Media Contact: 
Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165                                 
janice.wise@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC PROPOSES TO ELIMINATE MAIN STUDIO RULE
Action Would Reduce Regulatory Burdens and Costs for Broadcasters
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WASHINGTON, May 18, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission today released a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, proposing to eliminate the main studio rule, which requires each 
AM, FM, and television broadcast station to have a main studio located in or near its local 
community.  The Notice also proposes to eliminate the requirement that the main studio have full-
time management and staff present during normal business hours, and the requirement that it be 
able to originate programming.  
The main studio rule, which the FCC first adopted more than 70 years ago, was originally 
implemented on the premise that local access to the main studio facilitated input from community 
members and the station’s participation in community activities.  
Today, modern communications enable stations and community members to interact more 
directly, without the presence of a local broadcast studio.  In addition, community members 
already, or soon will, have online access to a station’s public file, removing the need for 
community members to visit the main studio to access the file.  Television broadcasters 
completed their transition to the online public file in 2014, and radio broadcasters will complete 
their transition by early 2018.  
Action by the Commission May 18, 2017 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 17-59). 
Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly approving and issuing separate statements.  
MB Docket No. 17-106
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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).