Federal Register: FCC (Broadcasting)

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) repeals the national television multiple ownership rule (national cap), which prohibits a commercial television licensee from having a cognizable interest in television stations that have an aggregate national audience reach above 39%. The Commission finds, given seismic changes in the modern media marketplace, that the rule's repeal will help empower local broadcast television stations to operate in the public interest and to better serve the needs and interests of their local communities. The Commission will review on a case-by-case basis proposed transactions that would have been prohibited under the national cap to determine whether a proposed transaction would serve the Commission's media ownership goals of localism, competition, and viewpoint diversity.

This document amends the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules by substituting VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 at St. George, Utah in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by KUTV Licensee, LLC (Licensee), licensee of full power television station KMYU(TV) (KMYU or Station), St. George, Utah. The Media Bureau (Bureau) previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Licensee to substitute UHF channel 21 for VHF channel 9 at St. George, Utah in the Table. The Licensee subsequently filed an application for a construction permit for its new channel, which remains pending due to certain unresolved engineering matters. The Licensee now states that upon further consideration and restraints, it wishes to abandon its plans to modify its license for KMYU to operate on channel 21. The Licensee filed the instant petition to amend the Table to substitute VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 and allow KMYU to continue to operate on channel 9 at its licensed parameters. The staff engineering analysis finds that the proposal is in compliance with the Commission's principal community coverage and technical requirements, including the interference protection requirements. In support of its channel substitution request, the Licensee filed comments reaffirming its interest and stating that it commits to promptly take any and all steps that may be necessary to effectuate the channel substitution proposed in the petition. An individual commenter, Steven Quinn Singleton (Singleton), also filed comments, but did not explicitly object to the proposed channel change. For the reasons discussed in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau denied Singleton's comments.

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Gray Television Licensee, LLC (Gray), the licensee of KOSA-TV (KOSA-TV), Odessa, Texas (Odessa). Gray held a construction permit to construct a facility on UHF channel 31 at Odessa, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 7 for UHF channel 31 in the Table, with the technical parameters as set forth in KOSA-TV's current license. The Media Bureau previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by Gray to substitute UHF channel 31 for VHF channel 7 at Odessa. Gray states that it is unable to complete construction of its new channel within the time specified on the construction permit, and therefore requests amendment of the Table to allow it to continue to operate on VHF channel 7 at its currently licensed technical parameters to provide uninterrupted service to viewers. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel 7 can be substituted for UHF channel 31 at Odessa as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of the Commission's rules. In addition, we find that this channel change meets the technical requirements set forth in the Commission's rules.

In this document, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts an Order that removes a section of the Commission's Rules and references to that section to conform the Commission's Rules to the decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in National Religious Broadcasters v. FCC.

This document amends the Table of TV Allotments (table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules by substituting VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 at Elko, Nevada in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Reno (KENV-TV) Licensee, Inc. (Licensee), the licensee of full power television station KENV-DT (KENV-DT or Station), Elko, Nevada. The Media Bureau (Bureau) previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Licensee to substitute UHF channel 20 for VHF channel 10 at Elko in the table, and subsequently granted a construction permit for its new channel. The Licensee states that it was unable to complete construction of the channel 20 facility by the deadline specified in the Station's construction permit. The Licensee filed the instant petition to amend the table to substitute VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 and allow KENV-DT to continue to operate on channel 10 at its licensed parameters and provide uninterrupted service to viewers. The staff engineering analysis finds that the proposal is in compliance with the Commission's principal community coverage and technical requirements, including the interference protection requirements. In support of its channel substitution request, the Licensee filed comments reaffirming its interest and stating that it commits to promptly take any and all steps that may be necessary to effectuate the channel substitution proposed in the petition. An individual commenter, Steven Quinn Singleton, also filed comments, which, for the reasons discussed in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau denied.

