waiver heretofore granted by the Commission in its Report and Order adopted November 16, 1960 (FCC 60-1369; 40 F.C.C. 95), continues to apply to programs filmed or recorded on or before June 20, 1963, when § 73.654, the predecessor television rule, went into effect.

(i) Commission interpretations in connection with the provisions of the sponsorship identification rules are contained in the Commission's Public Notice, entitled “Applicability of Sponsorship Identification Rules,” dated May 6, 1963 (40 F.C.C. 141), as modified by Public Notice, dated April 21, 1975 (FCC 75-418). Further interpretations are printed in full in various volumes of the Federal Communications Commission Reports.

(j)(1)(i) Where the material broadcast consistent with paragraph (a) or (d) of this section has been aired pursuant to the lease of time on the station and has been provided by a foreign governmental entity, the station, at the time of the broadcast, shall include the following disclosure:

The [following/preceding] programming was [sponsored, paid for, or furnished], either in whole or in part, by [name of foreign governmental entity] on behalf of [name of foreign country].

(ii) If the material broadcast contains a “conspicuous statement” pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) (22 U.S.C. 614(b)), such conspicuous statement will suffice for purposes of this paragraph (j)(1) if the conspicuous statement also contains a disclosure about the foreign country associated with the individual/entity that has sponsored, paid for, or furnished the material being broadcast.

(2) The term “foreign governmental entity” shall include governments of foreign countries, foreign political parties, agents of foreign principals, and United States-based foreign media outlets.

(i) The term “government of a foreign country” has the meaning given such term in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611(e)).

(ii) The term “foreign political party” has the meaning given such term in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611(f)).

(iii) The term “agent of a foreign principal” has the meaning given such term in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611(c)), and who is registered as such with the Department of Justice, and whose “foreign principal” is a “government of a foreign country,” a “foreign political party,” or directly or indirectly operated, supervised, directed, owned, controlled, financed, or subsidized by a “government of a foreign country” or a “foreign political party” as defined in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, and that is acting in its capacity as an agent of such “foreign principal”.

(iv) The term “United States-based foreign media outlet” has the meaning given such term in section 722(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 624(a)).

(3) The licensee of each broadcast station shall exercise reasonable diligence to ascertain whether the foreign sponsorship disclosure requirements in paragraph (j)(1) of this section apply at the time of the lease agreement and at any renewal thereof, including:

(i) Informing the lessee of the foreign sponsorship disclosure requirement in paragraph (j)(1) of this section;

(ii) Inquiring of the lessee whether the lessee falls into any of the categories in paragraph (j)(2) of this section that qualify the lessee as a foreign governmental entity;

(iii) Inquiring of the lessee whether the lessee knows if anyone involved in the production or distribution of the programming that will be aired pursuant to the lease agreement, or a sub-lease, qualifies as a foreign governmental entity and has provided some type of inducement to air the programming;

(iv) Independently confirming the lessee's status, by consulting the Department of Justice's FARA website and the Commission's semi-annual U.S.-based foreign media outlets reports, if the lessee states that it does not fall within the definition of “foreign governmental entity” and that there is no separate need for a disclosure because no one further back in the chain of producing/transmitting the programming falls within the definition of “foreign governmental entity” and has provided an inducement to air the programming; and

(v) Memorializing the inquiries in paragraphs (j)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section to track compliance therewith and retaining such documentation in the licensee's records for either the remainder of the then-current license term or one year, whichever is longer, so as to respond to any future Commission inquiry.

(4) In the case of any video programming, the foreign governmental entity and the country represented shall be identified with letters equal to or greater than four percent of the vertical picture height that air for not less than four seconds.

(5) At a minimum, the announcement required by paragraph (j)(1) of this section shall be made at both the beginning and conclusion of the programming. For programming of greater than sixty minutes in duration, an announcement shall be made at regular intervals during the broadcast, but no less frequently than once every sixty minutes.

(6) Where the primary language of the programming is other than English, the disclosure statement shall be made in the primary language of the programming. If the programming contains a “conspicuous statement” pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 614(b)), and such conspicuous statement is in a language other than English so as to conform to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), an additional disclosure in English is not needed.

(7) A station shall place copies of the disclosures required by this paragraph (j) and the name of the program to which the disclosures were appended in its online public inspection file on a quarterly basis in a standalone folder marked as “Foreign Government-Provided Programming Disclosures.” The filing must state the date and time the program aired. In the case of repeat airings of the program, those additional dates and times should also be included. Where an aural announcement was made, its contents must be reduced to writing and placed in the online public inspection file in the same manner.

(8) The requirements contained in this paragraph (j) shall not apply to “uses” of broadcast stations by legally qualified candidates pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 315.

(k) Where any material delivered to foreign broadcast stations under an authorization pursuant to section 325(c) of the Communications Act (47 U.S.C. 325(c)) has been sponsored by a foreign governmental entity; paid for by a foreign governmental entity; furnished for free by a foreign governmental entity to the section 325(c) permit holder as an inducement to air the material on the foreign station; or provided by the section 325(c) permit holder to the foreign station where the section 325(c) permit holder is a foreign governmental entity, the material must include, at the time of broadcast, the following disclosure, in conformance with the terms of paragraphs (j)(4) through (6) of this section: “The [following/preceding] programming was [sponsored, paid for, or furnished], either in whole or in part, by [name of foreign governmental entity] on behalf of [name of foreign country].” A section 325(c) permit holder shall ensure that the foreign station will broadcast the disclosures along with the material and shall place copies of the disclosures required along with the name of the program to which the disclosures were appended in the International Communications Electronic Filing System (ICFS) under the relevant ICFS section 325(c) permit file. The filing must state the date and time the program aired. In the case of repeat airings of the program, those additional dates and times should also be included. Where an aural announcement was made, its contents must be reduced to writing and placed in the ICFS in the same manner. The section 325(c) permit holder shall exercise reasonable diligence to ascertain whether the foreign sponsorship disclosure requirements of paragraphs (j)(1) and (4) through (6) of this section apply to any material delivered to a foreign broadcast station, including obtaining from its employees, and from other persons with whom it deals directly in connection with any matter for broadcast, and in the same manner prescribed for broadcast stations in paragraph (j)(3) of this section, information to enable the permit holder to include the announcement required by this section; memorializing its conduct of such reasonable diligence; and retaining such documentation in its records for either the remainder of the then-current permit term or one year, whichever is longer, so as to respond to any future Commission inquiry. The term foreign governmental entity shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph (j)(2) of this section.

[40 FR 18400, Apr. 28, 1975, as amended at 46 FR 13907, Feb. 24, 1981; 49 FR 4211, Feb. 3, 1984; 49 FR 33663, Aug. 24, 1984; 50 FR 32417, Aug. 12, 1985; 57 FR 8279, Mar. 9, 1992; 77 FR 27655, May 11, 2012; 86 FR 32238, June 17, 2021; 87 FR 14406, Mar. 15, 2022; 88 FR 21447, Apr. 10, 2023; 89 FR 57792, July 16, 2024]

See Public Notice, FCC 73-595, dated June 1, 1973. 41 FCC 2d 333; 38 FR 14979, June 7, 1973.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979]

See Public Notice dated September 3, 1975, 40 FR 41936, September 9, 1975.

[47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982]

See Report and Order, Docket 19571, FCC 73-680, adopted June 21, 1973. 41 FCC 2d 534; 38 FR 17021, June 28, 1973.

[47 FR 3792, Jan. 27, 1982]

(a) See Public Notice, FCC 74-78, dated January 24, 1974. 44 FCC 2d, 1016; 39 FR 3714, January 29, 1974.

(b) See FCC Information Bulletin, “Subliminal Projection”, dated November 1977.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979]

(a) See Public Notice, FCC 76-337, dated April 21, 1976. 59 FCC 2d, 91; 41 FR 17605, April 27, 1976.

(b) See Report and Order MM Docket 87-267, FCC 91-303 adopted, September 26, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 6273; 56 FR 64842, December 12, 1991.

[56 FR 64874, Dec. 12, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

See Public Notice, FCC 62-592, dated June 1, 1962. 27 FR 5274, June 5, 1962.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979]

See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 75-1406, adopted December 18, 1975. 57 FCC 2d, 334; 41 FR 816, January 5, 1976.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979]

See Policy Statement, MM Docket 85-218, FCC 86-67, adopted January 30, 1986. 51 FR 9794, March 21, 1986.

[51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986]

(a) See Report and Order, MM Docket Nos. 94-150, 92-51, 87-154, FCC 99-207, adopted August 5, 1999, 64 FR 50622 (Sept. 17, 1999).

(b) See § 73.3555, Note 2(j).

[47 FR 3792, Jan. 27, 1982, as amended at 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994; 89 FR 7262, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The provisions of part 17 of this chapter (Construction, Marking, and Lighting of Antenna Structures), requires certain antenna structures to be painted and/or lighted in accordance with part 17.

(b) The owner of each antenna structure is responsible for ensuring that the structure, if required, is painted and/or illuminated in accordance with part 17 of this chapter. In the event of default by the owner, each licensee or permittee shall be responsible for ensuring that the structure complies with applicable painting and lighting requirements.

[61 FR 4367, Feb. 6, 1996]

See Public Notice, FCC 76-610, dated July 2, 1976. 60 FCC 2d 920; 41 FR 28582, July 12, 1976.

[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979]

(a) See Report and Order and Policy Statement, Gen. Docket 81-500, BC Docket 78-108, FCC 85-648, adopted December 10, 1985. 102 FCC 2d 1179; 51 FR 3049, January 23, 1986.

(b) See Policy Statement and Order, FCC 90-195, adopted May 10, 1990. 5 FCC Rcd 3252, 55 FR 23082, June 6, 1990.

(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 91-146, adopted May 1, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 3448, 56 FR 25633, June 5, 1991.

(d) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 92-448, adopted September 18, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 6564, 57 FR 47410, October 16, 1992.

[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]

The following requirements and specifications shall apply to indicating instruments used by broadcast stations:

(a) Linear scale instruments:

(1) Length of scale shall not be less than 2.3 inches (5.8 cm).

(2) Accuracy shall be at least 2 percent of the full scale reading.

(3) The maximum rating of the meter shall be such that it does not read off scale during modulation or normal operation.

(4) Scale shall have at least 40 divisions.

(5) Full scale reading shall not be greater than five times the minimum normal indication.

(b) Instruments having square-law scales:

(1) Meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of this section for linear scale instruments.

(2) Full scale reading shall not be greater than three times the minimum normal indication.

(3) No scale division above one-third full scale reading shall be greater than one-thirtieth of the full scale reading. (Example: An ammeter meeting requirement (1) having full scale reading of 6 amperes is acceptable for reading currents from 2 to 6 amperes, provided no scale division between 2 and 6 amperes is greater than one-thirtieth of 6 amperes, 0.2 ampere.)

(c) Instruments having logarithmic scales:

(1) Meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of this section for linear scale instruments.

(2) Full scale reading shall not be greater than five times the minimum normal indication.

(3) No scale division above one-fifth full scale reading (in watts) shall be greater than one-thirtieth of the full scale reading. (Example: A wattmeter meeting requirement (3) having full scale reading of 1,500 watts is acceptable for reading power from 300 to 1,500 watts, provided no scale division between 300 and 1,500 watts is greater than one-thirtieth of 1,500 watts or 50 watts.)

(d) Instruments having expanded scales:

(1) Shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of this section for linear scale instruments.

(2) Full scale reading shall not be greater than five times the minimum normal indication.

(3) No scale division above one-fifth full scale reading shall be greater than one-fiftieth of the full scale reading. (Example: An ammeter meeting the requirement (1) is acceptable for indicating current from 1 to 5 amperes, provided no division between 1 and 5 amperes is greater than one-fiftieth of 5 amperes, 0.1 ampere.)

(e) Digital meters, printers, or other numerical readout devices may be used in addition to or in lieu of indicating instruments meeting the specifications of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section. The readout of the device must include at least three digits and must indicate the value of the parameter being read to an accuracy of 2%. The multiplier, if any, to be applied to the reading of each parameter must be indicated at the operating position.

(f) No instrument which has been broken or appears to be damaged or defective, or the accuracy of which is questionable shall be used, until it has been checked, and if necessary repaired and recalibrated by the manufacturer or qualified instrument repair service. Repaired instruments shall not be used unless a certificate of calibration has been provided showing that the instrument conforms to the manufacturer's specifications for accuracy.

[41 FR 36818, Sept. 1, 1976; 41 FR 43152, Sept. 30, 1976, as amended at 51 FR 2707, Jan. 21, 1986]

(a) A licensee that broadcasts or advertises information about a contest it conducts shall fully and accurately disclose the material terms of the contest, and shall conduct the contest substantially as announced or advertised over the air or on the Internet. No contest description shall be false, misleading or deceptive with respect to any material term.

(1) A contest is a scheme in which a prize is offered or awarded, based upon chance, diligence, knowledge or skill, to members of the public;

(2) Material terms include those factors which define the operation of the contest and which affect participation therein. Although the material terms may vary widely depending upon the exact nature of the contest, they will generally include: How to enter or participate; eligibility restrictions; entry deadline dates; whether prizes can be won; when prizes can be won; the extent, nature and value of prizes; basis for valuation of prizes; time and means of selection of winners; and/or tie-breaking procedures.

(3) In general, the time and manner of disclosure of the material terms of a contest are within the licensee's discretion. However, the obligation to disclose the material terms arises at the time the audience is first told how to enter or participate and continues thereafter.

(b) The disclosure of material terms shall be made by the station conducting the contest by either:

(1) Periodic disclosures broadcast on the station; or

(2) Written disclosures on the station's Internet Web site, the licensee's Web site, or if neither the individual station nor the licensee has its own Web site, any Internet Web site that is publicly accessible.

(c) In the case of disclosure under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a reasonable number of periodic broadcast disclosures is sufficient. In the case of disclosure under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the station shall:

(1) Establish a conspicuous link or tab to material contest terms on the home page of the Internet Web site;

(2) Announce over the air periodically the availability of material contest terms on the Web site and identify the Web site address where the terms are posted with information sufficient for a consumer to find such terms easily; and

(3) Maintain material contest terms on the Web site for at least thirty days after the contest has concluded. Any changes to the material terms during the course of the contest must be fully disclosed on air within 24 hours of the change on the Web site and periodically thereafter or the fact that such changes have been made must be announced on air within 24 hours of the change, and periodically thereafter, and such announcements must direct participants to the written disclosures on the Web site. Material contest terms that are disclosed on an Internet Web site must be consistent in all substantive respects with those mentioned over the air.

(d) This section is not applicable to licensee-conducted contests not broadcast or advertised to the general public or to a substantial segment thereof, to contests in which the general public is not requested or permitted to participate, to the commercial advertisement of non-licensee-conducted contests, or to a contest conducted by a non-broadcast division of the licensee or by a non-broadcast company related to the licensee.

[80 FR 64361, Oct. 23, 2015, as amended at 89 FR 7254, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) No licensee or permittee of any broadcast station shall broadcast false information concerning a crime or a catastrophe if:

(1) The licensee knows this information is false;

(2) It is foreseeable that broadcast of the information will cause substantial public harm, and

(3) Broadcast of the information does in fact directly cause substantial public harm.

(b) Any programming accompanied by a disclaimer will be presumed not to pose foreseeable harm if the disclaimer clearly characterizes the program as a fiction and is presented in a way that is reasonable under the circumstances.

(c) For purposes of this rule, “public harm” must begin immediately, and cause direct and actual damage to property or to the health or safety of the general public, or diversion of law enforcement or other public health and safety authorities from their duties. The public harm will be deemed foreseeable if the licensee could expect with a significant degree of certainty that public harm would occur. A “crime” is any act or omission that makes the offender subject to criminal punishment by law. A “catastrophe” is a disaster or imminent disaster involving violent or sudden event affecting the public.

[89 FR 7254, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The licensee of a broadcast station shall make the station available for inspection by representatives of the FCC during the station's business hours, or at any time it is in operation.

(b) In the course of an inspection or investigation, an FCC representative may require special equipment tests, program tests or operation with nighttime or presunrise facilities during daytime hours pursuant to § 0.314, part 0, of the FCC rules.

(c) The following records shall be made available by all broadcast stations upon request by representatives of the FCC.

(1) Equipment performance measurements required by §§ 73.1590 and 73.1690.

(2) The written designations for chief operators and, when applicable, the contracts for chief operators engaged on a contract basis.

(3) Application for modification of the transmission system made pursuant to § 73.1690(c).

(4) Informal statements or drawings depicting any transmitter modification made pursuant to § 73.1690(e).

(5) Station logs and special technical records.

(d) Commercial and noncommercial AM stations must make the following information also available upon request by representatives of the FCC.

(1) Copy of the most recent antenna or common-point impedance measurements.

(2) Copy of the most recent field strength measurements made to establish performance of directional antennas required by § 73.151.

(3) Copy of the partial directional antenna proofs of performance made in accordance with § 73.154 and made pursuant to the following requirements:

(i) Section 73.68, Sampling systems for antenna monitors.

(ii) Section 73.69, Antenna monitors.

(iii) Section 73.61, AM direction antenna field strength measurements.

[43 FR 45846, Oct. 4, 1978; 43 FR 50683, Oct. 31, 1978, as amended at 51 FR 41629, Nov. 18, 1986; 51 FR 44478, Dec. 10, 1986; 57 FR 48333, Oct. 23, 1992]

The following shall be made available to any authorized representative of the FCC upon request:

(a) Station records and logs shall be made available for inspection or duplication at the request of the FCC or its representative. Such logs or records may be removed from the licensee's possession by an FCC representative or, upon request, shall be mailed by the licensee to the FCC by either registered mail, return receipt requested, or certified mail, return receipt requested. The return receipt shall be retained by the licensee as part of the station records until such records or logs are returned to the licensee. A receipt shall be furnished when the logs or records are removed from the licensee's possession by an FCC representative and this receipt shall be retained by the licensee as part of the station records until such records or logs are returned to the licensee. When the FCC has no further need for such records or logs, they shall be returned to the licensee. The provisions of this rule shall apply solely to those station logs and records which are required to be maintained by the provisions of this chapter.

(1) Logs and records stored on microfilm, microfiche or other data-storage systems are subject to the requirements pertaining thereto found in § 73.1840(b).

(b) Where records or logs are maintained as the official records of a recognized law enforcement agency and the removal of the records from the possession of the law enforcement agency will hinder its law enforcement activities, such records will not be removed pursuant to this section if the chief of the law enforcement agency promptly certifies in writing to the FCC that removal of the logs or records will hinder law enforcement activities of the agency, stating insofar as feasible the basis for his decision and the date when it can reasonably be expected that such records will be released to the FCC.

[43 FR 45847, Oct. 4, 1978; 43 FR 50683, Oct. 31, 1978, as amended at 45 FR 41151, June 18, 1980; 48 FR 28457, June 22, 1983; 83 FR 65557, Dec. 21, 2018]

(a) Emergency situations in which the broadcasting of information is considered as furthering the safety of life and property include, but are not limited to the following: Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, tidal waves, earthquakes, icing conditions, heavy snows, widespread fires, discharge of toxic gasses, widspread power failures, industrial explosions, civil disorders and school closing and changes in school bus schedules resulting from such conditions. See also § 73.3542, Application for Emergency Authorization, for requirements involving emergency situations not covered by this section for which prior operating authority must be requested.

(b) If requested by responsible public officials, a station may, at its discretion, and without further FCC authority, transmit emergency point-to-point messages for the purpose of requesting or dispatching aid and assisting in rescue operations.

(c) If the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is activated for a national emergency while a Local Area or State emergency operation is in progress, the national level EAS operation must take precedence. If, during the broadcasting of Local Area or State emergency information, the EAS codes or Attention Signal described in § 11.12 of this chapter are used, the broadcasts are considered as being carried out under a Local Area or State EAS plan.

(d) Any emergency operation undertaken in accordance with this section may be terminated by the FCC if required in the public interest.

(e) Immediately upon cessation of an emergency during which broadcast facilities were used for the transmission of point-to-point messages under paragraph (b) of this section, or when daytime facilities were used during nighttime hours by an AM station in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, a report in letter form shall be forwarded to the FCC's main office indicated in § 0.401(a) of this chapter setting forth the nature of the emergency, the dates and hours of the broadcasting of emergency information, and a brief description of the material carried during the emergency. A certification of compliance with the noncommercialization provision of paragraph (f) of this section must accompany the report where daytime facilities are used during nighttime hours by an AM station, together with a detailed showing, under the provisions of that paragraph, that no other broadcast service existed or was adequate.

(f) AM stations may, without further FCC authority, use their full daytime facilities during nighttime hours to broadcast emergency information (examples listed in paragraph (a) of this section), when necessary to the safety of life and property, in dangerous conditions of a general nature and when adequate advance warning cannot be given with the facilities authorized. Because of skywave interference impact on other stations assigned to the same channel, such operation may be undertaken only if regular, unlimited-time service, is non-existent, inadequate from the standpoint of coverage, or not serving the public need. All operation under this paragraph must be conducted on a noncommercial basis. Recorded music may be used to the extent necessary to provide program continuity.

