The Media Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission has re-scheduled the filing window for FM translators to November 4-17, 2026, after receiving numerous complaints that the previously scheduled window for August effectively eliminated non-commercial applicants.
In its announcement this morning, the agency cited a formidable list of letters it had received asserting this complaint about the August window. This included letters from College Broadcasters, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, the National Congress of American Indians, and Community Media Assistance Project, CMAP.
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The Media Bureau said that the filing window would be strictly enforced, with no additional extensions to the deadline at 6 p.m. EST, November 17, 2026.
A freeze on applications for reserved band and non-reserved band LPFM, FM translator and FM booster station modifications begins after 11:59 p.m. EST, Oct. 2, and runs through the end of the filing window. The “snap shot” date was revised to the new November 17 deadline, but all other instructions and procedures announced in June remain in effect.
Communications Act of 1934, Sect. 326.
Nothing in this Act shall be understood or construed to give the Commission the power of censorship over the radio communications or signals transmitted by any radio station, and no regulation or condition shall be promulgated or fixed by the Commission which shall interfere with the right of free speech by means of radio communication.
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