license renewal question

[kalimba]

I am aware that for a few months before license renewal, radio stations are required to air a public announcement on a regular basis. What is that announcement required to include? Is it different for a non-comm vs. a commercial station?

Thanks for your help !

 

[tpt]

The announcements are the same, and must be run at specific times. There is an exception for non-coms who may only operate limited hours.

You can find the exact text in the FCC rules at Section 73.3580. Go to FCC.Gov, and scroll down on the left hand menu to "rules" which takes you to the CFR.

Here's the fill-in the blank pre-filing announcement:

"Our license will expire on [date]. We must file an application for renewal with the FCC [date 4 calendar months prior to expiration]. When filed, a copy of this application willl be available for public inspection during our regular business hours. It contains information concerning the station's performance during the last [period of time covered by the application, usually 7 yer license period].

Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application and to whether this station has operated in the public interest should file comments and petitions with the FCC by [date of first day of last calendar month prior to month of expiration].

Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is avaialble at [address where your public file is kept] or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington D.C. 20554."

The precise times for running the announcement are in the rule. Best practice is to print out the announcement (with the blanks filled in) and have the announcer or operator write on it when it aired, then stick it in the public file. Be sure your public file is up-to-date, and includes the "Public and Broadcasting" (PDF download from FCC.Gov). There are groups filing share-time apps on full-time non-coms. All of them have been shot down, as far as I know, but they may jump on minor problems with the public file.

You will also have to file an updated ownership report at the about same time as you file your renewal app., as well as an EEO report. Both are filed electronically, as is the renewal application.

 

[kalimba]

Thanks so much for your reply, and for your helpful suggestions.

I went to the FCC site and I have another quick question regarding when these notices are broadcast.

Are the announcements read on the required days only one time per day?

It seems that, given the time frame, the pre-filing is read on 4 days, and the post-filing is read on 5 days.

The FCC mandates specific times for 2-4 pre-filing announcements,(what do they mean by "and/or" ) and 6 post-filing announcements.

So, does that mean that on one of those days, the post-filing announcement is read 2 times in one day?

What is standard practice in this area?

Thanks again.

 

[tpt]

Lets take an example. Your license expires January 1, 2006.

The 6th month before filing is July 1, 2005. Application due September 1, 2005 (4 mths before).

Therefore you would begin the pre-filing annoucnements on July 1, 2005. and follow with announcements on 16 July, 1 August and 16 August. The announcements would be one per day, either between 7 and 9 AM or 4 and 6 PM.

Now if you filed your renewal on August 10th, then you would run the post-filing announcement on August 16, and continue on the 1st and 16th of the month until November 16th. Again one per day, either morning or evening.

 

[kalimba]

Got it !!
Thank you so much -

 

[RockManAC]

> Therefore you would begin the pre-filing annoucnements on
> July 1, 2005. and follow with announcements on 16 July, 1
> August and 16 August. The announcements would be one per
> day, either between 7 and 9 AM or 4 and 6 PM.

Hmm... Only one play is specified in the FCC rules per day? We ran ours twice, once in the 5p news and once in the 6p news.

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