All radio broadcast station licenses are scheduled to expire between 2011 and 2014.
Each AM, FM, noncommercial educational FM, FM Translator, and Low Power FM (LPFM) station
must file an application for license renewal (FCC Form
) four months prior
to the expiration date of the station's license in accordance with the schedule set forth
below. All stations, except LPFM and FM Translator stations, also must
file a Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report (FCC Form 396) at the same
time. Noncommercial educational FM stations must additionally file an ownership report
on Form 323-E at the same time.
During the license renewal process, listeners of the stations whose licenses are up for
renewal may participate in the process either by filing a Petition to Deny or informal
objection against a renewal. Positive comments about a broadcaster's
service may also be filed. Procedures for filing documents with the Commission in the
context of a license renewal are covered below.
Related auxiliary stations and FM Booster stations are renewed with the main station license;
do not file separate renewal applications for auxiliary or FM Booster stations. A permittee
of a new radio broadcast station is not required to file a license renewal application unless a
license is granted prior to the expiration date for radio stations in its particular
state or jurisdiction.
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Recent and Important Renewal Updates |
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Items under this heading will be added or updated as needed. Check here for new or updated information.
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Non-Discrimination in
Broadcast Advertising: Broadcasters Are Reminded That They Must Certify
in Broadcast Applications that Their Advertising Contracts Do Not Discriminate,
Enforcement Advisory No. 2011-06 (Public Notice), DA 11-500,
released March 22, 2011
[ PDF | Word ]. News Release, released March 22, 2011 [ PDF | Word ].
Public Notice Explains Renewal Procedures and Form Changes for 2011. See
Public Notice, Media Bureau Announces Revisions to License Renewal Procedures and
Form 303-S; Radio License Renewal Cycle to Commence on May 2, 2011, DA 11-489, released March 14, 2011
[ PDF | Word ].
2011 - 2014 Dates for Upcoming Radio Broadcast Station Renewal Cycle
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Important: Verify the Station's Mailing and E-mail
Addresses | Return to Top |
| A valid mailing address and a valid e-mail address for each station
is essential for a smooth renewal process. Broadcast licensees should take the time NOW to verify
that the station address is correct in the FCC's files, and make any necessary corrections. Please
double check the mailing address and e-mail address
on the license renewal application before electronically filing the application.
AM and FM full service stations, Low Power FM stations, and interested
persons may check the Commission's address-of-record by using the
Mailing Address Query.
FM Translator stations may verify the mailing address through the "Station Information" link
in CDBS
Public Access.
Corrections of mailing addresses may be made as a CDBS informal filing. Please see
Informal Filings - Frequently Asked Questions
for the procedure for submitting such changes.
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The Station's Local Public Inspection File |
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| During the license renewal process, interested parties may
ask to review the radio station's local public inspection file. Broadcast licensees should
take time now to ensure that the public file fulfills the
requirements of 47 CFR Section 73.3526
(commercial stations) or
47 CFR Section 73.3527
(noncommercial educational stations). Licensees should establish procedures to respond promptly to all
requests to review the station's public inspection file during regular business hours.
Information on local public file and public access requirements is available on the Enforcement Bureau's
Public Inspection File page, and in
The Public and Broadcasting
(revised July 2008).
Public inspection file requirements do not apply to FM Translator stations. Low Power FM stations
are exempt from the local public file requirement, but must continue to maintain a
political file.
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License Filing Renewal Dates |
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| The following lists indicate license renewal application filing dates, license expiration dates, and Petition to
Deny filing dates, for noncommercial educational FM, commercial AM and FM, FM Translator, and Low Power FM stations. Renewal dates are based on the location (state, territory, etc.) of the station's community of license, not the station's transmitter site location. Dates for radio broadcast station renewals fall between 2011 and 2014, inclusive. (Lists will open in a PDF file in a new browser tab or window.)
Radio broadcast renewal dates by STATE: [ PDF | Word ]
Radio broadcast renewal states by DATE: [ PDF | Word ]
License renewal applications (FCC Form 303-S) must be filed four months prior
to the station's license expiration date. Details on the process are provided in the
following sections.
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License Renewal Process -- Broadcast Announcements (47 CFR Section 73.3580) |
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Operating AM and FM stations.
