As we proceed through the aftermath of the 2021 NCE Filing Window, some may be asking, how long it is going to take for the FCC to start granting applications.  If we attempt to compare to the 2007 NCE window, it may be a challenge to compare since the 2007 window was much more enormous in scale.  In 2007, the FCC received over 3,000 applications, which resulted in the establishment of 457 groups of mutually exclusive (MX) applications.  By comparison, in the 2021 window, the FCC received 1,282 applications, resulting in 231 MX groups.

Let’s be up front on one issue before we continue, many years ago, REC issued a position statement about unlicensed operation of a broadcast station, commonly referred to as “pirate radio”.

Between February 4 and February 9, 2022, REC Networks (REC) conducted an exercise where in order to better predict the potential winners of mutually exclusive (MX) groups from the 2021 NCE Filing Window (Window), we reviewed applications that were subject to comparative review in the point system.  As such, we examined documents provided in order to support claims for the established local presence, diversity and state-wide network points.  If we had found a lack of supporting documentation or documentation contrary to the points being claimed, we would reject those claims in our system, note the reason for the rejection of those claims, re-compare the group and in some cases, select a new potential winner.

The Federal Communications Commission has announced today that effective Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 5PM ET, electronic filings in the Commission's Consolidated Database System (CDBS) will no longer be accepted.  This is the next step in the overall retirement of CDBS.  On September 25, 2019, the FCC moved all FM broadcast engineering applications from CDBS to LMS and on November 18, 2020, the FCC moved assignments of license and transfer of control applications from CDBS to LMS. 

REC has completed the annnual inventory of Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations.  The results of the inventory can be found at LPFM.us.  LPFM stations should check their listing and if there are any corrections, or we were not able to find any information and you have that information, please use the form link at the bottom of that page in order to send your updates to REC.  They will be added once confirmed.

REC Networks returns to normal operations on Monday, January 3, 2022.