(g) Broadcasting of emergency information shall be confined to the hours, frequencies, powers and modes of operation specified in the station license, except as otherwise provided for AM stations in paragraph (f) of this section.

(h) Any emergency information transmitted by a TV or Class A TV station in accordance with this section shall be transmitted both aurally and visually or only visually. TV and Class A TV stations may use any method of visual presentation which results in a legible message conveying the essential emergency information. Methods which may be used include, but are not necessarily limited to, slides, electronic captioning, manual methods (e.g., hand printing) or mechanical printing processes. However, when an emergency operation is being conducted under a national, State or Local Area Emergency Alert System (EAS) plan, emergency information shall be transmitted both aurally and visually unless only the EAS codes are transmitted as specified in § 11.51(b) of this chapter.

[43 FR 45847, Oct. 4, 1978, as amended at 50 FR 30947, July 31, 1985; 59 FR 67102, Dec. 28, 1994; 60 FR 56000, Nov. 6, 1995; 65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

Broadcast stations may be operated as either attended (where a designated person is responsible for the proper operation of the transmitting apparatus either at the transmitter site, a remote control point or an ATS control point) or unattended (where highly stable equipment or automated monitoring of station operating parameters is employed). No prior FCC approval is required to operate a station in the unattended mode. Regardless of which method of station operation is employed, licensees must employ procedures which will ensure compliance with Part 11 of this chapter, the rules governing the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

[60 FR 55481, Nov. 1, 1995]

(a) Each licensee is responsible for maintaining and operating its broadcast station in a manner which complies with the technical rules set forth elsewhere in this part and in accordance with the terms of the station authorization.

(b) The licensee must designate a chief operator in accordance with § 73.1870. The licensee may designate one or more technically competent persons to adjust the transmitter operating parameters for compliance with the technical rules and the station authorization.

(1) Persons so authorized by the licensee may make such adjustments directly at the transmitter site or by using control equipment at an off-site location.

(2) The transmitter control personnel must have the capability to turn the transmitter off at all times. If the personnel are at a remote location, the control system must provide this capability continuously or must include an alternate method of acquiring control that can satisfy the requirement of paragraph (e) of this section that operation be terminated within three minutes.

(c) The licensee must establish monitoring procedures and schedules for the station and the indicating instruments employed must comply with § 73.1215.

(1) Monitoring procedures and schedules must enable the licensee to determine compliance with § 73.1560 regarding operating power and AM station mode of operation, § 73.1570 regarding modulation levels, and, where applicable, § 73.1213 regarding antenna tower lighting, and § 73.69 regarding the parameters of an AM directional antenna system.

(2) Monitoring equipment must be periodically calibrated so as to provide reliable indications of transmitter operating parameters with a known degree of accuracy. Errors inherent in monitoring equipment and the calibration procedure must be taken into account when adjusting operating parameters to ensure that the limits imposed by the technical rules and the station authorization are not exceeded.

(d) In the event that a broadcast station is operating in a manner that is not in compliance with the applicable technical rules set forth elsewhere in this part or the terms of the station authorization, and the condition is not listed in paragraph (e) or (f) of this section, broadcast operation must be terminated within three hours unless antenna input power is reduced sufficiently to eliminate any excess radiation. Examples of conditions that require termination of operation within three hours include excessive power, excessive modulation or the emission of spurious signals that do not result in harmful interference.

(e) If a broadcast station is operating in a manner that poses a threat to life or property or that is likely to significantly disrupt the operation of other stations, immediate corrective action is required. In such cases, operation must be terminated within three minutes unless antenna input power is reduced sufficiently to eliminate any excess radiation. Examples of conditions that require immediate corrective action include the emission of spurious signals that cause harmful interference, any mode of operation not specified by the station license for the pertinent time of day, or operation substantially at variance from the authorized radiation pattern.

(f) If a broadcast station is operating in a manner that is not in compliance with one of the following technical rules, operation may continue if the station complies with relevant alternative provisions in the specified rule section.

(1) AM directional antenna system tolerances, see § 73.62;

(2) AM directional antenna monitoring points, see § 73.158;

(3) [Reserved]

(4) Reduced power operation, see § 73.1560(d);

(5) Reduced modulation level, see § 73.1570(a);

(6) Emergency antennas, see § 73.1680.

(g) The transmission system must be maintained and inspected in accordance with § 73.1580.

(h) Whenever a transmission system control point is established at a location other than the main studio or transmitter, a letter of notification of that location must be sent to the FCC via a Change of Control Point Notice in LMS within 3 days of the initial use of that point. The letter should include a list of all control points in use, for clarity. This notification is not required if responsible station personnel can be contacted at the transmitter or studio site during hours of operation.

(i) The licensee must ensure that the station is operated in compliance with Part 11 of this chapter, the rules governing the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

[60 FR 55481, Nov. 1, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 33877, June 22, 1998; 67 FR 13232, Mar. 21, 2002; 72 FR 44423, Aug. 8, 2007; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

The licensee of an AM, FM, TV or Class A TV station is responsible for assuring that at all times the station operates within tolerances specified by applicable technical rules contained in this part and in accordance with the terms of the station authorization. Any method of complying with applicable tolerances is permissible. The following are typical methods of transmission system operation:

(a) Attended operation. (1) Attended operation consists of ongoing supervision of the transmission facilities by a station employee or other person designated by the licensee. Such supervision may be accomplished by either:

(i) Direct supervision and control of transmission system parameters by a person at the transmitter site; or

(ii) Remote control of the transmission system by a person at a studio or other location. The remote control system must provide sufficient transmission system monitoring and control capability so as to ensure compliance with § 73.1350.

(2) A station may also be monitored and controlled by an automatic transmission system (ATS) that is configured to contact a person designated by the licensee in the event of a technical malfunction. An automatic transmission system consists of monitoring devices, control and alarm circuitry, arranged so that they interact automatically to operate the station's transmitter and maintain technical parameters within licensed values.

(3) A hybrid system containing some remote control and some ATS features is also permissible.

(4) In the case of remote control or ATS operation, not every station parameter need be monitored or controlled if the licensee has good reason to believe that its stability is so great that its monitoring and control are unnecessary.

(b) Unattended operation. Unattended operation is either the absence of human supervision or the substitution of automated supervision of a station's transmission system for human supervision. In the former case, equipment is employed which is expected to operate within assigned tolerances for extended periods of time. The latter consists of the use of a self-monitoring or ATS-monitored and controlled transmission system that, in lieu of contacting a person designated by the licensee, automatically takes the station off the air within three hours of any technical malfunction which is capable of causing interference.

[60 FR 55481, Nov. 1, 1995, as amended at 65 FR 30003, May 10, 2000; 82 FR 57882, Dec. 8, 2017]

(a) A special field test authorization may be issued to conduct field strength surveys to aid in the selection of suitable sites for broadcast transmission facilities, determine coverage areas, or to study other factors influencing broadcast signal propagation. The applicant for the authorization must be qualified to hold a license under section 303(1)(l) of the Communications Act.

(b) Requests for authorizations to operate a transmitter under a Special field test authorization must be in writing using an informal application in letter form, signed by the applicant and including the following information:

(1) Purpose, duration and need for the survey.

(2) Frequency, transmitter output powers and time of operation.

(3) A brief description of the test antenna system, its estimated effective radiated field and height above ground or average terrain, and the geographic coordinates of its proposed location(s).

(c) Operation under a special field test authorization is subject to the following conditions:

(1) No objectionable interference will result to the operation of other authorized radio services; in this connection, the power requested shall not exceed that necessary for the purposes of the test.

(2) The carriers will be unmodulated except for the transmission of a test-pattern on a visual TV transmitter, and for hourly voice station identification on aural AM, FM and TV transmitters.

(3) The transmitter output power or antenna input power may not exceed those specified in the test authorization and the operating power must be maintained at a constant value for each phase of the tests.

(4) The input power to the final amplifier stage, and the AM antenna current or the FM or TV transmitter output power must be observed and recorded at half hour intervals and at any time that the power is adjusted or changed. Copies of these records must be submitted to the FCC with the required report.

(5) The test equipment may not be permanently installed, unless such installation has been separately authorized. Mobile units are not deemed permanent installations.

(6) Test transmitters must be operated by or under the immediate direction of an operator holding a commercial radio operator license (any class, unless otherwise endorsed).

(7) A report, containing the measurements, their analysis and other results of the survey shall be filed with the FCC in Washington, DC within sixty (60) days following the termination of the test authorization.

(8) The test transmission equipment, installation and operation thereof need not comply with the requirements of FCC rules and standards except as specified in this section if the equipment, installation and operation are consistent with good engineering principles and practices.

(d) A special field test authorization may be modified or terminated by notification from the FCC if in its judgment such action will promote the public interest, convenience and necessity.

[44 FR 58734, Oct. 11, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 35463, July 8, 1981; 49 FR 4211, Feb. 3, 1984; 49 FR 20670, May 16, 1984]

(a) Broadcast stations may be operated for tests and maintenance of their transmitting systems on their assigned frequencies using their licensed operating power and antennas during their authorized hours of operation without specific authorization from the FCC.

(b) Licensees of AM stations may operate for tests and maintenance during the hours from 12 midnight local time to local sunrise, if no interference is caused to other stations maintaining a regular operating schedule within such period. No AM station licensed for “daytime” or “specified hours” of operation may broadcast any regular or scheduled programs during this period of test and maintenance operation.

(c) Licensees of AM stations may obtain special antenna test authorizations, and operate under the provisions described in § 73.157, to operate with nighttime facilities during daytime hours in conducting directional antenna field strength and antenna proof of performance measurements.

[43 FR 32783, July 28, 1978, as amended at 45 FR 6401, Jan. 28, 1980]

A portable test station is one that is moved from place to place for making field strength and ground conductivity measurements, for selecting station transmitter sites, and conducting other specialized propagation tests. Portable test stations are not normally used while in motion, and may not be used for the transmission of programs intended to be received by the public.

[43 FR 32783, July 28, 1978]

(a) The carrier frequency of each AM and FM station shall be measured or determined as often as necessary to ensure that they are maintained within the prescribed tolerances.

(b) In measuring the carrier frequency, the licensee may use any method or procedure that has sufficient precision to establish that the carrier frequency is within the prescribed departure limits.

(c) The primary standard of frequency for radio frequency measurements is the standard frequency maintained by the National Bureau of Standards or the standard signals of Stations WWV, WWVB, and WWVH of the National Bureau of Standards.

[43 FR 32783, July 28, 1978, as amended at 48 FR 44805, Sept. 30, 1983; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) AM stations. The departure of the carrier frequency for monophonic transmissions or center frequency for stereophonic transmissions may not exceed ±20 Hz from the assigned frequency.

(b) FM stations. (1) The departure of the carrier or center frequency of an FM station with an authorized transmitter output power more than 10 watts may not exceed ±2000 Hz from the assigned frequency.

(2) The departure of the carrier or center frequency of an FM station with an authorized transmitter output power of 10 watts or less may not exceed ±3000 Hz from the assigned frequency.

(c) [Reserved]

(d) International broadcast stations. The departure of the carrier frequency of an International broadcast station may not exceed 0.0015% of the assigned frequency on which the station is transmitting.

[44 FR 58734, Oct. 11, 1979; 44 FR 64408, Nov. 7, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 13165, Mar. 29, 1982; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 67 FR 21691, May 1, 2001; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) AM stations. (1) Except for AM stations using modulation dependent carrier level (MDCL) control technology, or as provided for in paragraph (d) of this section, the antenna input power of an AM station, as determined by the procedures specified in § 73.51, must be maintained as near as practicable to the authorized antenna input power and may not be less than 90 percent nor greater than 105 percent of the authorized power. AM stations may, without prior Commission authority, commence MDCL control technology use, provided that within 10 days after commencing such operation, the licensee submits an electronic notification of commencement of MDCL control operation using FCC Form 2100 Schedule 338. The transmitter of an AM station operating using MDCL control technology, regardless of the MDCL control technology employed, must achieve full licensed power at some audio input level or when the MDCL control technology is disabled. MDCL control operation must be disabled before field strength measurements on the station are taken.

(2) Whenever the transmitter of an AM station cannot be placed into the specified operating mode at the time required, transmissions of the station must be immediately terminated. However, if the radiated field at any bearing or elevation does not exceed that permitted for that time of day, operation in the mode with the lesser radiated field may continue under the notification procedures of paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) FM stations. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the transmitter output power of an FM station, with power output as determined by the procedures specified in § 73.267, which is authorized for output power more than 10 watts must be maintained as near as practicable to the authorized transmitter output power and may not be less than 90% nor more than 105% of the authorized power. FM stations operating with authorized transmitter output power of 10 watts or less, may operate at less than the authorized power, but not more than 105% of the authorized power.

(c) TV stations. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the output power of a TV or Class A TV transmitter, as determined by the procedures specified in § 73.664, must be maintained as near as is practicable to the authorized transmitter output power and may not be less than 80% nor more than 110% of the authorized power.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) The FCC may specify deviation from the power of tolerance requirements for subscription television operations to the extent it deems necessary to permit proper operation.

(d) Reduced power operation. In the event it becomes technically impossible to operate at authorized power, a broadcast station may operate at reduced power for a period of not more than 30 days without specific authority from the FCC. If operation at reduced power will exceed 10 consecutive days, notification must be made to the FCC in a Reduced Power Notification via LMS, not later than the 10th day of the lower power operation. In the event that normal power is restored within the 30 day period, the licensee must notify the FCC of the date that normal operation was restored. If causes beyond the control of the licensee prevent restoration of the authorized power within 30 days, a request for Special Temporary Authority (see § 73.1635) must be made to the FCC via LMS for additional time as may be necessary.

[44 FR 58734, Oct. 11, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 22093, May 25, 1984; 49 FR 29069, July 18, 1984; 49 FR 47610, Dec. 6, 1984; 50 FR 26568, June 27, 1985; 50 FR 40015, Oct. 1, 1985; 63 FR 33877, June 22, 1998; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 67 FR 13232, Mar. 21, 2002; 81 FR 2760, Jan. 19, 2016; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The percentage of modulation is to be maintained at as high a level as is consistent with good quality of transmission and good broadcast service, with maximum levels not to exceed the values specified in paragraph (b). Generally, the modulation should not be less than 85% on peaks of frequent recurrence, but where lower modulation levels may be required to avoid objectionable loudness or to maintain the dynamic range of the program material, the degree of modulation may be reduced to whatever level is necessary for this purpose, even though under such circumstances, the level may be substantially less than that which produces peaks of frequent recurrence at a level of 85%.

(b) Maximum modulation levels must meet the following limitations:

(1) AM stations. In no case shall the amplitude modulation of the carrier wave exceed 100% on negative peaks of frequent recurrence, or 125% on positive peaks at any time.

(i) AM stations transmitting stereophonic programs not exceed the AM maximum stereophonic transmission signal modulation specifications of stereophonic system in use.

(ii) For AM stations transmitting telemetry signals for remote control or automatic transmission system operation, the amplitude of modulation of the carrier by the use of subaudible tones must not be higher than necessary to effect reliable and accurate data transmission and may not, in any case, exceed 6%.

(2) FM stations. The total modulation must not exceed 100 percent on peaks of frequent reoccurrence referenced to 75 kHz deviation. However, stations providing subsidiary communications services using subcarriers under provisions of § 73.319 concurrently with the broadcasting of stereophonic or monophonic programs may increase the peak modulation deviation as follows:

(i) The total peak modulation may be increased 0.5 percent for each 1.0 percent subcarrier injection modulation.

(ii) In no event may the modulation of the carrier exceed 110 percent (82.5 kHz peak deviation).

(3) [Reserved]

(c) If a limiting or compression amplifier is employed to maintain modulation levels, precaution must be taken so as not to substantially alter the dynamic characteristics of programs.

[44 FR 58735, Oct. 11, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 13165, Mar. 29, 1982; 49 FR 14508, Apr. 12, 1984; 49 FR 15081, Apr. 17, 1984; 49 FR 27147, July 2, 1984; 49 FR 47610, Dec. 6, 1984; 49 FR 48312, Dec. 12, 1984; 51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986; 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

Each AM, FM, TV and Class A TV station licensee or permittee must conduct periodic complete inspections of the transmitting system and all required monitors to ensure proper station operation.

[65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000]

(a) The licensee of each AM, FM, TV and Class A TV station, except licensees of Class D non-commercial educational FM stations authorized to operate with 10 watts or less output power, must make equipment performance measurements for each main transmitter as follows:

(1) Upon initial installation of a new or replacement main transmitter.

(2) Upon modification of an existing transmitter made under the provisions of § 73.1690, Modification of transmission systems, and specified therein.

(3) Installation of AM stereophonic transmission equipment pursuant to § 73.128.

(4) Installation of FM subcarrier or stereophonic transmission equipment pursuant to § 73.295, § 73.297, § 73.593 or § 73.597.

(5) [Reserved]

(6) Annually, for AM stations, with not more than 14 months between measurements.

(7) When required by other provisions of the rules or the station license.

(b) Measurements for spurious and harmonic emissions must be made to show compliance with the transmission system requirements of § 73.44 for AM stations; § 73.317 for FM stations and § 73.687 for TV stations. Measurements must be made under all conditions of modulation expected to be encountered by the station whether transmitting monophonic or stereophonic programs and providing subsidiary communications services.

(c) TV visual equipment performance measurements must be made with the equipment adjusted for normal program operation at the transmitter antenna sampling port to yield the following information:

(1) [Reserved]

(2) Data showing that the waveform of the transmitted signal conforms to that specified by the standards for TV transmissions.

(3) [Reserved]

(4) Data showing envelope delay characteristics of the radiated signal.

(5) Data showing the attenuation of spurious and harmonic radiation, if, after type acceptance, any changes have been made in the transmitter or associated equipment (filters, multiplexer, etc.) which could cause changes in its radiation products.

(d) The data required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, together with a description of the equipment and procedure used in making the measurements, signed and dated by the qualified person(s) making the measurements, must be kept on file at the transmitter or remote control point for a period of 2 years, and on request must be made available during that time to duly authorized representatives of the FCC.

[47 FR 8589, Mar. 1, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 18450, May 20, 1986; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) During the process of construction of a new broadcast station, the permittee, after notifying the FCC in Washington, D.C. may, without further authority from the FCC, conduct equipment tests for the purpose of making such adjustments and measurements as may be necessary to assure compliance with the terms of the construction permit, the technical provisions of the application therefore, the rules and regulations and the applicable engineering standards. For AM stations, equipment tests, including either a directional or nondirectional proof of performance required by the construction permit, may be conducted during daytime hours provided that the antenna system is first substantially tuned during the experimental period. The nondirectional proof shall be conducted with power adjusted to 25% of that specified in the permit for the authorized directional facilities or, if applicable, to such higher power as is specified in the same permit for authorized nondirectional facilities. For licensed stations, see § 73.1615, Operation During Modification of Facilities; and § 73.157, Antenna Testing During Daytime.

(b) The FCC may notify the permittee not to conduct equipment tests or may modify, cancel, suspend, or change the modes of testing or the dates and times for such tests in order to resolve interference complaints or when such action may appear to be in the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

(c) Equipment tests may be continued so long as the construction permit shall remain valid.

(d) The authorization for tests embodied in this section shall not be construed as constituting a license to operate but as a necessary part of construction.

[43 FR 32783, July 28, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 40174, Sept. 13, 1982; 50 FR 30947, July 31, 1985]

When the licensee of an existing AM, FM, TV or Class A TV station is in the process of modifying existing facilities as authorized by a construction permit and determines it is necessary to either discontinue operation or to operate with temporary facilities to continue program service, the following procedures apply:

(a) Licensees holding a construction permit for modification of directional or nondirectional FM, TV or Class A TV or nondirectional AM station facilities may, without specific FCC authority, for a period not exceeding 30 days:

(1) Discontinue operation, or

(2) Operate with temporary facilities to maintain, as nearly as possible, but not exceed, the size of the presently licensed coverage area.

(b) Licensees of an AM station holding a construction permit which involves directional facilities and which does not involve a change in operating frequency may, without specific FCC authority, for a period not exceeding 30 days:

(1) Discontinue operation, or

(2) Operate with reduced power or with parameters at variance from licensed tolerances while maintaining monitoring point field strengths within licensed limits during the period subsequent to the commencement of modifications authorized by the construction permit, or

(3) Operate in a nondirectional mode during the presently licensed hours of directional operation with power reduced to 25% or less of the nominal licensed power, or whatever higher power, not exceeding licensed power, will ensure that the radiated field strength specified by the license is not exceeded at any given azimuth for the corresponding hours of directional operation, or

(4) Operate in a nondirectional mode during daytime hours, if not already so licensed, only as necessary to conduct a required nondirectional proof of performance with a power not to exceed 25% of the maximum power authorized by the construction permit for directional operation, or

(5) Operate during daytime hours with either the daytime or nighttime directional pattern and with the power authorized by the construction permit only as necessary to take proof of performance measurements. Operating power shall be promptly reduced to presently licensed level during any significant period of time that these measurements are not being taken. No daytime operation of construction permit directional patterns authorized by this paragraph shall be conducted before such patterns have been substantially tuned during the experimental period.