Announcements must be made over the AM, FM, or FM Low Power station according to the following schedule. FM Translators are exempt from
announcement requirements. See 47 CFR Section 73.3580.
| If the station's License Expires in: |
Make Pre-Filing Announcements on the 1st and 16th Day of the Previous |
File the Form 303-S Renewal Application by the First Weekday of |
Make Post-Filing Announcements on the 1st and 16th Day of |
| February |
August & September |
October |
October, November, & December |
| April |
October & November |
December |
December, January, & February |
| June |
December & January |
February |
February, March & April |
| August |
Feburary & March |
April |
April, May, & June |
| October |
April & May |
June |
June, July, & August |
| December |
June & July |
August |
August, September, & October |
| Timing of Pre-Filing Renewal Announcements for Radio Broadcast Stations
Commercial and
*Noncommercial
Educational Stations |
- At least two of the required announcements between 7 AM to 9 AM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM.
- If the station doesn't operate between 7 AM to 9 AM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM, then at least two of the required announcements during the first two hours of operation.
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See 47 CFR Section 73.3580(d)(4)(i)(B).
*Noncommercial educational stations need not broadcast the announcement during any month in which the station does not operate. See 47 CFR Section 73.3580(d)(4)(i)(B)(3). |
| Timing of Post-Filing Renewal Announcements for Radio Broadcast Stations
Commercial and **Noncommercial
Educational Stations |
- At least three of the required announcements between 7 AM to 9 AM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM.
- At least one announcement between 9 AM to noon.
- At least one announcement between noon to 4 PM.
- At least one announcement between 7 PM to midnight.
- If the station doesn't operate between 7 AM to 9 AM or 4 PM to 6 PM then at least three of the required announcements during the first two hours of operation.
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See 47 CFR Section 73.3580(d)(4)(ii)(B).
**Noncommercial educational stations need not broadcast the announcements during any month in which the station does not operate. In such instances noncommercial educational stations shall meet the requirements as specified in 47 CFR Section 73.3580(d)(4)(ii)(B)(3). |
Silent AM, FM, and LPFM stations must publish the text of the Post-Filing Announcement in a
newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served on the same scheduled dates as indicated
above for operating stations. A copy of the published announcement should be placed
in the station's local public inspection file.
FM Translators not being renewed with the primary station being rebroadcast must
publish the text of the Post-Filing Announcement at least once immediately after the filing of the license renewal
application. The notice should be published in a daily, weekly, or biweekly newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served. If there
is no newspaper the licensee should post the required notice in a public place and keep a copy of the local
public notice for reference.
| Sample PRE-Filing Announcement |
The following is a sample of the text of a pre-filing announcement. (You may cut and paste this text.)
Stations broadcasting in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language. Additional information
can be found on the FCC's Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/guides/license-renewal-applications-radio-broadcast-stations.
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On _________________________ (date of the last renewal grant),
___________ (station's call letters)
was granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee until __________________________ (license expiration date). Our license will expire
on _________________
(date). We must file an application for license renewal with the FCC on _________________
(date, four months prior to the expiration date). When filed, a copy of this application will be available for inspection during regular
business hours. It contains information concerning the station's performance over the last
________________________ (period of time covered by the application, e.g. 8 years).
Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application, and to whether this station has operated
in the public interest, should file comments and petitions with the FCC by _________________ (date, first day of the full calendar month
prior to the month of license expiration). Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is available at
___________________________ (address of the location of the station's public inspection file)
or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington, D.C. 20554, www.fcc.gov. -- END OF ANNOUNCEMENT --
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| Sample POST-Filing Announcement |
The following is a sample of the text of a post-filing announcement. (You may cut and paste this text.)
Stations broadcasting in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language. Stations that
cannot broadcast this announcement because they are off the air should publish the text of the announcement in a daily, weekly,
or bi-weekly newspaper of general circulation in the community to be served. Additional information
can be found on the FCC's Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/guides/license-renewal-applications-radio-broadcast-stations.
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On _________________________ (date of the last renewal grant),
___________ (station's call letters)
was granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee until
__________________________ (license expiration date). Our license will expire on _________________
(date). We filed an application for license renewal with the FCC
on _________________ (date). A copy of this application is available for inspection during our regular
business hours. It contains information concerning the station's performance over the last
________________________ (period of time covered by the application, e.g. 8 years).
Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application, and to whether this station has operated
in the public interest, should file comments and petitions with the FCC by _________________ (date, first day of the full calendar month
prior to the month of license expiration). Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is available at
_____________________________ (address of the location of the station's public inspection file)
or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington, D.C. 20554, www.fcc.gov. -- END OF ANNOUNCEMENT --
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License Renewal Application Filing Fees |
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| Each commercial licensee must submit a filing fee and Form 159 with its license renewal
application. See the Application Processing Fees page
for additional information concerning fees.
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Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Filing Requirements |
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| Each licensee must familiarize itself with these rules and reporting requirements prior to preparation of the license renewal application.
