Federal Communications Commission	DA 21-1362


DA 21-1362
November 1, 2021

MEDIA BUREAU REMINDS APPLICANTS OF NCE FM NEW STATION FILING WINDOW NOVEMBER 2-9, 2021

MB Docket No. 20-343

This Public Notice reminds applicants of the upcoming filing window for applications for noncommercial educational (NCE) FM new station construction permits.  As previously announced, the window will open at 12:01 am EDT on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, and close at 6:00 pm EST on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. See Media Bureau Announces NCE FM New Station Application Filing Window; Window Open from November 2, 2021, to November 9, 2021, Public Notice, MB Docket No. 20-343, DA No. 21-463 (April 21, 2021); Media Bureau Announces NCE FM New Station Filing Procedures and Requirements for November 2-9, 2021, Window; Limited Application Filing Freeze to Commence on October 5, 2021, Public Notice, MB Docket No. 20-343, DA No. 21-885 (July 23, 2021) (July Procedures Notice).  The July Procedures Notice provides an overview of the procedures, filing requirements, comparative selection process, and 10-application limit that will apply to the upcoming NCE FM filing window. 
  The window is available for FM reserved band (channels 201 –220) proposals. Channels 201-220 are reserved for noncommercial educational FM broadcasting.  See 47 CFR § 73.501.
  All new NCE FM applications must be filed electronically on FCC Form 2100, Schedule 340 in the Bureau’s Licensing and Management System (LMS).  Applicants should select the application titled “New NCE FM Construction Permit Application” in LMS.

The 6:00 pm EST November 9, 2021, application deadline (Application Deadline) will be strictly enforced.  Applications submitted before November 2, 2021, or after the 6:00 pm EST November 9, 2021, Application Deadline will be dismissed by public notice without further consideration.  We, therefore, once again, encourage applicants to file early in the window to ensure proper and timely submission.

We also remind applicants that an applicant may file no more than a total of 10 applications in the window. See FCC Adopts 10-Application Limit for NCE FM New Stations in Upcoming 2021 Filing Window, Public Notice, MB Docket No. 20-343, DA 21-43 (April 21, 2021) (finding that a 10-application cap will best deter speculative filings, permit the expeditious processing of the applications filed in the window, and provide interested parties with a meaningful opportunity to file for and obtain new NCE FM station licenses). 
  This means that a party to an application filed in the window may hold attributable interests See 47 CFR § 73.7000 (defining “attributable interest” as “an interest of an applicant, its parent, subsidiaries, their officers, and members of their governing boards that would be cognizable under the standards in the notes to § 73.3555.  Also, an interest of an entity providing more than 33%  of an applicant's equity and/or debt that also either (1) supplies more than 15% of the station's weekly programming, or (2) has an attributable interest pursuant to § 73.3555 in media in the same market”); see also Form 2100, Schedule 340 Instructions at pages 5-7 (explaining “parties to the application” and “attributable interests”).  
 in no more than a total of 10 applications filed in the window.  If it is determined that any party to an application has an attributable interest in more than 10 applications, the Media Bureau (Bureau) will retain the 10 applications that were filed first — based on the date of application receipt — and dismiss all other applications. See 47 CFR § 73.503(g).


The Bureau further reminds applicants that applications that do not follow the procedures set out in the July Procedures Notice or Form 2100, Schedule 340 and its instructions will be dismissed.

For additional information on the filing window and procedures, please contact Amy Van de Kerckhove, Amy.Vandekerckhove@fcc.gov; Arthur Doak, Arthur.Doak@fcc.gov; Rodolfo Bonacci, Rodolfo.Bonacci@fcc.gov; or Lisa Scanlan, Lisa.Scanlan@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2700.  Direct press inquiries to Janice Wise, Janice.Wise@fcc.gov, (202) 418-8165.
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