FM Boosters - FCC Issues Compliance Guide for Originating Content
- The New York State Broadcasters Association
- Jun 17
- 1 min read
As we reported previously, the FCC now allows FM stations to provide original programs on booster stations. This was a very controversial decision. As a result, the FCC placed limits on a station’s ability to provide original programs on its boosters. For example, FM boosters may only provide up to three minutes per hour of content that differs from the primary station.
The Commission has issued a Small Entity Compliance Guide for stations seeking to provide original content on their FM booster stations. For example, it covers issues such as:
Impact on State and Local EAS Plans
Cross-Ownership
Online Public Inspection File Requirements for Commercial and Noncommercial Stations
Protection of FM broadcast, FM Translator and LPFM Stations
Program Originating FM Booster Station Notifications
Purpose and Permissible Service
Eligibility and Licensing Requirements
Political Programming Rules Applicable to Program Originating
The FCC will treat an FM booster originating programming as a separate facility. However, it will nonetheless let the primary station use its own online public file to upload information from the booster station originating content.
If you are planning to originate programming on your FM booster, you should take a look at the Guidelines. It’s worth reading.
You can access the FCC’s Compliance Guide here.
You can see the FCC’s decision allowing booster stations to originate programming here.
