AM Revitalization Order With 2017 FM Translator Window Approved, Not Yet Released
The FCC voted to approve an AM revitalization order that includes a 2017 AM-only window for FM translator applications, said agency and industry officials during Thursday’s commissioner meeting and in subsequent interviews. The text of the item hasn't been released and won’t be until at least Friday, said a Media Bureau spokeswoman. Chairman Tom Wheeler and Media Bureau Chief Bill Lake confirmed during a news conference Thursday in response to our questions that the item was approved.
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Commissioner Ajit Pai, who has vocally supported including an AM-only translator window in the order (see 1510080048), said during his and Commissioner Mike O'Rielly's own news conference that he was “pleased” with the final order. Pai, O'Rielly, Lake and Wheeler didn't comment on the order's details. Pai and O’Rielly told us they voted for the item. An industry official told us that all five commissioners approved the revitalization order.
Industry officials told us the order includes language that would open an AM-only application window for FM translators in 2017, as had been suggested by Pai and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. The 2017 window is in addition to the chairman- and bureau-supported waiver window that would take place next year, during which AM licensees will be able to relocate existing translators from as far as 250 miles away. Both windows would be structured to give preference to Class C and D AM licensees, giving them their own windows within the windows for moving or buying a translator before other stations, an agency official told us.
The translator windows are in addition to the other less controversial portions of the AM revitalization order, the official said. These include proposals for waiver policies and changes to make it easier for AM stations to operate, and changes to standards seen as out of date, officials have told us.
The revitalization order also includes a Further NPRM seeking comment on reducing skywave protections for Class A AM stations, officials told us. National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters President Jim Winston said he supports the proposal, because the skywave protections make it harder for some smaller AM stations to operate. IHeartMedia visited the commission to lobby against the idea last month (see 1510150067).