FCC Clarifies Eligibility and Points System for Noncommercial FM Translator Filing Window

The FCC has clarified the requirements for points system qualification for the 14-day noncommercial FM translator filing window scheduled to occur between November 4, 2026 at 12:01am ET and November 17, 2026 at 6pm ET.

To qualify for filing window participation, applicants must already be licensee of the proposed FM translator’s primary station, however, the public notice clarifies that an applicant that is the proposed assignee or transferee of an existing NCE FM, noncommercial AM radio broadcast station, or LPFM station (primary station) that the proposed FM translator station will rebroadcast may file applications in the window, provided that: (1) an assignment of license or transfer of control application for the primary station is on file at the time of filing the NCE reserved band FM translator station construction permit application, and (2) the proposed assignee or transferee requests a temporary waiver of section 74.1233(b)(5)(i) of the rules.

On the points system, the notice clarified that even though FM translators are not technically assigned a “community of license” and therefore don’t have to provide coverage over that entire community, the FCC will still require that, to qualify for the three “local established applicant” points, an applicant must propose to provide a 60 dBu contour over some portion of the proposed community of license.

Separately, the notice clarifies that to qualify for the two points for “diversity of ownership,” an applicant must certify that the 60 dBu contour of the proposed NCE FM translator station does not overlap with: (1) the principal community contour of any existing full-service AM, or the principal community (70 dBu) contour of a full-service FM or LPFM radio station, or (2) the 60 dBu contour of any existing non-fill-in FM translator station, in which the applicant, or any party to the application, holds an attributable interest.

Applications filed during the window must be electronically submitted in LMS using the Form 2100, Schedule 349 FM translator construction permit application, which is currently available for applicants to begin working on applications.  Applicants may only have attributable interests in 10 applications in the window. The FCC’s earlier notice announcing filing procedures remains in place.

Any permits granted in the window will be subject to a 4-year holding period prohibiting a change in primary station or a sale of the translator without the primary station.

The FCC is implementing a limited filing freeze beginning October 2, 2026 on all LPFM, FM translator and FM booster station minor mod applications, which will continue through the close of the filing window.