(6) In the event the directional pattern authorized by the construction permit replaces a licensed directional pattern, the licensee may operate with the substantially adjusted construction permit pattern during the corresponding licensed hours of directional operation with power not exceeding that specified for the licensed pattern.

(c) Such operation or discontinuance of operation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this section may begin upon notification to the FCC in Washington, DC.

(1) Should it be necessary to continue the procedures in either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section beyond 30 days, a Silent STA application or an Engineering STA application must be filed via LMS.

(2) The license of a broadcasting station that fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period expires as a matter of law at the end of that period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license or construction permit to the contrary.

(d) Licensees of an AM station holding a construction permit which authorizes both a change in frequency and directional facilities must request and obtain authority from the FCC in Washington, DC. prior to using any new installation authorized by the permit, or using temporary facilities.

(1) The request is to be made at least 10 days prior to the date on which the temporary operation is to commence. The request is to be made by letter which shall describe the operating modes and facilities to be used. Such letter requests shall be signed by the licensee or the licensee's representative.

(2) Discontinuance of operation is permitted upon notification to the FCC In Washington, DC. Should it be necessary to discontinue operation longer than 30 days, an informal letter request, signed by the licensee or the licensee's representatives, must be sent to the FCC in Washington, DC prior to the 30th day.

(e) The FCC may modify or cancel the temporary operation permitted under the provisions of paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section without prior notice or right to hearing.

[50 FR 30947, July 31, 1985, as amended at 61 FR 28767, June 6, 1996; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7255, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Upon completion of construction of an AM, FM, TV or Class A TV station in accordance with the terms of the construction permit, the technical provisions of the application, the rules and regulations and the applicable engineering standards, program tests may be conducted in accordance with the following:

(1) The permittee of a nondirectional AM or FM station, or a nondirectional or directional TV or Class A TV station, may begin program tests upon notification to the FCC in a “Program Test Authority” filing via LMS provided that within 10 days thereafter, an application for a license is filed with the FCC in Washington, DC. Television, Class A, TV translator, and low power television broadcast stations authorized on channel 14 must comply with § 73.617(b)(2)(ii).

(2) The permittee of an FM station with a directional antenna system must file an application for license on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 302-FM in LMS requesting authority to commence program test operations at full power. This license application must be filed at least 10 days prior to the date on which full power operations are desired to commence. The application for license must contain any exhibits called for by conditions on the construction permit. The staff will review the license application and the request for program test authority and issue a letter notifying the applicant whether full power operation has been approved. Upon filing of the license application and related exhibits, and while awaiting approval of full power operation, the FM permittee may operate the directional antenna at one half (50%) of the authorized effective radiated power. Alternatively, the permittee may continue operation with its existing licensed facilities pending the issuance of program test authority at the full effective radiated power by the staff.

(3) FM licensees replacing a directional antenna pursuant to § 73.1690(c)(2) without changes which require a construction permit (see § 73.1690(b)) may immediately commence program test operations with the new antenna at one half (50%) of the authorized ERP upon installation. If the directional antenna replacement is an EXACT duplicate of the antenna being replaced (i.e., same manufacturer, antenna model number, and measured composite pattern), program tests may commence with the new antenna at the full authorized power upon installation. The licensee must file a modification of license application on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 302-FM within 10 days of commencing operations with the newly installed antenna, and the license application must contain all of the exhibits required by § 73.1690(c)(2). After review of the modification-of-license application to cover the antenna change, the Commission will issue a letter notifying the applicant whether program test operation at the full authorized power has been approved for the replacement directional antenna.

(4) The permittee of an AM station with a directional antenna system must file an application for license on FCC Form 302-AM requesting program test authority with the FCC in Washington, DC at least ten (10) days prior to the date on which it desires to commence program test operations. The application must provide an AM directional antenna proof of performance, containing the exhibits required by § 73.186. After review of the application to cover the construction permit, the Commission will issue a letter notifying the applicant whether program test operations may commence. Program test operations may not commence prior to issuance of staff approval.

(5) Except for permits subject to successive license terms, the permittee of an LPFM station may begin program tests upon notification to the FCC in Washington, DC, provided that within 10 days thereafter, an application for license is filed. Program tests may be conducted by a licensee subject to mandatory license terms only during the term specified on such licensee's authorization.

(b) The Commission reserves the right to revoke, suspend, or modify program tests by any station without right of hearing for failure to comply adequately with all terms of the construction permit or the provisions of § 73.1690(c) for a modification of license application, or in order to resolve instances of interference. The Commission may, at its discretion, also require the filing of a construction permit application to bring the station into compliance the Commission's rules and policies.

(c) Unless sooner suspended or revoked, the program test authority continues valid during FCC consideration of the application for license, and during this period further extension of the construction permit is not required. Program test authority shall be automatically terminated by final determination upon the application for station license.

(d) All operation under program test authority shall be in strict compliance with the rules governing broadcast stations and in strict accordance with representations made in the application for license pursuant to which the tests were authorized.

(e) Acceptance by the FCC of notification of the station of program tests, or the granting of program test authority by the FCC, is not to be construed by the permittee as approval by the FCC of the application for station license.

[43 FR 32784, July 28, 1978, as amended at 45 FR 6401, Jan. 28, 1980; 47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982; 49 FR 38132, Sept. 27, 1984; 56 FR 795, Jan. 9, 1991; 56 FR 25639, June 5, 1991; 57 FR 48333, Oct. 23, 1992; 62 FR 51059, Sept. 30, 1997; 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 87 FR 35431, June 10, 2022; 89 FR 7256, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) A special temporary authorization (STA) is the authority granted to a permittee or licensee to permit the operation of a broadcast facility for a limited period at a specified variance from the terms of the station authorization or requirements of the FCC rules applicable to the particular class of station.

(1) A request for a STA should be filed with FCC in Washington, DC at least 10 days prior to the date of the proposed operation.

(2) The request is to be filed electronically in LMS using the “Engineering STA Application” and shall fully describe the proposed operation and the necessity for the requested STA. Such letter requests shall be signed by the licensee or the licensee's representative.

(3) A request for a STA necessitated by unforeseen equipment damage or failure may be made without regard to the procedural requirements of this section (e.g., via email or telephone). Any request made pursuant to this paragraph shall be followed by a written confirmation request conforming to the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Confirmation requests shall be submitted within 24 hours. (See also § 73.1680 Emergency Antennas).

(4) An STA may be granted for an initial period not to exceed 180 days. A limited number of extensions of such authorizations may be granted for additional periods not exceeding 180 days per extension. An STA necessitated by technical or equipment problems, however, may, in practice, be granted for an initial period not to exceed 90 days with a limited number of extensions not to exceed 90 days per extension. The permittee or licensee must demonstrate that any further extensions requested are necessary and that all steps to resume normal operation are being undertaken in an expeditions and timely fashion. The license of a broadcasting station that fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period expires as a matter of law at the end of that period, notwithstanding any STA or provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary.

(5) Certain rules specify special considerations and procedures in situations requiring an STA or permit temporary operation at variance without prior authorization from the FCC when notification is filed as prescribed in the particular rules. See § 73.62, Directional antenna system tolerances; § 73.157, Antenna testing during daytime; § 73.158, Directional antenna monitoring points; § 73.1250, Broadcasting emergency information; § 73.1350, Transmission system operation; § 73.1560, Operating power and mode tolerances; § 73.1570, Modulation levels: AM, and FM; § 73.1615, Operation during modification of facilities; § 73.1680, Emergency antennas; and § 73.1740, Minimum operating schedule.

(b) An STA may be modified or cancelled by the FCC without prior notice or right to hearing.

(c) No request by an AM station for temporary authority to extend its hours of operation beyond those authorized by its regular authorization will be accepted or granted by the FCC except in emergency situations conforming with the requirements of § 73.3542, Application for Emergency Authorization. See also § 73.1250, Broadcasting Emergency Information.

[50 FR 30948, July 31, 1985, as amended at 58 FR 51250, Oct. 1, 1993; 60 FR 55482, Nov. 1, 1995; 61 FR 28767, June 6, 1996; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7256, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The rules in this part 73, and authorizations for which they provide, are subject to compliance with the international obligations and undertakings of the United States. Accordingly, all provisions in this part 73 are subject to compliance with applicable requirements, restrictions, and procedures accepted by the United States that have been established by or pursuant to treaties or other international agreements, arrangements, or understandings to which the United States is a signatory, including applicable annexes, protocols, resolutions, recommendations and other supplementing documents associated with such international instruments.

(b) The United States is a signatory to the following treaties and other international agreements that relate, in whole or in part, to AM, FM or TV broadcasting:

(1) The following instruments of the International Telecommunication Union:

(i) Constitution.

(ii) Convention.

(iii) Radio Regulations.

(2) Regional Agreements for the Broadcasting Service in Region 2:

(i) MF Broadcasting 535-1605 kHz, Rio de Janeiro, 1981.

(ii) MF Broadcasting 1605-1705 kHz, Rio de Janeiro, 1988.

(3) Bi-lateral Agreements between the United States and Canada relating to:

(i) AM Broadcasting.

(ii) FM Broadcasting.

(iii) TV Broadcasting.

(4) Bi-lateral Agreements between the United States and Mexico relating to:

(i) AM Broadcasting.

(ii) FM Broadcasting.

(iii) TV Broadcasting.

(5) Bi-lateral Agreement between the United States and the Bahama Islands relating to presunrise operations by AM stations.

(6) North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), which, for the United States, remains in effect with respect to the Dominican Republic and the Bahama Islands.

(7) The documents listed in this paragraph (b) are available for inspection in the office of the Chief, Office of International Affairs, FCC, Washington, DC.

[54 FR 39737, Sept. 28, 1989, as amended at 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991; 60 FR 5333, Jan. 27, 1995; 88 FR 21447, Apr. 10, 2023]

(a)(1) An AM, FM, or TV transmitter shall be approved for compliance with the requirements of this part following the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity procedures described in subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.

Note 1 to paragraph (a)(1):

The verification procedure has been replaced by Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. AM, FM, and TV transmitters previously authorized under subpart J of part 2 of this chapter may remain in use. See § 2.950 of this chapter.

(2) An LPFM transmitter shall be certified for compliance with the requirements of this part following the procedures described in part 2 of this chapter.

(b) A permittee or licensee planning to modify a transmitter which has been certified or approved with Supplier's Declaration of Conformity must follow the requirements contained in § 73.1690.

(c) A transmitter which was in use prior to January 30, 1955, may continue to be used by the licensee, and successors or assignees, if it continues to comply with the technical requirements for the type of station at which it is used.

(d) AM stereophonic exciter-generators for interfacing with approved or verified AM transmitters may be certified upon request from any manufacturer in accordance with the procedures described in part 2 of this chapter. Broadcast licensees may modify their certified AM stereophonic exciter-generators in accordance with § 73.1690.

(e) Additional rules covering certification and Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, modification of authorized transmitters, and withdrawal of a grant of authorization are contained in part 2 of this chapter.

[63 FR 36604, July 7, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 65 FR 67304, Nov. 9, 2000; 82 FR 50835, Nov. 2, 2017; 88 FR 67186, Sept. 29, 2023]

(a) Each AM, FM, TV and Class A TV broadcast station must have at least one main transmitter which complies with the provisions of the transmitter technical requirements for the type and class of station. A main transmitter is one which is used for regular program service having power ratings appropriate for the authorized operating power(s).

(b) There is no maximum manufacturer-rated power limit for AM, FM, TV or Class A TV station transmitters.

(c) A licensee may, without further authority or notification to the FCC, replace an existing main transmitter or install additional main transmitter(s) for use with the authorized antenna if the replacement or additional transmitter(s) has been approved with Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. Within 10 days after commencement of regular use of the replacement or additional transmitter(s), equipment performance measurements, as prescribed for the type of station are to be completed.

Note 1 to paragraph (c):

The verification procedure has been replaced by Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. Transmitters previously authorized under subpart J of this chapter may remain in use. See § 2.950 of this chapter.

Note 2 to paragraph (c):

Pending the availability of AM broadcast transmitters that are authorized for use in the 1605-1705 kHz band, transmitters that are approved or verified for use in the 535-1605 kHz band may be utilized in the 1605-1705 kHz band if it is shown that the requirements of § 73.44 have been met. Equipment authorization for the transmitter will supersede the applicability of this note.

[43 FR 53741, Nov. 17, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 8590, Mar. 1, 1982; 47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982; 49 FR 4000, Feb. 1, 1984; 51 FR 18451, May 20, 1986; 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991; 63 FR 36604, July 7, 1998; 65 FR 30004, May 10, 2000; 82 FR 50835, Nov. 2, 2017; 87 FR 15344, Mar. 18, 2022]

(a) A licensee of a broadcast station may, without further authority from the FCC, install and use with the main antenna system one or more auxiliary transmitters for the following purposes:

(1) The transmission of regular programs upon failure of the main transmitter.

(2) The transmission of regular programs during maintenance or modification of the main transmitter.

(3) Emergency broadcast system operation.

(4) The transmission of regular programs by an AM station authorized for Presunrise (PSRA) and/or Postsunset (PSSA) operation.

(5) The transmission of tests to determine the operating condition of the auxiliary transmitter or auxiliary antenna.

(6) For testing, upon the request of representatives of the FCC.

(b) Authorization to install an auxiliary transmitter for use with other than the main antenna or authorized auxiliary antenna must be obtained by filing an application for a construction permit on FCC form 301 (FCC form 340 for noncommercial educational stations).

(c) The following technical and operating standards apply to auxiliary transmitters:

(1) The auxiliary transmitter may be operated on only the station's authorized frequency and within the required carrier frequency departure tolerance for the type of station.

(2) The carrier frequency of the auxiliary transmitter must be measured as often as necessary to ensure that it is maintained within the prescribed tolerance.

(3) When using an auxiliary transmitter, the operating power may be less than the authorized power but may not exceed the authorized power within the permitted tolerance for the type of station. If operation with an auxiliary transmitter at reduced power continues for a period exceeding 10 days, the FCC in Washington, DC must be notified. (See § 73.51, AM; § 73.267, FM; § 73.567, NCE-FM; and § 73.663, TV).

(4) Normal operator requirements apply to the operation of the auxiliary transmitter.

Note:

After January 1, 1979, new licenses will not be issued nor will existing licenses be renewed for auxiliary transmitters that are operated into the main antenna system.

[43 FR 53741, Nov. 17, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 22740, Apr. 17, 1979; 48 FR 36463, Aug. 11, 1983; 48 FR 42960, Sept. 20, 1983; 48 FR 44806, Sept. 30, 1983; 50 FR 32417, Aug. 12, 1985; 51 FR 32088, Sept. 9, 1986]

(a)(1) An auxiliary antenna is one that is permanently installed and available for use when the main antenna is out of service for repairs or replacement. An auxiliary antenna may be located at the same transmitter site as the station's main antenna or at a separate site. The service contour of the auxiliary antenna may not extend beyond the following corresponding contour for the main facility:

(i) AM stations: The 0.5 mV/m field strength contours.

(ii) FM stations: The 1.0 mV/m field strength contours.

(iii) TV stations: The noise limited contour as defined in § 73.619(c).

(iv) Class A TV stations: The protected contours defined in § 73.6010.

(2) An application for an auxiliary antenna for an AM station filed pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section must contain a map showing the 0.5 mV/m field strength contours of both the main and auxiliary facilities.

(b) An application for a construction permit to install a new auxiliary antenna, or to make changes in an existing auxiliary antenna for which prior FCC authorization is required (see § 73.1690), must be filed electronically in LMS using FCC Form 2100 (see § 73.3500 for Schedules) for AM, FM, and TV stations, or on FCC Form 2100, Schedule 340 for noncommercial educational FM stations.

(c)(1) Where an FM, TV or Class A TV licensee proposes to use a formerly licensed main facility as an auxiliary facility, or proposes to modify a presently authorized auxiliary facility, and no changes in the height of the antenna radiation center are required in excess of the limits in § 73.1690(c)(1), the FM, TV or Class A TV licensee may apply for the proposed auxiliary facility by filing a modification of license application. The modified auxiliary facility must operate on the same channel as the licensed main facility. An exhibit must be provided with this license application to demonstrate compliance with § 73.1675(a). All FM, TV and Class A TV licensees may request a decrease from the authorized facility's ERP in the license application. An FM, TV or Class A TV licensee may also increase the ERP of the auxiliary facility in a license modification application, provided the application contains an analysis demonstrating compliance with the Commission's radiofrequency radiation guidelines, and an analysis showing that the auxiliary facility will comply with § 73.1675(a). Where an FM, TV, or Class A TV licensee or permittee proposes to mount an auxiliary facility on an AM tower, it must also demonstrate compliance with § 1.30003 in the license application.

(2) Where an AM licensee proposes to use a former licensed main facility as an auxiliary facility with an ERP less than or equal to the ERP specified on the former main license, the AM station may apply to license the proposed auxiliary facility by filing a modification of license application on Form 302-AM. The proposed auxiliary facilities must have been previously licensed on the same frequency as the present main facility. The license application must contain an exhibit to demonstrate compliance with § 73.1675(a).

[43 FR 53741, Nov. 17, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 22740, Apr. 17, 1979; 45 FR 26066, Apr. 17, 1980; 50 FR 13974, Apr. 9, 1985; 62 FR 51060, Sept. 30, 1997; 63 FR 70049, Dec. 18, 1998; 65 FR 30005, May 10, 2000; 78 FR 66298, Nov. 5, 2013; 89 FR 7256, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) An emergency antenna is one that is erected for temporary use after the authorized main and auxiliary antennas are damaged and cannot be used.

(b) Prior authority from the FCC is not required by licensees and permittees to erect and commence operations using an emergency antenna to restore program service to the public. However, an informal letter request to continue operation with the emergency antenna must be made within 24 hours to the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio Division (radio) or Video Division (television), Media Bureau, within 24 hours after commencement of its use. The request is to include a description of the damage to the authorized antenna, a description of the emergency antenna, and the station operating power with the emergency antenna.

(1) AM stations. AM stations may use a horizontal or vertical wire or a nondirectional vertical element of a directional antenna as an emergency antenna. AM stations using an emergency nondirectional antenna or a horizontal or vertical wire pursuant to this section, in lieu or authorized directional facilities, shall operate with power reduced to 25% or less of the nominal licensed power, or, a higher power, not exceeding licensed power, while insuring that the radiated filed strength does not exceed that authorized in any given azimuth for the corresponding hours of directional operation.

(2) FM, TV and Class A TV stations. FM, TV and Class A TV stations may erect any suitable radiator, or use operable sections of the authorized antenna(s) as an emergency antenna.

(c) The FCC may prescribe the output power, radiation limits, or other operating conditions when using an emergency antenna, and emergency antenna authorizations may be modified or terminated in the event harmful interference is caused to other stations or services by the use of an emergency antenna.

[43 FR 53741, Nov. 17, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 22740, Apr. 17, 1979; 50 FR 30948, July 31, 1985; 63 FR 33878, June 22, 1998; 65 FR 30005, May 10, 2000; 67 FR 13232, Mar. 21, 2002]

The following procedures and restrictions apply to licensee modifications of authorized broadcast transmission system facilities.

(a) The following changes are prohibited:

(1) Those that would result in the emission of signals outside of the authorized channel exceeding limits prescribed for the class of service.

(2) Those that would cause the transmission system to exceed the equipment performance measurements prescribed for the class of service (AM, § 73.44; FM, §§ 73.317, 73.319, and 73.322; TV and Class A TV, §§ 73.682 and 73.687).

(b) The following changes may be made only after the grant of a construction permit application on FCC Form 2100 (see § 73.3500 for Schedules) for AM, FM, and TV stations or Form 2100, Schedule 340 for noncommercial educational stations:

(1) Any construction of a new tower structure for broadcast purposes, except for replacement of an existing tower with a new tower of identical height and geographic coordinates.

(2) Any change in station geographic coordinates, including coordinate corrections of more than 3 seconds latitude and/or 3 seconds longitude. FM and TV directional stations must also file a construction permit application for any move of the antenna to another tower structure located at the same coordinates.

(3) Any change which would require an increase along any azimuth in the composite directional antenna pattern of an FM station from the composite directional antenna pattern authorized (see § 73.316), or any increase from the authorized directional antenna pattern for a TV broadcast (see § 73.625) or Class A TV station (see § 73.6025).

(4) Any change in the directional radiation characteristics of an AM directional antenna system. See § 73.45 and § 73.150.

(5) Any decrease in the authorized power of an AM station or the ERP of a TV or Class A TV station, or any decrease or increase in the ERP of an FM commercial station, which is intended for compliance with the multiple ownership rules in § 73.3555.

(6) For FM noncommercial educational stations, any of the following:

(i) Any increase in the authorized maximum ERP, whether horizontally or vertically polarized, for a noncommercial educational FM station operating on Channels 201 through 220, or a Class D FM station operating on Channel 200.

(ii) For those FM noncommercial educational stations on Channels 201 to 220, or a Class D FM station operating on Channel 200, which are within the separation distances specified in Table A of § 73.525 with respect to a Channel 6 television station, any increase in the horizontally or vertically polarized ERP from the presently authorized ERP.

