Final FM Booster Local Program Origination Rules Adopted

A week ago, the FCC released its Report & Order adopting new rules to allow FM boosters to originate three minutes of each hour to programming different from the content of the primary station they are retransmitting.  Designed to hyper-localize content for groups of primary station listeners, the new opportunity is a change to how FM boosters have been historically solely used to rebroadcast signals to areas with poor reception of the primary station’s signal.

Certain technical advances now enable FM boosters to customize content within station service areas, even though they operate on the same frequency as the primary station.  While temporary experimental use of FM boosters for local content has been allowed since April 2024, the FCC’s Order makes the processing, licensing, and service rules permanent.

Applications for new FM boosters will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, whether they are filed for the traditional “fill-in” purpose or simply to establish a new signal within an area in order to localize content.  For existing FM boosters, or for any new FM booster, a local program origination notification will have to be filed with the FCC at least 15 days before local origination can begin.

The new rules will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register, expected in the next several weeks.  In the interim, the FCC has directed the Media Bureau to develop the local origination notification form to be filed in LMS.  The form will require a broadcaster to provide: (1) the call sign and facility identification number of the program originating FM booster station; (2) if applicable, the date on which the program originating FM booster station will commence or has terminated originating content; (3) the name and telephone number of a technical representative the Commission or the public can contact in the event of interference; (4) a certification that the program originating FM booster station complies with all Emergency Alert System (EAS) requirements in part 11 of our Rules; (5) a certification that the program originating FM booster station will originate programming for no more than three minutes of each broadcast hour; and (6) a certification that the program originating FM booster minimizes interference to the primary station through synchronization or terrain shielding. Booster licensees will be required to file the notification form in the LMS database 15 days prior to commencing origination and 30 days after permanently terminating origination.

If your station is interested in commencing local origination on an existing FM booster, or filing for a new FM booster authorization, we are available to assist.