NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
October 1, 2015 Chanelle Hardy (202) 418-2102
chanelle.hardy@fcc.gov
STATEMENT OF FCC COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN 
ON AM REVITALIZATION PROCEEDING
While it is not my practice to speak publicly about matters on circulation at the 
Commission, the tone and substance of the discussions surrounding the AM Revitalization 
Window item proposed during my tenure as interim chair are both incendiary and misleading.
I believed then – as I do today – that AM radio plays a significant role in our media 
landscape, contributing to the diversity of voices and ownership that are vital to the functioning 
of our economy and our democracy.  At that time, I expressed appreciation – as I do again now –
for the support of an AM station in South Carolina that helped to buoy my professional career.  
At that time, I acknowledged the challenges, notably interference with station signals and 
standards, related to community coverage that made it difficult for station owners to survive and 
thrive.  And at that time, I acknowledged the steps that the Commission had taken during my 
tenure to provide relief to AM broadcasters, including our efforts designed to increase the 
number of FM translators by more than 25%.
Today, I am proud that these efforts have seen some success.  Not only has the number of 
FM translators increased, our data indicates that we will likely see this number continue to grow 
as more translator permits are awarded from the Auction 83 filing window.  At the same time, 
because of our proximity to the upcoming spectrum auction, I recognize that my proposal -- to 
open an AM only window for broadcasters to receive one new FM translator -- would not 
provide timely relief to AM broadcasters, particularly small and low-power AM broadcasters, 
who would have to wait until 2017 to take advantage of this relief.  
While I remain convinced that opening an AM only window for broadcasters to receive 
one new FM translator is sound policy, revisiting this proposal closer to the time of the Incentive 
Auction, would make this relief effective.  I carefully considered Chairman Wheeler’s proposal 
to provide immediate relief to AM broadcasters through a 250 mile waiver, and believe that it 
would increase the availability of translators for AM broadcasters.  The waiver window would 
open first to Class C and D stations – those that are smallest and in most urgent need of relief –
and would include outreach and technical assistance to ensure that these often resource-
challenged broadcasters are able to successfully complete their applications.  After that initial C 
and D-only window, we would extend the waiver window to Class A and B stations.
This good result does not – I repeat – does not foreclose the possibility of opening an AM 
only translator window in the near future.  I hope that in this case, as in all matters before us 
requiring compromise, advocates and my colleagues will not allow the perfect to be the enemy of 
the good.  For the more than 4,500 AM broadcasters that stand to benefit from this opportunity, 
time is of the essence.  So I urge my colleagues to offer relief to these broadcasters at the earliest 
possible date.
-- FCC--