Media Contact: 
Janice Wise (202) 418-8165                                 
janice.wise@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC EXPANDS AREA WHERE FM TRANSLATORS 
REBROADCASTING AM RADIO STATIONS CAN BE LOCATED
Action Gives AM Radio Stations More Flexibility to Better Serve Listeners 
WASHINGTON, February 23, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission today expanded the site 
locations where FM translators can rebroadcast AM radio stations.  The amended rule provides greater 
flexibility for an AM station to place a rebroadcasting FM translator in a location where it will better
serve its AM station’s listeners.  
AM radio stations that want to improve their service area with a clearer signal can do so by using an FM 
translator, which receives the AM signal and re-broadcasts it on an FM frequency. This is particularly 
useful for the many AM stations forced to reduce their power at night, since the FM translator can operate 
at the same power 24 hours a day.
At issue is a current FCC rule that may make finding a location for these translators unnecessarily 
challenging. Under the old rule, an AM station could place a rebroadcasting FM translator either within 
its daytime service contour or within a 25-mile radius of its transmitter, whichever distance was less.  The 
new rule allows the rebroadcasting FM translator to be located anywhere within the AM station’s daytime 
service contour or anywhere within a 25-mile radius of the transmitter, even if the contour extends farther 
than 25 miles from the transmitter.
The current rule proved too restrictive for some AM broadcasters, especially those whose transmitters 
were far from their communities of license.  AM transmission systems require large amounts of land, and 
many AM broadcasters have been forced to relocate to sites far from the cities they serve, where land is 
available or affordable. The rule change today especially benefits these AM stations, and also helps other 
AM stations whose highly directionalized technical facilities currently limit the area where they can 
locate a cross-service FM translator.  
The Commission first authorized AM stations to rebroadcast over FM translators in 2009.  In 2016, two 
filing windows opened that enabled more than 1,000 AM stations to acquire and relocate FM translators 
to rebroadcast their signals.  Because of these actions, nearly 2,000 FM translators are currently 
rebroadcasting AM station signals, allowing many AM stations previously forced to reduce or eliminate 
nighttime power to now provide 24-hour service to their communities.  
Today’s Order furthers the Commission’s efforts to assist AM broadcasters in providing vital radio 
service to consumers throughout the country.  
Action by the Commission February 23, 2017 by Second Report and Order (FCC 17-14). Chairman Pai, 
Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly approving. Chairman Pai and Commissioner Clyburn issuing 
separate statements.
MB Docket No. 13-249
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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. Cir. 1974).