Prometheus Files an Informal Objection to Nearly 1000 FM Translator Applications

Posted on May 31st, 2018 by

On May 16, 2018, Prometheus Radio Project, a pro-LPFM advocate and two other organizations filed an Informal Objection to nearly 1000 pending FM Translator applications.  The gist of the Informal Objection is a claim that the Commission did not provide sufficient protection for future LPFMs in its recent AM Revitalization/FM Translator windows.  It is our belief that the objection has a number of flaws—including that the objection functions as an untimely attempt to review the AM Revitalization Orders and that the Petitioners have no standing (no connection to the case and  no harm suffered) to challenge virtually any of the individual applications.

Interestingly, the Commission, on May 22, 2018 the Commission released a decision on Prometheus’ Petition for Reconsideration of the Commission’s February 2017 Second Report and Order in the AM Revitalization docket. In that decision, the Commission rejects at least part of Prometheus’ assertions in the Informal Objection related to protecting future LPFM applications.

The Commission staff has informally encouraged pending translator applicants to hold off on responding the Informal Objection (hopefully because they intend to dismiss the Objection in full). At the very least, expect that the filing of this Informal Objection will delay the processing and grant of pending transmitter applications.