Community radio advocates have been busy helping launch more low-power FM radio stations since the completion of the FCC’s 2023 filing window for new applicants.
There were 1,335 applications filed in the window, and some of those who received CPs have begun operations or are preparing to sign on. The FCC says it has granted more than 600 new applications for LPFM service, 43 of which were on the air as of late 2024.
The agency has been working to resolve competing applications in situations where more than one entity applied in a community, known as mutually exclusive or MX groups.
Common Frequency, or CF, is an activist group that assists non-commercial FM and low-power FM broadcasters, community groups, educational institutions and other nonprofits with U.S. radio opportunities.
A non-profit group, CF says it is dedicated to supporting innovative new community and college radio. It provides free or low-cost aid and has been supporting grassroots startup stations since 2006.
CF was founded in Northern California, taking inspiration from Prometheus Radio Project and from freeform and college radio stations at the time like WFMU, KDVS, KFJC and KUSF, according to its website.
LPFM service has become a main focus. The low-power service was launched in 2000. According to the FCCs latest quarterly report, there are 1,976 LPFM licensees, down from nearly 2,200 about eight years ago but poised to grow again thanks to the recent filing window.
We asked Todd Urick, chief executive officer at CF, about the origins of the organization, current interest in community broadcasting and the launch of new LPFMs.
Radio World: What was Common Frequency’s objectives when it started, and have these changed?
Todd Urick: The group’s intent was to approach various communities with no local NCE radio, and work with local nonprofits to build a community station for locals to participate in to develop diverse and interesting programming. After the Telecommunications Act of 1996, commercial radio was on a race to peak wasteland. It has given up on exposing new music movements or local artists. It’s even worse now.
New non-commercial radio is basically dominated by religious broadcast networks accumulating channels everywhere. CF believes there should be at least one truly local station in every community, but it’s been an uphill battle. The FCC has abandoned localism and the public interest licensing regime.
RW: What’s the status of the rollout of new LPFM stations?
Urick: Common Frequency helped file more than 140 applications in the 2023 FCC LPFM window. It was absolute chaos because the opportunity was not promoted well. There was a lack of technical support for applicants, and it used an application process that is not conducive to nonprofits.
The LPFM rollout, for at least community stations, has been a challenge post-COVID. The singleton applications have been granted, and now there is a slow trickle from a long-awaited October 2024 Public Notice that detailed decisions on 96 MX groups.
[Related: “FCC Names Tentative Selectees for 93 MX Applications in 2023 LPFM Window”]
Many groups are attempting to negotiate settlements and/or execute major modifications within the limited 60-day window to precipitate as many singleton grants as possible.
We have been happy with outcomes so far, and the flexible and systematic protocol the commission has offered to promote permit granting. There are more MX decisions to come.
RW: When will the majority of new LPFMs roll out? The CPs are good for three years.
Urick: The truth is that many wait to the third year to build their CP. Post-pandemic, non-profits are still struggling, and grant opportunities are anemic. Public and community radio is struggling for funding as they have always been institutionally tenuous. In good times, enough charity was left over in people’s coffers to fund it.
The majority will probably roll out a couple days before their CPs expire.
RW: What’s happening with radio activists right now?
Urick: We recently filed some applications for review, contesting typos on LPFM applications, e.g., someone types a 2 instead of a 3 in the tech box for a new LPFM application; the FCC then dismisses the application, saying to wait 10 years to apply again. That’s a new policy, by the way, and it is the antithesis of what was prescribed in the LPFM docket, which says LPFM is to be a simple process.
Moreover, the FCC now suggests all LPFM applicants use consultant engineers to apply. The FCC LPFM channel search utility says it’s not for LPFM applications, while at the same time a new LP-250 service was denied because the FCC said it was too complex for an applicant to do by themselves.
RW: Until recently the number of licensed LPFMs was shrinking slowly from its high of nearly 2,200. Why?
