The FCC last week asked for comment on a number of proposals designed to increase station ownership by minorities and other “socially disadvantaged businesses.”
The proposals include a proposition submitted by the Minority and Media Telecommunications Council to allow “a grandfathered cluster of radio stations that otherwise exceeds the applicable ownership cap to be transferred in its entirety to any third party — just small business entities — subject to a condition that the third party transfer the stations exceeding the cap within 12 months to a small business.”
MMTC believes the approach would increase the opportunities for small businesses by providing extra time for a new entrant to raise the necessary capital to bid for the station.
Comments on the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking are due Oct. 1.
