First-Ever NCE FM Translator Filing Window Coming in 2026

On February 18, the FCC adopted a public notice proposing applicant qualifications and a 10-application filing limit for a first-ever NCE FM translator filing window to be scheduled later this year. Comments are due quickly, within 15 days of publication in the Federal Register and reply comments within 25 days of publication in the Federal Register.

Based on the tight comment deadlines, we anticipate that the FCC will vote on this item at its April meeting, which will give the FCC’s Media Bureau a green light to issue a public notice announcing filing window dates and procedures. For your planning purposes, our educated guess is that we’ll see the Media Bureau’s notice sometime in May with a filing window in July or August.  Applications will require certification of various matters to be decided using a points system.