(iii) For those FM noncommercial educational stations on Channels 201 through 220 which are located within the separation distances in § 73.525 with respect to a Channel 6 television station, or a Class D FM station operating on Channel 200, any decrease in the presently authorized horizontal effective radiated power which would eliminate the horizontal ERP to result in use of vertical ERP only.

(iv) For those FM noncommercial educational stations which employ separate antennas for the horizontal ERP and the vertical ERP, mounted at different heights, the station may not increase or decrease either the horizontal ERP or the vertical ERP without a construction permit.

(7) Any increase in the authorized ERP of a television station, Class A television station, FM commercial station, or noncommercial educational FM station, except as provided for in § 73.1690(c)(4), (c)(5), or (c)(7), or in § 73.1675(c)(1) in the case of auxiliary facilities.

(8) A commercial TV or noncommercial educational TV station operating on Channels 14 or a Class A TV station on Channel 14 may increase its horizontally or vertically polarized ERP only after the grant of a construction permit. A television or Class A television station on Channels 15 through 21 within 341 km of a cochannel land mobile operation, or 225 km of a first-adjacent channel land mobile operation, must also obtain a construction permit before increasing the horizontally or vertically polarized ERP (see § 74.709(a) and (b) of this chapter for tables of urban areas and corresponding reference coordinates of potentially affected land mobile operations).

(9) Any change in the community of license, where the proposed new facilities are the same as, or would be mutually exclusive with, the licensee's or permittee's present assignment.

(c) The following FM, TV and Class A TV station modifications may be made without prior authorization from the Commission. A modification of license application must be submitted to the Commission within 10 days of commencing program test operations pursuant to § 73.1620. With the exception of applications filed solely pursuant to paragraphs (c)(6), (c)(9), or (c)(10) of this section, the modification of license application must contain an exhibit demonstrating compliance with the Commission's radio frequency radiation guidelines. In addition, except for applications solely filed pursuant to paragraphs (c)(6) or (c)(9) of this section, where the installation is located on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, an exhibit demonstrating compliance with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002, as applicable, is also required.

(1) Replacement of an omnidirectional antenna with one of the same or different number of antenna bays, provided that the height of the antenna radiation center is not more than 2 meters above or 4 meters below the authorized values. Any concurrent change in ERP must comply with § 73.1675(c)(1), 73.1690(4), (c)(5), or (c)(7). Program test operations at the full authorized ERP may commence immediately upon installation pursuant to § 73.1620(a)(1).

(2) Replacement of a directional FM antenna, where the measured or computer modeled composite directional antenna pattern does not exceed the licensed composite directional pattern at any azimuth, where no change in effective radiated power will result, and where compliance with the principal coverage requirements of § 73.315(a) will be maintained by the measured or computer modeled directional pattern. The antenna must be mounted not more than 2 meters above or 4 meters below the authorized values. The modification of license application on FCC Form 2100, Schedule 302-FM to cover the antenna replacement must contain all of the data in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (v) of this section. Program test operations at one half (50%) power may commence immediately upon installation pursuant to § 73.1620(a)(3). However, if the replacement directional antenna is an exact replacement (i.e., no change in manufacturer, antenna model number, AND measured or computer modeled composite antenna pattern), program test operations may commence immediately upon installation at the full authorized power.

(i) A measured or computer modeled directional antenna pattern and tabulation on the antenna manufacturer's letterhead showing both the horizontally and vertically polarized radiation components and demonstrating that neither of the components exceeds the authorized composite antenna pattern along any azimuth.

(ii) Contour protection stations authorized pursuant to § 73.215 or § 73.509 must attach a showing that the RMS (root mean square) of the composite measured or computer modeled directional antenna pattern is 85% or more of the RMS of the authorized composite antenna pattern. See § 73.316(c)(9). If this requirement cannot be met, the licensee may include new relative field values with the license application to reduce the authorized composite antenna pattern so as to bring the measured or computer modeled composite antenna pattern into compliance with the 85 percent requirement.

(iii) A description from the manufacturer as to the procedures used to measure or computer model the directional antenna pattern. The antenna measurements or computer modeling must be performed with the antenna mounted on a tower, tower section, or scale model equivalent to that on which the antenna will be permanently mounted, and the tower or tower section must include transmission lines, ladders, conduits, other antennas, and any other installations which may affect the measured or computer modeled directional pattern.

(iv) A certification from a licensed surveyor that the antenna has been oriented to the proper azimuth.

(v) A certification from a qualified engineer who oversaw installation of the directional antenna that the antenna was installed pursuant to the manufacturer's instructions.

(3) A directional TV on Channels 2 through 13 or 22 through 36 or a directional Class A TV on Channels 2 through 13 or 22 through 36, or a directional TV or Class A TV station on Channels 15 through 21 which is in excess of 341 km (212 miles) from a cochannel land mobile operation or in excess of 225 km (140 miles) from a first-adjacent channel land mobile operation (see § 74.709(a) and (b) of this chapter for tables of urban areas and reference coordinates of potentially affected land mobile operations), may replace a directional TV or Class A TV antenna by a license modification application, if the proposed horizontal theoretical directional antenna pattern does not exceed the licensed horizontal directional antenna pattern at any azimuth and where no change in effective radiated power will result. The modification of license application on Form 2100 (see § 73.3500 for Schedules) must contain all of the data set forth in § 73.625(c)(3) or § 73.6025(a), as applicable.

(4) Commercial and noncommercial educational FM stations operating on Channels 221 through 300 (except Class D), Class A TV stations operating on Channels 2 through 13 and 22 through 36, and TV and Class A TV stations operating on Channels 15 through 21 that are in excess of 341 km (212 miles) from a cochannel land mobile operation or in excess of 225 km (140 miles) from a first-adjacent channel land mobile operation (see § 74.709(a) and (b) of this chapter for tables of urban areas and reference coordinates of potentially affected land mobile operations), which operate omnidirectionally, may increase the vertically polarized effective radiated power up to the authorized horizontally polarized effective radiated power in a license modification application. Noncommercial educational FM licensees and permittees on Channels 201 through 220, that do not use separate antennas mounted at different heights for the horizontally polarized ERP and the vertically polarized ERP, and are located in excess of the separations from a Channel 6 television station listed in Table A of § 73.525(a)(1), may also increase the vertical ERP, up to (but not exceeding) the authorized horizontally polarized ERP via a license modification application. Program test operations may commence at full power pursuant to § 73.1620(a)(1).

(5) Those Class A FM commercial stations which were permitted to increase ERP pursuant to MM Docket No. 88-375 by a modification of license application remain eligible to do so, provided that the station meets the requirements of § 73.1690 (c)(1) and is listed on one of the Public Notices as authorized to increase ERP, or by a letter from the Commission's staff authorizing the change. These Public Notices were released on November 3, 1989; November 17, 1989; December 8, 1989; March 2, 1990; and February 11, 1991. The increased ERP must comply with the multiple ownership requirements of § 73.3555. Program test operations may commence at full power pursuant to § 73.1620(a)(1).

(6) FM contour protection stations authorized pursuant to § 73.215 which have become fully spaced under § 73.207 may file a modification of license application to delete the § 73.215 contour protection designation with an exhibit to demonstrate that the station is fully spaced in accordance with § 73.207. The contour protection designation will be removed upon grant of the license application. Applications filed under this rule section will be processed on a first come / first served basis with respect to conflicting FM commercial minor change applications and modification of license applications (including those filed pursuant to § 73.1690 (b) and (c)(6) and (c)(7)).

(7) FM omnidirectional commercial stations, and omnidirectional noncommercial educational FM stations operating on Channels 221 through 300 (except Class D), which are not designated as contour protection stations pursuant to § 73.215 and which meet the spacing requirements of § 73.207, may file a license modification application to increase ERP to the maximum permitted for the station class, provided that any change in the height of the antenna radiation center remains in accordance with § 73.1690(c)(1). Program test operations may commence at full power pursuant to § 73.1620(a)(1). All of the following conditions also must be met before a station may apply pursuant to this section:

(i) The station may not be a “grandfathered” short-spaced station authorized pursuant to § 73.213 or short-spaced by a granted waiver of § 73.207;

(ii) If the station is located in or near a radio quiet zone, radio coordination zone, or a Commission monitoring station (see § 73.1030 and § 0.121(c) of this chapter), the licensee or permittee must have secured written concurrence from the affected radio quiet zone, radio coordination zone, or the Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau in the case of a monitoring station, to increase effective radiated power PRIOR to implementation. A copy of that concurrence must be submitted with the license application to document that concurrence has been received;

(iii) The station does not require international coordination as the station does not lie within the border zones, or clearance has been obtained from Canada or Mexico for the higher power operation within the station's specified domestic class and the station complies with § 73.207(b)(2) and (3) with respect to foreign allotments and allocations;

(iv) The increased ERP will not cause the station to violate the multiple ownership requirements of § 73.3555.

(8) FM commercial stations and FM noncommercial educational stations may decrease ERP on a modification of license application provided that exhibits are included to demonstrate that all five of the following requirements are met:

(i) Commercial FM stations must continue to provide a 70 dBu principal community contour over the community of license, as required by § 73.315(a). Noncommercial educational FM stations must continue to provide a 60 dBu contour over at least 50 percent of its community of license or reach 50 percent of the population within the community. The 60 and 70 dBu contours must be predicted by use of the standard contour prediction method in § 73.313(b), (c), and (d).

(ii) For commercial FM stations only, there is no change in the authorized station class as defined in § 73.211.

(iii) For commercial FM stations only, the power decrease is not necessary to achieve compliance with the multiple ownership rule, § 73.3555.

(iv) Commercial FM stations, noncommercial educational FM stations on Channels 221 through 300, and noncommercial educational FM stations on Channels 200 through 220 which are located in excess of the distances in Table A of § 73.525 with respect to a Channel 6 TV station, may not use this rule to decrease the horizontally polarized ERP below the value of the vertically polarized ERP.

(v) Noncommercial educational FM stations on Channels 201 through 220 which are within the Table A distance separations of § 73.525, or Class D stations on Channel 200, may not use the license modification process to eliminate an authorized horizontally polarized component in favor of vertically polarized-only operation. In addition, noncommercial educational stations operating on Channels 201 through 220, or Class D stations on Channel 200, which employ separate horizontally and vertically polarized antennas mounted at different heights, may not use the license modification process to increase or decrease either the horizontal ERP or vertical ERP without a construction permit.

(9) The licensee of an AM, FM, or TV commercial station may propose to change from commercial to noncommercial educational on a modification of license application, provided that the application contains completed Sections II and IV of FCC Form 340. In addition, a noncommercial educational AM licensee, a TV licensee on a channel not reserved for noncommercial educational use, or an FM licensee on Channels 221 to 300 (except Class D FM) on a channel not reserved for noncommercial educational use, may apply to change from educational to commercial via a modification of license application, and no exhibits are required with the application. The change will become effective upon grant of the license application.

(10) Replacement of a transmission line with one of a different type or length which changes the transmitter operating power (TPO) from the authorized value, but not the ERP, must be reported in a license modification application to the Commission.

(11) Correction of geographic coordinates where the change is 3 seconds or fewer in latitude and/or 3 seconds or fewer in longitude, provided there is no physical change in location and no other licensed parameters are changed. The correction of coordinates may not result in any new short spacings or increases in existing short spacings.

(d) The following changes may be made without authorization from the FCC, however informal notification of the changes must be made according to the rule sections specified:

(1) Commencement of remote control operation pursuant to § 73.1400.

(2) Modification of an AM directional antenna sampling system. See § 73.68.

(e) Any electrical and mechanical modification to authorized transmitting equipment that is not otherwise restricted by the preceding provisions of this section, may be made without FCC notification or authorization. Equipment performance measurements must be made within ten days after completing the modifications (See § 73.1590). An informal statement, diagram, etc., describing the modification must be retained at the transmitter site for as long as the equipment is in use.

[47 FR 8590, Mar. 1, 1982] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 73.1690, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

The FCC will consider the question whether a proposed change or modification of transmission standards adopted for broadcast stations would be in the public interest, convenience, and necessity, upon petition being filed by the person proposing such change or modification, setting forth the following:

(a) The exact character of the change or modification proposed;

(b) The effect of the proposed change or modification upon all other transmission standards that have been adopted by the FCC for broadcast stations;

(c) The experimentation and field tests that have been made to show that the proposed change or modification accomplishes an improvement and is technically feasible;

(d) The effect of the proposed change or modification in the adopted standards upon operation and obsolescence of receivers;

(1) Should a change of modification in the transmission standards be adopted by the FCC, the effective date thereof will be determined in the light of the considerations mentioned in this paragraph (d);

(2) [Reserved]

(e) The change in equipment required in existing broadcast stations for incorporating the proposed change or modification in the adopted standards; and

(f) The facts and reasons upon which the petitioner bases the conclusion that the proposed change or modification would be in the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

[49 FR 4211, Feb. 3, 1984]

The term broadcast day means that period of time between the station's sign-on and its sign-off.

[43 FR 45849, Oct. 4, 1978]

(a) Commercial and noncommercial educational TV and commercial FM stations will be licensed for unlimited time operation. Application may be made for voluntary share-time operation.

(b) Noncommercial educational FM stations will be licensed for unlimited and share time operation according to the provisions of § 73.561.

(c) AM stations in the 535-1705 kHz band will be licensed for unlimited time. In the 535-1605 kHz band, stations that apply for share time and specified hours operations may also be licensed. AM stations licensed to operate daytime-only and limited-time may continue to do so; however, no new such stations will be authorized, except for fulltime stations that reduce operating hours to daytime-only for interference reduction purposes.

[43 FR 45849, Oct. 4, 1978, as amended at 56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991]

Operation is permitted 24 hours a day.

[43 FR 45849, Oct. 4, 1978]

Operation is permitted by two or more broadcast stations using the same channel in accordance with a division of hours mutually agreed upon and considered part of their licenses.

(a) If the licenses of stations authorized to share time do not specify hours of operation, the licensees shall endeavor to reach an agreement for a definite schedule of periods of time to be used by each. Such agreement shall be in writing and each licensee shall file it in duplicate original with each application to the FCC in Washington, DC for renewal of license. If and when such written agreements are properly filed in conformity with this section, the file mark of the FCC will be affixed thereto, one copy will be retained by the FCC, and one copy returned to the licensee and will be considered as part of the station's license. If the license specifies a proportionate time division, the agreement shall maintain this proportion. If no proportionate time division is specified in the license, the licensees shall agree upon a division of time. Such division of time shall not include simultaneous operation of the stations unless specifically authorized by the terms of the license

(b) If the licensees of stations authorized to share time are unable to agree on a division of time, the FCC in Washington, DC shall be so notified by a statement filed with the applications for renewal of licenses. Upon receipt of such statement, the FCC will designate the applications for a hearing and, pending such hearing, the operating schedule previously adhered to shall remain in full force and effect.

(c) A departure from the regular schedule in a time-sharing agreement will be permitted only in cases where an agreement to that effect is put in writing, is signed by the licensees of the stations affected thereby and filed in triplicate by each licensee with the FCC in Washington, DC prior to the time of the time of the proposed change. If time is of the essence, the actual departure in operating schedule may precede the actual filing of written agreement, provided appropriate notice is sent to the FCC.

(d) If the license of an AM station authorized to share time does not specify the hours of operation, the station may be operated for the transmission of regular programs during the experimental period provided an agreement thereto is reached with the other stations with which the broadcast day is shared: And further provided, Such operation is not in conflict with § 73.72 (Operating during the experimental period). Time-sharing agreements for operation during the experimental period need not be submitted to the FCC.

(e) Noncommercial educational FM stations are authorized for share time operation according to the provisions of § 73.561.

[43 FR 45849, Oct. 4, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 40174, Sept. 13, 1982; 84 FR 2758, Feb. 8, 2019]

Operation is permitted during the hours between average monthly local sunrise and average monthly local sunset.

(a) The controlling times for each month of the year are stated in the station's instrument of authorization. Uniform sunrise and sunset times are specified for all of the days of each month, based upon the actual times of sunrise and sunset for the fifteenth day of the month adjusted to the nearest quarter hour. Sunrise and sunset times are derived by using the standardized procedure and the tables in the 1946 American Nautical Almanac issued by the United States Naval Observatory.

(b) [Reserved]

[43 FR 45849, Oct. 4, 1978]

(a) Operation is applicable only to Class B (secondary) AM stations on a clear channel with facilities authorized before November 30, 1959. Operation of the secondary station is permitted during daytime and until local sunset if located west of the Class A station on the channel, or until local sunset at the Class A station if located east of that station. Operation is also permitted during nighttime hours not used by the Class A station or other stations on the channel.

(b) No authorization will be granted for:

(1) A new limited time station;

(2) A limited time station operating on a changed frequency;

(3) A limited time station with a new transmitter site materially closer to the 0.1 mV/m contour of a co-channel U.S. Class A station; or

(4) Modification of the operating facilities of a limited time station resulting in increased radiation toward any point on the 0.1 mV/m contour of a co-channel U.S. Class A station during the hours after local sunset in which the limited time station is permitted to operate by reason of location east of the Class A station.

(c) The licensee of a secondary station which is authorized to operate limited time and which may resume operation at the time the Class A station (or stations) on the same channel ceases operation shall, with each application for renewal of license, file in triplicate a copy of its regular operating schedule. It shall bear a signed notation by the licensee of the Class A station of its objection or lack of objection thereto. Upon approval of such operating schedule, the FCC will affix its file mark and return one copy to the licensee authorized to operate limited time. Such approved operating schedule shall be considered part of the station's license. Departure from said operating schedule will be permitted only pursuant to § 73.1715 (Share time).

[56 FR 64872, Dec. 12, 1991, as amended at 84 FR 2758, Feb. 8, 2019]

(a) Specified hours stations must operate in accordance with the exact hours specified in their license. However, such stations, operating on local channels, unless sharing time with other stations, may operate at hours beyond those specified in their licenses to carry special events programing. When such programs are carried during nighttime hours, the station's authorized nighttime facilities must be used.

(b) Other exceptions to the adherence to the schedule of specified hours of operation are provided in § 73.72 (Operating during the experimental period), § 73.1250 (Broadcasting emergency information) and § 73.1740 (Minimum operating schedule).

[43 FR 45850, Oct. 4, 1978]

Certain classes of AM stations are eligible to operate pre-sunrise and/or post-sunset for specified periods with facilities other than those specified on their basic instruments of authorization. Such pre-sunrise and post-sunset operation is authorized pursuant to the provisions of § 73.99 of the Rules.

[49 FR 41249, Oct. 22, 1984]

(a) All commercial broadcast stations are required to operate not less than the following minimum hours:

(1) AM and FM stations. Two-thirds of the total hours they are authorized to operate between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time and two-thirds of the total hours they are authorized to operate between 6 p.m. and midnight, local time, each day of the week except Sunday.

(i) Class D stations which have been authorized nighttime operations need comply only with the minimum requirements for operation between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., local time.

(2) TV stations. (i) During the first 36 months of operation, not less than 2 hours daily in any 5 broadcast days per calendar week and not less than a total of:

(A) 12 hours per week during the first 18 months.

(B) 16 hours per week during the 19th through 24th months.

(C) 20 hours per week during the 25th through 30th months.

(D) 24 hours per week during the 31st through 36th months.

(ii) After 36 months of operation, not less than 2 hours in each day of the week and not less than a total of 28 hours per calendar week.

(iii) Visual transmissions of test patterns, slides, or still pictures accompanied by unrelated aural transmissions may not be counted in computing program service (see § 73.653).

(3) “Operation” includes the period during which the station is operated pursuant to temporary authorization or program tests, as well as during the license period.

(4) In the event that causes beyond the control of a licensee make it impossible to adhere to the operating schedule of this section or to continue operating, the station may limit or discontinue operation for a period of not more than 30 days without further authority from the FCC. A “Reduced Power” or “Suspension of Operation” Notification must be made via LMS not later than the 10th day of limited or discontinued operation. During such period, the licensee shall continue to adhere to the requirements in the station license pertaining to the lighting of antenna structures. In the event normal operation is restored prior to the expiration of the 30 day period, the licensee will so notify the FCC of this date. If the causes beyond the control of the licensee make it impossible to comply within the allowed period, informal written request shall be made to the FCC no later than the 30th day for such additional time as may be deemed necessary.

(5) Class A TV stations. Not less than 18 hours in each day of the week.

(b) Noncommercial educational AM and TV stations are not required to operate on a regular schedule and no minimum hours of operation are specified; but the hours of actual operation during a license period shall be taken into consideration in the renewal of noncommercial educational AM and TV broadcast licenses. Noncommercial educational FM stations are subject to the operating schedule requirements according to the provisions of § 73.561.

(c) The license of any broadcasting station that fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period expires as a matter of law at the end of that period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary.

[43 FR 45850, Oct. 4, 1978, as amended at 53 FR 1032, Jan. 15, 1988; 56 FR 64873, Dec. 12, 1991; 61 FR 28767, June 6, 1996; 65 FR 30006, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7257, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) No broadcast station shall operate at times, or with modes or power, other than those specified and made a part of the license, unless otherwise provided in this part.

