License Renewal Insights & Tips

For this license renewal cycle, many radio stations now have FM translators they did not own for the last license renewal. The way those are renewed is as an addendum to the license renewal application of the primary station, so be sure to include the translator there. But don’t assume that the pre- or post-filing announcements for the primary station “cover” the FM translator as well. The current rule (hopefully to be changed as part of an ongoing rulemaking proceeding, see later article) is that FM translators must publish a newspaper notice at least once immediately after the filing of the license renewal application in a daily, weekly, or biweekly newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served by the translator.  If there is no such newspaper, the required notice should be posted in a public place and a copy retained for reference.