The FCC has released a draft Report and Order for tentative consideration at its Open Commission Meeting on March 26, proposing significant updates to broadcast rules that would reduce regulatory burdens on U.S. radio and television stations.
The draft, circulated publicly on Thursday, in MB Docket No. 24-626 aims to modernize regulations in Parts 1, 73, 74, and 76 of the FCC's rules. These changes align the rules with current Media Bureau application processing practices, clarify ambiguous provisions, harmonize inconsistent language, and eliminate references to outdated procedures and legacy systems (such as the old Consolidated Database System, or CDBS).
Key proposed changes directly affecting radio broadcasters (including AM, FM, LPFM, and translators) include:
- Allowing Special Temporary Authorities (STAs) for technical or equipment issues to extend up to the full 180 days (instead of the current 90-day limit for initial technical STAs), reducing the need for frequent refilings during urgent situations like equipment failures.
- Eliminating the minimum 20% power increase requirement for certain AM station facility modifications, giving AM broadcasters more flexibility to adjust power levels for better coverage, efficiency, or compliance with community needs amid ongoing challenges like interference.
- Updating AM station classification definitions (e.g., for Class B and Class D stations in §73.21) to fully align with international agreements revised in 1991 but not consistently reflected in current rules.
- Codifying existing practices for processing minor changes (e.g., in LPFM stations), revising informal objection procedures (including service requirements, response limits, and deadlines), expanding who can sign certain application certifications, and removing irrelevant legacy provisions like the expired 2021 NCE FM window application cap.
These proposals build on a December 2024 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and have received broad support from industry groups such as the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and REC Networks, which view them as noncontroversial steps to streamline operations and improve licensing efficiency without altering core ownership limits or public interest obligations.
The item is part of Chairman Brendan Carr's push to eliminate unnecessary regulations and support broadcasters facing economic and competitive pressures from digital platforms. The draft remains tentative—the Commission could modify, adopt, or reject elements during the March 26 vote. If adopted, the Report and Order would be published with an effective date (typically after Federal Register notice). Broadcasters should check fcc.gov for the final Sunshine Agenda (released about a week before the meeting) and note applicable ex parte restrictions.
This rulemaking continues the FCC's broader deregulation efforts to make broadcast rules clearer, more functional, and reflective of modern practices.