(b) Any unauthorized departure from an operating schedule which is required to be filed with the FCC in Washington, DC, will be considered as a violation of a material term of the license.

[43 FR 45850, Oct. 4, 1978]

The licensee of each station shall provide notification to the FCC in a “Cancellation Application” via LMS of the permanent discontinuance of operation at least two days before operation is discontinued. Immediately after discontinuance of operation, the licensee shall forward the station license and other instruments of authorization to the FCC, Attention: Audio Division (radio) or Video Division (television), Media Bureau, for cancellation. The license of any station that fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12 month period expires as a matter of law at the end of that period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary. If a licensee surrenders its license pursuant to an interference reduction agreement, and its surrender is contingent on the grant of another application, the licensee must identify in its notification the contingencies involved.

[89 FR 7257, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The licensee of each station must maintain a station log as required by § 73.1820. This log shall be kept by station employees competent to do so, having actual knowledge of the facts required. All entries, whether required or not by the provisions of this part, must accurately reflect the station operation. Any employee making a log entry shall sign the log, thereby attesting to the fact that the entry, or any correction or addition made thereto, is an accurate representation of what transpired.

(b) The logs shall be kept in an orderly and legible manner, in suitable form and in such detail that the data required for the particular class of station concerned are readily available. Key letters or abbreviations may be used if the proper meaning or explanation is contained elsewhere in the log. Each sheet must be numbered and dated. Time entries must be made in local time and must be indicated as advanced (e.g., EDT) or non-advanced (e.g., EST) time.

(c) Any necessary corrections of a manually kept log after it has been signed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall be made only by striking out the erroneous portion and making a corrective explanation on the log or attachment to it. Such corrections shall be dated and signed by the person who kept the log or the station chief operator, the station manager or an officer of the licensee.

(d) No automatically kept log shall be altered in any way after entries have been recorded. When automatic logging processes fail or malfunction, the log must be kept manually for that period and in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(e) No log, or portion thereof, shall be erased, obliterated or willfully destroyed during the period in which it is required to be retained. (Section 73.1840, Retention of logs.)

(f) Application forms for licenses and other authorizations may require that certain technical operating data be supplied. These application forms should be kept in mind in connection with the maintenance of the station log.

[43 FR 45850, Oct. 4, 1978, as amended at 48 FR 38481, Aug. 24, 1983; 48 FR 44806, Sept. 30, 1983; 49 FR 14509, Apr. 12, 1984; 49 FR 33663, Aug. 24, 1984; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985]

(a) Entries must be made in the station log either manually by a person designated by the licensee who is in actual charge of the transmitting apparatus, or by automatic devices meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. Indications of operating parameters that are required to be logged must be logged prior to any adjustment of the equipment. Where adjustments are made to restore parameters to their proper operating values, the corrected indications must be logged and accompanied, if any parameter deviation was beyond a prescribed tolerance, by a notation describing the nature of the corrective action. Indications of all parameters whose values are affected by the modulation of the carrier must be read without modulation. The actual time of observation must be included in each log entry. The following information must be entered:

(1) All stations. (i) Entries required by § 17.49 of this chapter concerning any observed or otherwise known extinguishment or improper functioning of a tower light:

(A) The nature of such extinguishment or improper functioning.

(B) The date and time the extinguishment or improper operation was observed or otherwise noted.

(C) The date, time and nature of adjustments, repairs or replacements made.

(ii) Any entries not specifically required in this section, but required by the instrument of authorization or elsewhere in this part.

(iii) An entry of each test and activation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) pursuant to the requirement of part 11 of this chapter and the EAS Operating Handbook. Stations may keep EAS data in a special EAS log which shall be maintained at a convenient location; however, this log is considered a part of the station log.

(2) Directional AM stations without an FCC-approved antenna sampling system (See § 73.68). (i) An entry at the beginning of operations in each mode of operation, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3 hours, of the following (actual readings observed prior to making any adjustments to the equipment and an indication of any corrections to restore parameters to normal operating values):

(A) Common point current.

(B) When the operating power is determined by the indirect method, the efficiency factor F and either the product of the final amplifier input voltage and current or the calculated antenna input power. See § 73.51(e).

(C) Antenna monitor phase or phase deviation indications.

(D) Antenna monitor sample currents, current ratios, or ratio deviation indications.

(ii) Entries required by § 73.61 performed in accordance with the schedule specified therein.

(iii) Entries of the results of calibration of automatic logging devices (see paragraph (b) of this section) or indicating instruments (see § 73.67), whenever performed.

(b) Automatic devices accurately calibrated and with appropriate time, date and circuit functions may be utilized to record entries in the station log Provided:

(1) The recording devices do not affect the operation of circuits or accuracy of indicating instruments of the equipment being recorded;

(2) The recording devices have an accuracy equivalent to the accuracy of the indicating instruments;

(3) The calibration is checked against the original indicators as often as necessary to ensure recording accuracy;

(4) In the event of failure or malfunctioning of the automatic equipment, the person designated by the licensee as being responsible for the log small make the required entries in the log manually at that time;

(5) The indicating equipment conforms to the requirements of § 73.1215 (Indicating instruments—specifications) except that the scales need not exceed 5 cm (2 inches) in length. Arbitrary scales may not be used.

(c) In preparing the station log, original data may be recorded in rough form and later transcribed into the log.

[43 FR 45854, Oct. 4, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 58735, Oct. 11, 1979; 47 FR 24580, June 7, 1982; 48 FR 38481, Aug. 24, 1983; 48 FR 44806, Sept. 30, 1983; 49 FR 33603, Aug. 23, 1984; 58 FR 44951, Aug. 25, 1993; 59 FR 67102, Dec. 28, 1994; 60 FR 55482, Nov. 1, 1995]

The FCC may require a broadcast station licensee to keep operating and maintenance records as necessary to resolve conditions of actual or potential interference, rule violations, or deficient technical operation.

[48 FR 38482, Aug. 24, 1983]

(a) Any log required to be kept by station licensees shall be retained by them for a period of 2 years. However, logs involving communications incident to a disaster or which include communications incident to or involved in an investigation by the FCC and about which the licensee has been notified, shall be retained by the licensee until specifically authorized in writing by the FCC to destroy them. Logs incident to or involved in any claim or complaint of which the licensee has notice shall be retained by the licensee until such claim or complaint has been fully satisfied or until the same has been barred by statute limiting the time for filing of suits upon such claims.

(b) Logs may be retained on microfilm, microfiche or other data-storage systems subject to the following conditions:

(1) Suitable viewing—reading devices shall be available to permit FCC inspection of logs pursuant to § 73.1226, availability to FCC of station logs and records.

(2) Reproduction of logs, stored on data-storage systems, to full-size copies, is required of licensees if requested by the FCC or the public as authorized by FCC rules. Such reproductions must be completed within 2 full work days of the time of the request.

(3) Corrections to logs shall be made:

(i) Prior to converting to a data-storage system pursuant to the requirements of § 73.1800 (c) and (d), (§ 73.1800, General requirements relating to logs).

(ii) After converting to a data-storage system, by separately making such corrections and then associating with the related data-stored logs. Such corrections shall contain sufficient information to allow those reviewing the logs to identify where corrections have been made, and when and by whom the corrections were made.

(4) Copies of any log required to be filed with any application; or placed in the station's local public inspection file as part of an application; or filed with reports to the FCC must be reproduced in fullsize form when complying with these requirements.

[45 FR 41151, June 18, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 13907, Feb. 24, 1981; 46 FR 18557, Mar. 25, 1981; 49 FR 33663, Aug. 24, 1984]

(a) The licensee of each AM, FM, TV or Class A TV broadcast station must designate a person to serve as the station's chief operator. At times when the chief operator is unavailable or unable to act (e.g., vacations, sickness), the licensee shall designate another person as the acting chief operator on a temporary basis.

(b) Chief operators shall be employed or serve on the following basis:

(1) The chief operator for an AM station using a directional antenna or operating with greater than 10 kW authorized power, or of a TV station is to be an employee of the station on duty for whatever number of hours each week the station licensee determines is necessary to keep the station's technical operation in compliance with FCC rules and the terms of the station authorization.

(2) Chief operators for non-directional AM stations operating with authorized powers not exceeding 10 kW and FM stations may be either an employee of the station or engaged to serve on a contract basis for whatever number of hours each week the licensee determines is necessary to keep the station's technical operation in compliance with the FCC rules and terms of the station authorization.

(3) The designation of the chief operator must be in writing. Agreements with chief operators serving on a contract basis must be in writing with a copy kept in the station files.

(c) The chief operator is responsible for completion of the following duties specified in this paragraph below. When these duties are delegated to other persons, the chief operator shall maintain supervisory oversight sufficient to know that each requirement has been fulfilled in a timely and correct manner.

(1) Inspections and calibrations of the transmission system, required monitors, metering and control systems; and any necessary repairs or adjustments where indicated. (See § 73.1580.)

(2) Periodic AM field monitoring point measurements, equipment performance measurements, or other tests as specified in the rules or terms of the station license.

(3) Review of the station records at least once each week to determine if required entries are being made correctly. Additionally, verification must be made that the station has been operated as required by the rules or the station authorization. Upon completion of the review, the chief operator or his designee must date and sign the log, initiate any corrective action which may be necessary, and advise the station licensee of any condition which is repetitive.

(4) Any entries which may be required in the station records. (See § 73.1820.)

[46 FR 35463, July 8, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 31580, July 21, 1982; 48 FR 38482, Aug. 24, 1983; 48 FR 44806, Sept. 30, 1983; 49 FR 20670, May 16, 1984; 49 FR 50048, Dec. 26, 1984; 50 FR 32416, Aug. 12, 1985; 60 FR 55482, Nov. 1, 1995; 65 FR 30006, May 10, 2000; 84 FR 2758, Feb. 8, 2019]

(a) A legally qualified candidate for public office is any person who:

(1) Has publicly announced his or her intention to run for nomination or office;

(2) Is qualified under the applicable local, State or Federal law to hold the office for which he or she is a candidate; and

(3) Has met the qualifications set forth in either paragraph (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section.

(b) A person seeking election to any public office including that of President or Vice President of the United States, or nomination for any public office except that of President or Vice President, by means of a primary, general or special election, shall be considered a legally qualified candidate if, in addition to meeting the criteria set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, that person:

(1) Has qualified for a place on the ballot; or

(2) Has publicly committed himself or herself to seeking election by the write-in method and is eligible under applicable law to be voted for by sticker, by writing in his or her name on the ballot or by other method, and makes a substantial showing that he or she is a bona fide candidate for nomination or office.

(c) A person seeking election to the office of President or Vice President of the United States shall, for the purposes of the Communications Act and the rules in 47 CFR chapter I, be considered legally qualified candidates only in those States or territories (or the District of Columbia) in which they have met the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section: Except, that any such person who has met the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section in at least 10 States (or 9 and the District of Columbia) shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for election in all States, territories, and the District of Columbia for the purposes of this Act.

(d) A person seeking nomination to any public office, except that of President or Vice President of the United States, by means of a convention, caucus or similar procedure, shall be considered a legally qualified candidate if, in addition to meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, that person makes a substantial showing that he or she is a bona fide candidate for such nomination: Except, that no person shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for nomination by the means set forth in this paragraph prior to 90 days before the beginning of the convention, caucus or similar procedure in which he or she seeks nomination.

(e) A person seeking nomination for the office of President or Vice President of the United States shall, for the purposes of the Communications Act and the rules thereunder, be considered a legally qualified candidate only in those States or territories (or the District of Columbia) in which, in addition to meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section:

(1) He or she, or proposed delegates on his or her behalf, have qualified for the primary or Presidential preference ballot in that State, territory or the District of Columbia; or

(2) He or she has made a substantial showing of a bona fide candidacy for such nomination in that State, territory or the District of Columbia; except, that any such person meeting the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section in at least 10 States (or 9 and the District of Columbia) shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for nomination in all States, territories and the District of Columbia for purposes of this Act.

(f) The term “substantial showing” of a bona fide candidacy as used in paragraphs (b), (d), and (e) of this section means evidence that the person claiming to be a candidate has:

(1) Satisfied the requirements under applicable law to run as a write-in (such as registering, collecting signatures, paying fees, etc.); and

(2) Has engaged to a substantial degree in activities commonly associated with political campaigning. Such activities normally would include making campaign speeches, distributing campaign literature, issuing press releases, maintaining a campaign committee, establishing campaign headquarters (even though the headquarters in some instances might be the residence of the candidate or his or her campaign manager), creating a campaign website, and using social media for the purpose of promoting or furthering a campaign for public office. Not all of the listed activities are necessarily required in each case to demonstrate a substantial showing, and there may be activities not listed herein which would contribute to such a showing. The creation of a campaign website and the use of social media shall be additional indicators of a bona fide candidacy, not determinative factors, and such digital activities must be combined with other activities commonly associated with political campaigning that are conducted in substantial portions of the relevant geographic area.

[57 FR 27708, June 22, 1992, as amended at 87 FR 7755, Feb. 10, 2022]

(a) General requirements. Except as otherwise indicated in § 73.1944, no station licensee is required to permit the use of its facilities by any legally qualified candidate for public office, but if any licensee shall permit any such candidate to use its facilities, it shall afford equal opportunities to all other candidates for that office to use such facilities. Such licensee shall have no power of censorship over the material broadcast by any such candidate. Appearance by a legally qualified candidate on any:

(1) Bona fide newscast;

(2) Bona fide news interview;

(3) Bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news documentary); or

(4) On-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including, but not limited to political conventions and activities incidental thereto) shall not be deemed to be use of broadcasting station. (section 315(a) of the Communications Act.)

(b) Uses. As used in this section and § 73.1942, the term “use” means a candidate appearance (including by voice or picture) that is not exempt under paragraphs 73.1941 (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section.

(c) Timing of request. A request for equal opportunities must be submitted to the licensee within 1 week of the day on which the first prior use giving rise to the right of equal opportunities occurred: Provided, however, That where the person was not a candidate at the time of such first prior use, he or she shall submit his or her request within 1 week of the first subsequent use after he or she has become a legally qualified candidate for the office in question.

(d) Burden of proof. A candidate requesting equal opportunities of the licensee or complaining of noncompliance to the Commission shall have the burden of proving that he or she and his or her opponent are legally qualified candidates for the same public office.

(e) Discrimination between candidates. In making time available to candidates for public office, no licensee shall make any discrimination between candidates in practices, regulations, facilities, or services for or in connection with the service rendered pursuant to this part, or make or give any preference to any candidate for public office or subject any such candidate to any prejudice or disadvantage; nor shall any licensee make any contract or other agreement which shall have the effect of permitting any legally qualified candidate for any public office to broadcast to the exclusion of other legally qualified candidates for the same public office.

[57 FR 208, Jan. 3, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 14568, Mar. 29, 1994]

(a) Charges for use of stations. The charges, if any, made for the use of any broadcasting station by any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office in connection with his or her campaign for nomination for election, or election, to such office shall not exceed:

(1) During the 45 days preceding the date of a primary or primary runoff election and during the 60 days preceding the date of a general or special election in which such person is a candidate, the lowest unit charge of the station for the same class and amount of time for the same period.

(i) A candidate shall be charged no more per unit than the station charges its most favored commercial advertisers for the same classes and amounts of time for the same periods. Any station practices offered to commercial advertisers that enhance the value of advertising spots must be disclosed and made available to candidates on equal terms. Such practices include but are not limited to any discount privileges that affect the value of advertising, such as bonus spots, time-sensitive make goods, preemption priorities, or any other factors that enhance the value of the announcement.

(ii) The Commission recognizes non-premptible, preemptible with notice, immediately preemptible and run-of-schedule as distinct classes of time.

(iii) Stations may establish and define their own reasonable classes of immediately preemptible time so long as the differences between such classes are based on one or more demonstrable benefits associated with each class and are not based solely upon price or identity of the advertiser. Such demonstrable benefits include, but are not limited to, varying levels of preemption protection, scheduling flexibility, or associated privileges, such as guaranteed time-sensitive make goods. Stations may not use class distinctions to defeat the purpose of the lowest unit charge requirement. All classes must be fully disclosed and made available to candidates.

(iv) Stations may establish reasonable classes of preemptible with notice time so long as they clearly define all such classes, fully disclose them and make available to candidates.

(v) Stations may treat non-preemptible and fixed position as distinct classes of time provided that stations articulate clearly the differences between such classes, fully disclose them, and make them available to candidates.

(vi) Stations shall not establish a separate, premium-period class of time sold only to candidates. Stations may sell higher-priced non-preemptible or fixed time to candidates if such a class of time is made available on a bona fide basis to both candidates and commercial advertisers, and provided such class is not functionally equivalent to any lower-priced class of time sold to commercial advertisers.

(vii) [Reserved]

(viii) Lowest unit charge may be calculated on a weekly basis with respect to time that is sold on a weekly basis, such as rotations through particular programs or dayparts. Stations electing to calculate the lowest unit charge by such a method must include in that calculation all rates for all announcements scheduled in the rotation, including announcements aired under long-term advertising contracts. Stations may implement rate increases during election periods only to the extent that such increases constitute “ordinary business practices,” such as seasonal program changes or changes in audience ratings.

(ix) Stations shall review their advertising records periodically throughout the election period to determine whether compliance with this section requires that candidates receive rebates or credits. Where necessary, stations shall issue such rebates or credits promptly.

(x) Unit rates charged as part of any package, whether individually negotiated or generally available to all advertisers, must be included in the lowest unit charge calculation for the same class and length of time in the same time period. A candidate cannot be required to purchase advertising in every program or daypart in a package as a condition for obtaining package unit rates.

(xi) Stations are not required to include non-cash promotional merchandising incentives in lowest unit charge calculations; provided, however, that all such incentives must be offered to candidates as part of any purchases permitted by the licensee. Bonus spots, however, must be included in the calculation of the lowest unit charge calculation.

(xii) Makes goods, defined as the rescheduling of preempted advertising, shall be provided to candidates prior to election day if a station has provided a time-sensitive make good during the year preceding the pre-election periods, perspectively set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, to any commercial advertiser who purchased time in the same class.

(xiii) Stations must disclose and make available to candidates any make good policies provided to commercial advertisers. If a station places a make good for any commercial advertiser or other candidate in a more valuable program or daypart, the value of such make good must be included in the calculation of the lowest unit charge for that program or daypart.

(2) At any time other than the respective periods set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, stations may charge legally qualified candidates for public office no more than the changes made for comparable use of the station by commercial advertisers. The rates, if any, charged all such candidates for the same office shall be uniform and shall not be rebated by any means, direct or indirect. A candidate shall be charged no more than the rate the station would charge for comparable commercial advertising. All discount privileges otherwise offered by a station to commercial advertisers must be disclosed and made available upon equal terms to all candidate for public office.

(b) If a station permits a candidate to use its facilities, the station shall make all discount privileges offered to commercial advertisers, including the lowest unit charges for each class and length of time in the same time period, and all corresponding discount privileges, available upon equal terms to all candidates. This duty includes an affirmative duty to disclose to candidates information about rates, terms conditions and all value-enhancing discount privileges offered to commercial advertisers. Stations may use reasonable discretion in making the disclosure; provided, however, that the disclosure includes, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) A description and definition of each class of time available to commercial advertisers sufficiently complete to allow candidates to identify and understand what specific attributes differentiate each class;

(2) A description of the lowest unit charge and related privileges (such as priorities against preemption and make goods prior to specific deadlines) for each class of time offered to commercial advertisers;

(3) A description of the station's method of selling preemptible time based upon advertiser demand, commonly known as the “current selling level,” with the stipulation that candidates will be able to purchase at these demand-generated rates in the same manner as commercial advertisers;

(4) An approximation of the likelihood of preemption for each kind of preemptible time; and

(5) An explanation of the station's sales practices, if any, that are based on audience delivery, with the stipulation that candidates will be able to purchase this kind of time, if available to commercial advertisers.

(c) Once disclosure is made, stations shall negotiate in good faith to actually sell time to candidates in accordance with the disclosure.

(d) This rule (§ 73.1942) shall not apply to any station licensed for non-commercial operation.

[57 FR 209, Jan. 3, 1992, as amended at 57 FR 27709, June 22, 1992]

(a) A licensee shall maintain, and make available for public inspection, a complete record of a request to purchase broadcast time that:

(1) Is made by or on behalf of a legally qualified candidate for public office; or

(2) Communicates a message relating to any political matter of national importance, including:

(i) A legally qualified candidate;

(ii) Any election to Federal office; or

(iii) A national legislative issue of public importance.

(b) A record maintained under paragraph (a) shall contain information regarding:

(1) Whether the request to purchase broadcast time is accepted or rejected by the licensee;

(2) The rate charged for the broadcast time;

(3) The date and time on which the communication is aired;

(4) The class of time that is purchased;

(5) The name of the candidate to which the communication refers and the office to which the candidate is seeking election, the election to which the communication refers, or the issue to which the communication refers (as applicable);

(6) In the case of a request made by, or on behalf of, a candidate, the name of the candidate, the authorized committee of the candidate, and the treasurer of such committee; and

(7) In the case of any other request, the name of the person purchasing the time, the name, address, and phone number of a contact person for such person, and a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of such person.

