The FCC has issued a Report and Order in MB Docket 14-127 in regards to the public file and political file obligations of radio stations, satellite radio providers (Sirius/XM), direct broadcast satellite providers (DIRECTV & DISH) and cable television providers. 

Based on our inquiry to the FCC, it has been confirmed that this Report and Order does not apply to LPFM stations.  LPFM stations will continue to keep their political files on paper and as a part of the station records.  LPFM stations will not have access to upload public or political file data. 

First and foremost, the order does not add any new public file reporting requirements for LPFM stations.  LPFM stations are not required to maintain a public file but are required to maintain a political file. (§73.801 and §73.1943)

Starting Friday, January 29 and running for six months until July 28, 2016, the FCC is opening an opportunity for AM stations to be able to obtain existing FM translators and be able to move them to their area.  The parameters for this window are as follows:

The FCC has denied an Application for Review that was filed by Nueva Esperanza, Inc. in the disputed MX Group #304 in the Philadelphia area.  This group was originally awarded to a voluntary 4-way time share group that aggregated time share group which included three Germantown-based groups and South Philadelphia Rainbow Committee. 

The FCC has issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order which denies the Application for Review that was filed by WKMJ Radio Live The People Station, Inc. WKMJ applied for an LPFM construction permit during the 2013 LPFM filing window for Pinellas Park, Florida.

For the backstory, see: FCC denies LPFM application for pirate operations (opens new window)

In the Application for Review, WKMJ states that were not "afforded due process" to address the allegations of radio piracy which WKMJ contended was based on an "unsworn police report" from the Pinellas Park Police Department. In that case, the prosecutor did not seek any charges and the local criminal case was dropped. In addition, a Notice of Unauthorized Operation (NOUO) was issued by the field Enforcement Bureau of the FCC stating that the party to the application was engaging in activity in violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act.

On November 16, 2015, the FCC opened a filing window for 69 non-commercial educational (NCE) translator applications filed during the 2003 Auction 83 "Great Translator Invasion" window which remain mutually exclusive.

These 69 applicants must file a full Form 349 including section IV for Point System Factors.

The 69 applicants, divided into 31 groups will have until December 16, 2015 where they can make "minor" changes to their applications.  Any major changes, new conflicts or new mutually exclusitivity will result in dismissal with no opportunity to amend. 

MX applicants are in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.  Most groups are two applicants.  One group spanning Indiana and Kentucky has 4 applicants. 

Applications will be accepted first-come, first-served.  There is no application freeze for LPFM.

If mutual exclusitivity remains after December 16, 2015, a point system will be used.  7 total points are possible: