The Federal Communications Commission recently announced another batch of tentative winners of construction permits for new noncommercial educational FM stations.
These are the tentative winners of 32 groups of mutually exclusive, or MX, applications. There were a total of 231 MX groupings coming out of the 2021 NCE filing window; the commission is resolving them in batches over time.
These MX applicants had an opportunity to settle among themselves but did not do so; the FCC then made its selections based on a “threshold fair distribution of service” analysis, a point system and tiebreakers. (Due to the noncommercial nature of the NCE service, MX applications for station CPs are not subject to auction but are resolved via these comparative procedures.)
The announcement was issued in late October and triggers a 30-day period for the filing of petitions to deny, during which other applicants or their lawyers can challenge the FCC’s reasoning.
The list of chosen organizations is below. The FCC announcement includes a justification for each choice.
In one case, Group 104 in Kentucky, two applicants were told to work out a time-share agreement. In a few cases, the commission updated an earlier announcement with fresh reasoning but in only one case, Group 57 in Florida, was the initial tentative selectee changed.
Group 2 — Educational Media Foundation and Christian Broadcasting Inc. both sought a CP to serve the community of Soldotna, Alaska. Christian Broadcasting is the tentative selectee.
Group 4 — Christian Broadcasting Inc. and Alaska Multi Culture Corp. also each propose to serve Soldotna, Alaska; in this case, Alaska Multi Culture is the tentative selectee.
Group 6 —The National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS) and Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church sought a station in Noxapater, Miss. NAPS is the tentative selectee.
Group 8A — Faith Broadcasting Inc. proposes to serve Eufaula, Ala., while Eufaula Christian Radio proposes to serve Cuthbert, Ga. Eufala Christian is the tentative selectee.
Group 8B — Uchee Pines Institute proposes to serve Hurtsboro, Ala., while B. Jordan Communications proposes to serve Tuskegee. Uchee Pines is the tentative selectee.
Group 11 — Hope-Prescott Inc. and April R. Love Foundation seek to serve Emmet, Ark. Hope-Prescott is the tentative selectee.
Group 13 — The Blue Mantle Educational Association and Priority Radio Inc. seek to serve Cabot, Ark. Priority Radio is the tentative winner.
Group 27 — Mother Lode Community Radio and Nevada City Community Broadcast Group sought a CP in Twain Harte, Calif. Mother Lode is the tentative selectee.
Group 47 —Yale Broadcasting Company Inc. and Connecticut Public Broadcasting Inc. applied to serve Moosup, Conn. Yale Broadcasting is the tentative selectee.
Group 52 — Vida Ministry Inc. sought to serve Duck Key, Fla., while Ethree Group Inc. proposes to serve Key Colony Beach. Fla. Ethree Group previously was named the tentative selectee and the FCC has affirmed that status.
Group 57 — This grouping has five entrants, and the commission has changed its choice after review. Ethree Group Inc. proposes to serve Cypress Quarters. Northeast Gospel Broadcasting Inc. proposes to serve Ft. Pierce. World Federation of Pastors and Ministers of the Full Gospel, Inc., Indian River State College and Montgomery Broadcasting, Inc. all propose to serve Okeechobee. The FCC previously identified Ethree Group as tentative selectee but has changed course and now chosen Indian River State College.
Group 61 — Restored Together Radio Inc. and Church Planters of America each want a CP in Lincolnton, Ga. Restored Together gets the tentative nod.
Group 70 — Guam Educational Radio Foundation proposes to serve Agana, Guam, while Chief Hurao Inc. proposes to serve Barrigada, Guam. Chief Hurao is the tentative choice.
Group 74 — Vanguard Association of Sunbelt Colleges Corporation proposes to serve Dubuque, Iowa, while Augustana College wants to serve Epworth, Iowa. Vanguard Association is tentative selectee.
Group 76 — Heritage Baptist Church and Sound in Spirit Broadcasting Inc. want to serve Burlington, Iowa. Heritage Baptist Church is the tentative selectee.
Group 82 — Idaho State Board of Education and Our Lady of the Snows Foundation, Inc. seek a CP in Ketchum, Idaho. Our Lady of the Snows is the tentative choice.
Group 83 — First Baptist Church of Riverview and Salt & Light Radio Inc. seek to serve Mountain Home, Idaho. First Baptist is the tentative selectee.
Group 88 — Covenant Network and 2820 Communications Inc. seek a CP in Macomb, Ill. The latter organization is the tentative selectee.
Group 89 — Northern Illinois University proposes to serve Galena, Ill., while VCY America Inc. proposes to serve Mineral, Wis. Northern Illinois University got the nod.
Group 96A —Vanguard Association of Sunbelt Colleges Corporation (VASCC) and The Association for Community Education Inc. want to serve Battle Ground, Ind. VASCC is the tentative selectee.
Group 102B — Klmx Educational Foundation and Great Plains Christian Radio Inc. want to serve Dalhart, Texas. Klmx Educational Foundation is the tentative selectee.
Group 104 — Johnson County Board of Education and Paintsville Church of Christ want to serve Paintsville, Ky. The FCC selection process results in a tie, so the FCC has directed the two organizations to submit a voluntary time-sharing agreement.
Group 122 — Bible Broadcasting Network Inc. and Grand Forks Bible Study Group want to serve Grand Forks, N.D. Grand Forks Bible Study Group is the tentative selectee.
Group 152 — Good News Broadcasting Network Inc. and New Hope Baptist Church Gallup each proposes to serve Gallup, N.M., while Gallup Public Radio proposes to serve Saint Michaels, Ariz. The FCC previously identified Gallup Public Radio as the tentative selectee, and after further review, that status is upheld.
Group 159 — Lucky Boy Educational Media Inc. and Aok Broadcasting want to serve Pahrump, Nev. AoK Broadcasting gets the tentative nod.
Group 162 — JCM Radio Inc. and World Federation of Pastors and Ministers of the Full Gospel Inc. want to serve Oak Beach-Captree, N.Y. JCM Radio is the tentative selectee.
Group 163 — World Federation of Pastors and Ministers of the Full Gospel Inc. (WFP) proposes to serve East Moriches, N.Y., while Iglesia Misioneras de Evagelizacion de Jovenes Cristianos de NY Inc. proposes to serve Flanders, N.Y. The tentative selectee is WFP.
Group 165 — Soaring Eagle Promotions Inc. and Side By Side Inc. seek a CP in Nevada, Ohio. Side By Side is the tentative choice.
Group 166 — Spirit Communications Inc. proposes to serve Delphos, Ohio, and Holy Family Communications proposes to serve Van Wert, Ohio. Holy Family is the tentative choice.
Group 168 — Hope Radio of Hillsboro and Saint Mary Catholic Broadcasting seek a CP in Hillsboro, Ohio. Hope Radio is the tentative choice.
Group 173 — KRH Educational Foundation proposes to serve Chickasha, Okla., while Ministerio Espiritu Santo proposes to serve Lindsay, Okla. KRH got the tentative nod.
Group 178 — Growing Christian Foundation and Cascade Educational Broadcast Service both want to serve Seaside, Ore. Cascade is the tentative selectee.