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Iowa Public Broadcasting Board (Licensee), the licensee of noncommercial educational PBS member television station KDIN-TV (KDIN-TV), Des Moines, Iowa (Des Moines). The Licensee holds a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel *34 at Des Moines, and now requests to substitute VHF channel *11 for UHF channel *34 in the Table, with the technical parameters as set forth in KDIN-TV's current license. The Media Bureau previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Licensee to substitute UHF channel *34 in place of VHF channel *11 at Des Moines. The Licensee states that it is now unable to complete construction of the channel *34 facility within the time specified on the construction permit, and therefore requests amendment of the Table to allow it to continue to operate on VHF channel *11 at its currently licensed technical parameters to provide uninterrupted service to viewers. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel *11 can be substituted for UHF channel *34 at Des Moines as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements. In addition, we find that this channel change meets the technical requirements as well as the Commission's interference protection requirements.

This document amends the Table of FM Allotments, of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules, by substituting Channel 258A for vacant Channel 248A at Whitehall, Michigan. A staff engineering analysis determines that Channel 258A can be allotted to Whitehall consistent with the Commission's minimum distance separation requirements, with a site restriction of 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) northwest of the community. The reference coordinates are 43-28-30 NL and 86-27-38 WL. The window period for filing applications for Channel 258A at Whitehall, Michigan will not be opened at this time. Instead, the issue of opening this allotment for filing will be addressed by the Commission in subsequent order. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

This document amends the Table of FM Allotments, of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules, by deleting vacant Channel 288A at Selmer, Tennessee, because it does not comply with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's rules. Channel 288A at Selmer, Tennessee is short-spaced to Station WVNA-FM by nine kilometers, and there are no alternate channels available to alleviate the existing spacing conflict that would comply with the Commission's spacing requirements. The deletion of vacant Channel 288A at Selmer is consistent with the Commission's policy that we will not retain a vacant FM channel that does not comply with the Commission's spacing requirements.

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission (Georgia Public Broadcasting or Petitioner), the licensee of noncommercial educational television station WVAN-TV (WVAN-TV or Station), Savannah, Georgia (Savannah). The Petitioner requests the substitution of UHF channel *18 in place of its current VHF channel *8 at Savannah in the Table, with the technical parameters specified in the Petition. In support of its channel substitution request, the Petitioner asserts that allowing the Station to move to a UHF channel would serve the public interest by improving the community's access to WVAN-TV's locally produced programs. The Petitioner observes that the Commission has recognized that VHF channels have certain characteristics that have posed challenges for their use in providing digital television service, including propagation characteristics allowing undesired signals and noise to be receivable at relatively farther distances. Additionally, the Petitioner notes that the Commission has observed large variability in the performance of indoor antennas available to consumers, with most antennas receiving fairly well at UHF and the substantial majority not so well to very poor at high-VHF. An engineering statement provided by the Petitioner confirms that the proposed channel *18 contour would provide full principal community coverage to Savannah and that the proposed channel substitution contour would not cause impermissible interference to any other licensed facilities. When taking into account the ability of viewers to obtain PBS programming from other nearby stations, the proposed channel substitution would not cause any loss of service.

This document amends the Table of TV Allotments (table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules by substituting channel 10 for channel 36 at Norwell, Massachusetts in response to a Petition for Rulemaking filed by RNN Boston License Co., LLC (RNN), the licensee of WWDP(TV) (WWDP or Station), Norwell, Massachusetts. In support of its channel substitution request, RNN filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and stating that it will promptly file an application seeking continued operation on channel 10 at Norwell. The staff engineering analysis finds that the proposal is in compliance with the Commission's principal community coverage and technical requirements, including the interference protection requirements. The substitution of channel 10 for channel 36 in the Table will allow the Station to continue to operate on its licensed channel and provide uninterrupted service to viewers.

The Federal Communications Commission published a document in the Federal Register of February 10, 2026, concerning the modification of its rules in the Table of Allotments. The document contained an incorrect DA number.

This document corrects the final rule portion of a Federal Register document published on July 3, 2024. That document inadvertently included an error in a section heading of regulatory text. This document corrects the final regulations.