Urick: LPFM doesn’t work right anymore. Since 2000, thousands of translators and HD Radio have joined the band. LPFM has difficulties penetrating walls, and it contends with interference from fill-in FM translators, HD and rimshot and grandfathered stations.
There are difficulties finding broadcast towers in immediate suburban neighborhoods. Open channels exist in areas of no towers, but zoning won’t allow a broadcast tower. LPFMs are being boxed in by FM translators, affected by tropospheric ducting, etc.
The signal is just too weak given restrictions of placement and interference. A LP-250 service is needed.
[Related: “NAB Pushes Back on Certain Deregulation Proposals”]
RW: That’s still a regulatory issue you are tracking?
Urick: Yes. We thought an LP-250 docket was in the works in the last four years. It’s unclear what will happen in the new presidential administration. We also hope REC Networks’ proposed rulemaking RM-11952 for FM translator application reform makes it to rulemaking. Tweaking the NCE point system for FM translators to favor indie, college and stations that originate local content, with a new NCE/LPFM translator filing window, would be exceptional.
RW: You work with a variety of non-commercial stations. Is there a secret to success?
Urick: The secret is finding a group that includes someone with the radio bug that will do anything to get a station on, and has a dedication to community service. Because the whole process isn’t easy, and it takes someone who will do the menial labor. Then after getting on the air, it’s a matter of getting the community involved and not just airing a playlist of your favorite songs.
RW: How much does it typically cost to launch an LPFM station?
Urick: It’s anywhere between the $8,000 setup with an antenna stashed in a tree, to $50,000 or more if you’re getting local construction permits to put a tower on top of a building and whatnot.
RW: As you’ve indicated, the regulatory system can be quite complex. Do groups typically need more help with the FCC licensing process or with the technical side of building a station?
Urick: It depends on whether there’s a local ham or someone who had college radio experience helping in the group. The ability of an experienced broadcast tech to execute the original application correctly is important. The application is a booby trap with wolves looking over it the whole time.
RW: What does it cost for stations to use your services? How do you typically work that out?
Urick: It’s a sliding scale. We have a recommended donation level. But I’m sucker to helping community radio folks in a jam and underrepresented groups in a community.
RW: Common Frequency is a non-profit. Where does your funding come from?
Urick: CF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It comes from donations, fees for services and occasionally we negotiate or broker some deals. We’re always facing funding challenges. Any radio fanatics out there who want to fund real radio, call me.
RW: What are your thoughts about the Trump administration’s actions so far in areas of interest to radio?
Urick: The Republican viewpoint tends to view any deregulation as paramount, without viewing the history of deregulation and its effect on localism and public interest considerations enshrined in the Communications Act. Most deregulation in radio has destroyed the public service and localism obligations. You don’t need an intense study to tell you that — just ask any radio listener. The “public interest” regime has just not worked. Is one 15- to 30-minute syndicated informational program early Sunday morning effectively a broadcaster’s only community obligation?
RW: What kind of media ownership issues are you tracking?
Urick: Baked into the Communications Act is the public interest standard, this notion that broadcasters are public fiduciaries of the public’s airwaves. There is also a precedent for §307(b) transmission service, which asserts stations should participate locally.
The FCC has shirked policing these mandates, yet doubled down on driving around in vans looking for a kid with a juiced-up Mr. Microphone. We believe that if commercial radio doesn’t want to participate in the public interest, they should pay a fee to go towards non-com broadcasters to accommodate that service. We also wish we could get FM translators for LPFMs and indie NCEs.
RW: Is there a particular LPFM success story you could share?
Urick: Well, I’m most excited about prospective LPFM projects of new freeform community stations in Las Vegas and Phoenix in the next couple years. Exposing eclectic, new indie, rare vinyl, and free ideas was our original passion for starting new stations.
I have a dream that one listener stumbles upon the one radio station playing loud obscure psych records in a wasteland of corporate automation on the radio, and that listener’s mind being blown. Is that anachronistic at this point? I don’t know. Gen Z are using flip phones looking for analog experiences. This fantasy station in my mind is like the biggest middle finger to the digital corporatocracy.
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