Noncommercial FM Filing Window Scheduled for November 2-9, 2021

After pre-announcing last October that a filing window for new noncommercial FM stations would be opened in 2021, the FCC has now announced November 2-9, 2021 as the one-week filing window, beginning at 12:01 p.m. EDT on the first day and ending at 6:00 p.m. EST on the last day.  On the same day as its announcement, the FCC also issued a public notice establishing a ten application per applicant limit for the filing window.

The actual procedures for the filing window have not yet been released, but have been promised by the FCC at a future, undisclosed date.  Though, for the last such filing window nearly 14 years ago, the FCC issued the procedures only about 60 days in advance of the window, they may do so earlier this time.   For those possibly interested in participating in the filing window, we highly recommend a review of the FCC’s recent changes to the way it decides who wins a noncommercial construction permit when there are competing applicants for the same spectrum.