While I await answers on a couple of recent reader questions, here’s a general topic that used to come up more often: Is it possible to start a new radio station? What’s the process?
It depends on what kind of a radio station you want to start and where you want it to be located. And if you want to sign on soon, the answer is no.
If you want a new 100kW FM in Minneapolis, the answer is no. The FM dial in and near most rated markets does not have any room for new full-power allotments.
The process for getting a new full-power commercial FM is pretty long, too. First, you have to petition the FCC to allot a vacant frequency to a particular community. Then you have to wait years until the next FCC auction (none has been announced), and you may have to compete with other bidders.
For any other type of radio service (AM, non-commercial FM, low-power FM, FM translators), you have to wait for the FCC to open a filing window. There are no scheduled filing windows for new stations in any of those services, though the FCC’s website does say there will be another LPFM filing window at some point in the future.
For new FM’s in the non-commercial portion of the band (88-92 MHz), you just missed your opportunity. The FCC held a filing window last year and is still working through the last competing applications, though many permits have already been granted. Almost all of them are in rural areas.
Existing FM translators have proven to be a quicker workaround to sign on new formats in communities large and small. Translators are only allowed to relay another station and cannot originate their own programming. But it is possible for a translator’s programming to originate on an HD2 or HD3 channel, or an AM station.
There are cases, such as W221BS/92.1 (St. Paul) and K294AM/106.7 (West St. Paul), where commercial broadcasters lease an HD subchannel from another station to originate programming for their translator. There are also many cases in which an AM station is used to feed an FM translator with a format that mostly identifies as an FM station.
Of course, even translators are now hard to come by. Demand shot up once the FCC began allowing the HD subchannel and AM relays.
Long story short: It’s a long process to start a new radio station, and after decades of growth and multiple filing windows for LPFM and translators, it’s probably not even possible in or near any populated area. You’re better off to buy or lease an existing station.
Do you have a question about broadcasting? Email jonellis@northpine.com and I’ll do my best to find an answer!
READ: More Ask NorthPine questions and answers
LINK: FCC Factsheet on How to Apply for a Radio or Television Broadcast Station