(c) When free time is provided for use by or on behalf of candidates, a record of the free time provided shall be placed in the political file.

(d) All records required by this paragraph shall be placed in the online political file as soon as possible and shall be retained for a period of two years. As soon as possible means immediately absent unusual circumstances.

[57 FR 210, Jan. 3, 1992, as amended at 77 FR 27655, May 11, 2012; 81 FR 10123, Feb. 29, 2016; 85 FR 21078, Apr. 16, 2020; 87 FR 7755, Feb. 10, 2022; 87 FR 33441, June 2, 2022]

(a) Section 312(a)(7) of the Communications Act provides that the Commission may revoke any station license or construction permit for willful or repeated failure to allow reasonable access to, or to permit purchase of, reasonable amounts of time for the use of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate for Federal elective office on behalf of his candidacy.

(b) Weekend access. For purposes of providing reasonable access, a licensee shall make its facilities available for use by federal candidates on the weekend before the election if the licensee has provided similar access to commercial advertisers during the year preceding the relevant election period. Licensees shall not discriminate between candidates with regard to weekend access.

[57 FR 210, Jan. 3, 1992]

(a) General EEO policy. Equal opportunity in employment shall be afforded by all licensees or permittees of commercially or noncommercially operated AM, FM, TV, Class A TV or international broadcast stations (as defined in this part) to all qualified persons, and no person shall be discriminated against in employment by such stations because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Religious radio broadcasters may establish religious belief or affiliation as a job qualification for all station employees. However, they cannot discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or gender from among those who share their religious affiliation or belief. For purposes of this rule, a religious broadcaster is a licensee which is, or is closely affiliated with, a church, synagogue, or other religious entity, including a subsidiary of such an entity.

(b) General EEO program requirements. Each broadcast station shall establish, maintain, and carry out a positive continuing program of specific practices designed to ensure equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in every aspect of station employment policy and practice. Under the terms of its program, a station shall:

(1) Define the responsibility of each level of management to ensure vigorous enforcement of its policy of equal opportunity, and establish a procedure to review and control managerial and supervisory performance;

(2) Inform its employees and recognized employee organizations of the equal employment opportunity policy and program and enlist their cooperation;

(3) Communicate its equal employment opportunity policy and program and its employment needs to sources of qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, and solicit their recruitment assistance on a continuing basis;

(4) Conduct a continuing program to exclude all unlawful forms of prejudice or discrimination based upon race, color, religion, national origin, or sex from its personnel policies and practices and working conditions; and

(5) Conduct a continuing review of job structure and employment practices and adopt positive recruitment, job design, and other measures needed to ensure genuine equality of opportunity to participate fully in all organizational units, occupations, and levels of responsibility.

(c) Specific EEO program requirements. Under the terms of its program, a station employment unit must:

(1) Recruit for every full-time job vacancy in its operation. A job filled by an internal promotion is not considered a vacancy for which recruitment is necessary. Religious radio broadcasters who establish religious affiliation as a qualification for a job position are not required to comply with these recruitment requirements with respect to that job position or positions, but will be expected to make reasonable, good faith efforts to recruit applicants who are qualified based on their religious affiliation. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require a broadcaster to grant preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, color, national origin, religion, or gender.

(i) A station employment unit shall use recruitment sources for each vacancy sufficient in its reasonable, good faith judgment to widely disseminate information concerning the vacancy.

(ii) In addition to such recruitment sources, a station employment unit shall provide notification of each full-time vacancy to any organization that distributes information about employment opportunities to job seekers or refers job seekers to employers, upon request by such organization. To be entitled to notice of vacancies, the requesting organization must provide the station employment unit with its name, mailing address, e-mail address (if applicable), telephone number, and contact person, and identify the category or categories of vacancies of which it requests notice. (An organization may request notice of all vacancies).

(2) Engage in at least four (if the station employment unit has more than ten full-time employees and is not located in a smaller market) or two (if it has five to ten full-time employees and/or is located entirely in a smaller market) of the following initiatives during each two-year period beginning with the date stations in the station employment unit are required to file renewal applications, or the second, fourth or sixth anniversaries of that date.

(i) Participation in at least four job fairs by station personnel who have substantial responsibility in the making of hiring decisions;

(ii) Hosting of at least one job fair;

(iii) Co-sponsoring at least one job fair with organizations in the business and professional community whose membership includes substantial participation of women and minorities;

(iv) Participation in at least four events sponsored by organizations representing groups present in the community interested in broadcast employment issues, including conventions, career days, workshops, and similar activities;

(v) Establishment of an internship program designed to assist members of the community to acquire skills needed for broadcast employment;

(vi) Participation in job banks, Internet programs, and other programs designed to promote outreach generally (i.e., that are not primarily directed to providing notification of specific job vacancies);

(vii) Participation in scholarship programs designed to assist students interested in pursuing a career in broadcasting;

(viii) Establishment of training programs designed to enable station personnel to acquire skills that could qualify them for higher level positions;

(ix) Establishment of a mentoring program for station personnel;

(x) Participation in at least four events or programs sponsored by educational institutions relating to career opportunities in broadcasting;

(xi) Sponsorship of at least two events in the community designed to inform and educate members of the public as to employment opportunities in broadcasting;

(xii) Listing of each upper-level category opening in a job bank or newsletter of media trade groups whose membership includes substantial participation of women and minorities;

(xiii) Provision of assistance to unaffiliated non-profit entities in the maintenance of web sites that provide counseling on the process of searching for broadcast employment and/or other career development assistance pertinent to broadcasting;

(xiv) Provision of training to management level personnel as to methods of ensuring equal employment opportunity and preventing discrimination;

(xv) Provision of training to personnel of unaffiliated non-profit organizations interested in broadcast employment opportunities that would enable them to better refer job candidates for broadcast positions;

(xvi) Participation in other activities designed by the station employment unit reasonably calculated to further the goal of disseminating information as to employment opportunities in broadcasting to job candidates who might otherwise be unaware of such opportunities.

(3) Analyze its recruitment program on an ongoing basis to ensure that it is effective in achieving broad outreach to potential applicants, and address any problems found as a result of its analysis.

(4) Periodically analyze measures taken to:

(i) Disseminate the station's equal employment opportunity program to job applicants and employees;

(ii) Review seniority practices to ensure that such practices are nondiscriminatory;

(iii) Examine rates of pay and fringe benefits for employees having the same duties, and eliminate any inequities based upon race, national origin, color, religion, or sex discrimination;

(iv) Utilize media for recruitment purposes in a manner that will contain no indication, either explicit or implicit, of a preference for one race, national origin, color, religion or sex over another;

(v) Ensure that promotions to positions of greater responsibility are made in a nondiscriminatory manner;

(vi) Where union agreements exist, cooperate with the union or unions in the development of programs to ensure all persons of equal opportunity for employment, irrespective of race, national origin, color, religion, or sex, and include an effective nondiscrimination clause in new or renegotiated union agreements; and

(vii) Avoid the use of selection techniques or tests that have the effect of discriminating against any person based on race, national origin, color, religion, or sex.

(5) Retain records to document that it has satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section. Such records, which may be maintained in an electronic format, shall be retained until after grant of the renewal application for the term during which the vacancy was filled or the initiative occurred. Such records need not be submitted to the FCC unless specifically requested. The following records shall be maintained:

(i) Listings of all full-time job vacancies filled by the station employment unit, identified by job title;

(ii) For each such vacancy, the recruitment sources utilized to fill the vacancy (including, if applicable, organizations entitled to notification pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, which should be separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person and telephone number;

(iii) Dated copies of all advertisements, bulletins, letters, faxes, e-mails, or other communications announcing vacancies;

(iv) Documentation necessary to demonstrate performance of the initiatives required by paragraph (c)(2) of this section, including sufficient information to fully disclose the nature of the initiative and the scope of the station's participation, including the station personnel involved;

(v) The total number of interviewees for each vacancy and the referral source for each interviewee; and

(vi) The date each vacancy was filled and the recruitment source that referred the hiree.

(6) Annually, on the anniversary of the date a station is due to file its renewal application, the station shall place in its public file, maintained pursuant to § 73.3526 or § 73.3527, and on its website, if it has one, an EEO public file report containing the following information (although if any broadcast licensee acquires a station pursuant to FCC Form 2100 Schedule 314 or FCC Form 2100 Schedule 315 during the twelve months covered by the EEO public file report, its EEO public file report shall cover the period starting with the date it acquired the station):

(i) A list of all full-time vacancies filled by the station's employment unit during the preceding year, identified by job title;

(ii) For each such vacancy, the recruitment source(s) utilized to fill the vacancy (including, if applicable, organizations entitled to notification pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, which should be separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person and telephone number;

(iii) The recruitment source that referred the hiree for each full-time vacancy during the preceding year;

(iv) Data reflecting the total number of persons interviewed for full-time vacancies during the preceding year and the total number of interviewees referred by each recruitment source utilized in connection with such vacancies; and

(v) A list and brief description of initiatives undertaken pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section during the preceding year.

(d) Small station exemption. The provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply to station employment units that have fewer than five full-time employees.

(e) Definitions. For the purposes of this rule:

(1) A full-time employee is a permanent employee whose regular work schedule is 30 hours per week or more.

(2) A station employment unit is a station or a group of commonly owned stations in the same market that share at least one employee.

(3) A smaller market includes metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget with a population of fewer than 250,000 persons and areas outside of all metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget.

(f) Enforcement. The following provisions apply to employment activity concerning full-time positions at each broadcast station employment unit (defined in this part) employing five or more persons in full-time positions, except where noted.

(1) All broadcast stations, including those that are part of an employment unit with fewer than five full-time employees, shall file a Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report (Form 2100 Schedule 396) with their renewal application. Form 2100 Schedule 396 is filed on the date the station is due to file its application for renewal of license. If a broadcast licensee acquires a station pursuant to FCC Form 2100 Schedule 314 or FCC Form 2100 Schedule 315 during the period that is to form the basis for the Form 2100 Schedule 396, information provided on its Form 2100 Schedule 396 should cover the licensee's EEO recruitment activity during the period starting with the date it acquired the station. Stations are required to maintain a copy of their Form 2100 Schedule 396 in the station's public file in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.3526 and 73.3527.

(2) The Commission will conduct a mid-term review of the employment practices of each broadcast television station that is part of an employment unit of five or more full-time employees and each radio station that is part of an employment unit of eleven or more full-time employees, four years following the station's most recent license expiration date as specified in § 73.1020. If a broadcast licensee acquires a station pursuant to FCC Form 2100 Schedule 314 or FCC Form 2100 Schedule 315 during the period that is to form the basis for the mid-term review, that review will cover the licensee's EEO recruitment activity during the period starting with the date it acquired the station.

(3) If a station is subject to a time brokerage agreement, the licensee shall file Forms 2100 Schedule 396 and EEO public file reports concerning only its own recruitment activity. If a licensee is a broker of another station or stations, the licensee-broker shall include its recruitment activity for the brokered station(s) in determining the bases of Forms 2100 Schedule 396 and the EEO public file reports for its own station. If a licensee-broker owns more than one station, it shall include its recruitment activity for the brokered station in the Forms 2100 Schedule 396 and EEO public file reports filed for its own station that is most closely affiliated with, and in the same market as, the brokered station. If a licensee-broker does not own a station in the same market as the brokered station, then it shall include its recruitment activity for the brokered station in the Forms 2100 Schedule 396 and EEO public file reports filed for its own station that is geographically closest to the brokered station.

(4) Broadcast stations subject to this section shall maintain records of their recruitment activity necessary to demonstrate that they are in compliance with the EEO rule. Stations shall ensure that they maintain records sufficient to verify the accuracy of information provided in Form 2100 Schedule 396 and EEO public file reports. To determine compliance with the EEO rule, the Commission may conduct inquiries of licensees at random or if it has evidence of a possible violation of the EEO rule. In addition, the Commission will conduct random audits. Specifically, each year approximately five percent of all licensees in the television and radio services will be randomly selected for audit, ensuring that, even though the number of radio licensees is significantly larger than television licensees, both services are represented in the audit process. Upon request, stations shall make records available to the Commission for its review.

(5) The public may file complaints throughout the license term based on the contents of a station's public file. Provisions concerning filing, withdrawing, or non-filing of informal objections or petitions to deny license renewal, assignment, or transfer applications are delineated in §§ 73.3584 and 73.3587-3589 of the Commission's rules.

(g) Sanctions and remedies. The Commission may issue appropriate sanctions and remedies for any violation of this rule.

[68 FR 689, Jan. 7, 2003, as amended at 84 FR 21723, May 15, 2019; 89 FR 7257, Feb. 1, 2024]

No qualified person or entity shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or sex in the sale of commercially operated AM, FM, TV, Class A TV or international broadcast stations (as defined in this part).

[73 FR 28369, May 16, 2008]

(a) Following are the FCC broadcast application and report forms, listed by number.

(b) Any application on Form 2100 must be filed electronically.

[89 FR 7258, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Formal application means any request for authorization where an FCC form for such request is prescribed. The prescription of an FCC form includes the requirement that the proper edition of the form is used. Formal applications on obsolete forms are subject to the provisions of § 73.3564 concerning acceptance of applications and § 73.3566 concerning defective applications.

(b) Informal application1 means all other written requests for authorization. All such applications should contain a caption clearly indicating the nature of the request submitted therein.

(c) Formal and informal applications must comply with the requirements as to signing specified herein and in § 73.3513.

[44 FR 38486, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 40172, Sept. 13, 1982]

All applications for authorizations required by § 73.3511 shall be filed at the FCC in Washington, DC (Applications requiring fees as set forth at part 1, subpart G of this chapter must be filed in accordance with § 0.401(b) of the rules.) The number of copies required for each application is set forth in the FCC Form which is to be used in filing such application.

[52 FR 10231, Mar. 31, 1987]

(a) Applications, amendments thereto, and related statements of fact required by the FCC must be signed by the following persons:

(1) Individual Applicant. The applicant, if the applicant is an individual.

(2) Partnership. One of the partners, if the applicant is a partnership.

(3) Corporation. An officer, if the applicant is a corporation.

(4) Unincorporated Association. A member who is an officer, if the applicant is an unincorporated association.

(5) Governmental Entity. Such duly elected or appointed officials as may be competent to do so under the law of the applicable jurisdiction, if the applicant is an eligible governmental entity, such as a State or Territory of the United States and political subdivisions thereof, the District of Columbia, and a unit of local government, including an unincorporated municipality.

(b) Applications, amendments thereto, and related statements of fact required by the FCC may be signed by the applicant's attorney in case of the applicant's physical disability or of his absence from the United States. The attorney shall in that event separately set forth the reason why the application is not signed by the applicant. In addition, if any matter is stated on the basis of the attorney's belief only (rather than his knowledge), he shall separately set forth his reasons for believing that such statements are true.

(c) Facsimile signatures are acceptable. Only the original of applications, amendments, or related statements of fact, need be signed; copies may be conformed.

(d) Applications, amendments, and related statements of fact need not be submitted under oath. Willful false statements made therein however, will be considered a violation of § 73.1015, are also punishable by fine and imprisonment, U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001, and by appropriate adminstrative sanctions including revocation of station license pursuant to section 312(a)(i) of the Communications Act.

[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 3069, Jan. 23, 1986; 64 FR 56978, Oct. 22, 1999]

(a) Each application shall include all information called for by the particular form on which the application is required to be filed, unless the information called for is inapplicable, in which case this fact shall be indicated.

(b) The FCC may require an applicant to submit such documents and written statements of fact as in its judgment may be necessary. The FCC may also, upon its own motion or upon motion of any party to a proceeding, order the applicant to amend the application so as to make it more definite and certain.

[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979]

(a) An application for facilities in the AM, FM, TV or Class A TV broadcast services, or low power TV service shall be limited to one frequency, or channel, and no application will be accepted for filing if it requests an alternate frequency or channel. Applications specifying split frequency AM operations using one frequency during daytime hours complemented by a different frequency during nighttime hours will not be accepted for filing.

(b) An application for facilities in the experimental and auxiliary broadcast services may request the assignment of more than one frequency if consistent with applicable rules in Part 74. Such applications must specify the frequency or frequencies requested and may not request alternate frequencies.

(c) An application for a construction permit for a new broadcast station, the facilities for which are specified in an outstanding construction permit or license, will not be accepted for filing.

(d) An application for facilities in the International broadcast service may be filed without a request for specific frequency, as the FCC will assign frequencies from time to time in accordance with §§ 73.702 and 73.711.

(e) A petition to deny an application for renewal of license of an existing broadcast station will be considered as timely filed if it is tendered for filing by the end of the first day of the last full calendar month of the expiring license term.

(1) If the license renewal application is not timely filed as prescribed in § 73.3539, the deadline for filing petitions to deny thereto is the 90th day after the FCC gives public notice that it has accepted the late-filed renewal application for filing.

(2) If any deadline falls on a nonbusiness day, the cutoff shall be the close of business of the first full business day thereafter.

(3) The dates when the licenses of all broadcast and broadcast auxiliary services regularly expire are listed in §§ 73.733, 73.1020 and 74.15.

[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 21494, May 18, 1982; 49 FR 47843, Dec. 7, 1984; 51 FR 44071, Dec. 8, 1986; 56 FR 64873, Dec. 12, 1991; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996; 65 FR 30006, May 10, 2000; 89 FR 7258, Feb. 1, 2024]

Contingent applications for new stations and for changes in facilities of existing stations are not acceptable for filing. Contingent applications will be accepted for filing under circumstances described below:

(a) Upon filing of an application for the assignment of a license or construction permit, or for a transfer of control of a licensee or permittee, the proposed assignee or transferee may, upon payment of the processing fee prescribed in Subpart G, Part 1 of this chapter, file applications in its own name for authorization to make changes in the facilities to be assigned or transferred contingent upon approval and consummation of the assignment or transfer. Any application filed pursuant to this paragraph must be accompanied by a written statement from the existing licensee which specifically grants permission to the assignee or permittee to file such application. The processing fee will not be refundable should the assignment or transfer not be approved. The existing licensee or permittee may also file a contingent application in its own name, but fees in such cases also not refundable.

(b) Whenever the FCC determines that processing of any application filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, would be contrary to sound administrative practice or would impose an unwarranted burden on its staff and resources, the FCC may defer processing of such application until the assignment or transfer has been granted and consummated.

(c) Upon payment of the filing fees prescribed in § 1.1111 of this chapter, the Commission will accept two or more applications filed by existing AM licensees for modification of facilities that are contingent upon granting of both, if granting such contingent applications will reduce interference to one or more AM stations or will otherwise increase the area of interference-free service. The applications must state that they are filed pursuant to an interference reduction arrangement and must cross-reference all other contingent applications.

(d) Modified proposals curing conflicts between mutually exclusive clusters of applications filed in accordance with paragraphs (c) of this section will be accepted for 60 days following issuance of a public notice identifying such conflicts.

(e) The Commission will accept up to four contingently related applications filed by FM licensees and/or permittees for minor modification of facilities. Two applications are related if the grant of one is necessary to permit the grant of the second application. Each application must state that it is filed as part of a related group of applications to make changes in facilities, must cross-reference each of the related applications, and must include a copy of the agreement to undertake the coordinated facility modifications. All applications must be filed on the same date. Any coordinated facility modification filing that proposes the cancellation of a community's sole noncommercial educational FM station license also must include a public interest justification. Dismissal of any one of the related applications as unacceptable will result in the dismissal of all the related applications.

Note 1:

No application to move to a frequency in the 1605-1705 kHz band may be part of any package of contingent applications associated with a voluntary agreement.

Note 2:

In cases where no modified proposal is filed pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, the Commission will grant the application resulting in the greatest net interference reduction.

[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 41152, June 18, 1980; 52 FR 5294, Feb. 20, 1987; 53 FR 36787, Sept. 22, 1988; 56 FR 64873, Dec. 12, 1991; 64 FR 19501, Apr. 21, 1999]

While an application is pending and undecided, no subsequent inconsistent or conflicting application may be filed by or on behalf of or for the benefit of the same applicant, successor or assignee.

[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979]

(a) Where the FCC has denied an application for a new station or for any modification of services or facilities, or dismissed such application with prejudice, no like application involving service of the same kind for substantially the same area by substantially the same applicant, or his successor or assignee, or on behalf or for the benefit of the original parties in interest, may be filed within 12 months from the effective date of the FCC's action.

(b) Where an appeal has been taken from the action of the FCC in denying a particular application, another application for the same class of broadcast station and for the same area, in whole or in part, filed by the same applicant, or his successor or assignee, or on behalf of, or for the benefit of the original parties in interest, will not be considered until final disposition of such appeal.

[44 FR 38488, July 2, 1979, as amended at 89 FR 7258, Feb. 1, 2024]

Where there is one application for new or additional facilities pending, no other application for new or additional facilities for a station of the same class to serve the same community may be filed by the same applicant, or successor or assignee, or on behalf of, or for the benefit of the original parties in interest. Multiple applications may not be filed simultaneously.

[44 FR 38488, July 2, 1979]

When there is a pending application for a new low power television or television translator station, or for major changes in an existing station, no other application which would be directly mutually exclusive with the pending application may be filed by the same applicant or by any applicant in which any individual in common with the pending application has any interest, direct or indirect, except that interests or less than 1% will not be considered.

[89 FR 7258, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Broadcast services subject to competitive bidding. (1) Applicants in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding will be subject to the provisions of §§ 73.5002 and 1.2105(b) regarding the modification of their short-form applications.

(2) Subject to the provision of § 73.5005, if it is determined that a long form application submitted by a winning bidder or a non-mutually exclusive applicant for a new station or a major change in an existing station in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding is substantially complete, but contains any defect, omission, or inconsistency, a deficiency letter will be issued affording the applicant an opportunity to correct the defect, omission or inconsistency. Amendments may be filed pursuant to the deficiency letter curing any defect, omission or inconsistency identified by the Commission, or to make minor modifications to the application, or pursuant to § 1.65. Such amendments should be filed in accordance with § 73.3513. If a petition to deny has been filed, the amendment shall be served on the petitioner.

(3) Subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3571, 73.3572 and 73.3573, deficiencies, omissions or inconsistencies in long-form applications may not be cured by major amendment. The filing of major amendments to long-form applications is not permitted. An application will be considered to be newly filed if it is amended by a major amendment.

(4) Paragraph (a) of this section is not applicable to applications for minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM broadcast service, nor to any application for a reserved band FM station.

(b) Reserved Channel FM and reserved noncommercial educational television stations. Applications may be amended after Public Notice announcing a period for filing amendments. Amendments, when applicable, are subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3514, 73.3525, 73.3572, 73.3573, 73.3580, and § 1.65 of this chapter. Unauthorized or untimely amendments are subject to return by the FCC's staff without consideration. Amendments will be accepted as described below and otherwise will only be considered upon a showing of good cause for late filing or pursuant to § 1.65 of this chapter or § 73.3514:

(1) A § 73.7002 Selectee. A Public Notice will announce that the application of a § 73.7002 Selectee (selected based on fair distribution) has been found acceptable for filing. If any Selectee's application is determined unacceptable the application will be returned and the Selectee will be provided one opportunity for curative amendment by filing a petition for reconsideration requesting reinstatement of the application. All amendments filed in accordance with this paragraph must be minor and must not alter the § 73.7002 preference.

(2) A § 73.7003 Tentative Selectee. A Public Notice will announce that the application of a § 73.7003 Tentative Selectee (selected through a point system) has been found acceptable for filing. If any Tentative Selectee's application is determined unacceptable the application will be returned and the Tentative Selectee will be provided one opportunity for curative amendment by filing a petition for reconsideration requesting reinstatement of the application. All amendments filed in accordance with this paragraph must be minor and must claim the same number of qualitative points as originally claimed, or more points than claimed by the applicant with the next highest point total.

(3) A Public Notice will identify all other reserved channel applications, such as non-mutually exclusive applications and the sole remaining application after a settlement among mutually exclusive applications. If any such application is determined unacceptable the application will be returned and the applicant will be provided one opportunity for curative amendment by filing a petition for reconsideration requesting reinstatement of the application. All amendments filed in accordance with this paragraph must be minor.

(c) Minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM broadcast service.

(1) Subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3525, 73.3573, and 73.3580, for a period of 30 days following the FCC's issuance of a Public Notice announcing the tender of an application for minor modification of a non-reserved band FM station, (other than Class D stations), minor amendments may be filed as a matter of right.

(2) For applications received on or after August 7, 1992, an applicant whose application is found to meet minimum filing requirements, but nevertheless is not complete and acceptable, shall have the opportunity during the period specified in the FCC staff's deficiency letter to correct all deficiencies in the tenderability and acceptability of the underlying application, including any deficiency not specifically identified by the staff. [For minimum filing requirements see § 73.3564(a). Examples of tender defects appear at 50 FR 19936 at 19945-46 (May 13, 1985), reprinted as Appendix D, Report and Order, MM Docket No. 91-347, 7 FCC Rcd 5074, 5083-88 (1992). For examples of acceptance defects, see 49 FR 47331.] Prior to the end of the period specified in the deficiency letter, a submission seeking to correct a tender and/or acceptance defect in an application meeting minimum filing requirements will be treated as an amendment for good cause if it would successfully and directly correct the defect. Other amendments submitted prior to grant will be considered only upon a showing of good cause for late filing or pursuant to § 1.65 or § 73.3514.

(3) Unauthorized or untimely amendments are subject to return by the Commission without consideration. However, an amendment to a non-reserved band application will not be accepted if the effect of such amendment is to alter the proposed facility's coverage area so as to produce a conflict with an applicant who files subsequent to the initial applicant but prior to the amendment application. Similarly, an applicant subject to “first come/first serve” processing will not be permitted to amend its application and retain filing priority if the result of such amendment is to alter the facility's coverage area so as to produce a conflict with an applicant which files subsequent to the initial applicant but prior to the amendment.

Note 1 to § 73.3522:

When two or more broadcast applications are tendered for filing which are mutually exclusive with each other but not in conflict with any previously filed applications which have been accepted for filing, the FCC, where appropriate, will announce acceptance of the earliest tendered application and place the later filed application or applications on a subsequent public notice of acceptance for filing in order to establish a deadline for the filing of amendments as a matter of right for all applicants in the group.

[63 FR 48623, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 36378, June 8, 2000]

(a) Whenever applicants for a construction permit for a broadcast station enter into an agreement to procure the removal of a conflict between applications pending before the FCC by withdrawal or amendment of an application or by its dismissal pursuant to § 73.3568, all parties thereto shall, within 5 days after entering into the agreement, file with the FCC a joint request for approval of such agreement. The joint request shall be accompanied by a copy of the agreement, including any ancillary agreements, and an affidavit of each party to the agreement setting forth:

(1) The reasons why it is considered that such agreement is in the public interest;

(2) A statement that its application was not filed for the purpose of reaching or carrying out such agreement;

(3) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals has received any money or other consideration in excess of the legitimate and prudent expenses of the applicant; Provided That this provision shall not apply to bona fide merger agreements;

(4) The exact nature and amount of any consideration paid or promised;

(5) An itemized accounting of the expenses for which it seeks reimbursement; and

(6) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of its application.

(b) Except where a joint request is filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, any applicant filing an amendment pursuant to § 73.3522(b)(1) and (c), or a request for dismissal pursuant to § 73.3568(b)(1) and (c), which would remove a conflict with another pending application; or a petition for leave to amend pursuant to § 73.3522(b)(2) which would permit a grant of the amended application or an application previously in conflict with the amended application; or a request for dismissal pursuant to § 73.3568(b)(2), shall file with it an affidavit as to whether or not consideration (including an agreement for merger of interests) has been promised to or received by such applicant, directly or indirectly, in connection with the amendment, petition or request. Although § 74.780 of this chapter makes this section generally applicable to low power TV and TV translators stations, paragraph (b) of this section shall not be applicable to such stations.

(c) Upon the filing of a petition for leave to amend or to dismiss an application for broadcast facilities which has been designated for hearing or upon the dismissal of such application on the FCC's own motion pursuant to § 73.3568, each applicant or party remaining in hearing, as to whom a conflict would be removed by the amendment or dismissal shall submit for inclusion in the record of that proceeding an affidavit stating whether or not he has directly or indirectly paid or promised consideration (including an agreement for merger of interests) in connection with the removal of such conflict.

(d) Where an affidavit filed pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section states that consideration has been paid or promised, the affidavit shall set forth in full all relevant facts, including, but not limited to, the material listed in paragraph (a) of this section for inclusions in affidavits.

(e) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the applicant, permittee or licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.

(f) Requests and affidavits which relate to an application which has not been designated for hearing shall bear the file number of such application. If the affiant is also an applicant, the affidavit shall also bear the file number of affiant's pending application(s). Requests and affidavits which relate to an application which is designated for hearing shall bear the file number of that application and the hearing docket number and will be acted on by the presiding officer.

(g) For the purposes of this section an application shall be deemed to be “pending” before the FCC and a party shall be considered to have the status of an “applicant” from the time an application is filed with the FCC until an order of the FCC granting or denying it is no longer subject to reconsideration by the FCC or to review by any court.

(h) For purposes of this section, “legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by an applicant in preparing, filing, prosecuting, and settling its application for which reimbursement is being sought.

(i) For purposes of this section, “other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including, but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as non-financial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.

(j) For purposes of this section, an “ancillary agreement” means any agreement relating to the dismissal of an application or settling of a proceeding, including any agreement on the part of an applicant or principal of an applicant to render consulting services to another party or principal of another party in the poroceeding.

(k) The prohibition of collusion as set forth in §§ 1.2105(c) of this chapter and 73.5002, which becomes effective upon the filing of short-form applications, shall apply to all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding.

[56 FR 28097, June 19, 1991, as amended at 63 FR 48624, Sept. 11, 1998; 85 FR 46794, June 18, 2020; 89 FR 7258, Feb. 1, 2024]

This amendment was delayed indefinitely at 89 FR 100876, Dec. 13, 2024.

(a) Responsibility to maintain a file. The following shall maintain for public inspection a file containing the material set forth in this section.

(1) Applicants for a construction permit for a new station in the commercial broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(10) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an application is pending. If the application is granted, paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall apply.

(2) Every permittee or licensee of an AM, FM, TV or Class A TV station in the commercial broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(10) and paragraph (e)(13) of this section. In addition, every permittee or licensee of a commercial TV or Class A TV station shall maintain for public inspection a file containing material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(11) and (e)(15) of this section, and every permittee or licensee of a commercial AM or FM station shall maintain for public inspection a file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(12) and (e)(14) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an authorization is outstanding, and the file shall be maintained so long as an authorization to operate the station is outstanding.

(b) Location of the file. The public inspection file shall be located as follows:

(1) An applicant for a new station or change of community shall maintain its file at an accessible place in the proposed community of license.

(2)(i) A television or radio station licensee or applicant shall place the contents required by paragraph (e) of this section of its public inspection file in the online public file hosted by the Commission.

(ii) A station must provide a link to the public inspection file hosted on the Commission's website from the home page of its own website, if the station has a website, and provide contact information on its website for a station representative that can assist any person with disabilities with issues related to the content of the public files. A station also is required to include in the online public file the station's address and telephone number, and the email address of the station's designated contact for questions about the public file.

(3) The Commission will automatically link the following items to the electronic version of all licensee and applicant public inspection files, to the extent that the Commission has these items electronically: authorizations, applications, contour maps; ownership reports and related materials; portions of the Equal Employment Opportunity file held by the Commission; “The Public and Broadcasting”; Letters of Inquiry and other investigative information requests from the Commission, unless otherwise directed by the inquiry itself; Children's television programming reports; and DTV transition education reports. In the event that the online public file does not reflect such required information, the licensee will be responsible for posting such material.

(c) Access to material in the file. For any applicant described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that does not include all material described in paragraph (e) of this section in the online public file hosted by the Commission, the portion of the file that is not included in the online public file shall be available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours at an accessible place in the community of license. The applicant must provide information regarding the location of the file, or the applicable portion of the file, within one business day of a request for such information. All or part of the file may be maintained in a computer database, as long as a computer terminal is made available, at the location of the file, to members of the public who wish to review the file. Material in the public inspection file shall be made available for printing or machine reproduction upon request made in person. The applicant may specify the location for printing or reproduction, require the requesting party to pay the reasonable cost thereof, and may require guarantee of payment in advance (e.g., by requiring a deposit, obtaining credit card information, or any other reasonable method). Requests for copies shall be fulfilled within a reasonable period of time, which generally should not exceed 7 days.

(d) Responsibility in case of assignment or transfer. (1) In cases involving applications for consent to assignment of broadcast station construction permits or licenses, with respect to which public notice is required to be given under the provisions of § 73.3580 or § 73.3594, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the assignor. If the assignment is consented to by the FCC and consummated, the assignee shall maintain the file commencing with the date on which notice of the consummation of the assignment is filed with the FCC. The assignee shall retain public file documents obtained from the assignor for the period required under these rules.

(2) In cases involving applications for consent to transfer of control of a permittee or licensee of a broadcast station, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the permittee or licensee.

(e) Contents of the file. The material to be retained in the public inspection file is as follows:

(1) Authorization. A copy of the current FCC authorization to construct or operate the station, as well as any other documents necessary to reflect any modifications thereto or any conditions that the FCC has placed on the authorization. These materials shall be retained until replaced by a new authorization, at which time a copy of the new authorization and any related materials shall be placed in the file.

(2) Applications and related materials. A copy of any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with all related material, and copies of Initial Decisions and Final Decisions in hearing cases pertaining thereto. If petitions to deny are filed against the application and have been served on the applicant, a statement that such a petition has been filed shall be maintained in the file together with the name and address of the party filing the petition. Applications shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the application, except that applications for a new construction permit granted pursuant to a waiver showing and applications for assignment or transfer of license granted pursuant to a waiver showing shall be retained for as long as the waiver is in effect. In addition, license renewal applications granted on a short-term basis shall be retained until final action has been taken on the license renewal application filed immediately following the shortened license term.

(3)(i) Citizen agreements. A copy of every written citizen agreement. These agreements shall be retained for the term of the agreement, including any renewal or extension thereof.

(ii) For purposes of this section, a citizen agreement is a written agreement between a broadcast applicant, permittee, or licensee, and one or more citizens or citizen groups, entered for primarily noncommercial purposes. This definition includes those agreements that deal with goals or proposed practices directly or indirectly affecting station operations in the public interest, in areas such as—but not limited to—programming and employment. It excludes common commercial agreements such as advertising contracts; union, employment, and personal services contracts; network affiliation, syndication, program supply contracts, etc. However, the mere inclusion of commercial terms in a primarily noncommercial agreement—such as a provision for payment of fees for future services of the citizen-parties (see “Report and Order,” Docket 19518, 57 FCC 2d 494 (1976))—would not cause the agreement to be considered commercial for purposes of this section.

(4) Contour maps. A copy of any service contour maps, submitted with any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with any other information in the application showing service contours and/or transmitter location (State, county, city, street address, or other identifying information). These documents shall be retained for as long as they reflect current, accurate information regarding the station.

(5) Ownership reports and related materials. A copy of the most recent, complete ownership report filed with the FCC for the station, together with any statements filed with the FCC certifying that the current report is accurate, and together with all related material. These materials shall be retained until a new, complete ownership report is filed with the FCC, at which time a copy of the new report and any related materials shall be placed in the file. The permittee or licensee must retain in the public file either a copy of the station documents listed in § 73.3613(a) through (c) or an up-to-date list of such documents. If the permittee or licensee elects to maintain an up-to-date list of such documents, the list must include all the information that the permittee or licensee is required to provide on ownership reports for each document, including, but not limited to, a description of the document, the parties to the document, the month and year of execution, the month and year of expiration, and the document type (e.g., network affiliation agreement, articles of incorporation, bylaws, management consultant agreement with independent contractor). Regardless of which of these two options the permittee or licensee chooses, it must update the inventory of § 73.3613 documents in the public file to reflect newly executed § 73.3613 documents, amendments, supplements, and cancellations within 30 days of execution thereof. Licensees and permittees that choose to retain a list of § 73.3613 documents must provide a copy of any § 73.3613 document(s) to requesting parties within 7 days. In maintaining copies of such documents in the public file or providing copies upon request, confidential or proprietary information may be redacted where appropriate.

(6) Political file. Such records as are required by § 73.1943 to be kept concerning broadcasts by candidates for public office. These records shall be retained for the period specified in § 73.1943 (2 years).

(7) Equal Employment Opportunity file. Such information as is required by § 73.2080 to be kept in the public inspection file. These materials shall be retained until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.

(8) The public and broadcasting. At all times, a copy of the most recent version of the manual entitled “The Public and Broadcasting.”

(9) [Reserved]

(10) Material relating to FCC investigation or complaint. Material having a substantial bearing on a matter which is the subject of an FCC investigation or complaint to the FCC of which the applicant, permittee, or licensee has been advised. This material shall be retained until the applicant, permittee, or licensee is notified in writing that the material may be discarded.

(11)(i) TV issues/programs lists. For commercial TV and Class A broadcast stations, every three months a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period. The list for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October—December, April 10 for the quarter January—March, etc.) The list shall include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment. The description of the programs shall include, but shall not be limited to, the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issue was treated. The lists described in this paragraph shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.

(ii) Records concerning commercial limits. For commercial TV and Class A TV broadcast stations, records sufficient to permit substantiation of the station's certification, in its license renewal application, of compliance with the commercial limits on children's programming established in 47 U.S.C. 303a and § 73.670. The records for each calendar year must be filed by the thirtieth day of the succeeding calendar year. These records shall be retained until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.

(iii) Children's television programming reports. For commercial TV broadcast stations on an annual basis, a completed Children's Television Programming Report (“Report”), on FCC Form 2100 Schedule H, reflecting efforts made by the licensee during the preceding year to serve the educational and informational needs of children. The Report is to be electronically filed with the Commission by the thirtieth (30) day of the succeeding calendar year. A copy of the Report will also be linked to the station's online public inspection file by the FCC. The Report shall identify the licensee's educational and informational programming efforts, including programs aired by the station that are specifically designed to serve the educational and informational needs of children. The Report shall include the name of the individual at the station responsible for collecting comments on the station's compliance with the Children's Television Act, and it shall be separated from other materials in the public inspection file. These Reports shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.

(12) Radio issues/programs lists. For commercial AM and FM broadcast stations, every three months a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period. The list for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October—December, April 10 for the quarter January—March, etc.). The list shall include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment. The description of the programs shall include, but shall not be limited to, the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issue was treated. The lists described in this paragraph shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.

(13) Local public notice announcements. Each applicant for renewal of license shall, within 7 days of the last day of broadcast of the local public notice of filing announcements required pursuant to § 73.3580(c)(3), place in the station's online public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with this paragraph (e)(13). The dates and times that the on-air announcements were broadcast shall be made part of the certifying statement. The certifying statement shall be retained in the public file for the period specified in § 73.3580(e)(2) (for as long as the application to which it refers).

(14) Radio and television time brokerage agreements. For commercial radio and television stations, a copy of every agreement or contract involving time brokerage of the licensee's station or of another station by the licensee, whether the agreement involves stations in the same markets or in differing markets, with confidential or proprietary information redacted where appropriate. These agreements shall be placed in the public file within 30 days of execution and retained in the file as long as the contract or agreement is in force.

(15) Must-carry or retransmission consent election. Statements of a commercial television or Class A television station's election with respect to either must-carry or re-transmission consent, as defined in §§ 76.64 and 76.1608 of this chapter. These records shall be retained for the duration of the three year election period to which the statement applies. Commercial television stations shall, no later than July 31, 2020, provide an up-to-date email address and phone number for carriage-related questions and respond as soon as is reasonably possible to messages or calls from multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). Each commercial television station is responsible for the continuing accuracy and completeness of the information furnished.

(16) Radio and television joint sales agreements. For commercial radio and commercial television stations, a copy of agreement for the joint sale of advertising time involving the station, whether the agreement involves stations in the same markets or in differing markets, with confidential or proprietary information redacted where appropriate. These agreements shall be placed in the public file within 30 days of execution and retained in the file as long as the contract or agreement is in force.

(17) Class A TV continuing eligibility. Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the Class A television station is continuing to meet the eligibility requirements set forth at § 73.6001.

(18) Shared service agreements. For commercial television stations, a copy of every Shared Service Agreement for the station (with the substance of oral agreements reported in writing), regardless of whether the agreement involves commercial television stations in the same market or in different markets, with confidential or proprietary information redacted where appropriate. For purposes of this paragraph, a Shared Service Agreement is any agreement or series of agreements in which:

(1) A station provides any station-related services, including, but not limited to, administrative, technical, sales, and/or programming support, to a station that is not directly or indirectly under common de jure control permitted under the Commission's regulations; or

(2) Stations that are not directly or indirectly under common de jure control permitted under the Commission's regulations collaborate to provide or enable the provision of station-related services, including, but not limited to, administrative, technical, sales, and/or programming support, to one or more of the collaborating stations. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “station” includes the licensee, including any subsidiaries and affiliates, and any other individual or entity with an attributable interest in the station.

(19) Foreign sponsorship disclosures. Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the station is continuing to meet the requirements set forth at § 73.1212(j)(7).

(f)(1) For purposes of this section, action taken on an application tendered with the FCC becomes final when that action is no longer subject to reconsideration, review, or appeal either at the FCC or in the courts.

(2) For purposes of this section, the term “all related material” includes all exhibits, letters, and other documents tendered for filing with the FCC as part of an application, report, or other document, all amendments to the application, report, or other document, copies of all documents incorporated therein by reference and not already maintained in the public inspection file, and all correspondence between the FCC and the applicant pertaining to the application, report, or other document, which according to the provisions of §§ 0.451 through 0.461 of this chapter are open for public inspection at the offices of the FCC.

[63 FR 49497, Sept. 16, 1998] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 73.3526, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

This amendment was delayed indefinitely at 89 FR 100876, Dec. 13, 2024.

(a) Responsibility to maintain a file. The following shall maintain for public inspection a file containing the material set forth in this section.

