At the June FCC Open Meeting, the Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in MB Docket 03-185 in regards to Low Power TV (LPTV) stations operating on Channel 6 that provide an analog FM radio service on 87.75 MHz.  REC and the FCC refer to these as "FM6" stations and they are commonly referred to as "Franken FM" stations.  The FCC is also considering changes that would eliminate the reserved band FM Channel 6 protection requirements and to extend the FM broadcast band to 82.1 MHz in areas where no channel 6 operations are taking place.

As we proceed through the aftermath of the 2021 NCE Filing Window, some may be asking, how long it is going to take for the FCC to start granting applications.  If we attempt to compare to the 2007 NCE window, it may be a challenge to compare since the 2007 window was much more enormous in scale.  In 2007, the FCC received over 3,000 applications, which resulted in the establishment of 457 groups of mutually exclusive (MX) applications.  By comparison, in the 2021 window, the FCC received 1,282 applications, resulting in 231 MX groups.

Between February 4 and February 9, 2022, REC Networks (REC) conducted an exercise where in order to better predict the potential winners of mutually exclusive (MX) groups from the 2021 NCE Filing Window (Window), we reviewed applications that were subject to comparative review in the point system.  As such, we examined documents provided in order to support claims for the established local presence, diversity and state-wide network points.  If we had found a lack of supporting documentation or documentation contrary to the points being claimed, we would reject those claims in our system, note the reason for the rejection of those claims, re-compare the group and in some cases, select a new potential winner.

REC has completed the annnual inventory of Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations.  The results of the inventory can be found at LPFM.us.  LPFM stations should check their listing and if there are any corrections, or we were not able to find any information and you have that information, please use the form link at the bottom of that page in order to send your updates to REC.  They will be added once confirmed.

REC Networks returns to normal operations on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Thank you for your patience during the holidays.  Please have a good and safe 2022!