Information about the Commission's EEO requirements for broadcast stations is available on the Media Bureau's
EEO page.
The EEO rules require that all license renewal applicants (except FM Translator and LPFM
renewal applicants) submit FCC Form 396 (Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report) in advance
of or with the license renewal application. To Media Bureau Electronic Filing.
All licensees (except FM Translator and LPFM licensees) must electronically file the Broadcast
Equal Opportunity Program Report (FCC Form 396) and the license renewal form (Form 303-S).
Licensees must complete FCC Form 396 PRIOR to completing Form 303-S. Form 303-S
asks for the application file number of the Form 396 application; without this number, the CDBS Electronic Filing System
will not accept a Form 303-S Application for Renewal of Broadcast Station License.
NCE License Renewals Must Include FCC Form 323-E. All NCE licensees must electronically file an
Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Stations on FCC Form 323-E.
To Media Bureau Electronic Filing.
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Petitions to Deny/Informal Objections |
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| A Petition to Deny or an informal objection to a radio license renewal application may be filed AFTER
the filing of the license renewal application. Notices of the filing of license renewal applications will be posted in the
public notices.
CDBS
on the FCC's Web site will also contain records pertaining to the license renewal application.
Petitions to Deny are considered to be timely filed with the Commission only upon receipt by the
Commission at the address listed below, NOT when they are mailed or postmarked. Petitions to Deny
may not be sent via e-mail.
The last day for filing Petitions to Deny is ONE MONTH PRIOR to the license expiration date:
- Example. The expiration date for a station in Alabama is April 1, 2012. The LAST DAY
that a Petition to Deny may be timely filed is March 1, 2012.
- Exception. If the LAST DAY falls on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or on a date that
the Commission is closed for business, the LAST DAY is extended to the first full business day thereafter.
For example, the expiration date for a station in Florida is February 1, 2012. January 1, 2012, is a Sunday and
January 2, 2012, is a holiday. In this instance, the LAST DAY that a Petition to Deny may be filed is
January 3, 2012.
- Exception. The deadline for filing Petitions to Deny against late-filed license renewal applications
is the 90th day after the FCC gives public notice that it has accepted that application for filing. If the 90th day falls
on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or on a date that the Commission is closed for business, the LAST DAY is extended to
the first full business day thereafter.
Petition to Deny Requirements. First, to file a Petition to Deny, a person must be a "party in interest"
and have "standing." That means, generally, that the person must have more than a passing interest in the station.
He or she must be a regular listener or have some other contact with the station that gives the petitioner a real stake in the
outcome of the renewal process. A petition must be supported by an affidavit of a person or persons with personal
knowledge of the allegations of fact contained in the petition. Additionally, a Petition to Deny a license renewal must be "timely"
filed at least one month prior to the license expiration date, as explained in the previous paragraph. Finally, the petition must
contain a certification that a copy of the petition was mailed to the station. Failure to include the certification that a copy was
mailed to the station and the affidavit of personal knowledge will result in dismissal of the Petition to Deny.
Procedure for Filing Informal Objections. A person or entity opposing the grant of a station's license renewal
application may file an informal objection against the license renewal application at any time prior to staff action on the
license renewal application. An informal objection is less formal than a Petition to Deny, but some requirements still
apply. It may take the form of a letter signed by the objector and mailed or delivered to one of the FCC addresses
above. An informal objection need not contain the affidavit required for a Petition to Deny. It should, however,
contain sufficient information to establish any violation alleged. Additionally, an informal objection not received by
the time the station's license renewal is granted will not be considered.
Filing Positive Comments. Affirmative comments concerning a licensee's service during the prior license
term should be filed by the Petition to Deny deadline through the Office of the Secretary at the addresses listed in the next section.
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Mailing Address for Petitions to Deny, Informal Objections, and Comments |
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| When filing Petitions to Deny, informal objections, or positive comments, please include an
original and two copies of any filing.
As indicated above, an additional copy of any filing may need to be served on (mailed to) the station
licensee via a separate mailing.
Send the documents to the locations listed herein:
Addresses for filing
documents with the FCC.
Additional Suggestions for Filers. To help the staff expeditiously associate a Petition to Deny, informal objection,
or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should prominently identify: - The station's call sign;
- The station's facility ID number;
- The license renewal application file number.
This information, which is available on CDBS
through the Commission's Web site, should be listed on the first page of the submission. The filing must also state whether it is a Petition to Deny, Informal Objection, or a comment. If a cover sheet is used,
it should be attached to each copy of the pleading. Failure to
include this information may cause delays in associating a pleading with a license renewal application. | |
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