(1) Applicants for a construction permit for a new station in the noncommercial educational broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraph (e)(2) and (e)(11) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an application is pending. If the application is granted, paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall apply.

(2) Every permittee or licensee of an AM, FM, or TV station in the noncommercial educational broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(11) of this section. In addition, every permittee or licensee of a noncommercial educational TV station shall maintain for public inspection a file containing material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(12) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an authorization is outstanding, and the file shall be maintained so long as an authorization to operate the station is outstanding.

(b) Location of the file. The public inspection file shall be located as follows:

(1) An applicant for a new station or change of community shall maintain its file at an accessible place in the proposed community of license.

(2)(i) A noncommercial educational television or radio station licensee or applicant shall place the contents required by paragraph (e) of this section of its public inspection file in the online public file hosted by the Commission.

(ii) A station must provide a link to the online public inspection file hosted by the Commission from the home page of its own website, if the station has a website, and provide contact information for a station representative on its website that can assist any person with disabilities with issues related to the content of the public files. A station also is required to include in the online public file hosted by the Commission the station's address and telephone number, and the email address of the station's designated contact for questions about the public file.

(3) The Commission will automatically link the following items to the electronic version of all licensee and applicant public inspection files, to the extent that the Commission has these items electronically: Authorizations; applications; contour maps; ownership reports and related materials; portions of the Equal Employment Opportunity file held by the Commission; and “The Public and Broadcasting”.

(c) Access to material in the file. For any applicant described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that does not include all material described in paragraph (e) of this section in the online public file hosted by the Commission, the portion of the file that is not included in the online public file shall be available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours at an accessible place in the community of license. The applicant must provide information regarding the location of the file, or the applicable portion of the file, within one business day of a request for such information. All or part of the file may be maintained in a computer database, as long as a computer terminal is made available, at the location of the file, to members of the public who wish to review the file. Material in the public inspection file shall be made available for printing or machine reproduction upon request made in person. The applicant may specify the location for printing or reproduction, require the requesting party to pay the reasonable cost thereof, and may require guarantee of payment in advance (e.g., by requiring a deposit, obtaining credit card information, or any other reasonable method). Requests for copies shall be fulfilled within a reasonable period of time, which generally should not exceed 7 days.

(d) Responsibility in case of assignment or transfer. (1) In cases involving applications for consent to assignment of broadcast station construction permits or licenses, with respect to which public notice is required to be given under the provisions of § 73.3580 or § 73.3594, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the assignor. If the assignment is consented to by the FCC and consummated, the assignee shall maintain the file commencing with the date on which notice of the consummation of the assignment is filed with the FCC. The assignee shall retain public file documents obtained from the assignor for the period required under these rules.

(2) In cases involving applications for consent to transfer of control of a permittee or licensee of a broadcast station, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the permittee or licensee.

(e) Contents of the file. The material to be retained in the public inspection file is as follows:

(1) Authorization. A copy of the current FCC authorization to construct or operate the station, as well as any other documents necessary to reflect any modifications thereto or any conditions that the FCC has placed on the authorization. These materials shall be retained until replaced by a new authorization, at which time a copy of the new authorization and any related materials shall be placed in the file.

(2) Applications and related materials. A copy of any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with all related material, including supporting documentation of any points claimed in the application pursuant to § 73.7003, and copies of FCC decisions pertaining thereto. If petitions to deny are filed against the application and have been served on the applicant, a statement that such a petition has been filed shall be maintained in the file together with the name and address of the party filing the petition. Applications shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the application, except that applications for a new construction permit granted pursuant to a waiver showing and applications for assignment or transfer of license granted pursuant to a waiver showing shall be retained for as long as the waiver is in effect. In addition, license renewal applications granted on a short-term basis shall be retained until final action has been taken on the license renewal application filed immediately following the shortened license term.

(3) Contour maps. A copy of any service contour maps, submitted with any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with any other information in the application showing service contours and/or transmitter location (State, county, city, street address, or other identifying information). These documents shall be retained for as long as they reflect current, accurate information regarding the station.

(4) Ownership reports and related materials. A copy of the most recent, complete ownership report filed with the FCC for the station, together with any subsequent statement filed with the FCC certifying that the current report is accurate, and together with all related material. These materials shall be retained until a new, complete ownership report is filed with the FCC, at which time a copy of the new report and any related materials shall be placed in the file. The permittee or licensee must retain in the public file either a copy of the station documents listed in § 73.3613(a) through (c) or an up-to-date list of such documents. If the permittee or licensee elects to maintain an up-to-date list of such documents, the list must include all the information that the permittee or licensee is required to provide on ownership reports for each document, including, but not limited to, a description of the document, the parties to the document, the month and year of execution, the month and year of expiration, and the document type (e.g., network affiliation agreement, articles of incorporation, bylaws, management consultant agreement with independent contractor). Regardless of which of these two options the permittee or licensee chooses, it must update the inventory of § 73.3613 documents in the public file to reflect newly executed § 73.3613 documents, amendments, supplements, and cancellations within 30 days of execution thereof. Licensees and permittees that choose to maintain a list of § 73.3613 documents must provide a copy of any § 73.3613 document(s) to requesting parties within 7 days. In maintaining copies of such documents in the public file or providing copies upon request, confidential or proprietary information may be redacted where appropriate.

(5) Political file. Such records as are required by § 73.1943 to be kept concerning broadcasts by candidates for public office. These records shall be retained for the period specified in § 73.1943 (2 years).

(6) Equal Employment Opportunity file. Such information as is required by § 73.2080 to be kept in the public inspection file. These materials shall be retained until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.

(7) The Public and Broadcasting. At all times, a copy of the most recent version of the manual entitled “The Public and Broadcasting.”

(8) Issues/Programs lists. For nonexempt noncommercial educational broadcast stations, every three months a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period. The list for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October-December, April 10 for the quarter January-March, etc.). The list shall include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment. The description of the programs shall include, but shall not be limited to, the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issue was treated. For the purposes of this section, exempt applicants, permittees, or licensees include those whose existing or prospective facilities are Class D FM stations or whose programming is wholly “Instructional”.

(9) Donor lists. The lists of donors supporting specific programs. These lists shall be retained for two years from the date of the broadcast of the specific program supported.

(10) Local public notice announcements. Each applicant for renewal of license shall, within 7 days of the last day of broadcast of the local public notice of filing announcements required pursuant to § 73.3580(c)(3), place in the station's online public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with this paragraph (e)(10). The dates and times that the on-air announcements were broadcast shall be made part of the certifying statement. The certifying statement shall be retained in the public file for the period specified in § 73.3580(e)(2) (for as long as the application to which it refers).

(11) Material relating to FCC investigation or complaint. Material having a substantial bearing on a matter which is the subject of an FCC investigation or complaint to the FCC of which the applicant, permittee, or licensee has been advised. This material shall be retained until the applicant, permittee, or licensee is notified in writing that the material may be discarded.

(12) Must-carry requests. Noncommercial television stations shall, no later than July 31, 2020, provide an up-to-date email address and phone number for carriage-related questions and respond as soon as is reasonably possible to messages or calls from multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). Each noncommercial television station is responsible for the continuing accuracy and completeness of the information furnished. Any such station requesting mandatory carriage pursuant to part 76 of this chapter shall place a copy of such request in its public file and shall retain both the request and relevant correspondence for the duration of any period to which the request applies.

(13) [Reserved]

(14) Information on Third-Party Fundraising. For noncommercial educational broadcast stations that interrupt regular programming to conduct fundraising activities on behalf of a third-party non-profit organization pursuant to § 73.503(e) (FM stations) or § 73.621(f) (television stations), every three months, the following information for each third-party fundraising program or activity: The date, time, and duration of the fundraiser; the type of fundraising activity; the name of the non-profit organization benefitted by the fundraiser; a brief description of the specific cause or project, if any, supported by the fundraiser; and, to the extent that the station participated in tallying or receiving any funds for the non-profit group, an approximation of the total funds raised. The information for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October-December, April 10 for the quarter January-March, etc.).

(15) Foreign sponsorship disclosures. Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the station is continuing to meet the requirements set forth at § 73.1212(j)(7).

(f)(1) For purposes of this section, a decision made with respect to an application tendered with the FCC becomes final when that decision is no longer subject to reconsideration, review, or appeal either at the FCC or in the courts.

(2) For purposes of this section, the term “all related material” includes all exhibits, letters, and other documents tendered for filing with the FCC as part of an application, report, or other document, all amendments to the application, report, or other document, copies of all documents incorporated therein by reference and not already maintained in the public inspection file, and all correspondence between the FCC and the applicant pertaining to the application, report, or other document, which according to the provisions of §§ 0.451 through 0.461 of this chapter are open for public inspection at the offices of the FCC.

[63 FR 49499, Sept. 16, 1998] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 73.3527, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

(a) Application for construction permit, or modification of a construction permit, for a new facility or change in an existing facility is to be made on the following forms:

(1) FCC Form 2100, Schedule A (TV); FCC Form 2100, Schedule 301-FM (FM), FCC Form 2100, Schedule 301-AM (AM), “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an Existing Commercial Broadcast Station.”

(2) FCC Form 309, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an Existing International or Experimental Broadcast Stations.” For International Broadcast Stations, applications shall be filed electronically in the International Communications Filing System (ICFS).

(3) [Reserved]

(4) FCC Form 2100, Schedule A (TV); FCC Form 2100, Schedule 340 (FM), “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in a Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station.”

(5) FCC Form 2100, Schedule C, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in a Low Power TV or TV Translator Station.”

(6) FCC Form 2100, Schedule 349, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an FM Translator or FM Booster Station.”

(7) FCC Form 2100, Schedule 318, “Application for Construction Permit for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station.”

(8) FCC Form 2100, Schedule E, “Application for Authority to Make Changes in a Class A TV Station.”

(b) The filing of an application for modification of construction permit does not extend the expiration date of the construction permit.

(c) In each application referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, the applicant will provide the Antenna Structure Registration Number (FCC Form 854R) of the antenna structure upon which it will locate its proposed antenna. In the event the antenna structure does not already have a Registration Number, either the antenna structure owner shall file FCC Form 854 (“Application for Antenna Structure Registration”) in accordance with part 17 of this chapter or the applicant shall provide a detailed explanation why registration and clearance of the antenna structure is not necessary.

[44 FR 38494, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982; 49 FR 32582, Aug. 15, 1984; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 53 FR 36788, Sept. 22, 1988; 61 FR 4367, Feb. 6, 1996; 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 68 FR 12761, Mar. 17, 2003; 69 FR 72043, Dec. 10, 2004; 86 FR 54401, Oct. 1, 2021; 88 FR 21447, Apr. 10, 2023; 89 FR 7259, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The application for station license shall be filed by the permittee pursuant to the requirements of § 73.1620 Program tests.

(b) The following application forms shall be used:

(1)(i) Form 2100, Schedule 302-AM for AM stations, “Application for AM Station License.”

(ii) Form 2100, Schedule 302-FM for FM stations, “Application for FM Station License.”

(iii) Form 2100, Schedule B for television stations, “Application for TV Station Broadcast License.”

(2) FCC Form 310, “Application for an International or Experimental Broadcast Station License.”

(3) [Reserved]

(4) FCC Form 2100, Schedule D, “Application for a Low Power TV or TV Translator Station License.”

(5) FCC Form 2100, Schedule 350, “Application for an FM Translator or FM Booster Station License.”

(6) FCC Form 2100, Schedule 319, “Application for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station License.”

(c) Eligible low power television stations which have been granted a certificate of eligibility may file FCC Form 2100, Schedule F, “Application for Class A Television Broadcast Station License.”

[44 FR 38495, July 2, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 32582, Aug. 15, 1984; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 51 FR 18451, May 20, 1986; 51 FR 32088, Sept. 9, 1986; 52 FR 31400, Aug. 20, 1987; 53 FR 36788, Sept. 22, 1988; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000; 68 FR 12761, Mar. 17, 2003; 69 FR 72043, Dec. 10, 2004; 89 FR 7259, Feb. 1, 2024]

See § 73.1675, Auxiliary facility.

[62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997]

Where prior authority is required from the FCC to make changes in an existing station, the following procedures shall be used to request that authority:

(a) An application for construction permit using the forms listed in § 73.3533 must be filed for authority to:

(1) Make any of the changes listed in § 73.1690(b).

(2) Change the hours of operation of an AM station, where the hours of operation are specified on the license or permit.

(3) Install a transmitter which has not been approved (type accepted) by the FCC for use by licensed broadcast stations.

(4) Any change in the location, height, or directional radiating characteristics of the antenna or antenna system.

(b) An informal application filed in accordance with § 73.3511 is to be used to obtain authority to modify or discontinue the obstruction marking or lighting of the antenna supporting structure where that specified on the station authorization either differs from that specified in 47 CFR part 17, or is not appropriate for other reasons.

[44 FR 38495, July 2, 1979, as amended at 44 FR 69935, Dec. 5, 1979; 49 FR 4000, Feb. 1, 1984; 52 FR 21685, June 9, 1987; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 66 FR 20758, Apr. 25, 2001; 82 FR 57884, Dec. 8, 2017]

(a) Unless otherwise directed by the FCC, an application for renewal of license shall be filed not later than the first day of the fourth full calendar month prior to the expiration date of the license sought to be renewed, except that applications for renewal of license of an experimental broadcast station shall be filed not later than the first day of the second full calendar month prior to the expiration date of the license sought to be renewed. If any deadline prescribed in this paragraph falls on a nonbusiness day, the cutoff shall be the close of business of the first full business day thereafter. For International Broadcast Stations, applications shall be filed electronically in the International Communications Filing System (ICFS).

(b) No application for renewal of license of any broadcast station will be considered unless there is on file with the FCC the information currently required by §§ 73.3612 through 73.3615, inclusive, for the particular class of station.

(c) Whenever the FCC regards an application for a renewal of license as essential to the proper conduct of a hearing or investigation, and specifically directs that it be filed by a date certain, such application shall be filed within the time thus specified. If the licensee fails to file such application within the prescribed time, the hearing or investigation shall proceed as if such renewal application had been received.

(d) Renewal application forms titles and numbers are listed in § 73.3500, Application and Report Forms.

[44 FR 38495, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982; 49 FR 32582, Aug. 15, 1984; 86 FR 54401, Oct. 1, 2021; 88 FR 3539, Apr. 10, 2023]

(a) Prior consent of the FCC must be obtained for a voluntary assignment or transfer of control.

(b) Application should be filed with the FCC at least 45 days prior to the contemplated effective date of assignment or transfer of control.

(c) Application for consent to the assignment of construction permit or license must be filed on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 314 “Assignment of License or Construction Permit” or FCC Form 2100 Schedule 316 (See paragraph (f) of this section). For International Broadcast Stations, the application shall be filed electronically in the International Communications Filing System (ICFS).

(d) Application for consent to the transfer of control of an entity holding a construction permit or license must be filed on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 315 “Transfer of Control” or FCC Form 2100 Schedule 316 (see paragraph (f) of this section). For International Broadcast Stations, applications shall be filed electronically in ICFS.

(e) Application for consent to the assignment of construction permit or license or to the transfer of control of an entity licensee or permittee for an FM or TV translator station, a low power TV station and any associated auxiliary station, such as translator microwave relay stations and UHF translator booster stations, only must be filed on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 345 “Application for Consent to Assign Construction Permit or License for TV or FM Translator or Low Power TV Station or to Transfer Control of Entity Holding TV or FM Translator, or a Low Power TV Station.”

(f) The following assignment or transfer applications may be filed on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 316:

(1) Assignment from an individual or individuals (including partnerships) to a corporation owned and controlled by such individuals or partnerships without any substantial change in their relative interests;

(2) Assignment from a corporation to its individual stockholders without effecting any substantial change in the disposition of their interests;

(3) Assignment or transfer by which certain stockholders retire and the interest transferred is not a controlling one;

(4) Corporate reorganization which involves no substantial change in the beneficial ownership of the corporation;

(5) Assignment or transfer from a corporation to a wholly owned subsidiary thereof or vice versa, or where there is an assignment from a corporation to a corporation owned or controlled by the assignor stockholders without substantial change in their interests; or

(6) Assignment of less than a controlling interest in a partnership.

[44 FR 38496, July 2, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 21486, May 12, 1983; 49 FR 47843, Dec. 7, 1984; 50 FR 32416, Aug. 12, 1985; 86 FR 54402, Oct. 1, 2021; 88 FR 21448, Apr. 10, 2023; 89 FR 7259, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) The FCC shall be notified in writing promptly of the death or legal disability of an individual permittee or licensee, a member of a partnership, or a person directly or indirectly in control of a corporation which is a permittee or licensee.

(b) Within 30 days after the occurrence of such death or legal disability, an application on FCC Form 2100 Schedule 316 shall be filed requesting consent to involuntary assignment of such permit or license or for involuntary transfer of control of the entity holding such permit or license, to a person or entity legally qualified to succeed to the foregoing interests under the laws of the place having jurisdiction over the estate involved.

[44 FR 38496, July 2, 1979, as amended at 89 FR 7259, Feb. 1, 2024]

(a) Authority may be granted, on a temporary basis, in extraordinary circumstances requiring emergency operation to serve the public interest. such situations include: emergencies involving danger to life and property; a national emergency proclaimed by the President or the Congress of the U.S.A and; the continuance of any war in which the United States is engaged, and where such action is necessary for the national defense or security or otherwise in furtherance of the war effort.

(1) An informal application may be used. The FCC may grant such construction permits, station licenses, modifications or renewals thereof, without the filing of a formal application.

(2) No authorization so granted shall continue to be effective beyond the period of the emergency or war requiring it.

(3) Each individual request submitted under the provisions of this paragraph shall contain, as a minimum requirement, the following information:

(i) Name and address of applicant.

(ii) Location of proposed installation or operation.

(iii) Official call letters of any valid station authorization already held by applicant and the station location.

(iv) Type of service desired (not required for renewal or modification unless class of station is to be modified).

(v) Frequency assignment, authorized transmitter power(s), authorized class(es) of emission desired (not required for renewal; required for modification only to the extent such information may be involved).

(vi) Equipment to be used, specifying the manufacturer and type or model number (not required for renewal; required for modification only to the extent such information may be involved).

(vii) Statements to the extent necessary for the FCC to determine whether or not the granting of the desired authorization will be in accordance with the citizenship eligibility requirements of section 310 of the Cummunications Act.

(viii) Statement of facts which, in the opinion of the applicant, constitute an emergency to be found by the FCC for the purpose of this section. This statement must also include the estimated duration of the emergency and if during an emergency or war declared by the President or Congress, why such action, without formal application, is necessary for the national defense or security or in furtherance of the war effort.

(b) Emergency operating authority issued under this section may be cancelled or modified by the FCC without prior notice or right to hearing. See also § 73.1250, Broadcasting Emergency Information, for situations in which emergency operation may be conducted without prior authorization, and § 73.1635, Special Temporary Authorization (STA), for temporary operating authorizations necessitated by circumstances not within the ambit of this section.

[50 FR 30948, July 31, 1985, as amended at 63 FR 33878, June 22, 1998]

Where prior authority from the FCC is not required to make certain changes in the station authorization or facilities, but a modified station license must be obtained, the following procedures shall be used to obtain modification of the station license:

(a) The changes specified in § 73.1690(c) may be made by the filing of a license application using the forms listed in § 73.3536(b)(1).

(b) An electronic filing via LMS of an Administrative Update, see § 73.3511(b), may be filed with the FCC, to cover the following changes:

(1) A correction of the routing instructions and description of an AM station directional antenna system field monitoring point, when the point itself is not changed.

(2) A change in the type of AM station directional antenna monitor. See § 73.69.

(3) The location of a remote control point of an AM or FM station when prior authority to operate by remote control is not required.

(c) A change in the name of the licensee where no change in ownership or control is involved may be accomplished by electronically filing via LMS an Administrative Update.

[44 FR 38497, July 2, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 20483, Mar. 28, 1980; 50 FR 32416, Aug. 12, 1985; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 63 FR 33878, June 22, 1998; 67 FR 13232, Mar. 21, 2002; 82 FR 57884, Dec. 8, 2017; 89 FR 7259, Feb. 1, 2024]

Application under section 325(c) of the Communications Act for authority to locate, use, or maintain a broadcast studio in connection with a foreign station consistently received in the United States, should be made on FCC Form 308, “Application for Permit to Deliver Programs to Foreign Broadcast Stations.” An informal application may be used by applicants holding an AM, FM or TV broadcast station license or construction permit. Informal applications must, however, contain a description of the nature and character of the programming proposed, together with other information requested on Page 4 of Form 308. All applications must be filed electronically in the International Communications Filing System (ICFS).

[86 FR 54402, Oct. 1, 2021, as amended at 88 FR 21448, Apr. 10, 2023]

Requests for extension of authority to operate without required monitors, transmission system indicating instruments, or encoders and decoders for monitoring and generating the EAS codes and Attention Signal should be made to the FCC by electronically filing an STA via LMS. Such requests must contain information as to when and what steps were taken to repair or replace the defective equipment and a brief description of the alternative procedures being used while the equipment is out of service.

[89 FR 7260, Feb. 1, 2024]