This document amends the Table of FM Allotments, of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules, by reinstating certain channels as a vacant FM allotment in various communities. The FM allotments were previously removed from the FM Table because a construction permit and/or license was granted. These FM allotments are now considered vacant because of the cancellation of the associated FM authorizations. A staff engineering analysis confirms that all of the vacant FM allotments complies with the minimum distance separation requirements and principle community coverage requirements of the Commission's rules. The window period for filing applications for these vacant FM allotments will not be opened at this time. Instead, the issue of opening these allotments for filing will be addressed by the Commission in subsequent order.

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by One Ministries, Inc. (Petitioner), the licensee of NCE television station KEDS(TV) (KEDS or Station), Colusa, California (Colusa). The Petitioner requests the substitution of UHF channel *14 in place of its current VHF channel *2 at Colusa in the Table with the technical parameters specified in the Petition. In support of its channel substitution request, the Petitioner asserts that allowing the Station to move to a UHF channel would serve the public interest by improving signal reception for viewers. The Petitioner observes that the Commission has recognized that VHF channels have certain characteristics that have posed challenges for their use in providing digital television service, including propagation characteristics allowing undesired signals and noise to be receivable at relatively farther distances. Additionally, the Petitioner notes that the Commission has observed large variability in the performance of indoor antennas available to consumers, with most antennas receiving fairly well at UHF and the substantial majority not so well to very poor at high-VHF. An engineering statement provided by the Petitioner confirms that the proposed channel *14 contour would provide full principal community coverage to Colusa.

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by KUTV Licensee, LLC (Licensee), the Licensee of full service television station KMYU(TV) (KMYU or Station), St. George, Utah (St. George). The Licensee applied for a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel 21 at St. George, which remains pending, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 in the Table with technical parameters set forth in KMYU's current license. The Media Bureau previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Licensee to substitute UHF channel 21 for VHF channel 9 at St. George. The Licensee later filed an application for a CP for its new channel, however, under further consideration and restraints, wishes to abandon its plans to modify its license for KMYU to operate on channel 21, and proposes to continue to operate on VHF channel 9 and specify the technical parameters of its currently licensed VHF channel 9 facility. The substitution of VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 in the Table will allow the Station to remain on the air and continue to provide service to viewers within its service area. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel 9 can be substituted for UHF channel 21 at St. George as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Sec. 73.618(a) of the Commission's rules.

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Reno (KENV-TV) Licensee, Inc. (Licensee), the Licensee of full service television station KENV-DT (KENV-DT or Station), Elko, Nevada (Elko). The Licensee holds a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel 20 at Elko, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 in the Table with technical parameters set forth in KENV-DT's current license. In support of its channel substitution request, the Petitioner asserts that substitution of VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 in the Table will allow the Station to remain on the air and continue to provide service to viewers within its service area. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel 10 can be substituted for UHF channel 20 at Elko as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Sec. 73.618(a) of the Commission's rules.

This document summarizes the procedures, deadlines, and upfront payment and minimum opening bid amounts for the upcoming auction of FM broadcast construction permits. The Auction 114 Procedures Public Notice summarized here provides details regarding the procedures, terms, conditions, dates, and deadlines governing participation in Auction 114 bidding, as well as overview of the post- auction application and payment processes.

This document requests comments on a proposal to amend the Table of FM Allotments, by substituting Channel 258A for vacant Channel 248A at Whitehall, Michigan. A staff engineering analysis determines that Channel 258A can be allotted to Whitehall consistent with the Commission's minimum distance separation requirements, with a site restriction of 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) northwest of the community. The reference coordinates are 43-28-30 NL and 86-27-38 WL. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget has approved new information collection requirements under OMB Control Numbers 3060-0016, 3060-0466 and 3060-1216, as adopted in the Commission's Report and Order, FCC 25-84.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopts eligibility restrictions and a limit on the number of applications that each applicant may file in the upcoming 2026 filing window for applications for new noncommercial educational (NCE) reserved band FM translator station construction permits.