The lifting of the filing freeze for LPTV may affect reserved band LPFM modifications and to the future translator filing window.
REC LPFM Advisory Letter #26 - UPDATED March 20, 2026
Starting today, March 19, 2026, the FCC has lifted a filing freeze [dates subsequently changed] that has been in effect since 2010 that allows for the filing for new Low Power TV (LPTV) stations as well as major modifications to existing stations. This is not being handled like a filing window. Instead, it is being handled first come-first served. Any applications filed on the same day that conflict each other will be declared mutually exclusive and any applications filed the next day must protect those filed on the previous days (as well as any other filing activity).
The lifting of the filing freeze will be of concern to Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations operating in the reserved band (88.1~91.9) as well as existing FM translators in the reserved band and subsequent translators that will be added as a result of the filing window that will take place later this year. This does not impact full-service NCE FM stations in the reserved band.
If the LPFM or FM translator station is operating in the non-reserved band (92.1~107.9 MHz), then there is no impact unless a future LPFM modification is made to move to the reserved band.
Specifically, the impact will take place if the LPTV application is filed to specify operation on RF Channel 6 (82~88 MHz). LPFM stations are required to protect Channel 6 TV stations pursuant to §73.825 of the FCC Rules and FM translators in the reserved band must protect Channel 6 TV stations pursuant to §74.1205 of the FCC Rules. We have not received any specific guidance from the Audio Division, but it is very likely that any existing LPFM station wishing to move closer to the LPTV Channel 6 station or any FM translator expanding their contour will need to demonstrate protection to the LPTV facility. LPFM stations can either apply the §74.1205 method, which simply protects LPTV stations to their 47 dBu F(50,50) service contour and then a specific interfering contour for the LPFM station based on channel is used; or they can apply the more complex §73.525 protection method that is used by full-service NCE FM stations.
Existing LPFM and FM translator operations will not be displaced as a result a new LPTV station (or for that matter, a full service station) on Channel 6 being added or modified. Interference from the new Channel 6 station to the existing LPFM or FM translator is extremely unlikely. LPTV stations are not required to provide any protection to FM facilities in the reserved band.1
As of 3:40PM EDT on March 19, 2026, there have been 27 applications for new Channel 6 LPTV stations. We have not checked these applications for mutual exclusivity.
We will do our best to make this a fluid list and to update new Channel 6 applications as they come in, so please check this list frequently.
These applications are for the following areas:
Arkansas: Little Rock
California: Concord, Hemet, Salinas, San Clemente
Connecticut: Hartford (2)
Florida: Hobe Sound
Iowa: Statler (2)
Indiana: Indianapolis
Idaho: Boise
Kentucky: Louisville, Richmond
Louisiana: Brownfields, Kenner, New Orleans
Maryland: Baltimore
Michigan: Alma
Minneapolis: Alma, Faribault, Minneapolis
New York: Amsterdam
North Carolina: Lumberton
Ohio: Cleveland, Dayton
Pennsylvania: Lopez
South Carolina: Georgetown
Tennessee: Knoxville, LaVergne
Texas: Beaumont, Moody
Virginia: Richmond
Washington: Olympia, Spokane
LPFM and FM translator licensees with facilities in the reserved band should monitor the daily “Applications” public notice that is available through the “Daily Business” link on FCC.today, at the FCC EDOCS website or in the Daily Digest. Look for any facilities that specify Channel 6. Since these are new applications and REC’s eLMS system does not support real time updating on TV engineering applications, we are unable to display (using the green background) any new applications regarding Channel 6. Note: fcc.today does have a feature where an application for an existing facility operating on Channel 6 has a new action, the information will show with a green background. Here’s an example of a page from the Applications public notice and where to find the channel number involved:
Please note that these new facilities may not yet be reflected on the REC FM Translator Window Prequalification Tool until we run a program to bring them in. These will have to be manually performed so it may take a week or few before they reflect in the translator prequalification tool.
REC Networks does not provide any filing services at this time for television facilities.
The requirement that FM facilities in the reserved band protect TV Channel 6 dates back to 1985 when the rule was put in place to assure that TV receivers manufactured in the 1960s and 1970s with mechanical tuners did not receive interference to TV Channel 6 from FM stations. While this need is now obsolete because of the conversion to digital television, the past attempts to remove these restrictions, including the 2023 attempts by REC and NPR in MB Docket 03-185 had been blocked due to last minute lobbying by the Walt Disney Company (WPVI-TV, Philadelphia). Also, the Bureau will not entertain a request for waiver claiming that the rule “only applies to analog broadcast stations”. This attempt has been tried and died. The only waiver that is available is if you are able to receive a letter of concurrence from the licensee of the impacted Channel 6 TV station.