|
|
The Audio Division of the
Media Bureau licenses
commercial and noncommercial educational AM, FM, FM Translator, and FM
Booster radio services, and also the noncommercial educational Low
Power FM radio service. The Division provides legal analysis
of broadcast, technical, and engineering radio
filings and recommends appropriate disposition of applications,
requests for waivers, and other pleadings.
Information about radio broadcast stations and the application process is available through this page.
| Audio Division | (202) 418-2700 |
| Chief, Audio Division | Peter H. Doyle |
| Deputy Chief, Law | Tom Hutton |
| Deputy Chief, Engineering | James Bradshaw |
| Assistant Division Chief | Rodolfo Bonacci |
| Assistant Division Chief | Lisa Scanlan |
| Assistant Division Chief | Michael Wagner |
| Assistant Division Chief | Susan Crawford |
| Assistant Division Chief | Nazifa Sawez |
| Assistant Division Chief | Kelly Donohue |
| Senior Counsel | Thomas Nessinger |
New Visitors to the Audio Division Site
If you are coming to the Audio Division or Video Division pages for the first time, please start with our New Visitors page. On this page we have collected the information most commonly sought by first time users concerning radio and television broadcasting.Headlines for the Audio Division
Only most recent and most important headlines are listed. For older items of importance, please visit the Past Headlines page. Other published Audio Division items concerning broadcast radio are posted in the Published Items listing. And FM rulemaking orders are posted at FM Allotment Rulemakings / Docket page.
Filing Courtesy Copies of Pleadings Relating to Audio Division Applications
The Audio Division encourages parties that wish to file courtesy copies of pleadings relating to Audio Division applications (broadcast radio only) to submit a copy of the FCC date-stamped filing to the following e-mail box: audiodivisionpleadings@fcc.gov. PDF is the preferred format for these submissions. Pleadings must be officially filed in accordance with the Commission's rules and the procedures established by the Office of the Secretary. Only properly filed pleadings will receive a Commission date stamp. Documents submitted by e-mail but not formally filed through the Office of the Secretary will not be considered.Broadcast Station Search Tools
Our popular Internet Queries may be used to retrieve information about radio and TV broadcast stations:Radio Tools Popup -- Requires Javascript.
Most Requested Information
- AM page, FM page, and LPFM page
- The Public and Broadcasting provides a brief, non-technical overview of the FCC's regulation of radio and television, including Public Inspection File requirements. Current edition: July 2008.
- How to Apply for a Broadcast Station. Provides information about the process.
- FM Allotment Finder can assist in determining whether a commercial FM station allotment is possible for your area.
- Filing documents at the FCC, from the Office of the Secretary, FCC
- Low Power AM and FM Broadcast Radio Stations. Addresses licensed and unlicensed operation.
- Low Power FM Radio Service (station licensing required)
- AM and FM Lists of Community of License Minor Change Applications filed pursuant to the streamlined procedures adopted by the Commission in Revision of Procedures Governing Amendments to FM Table of Allotments and Changes of Community of License in the Radio Broadcast Services,
Report and Order (R&O), MB Docket 05-210,
FCC 06-163 , released November 29, 2006.[ PDF | Word ]. - Ownership of Radio Broadcast Stations
- Localism in Broadcasting (Localism Task Force)
- Broadcast Station Self-Inspection Checklists for AM, FM, LPFM, and TV
- Broadcast Station Totals (1990 to Present). Provides current and past numbers of AM, FM, TV, and translator stations.
- Engineering and Legal documents pertaining to radio, of historical and topical interest, as collected by the Audio Division. A Subject List is available to show the various subject areas. Updated as needed.
- FCC Word / Number Search. Use the Word / Number Search to help locate Public Notices referencing an application by entering the right-hand part of the application file number, (e.g., 20010612ACX), or Dockets by entering the Docket number (e.g. 98-93).
- MB Tower Siting Information Guide was created at the request of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regarding the inclusion of broadcast facilities in the March 16, 2001, nationwide Programmatic Agreement on Collocation of communications antennae. It is also intended to help State Historic Preservation Officers as well as Tribal Historic Preservation Officers understand broadcast facilities.
- Nationwide Programmatic Agreement: A Learning Interactive Unit for the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) style="text-indent: 8px;"
- Obscenity, Indecency, and Profanity is handled by the Enforcement Bureau. [On-line complaint form].
- Radio Broadcast Renewal Applications -- All radio broadcast station licenses will expire between 2011 and 2014. Licensees will need to file a renewal application for the next license term. This page provides information about the radio broadcast license renewal process.
- AM and FM Radio Rules in Part 73 of Title 47 may be retrieved by rule section number. FM Translator and Booster Rules in Part 74 may also be retrieved in this manner. You may also search for any Rule in Title 47 (47 CFR -------) by the rule section number.
- Religious Broadcasting -- The FCC will not prohibit religious organizations' ownership of broadcast stations. A petition (RM-2493, erroneously attributed to Madalyn Murray O'Hare) which had requested that the FCC make changes was denied in 1975 (54 FCC 2d 941). Excerpts from that proceeding are located here.
- Subcarriers / SCA (Subsidiary Communications Authority) are used for additional audio or data channels and are transmitted along with the main station's signal.
- Special Temporary Authority for licensed broadcast radio stations.
Related Information
Media Bureau Resources and Media Bureau LinksBroadcast Information from Outside the Audio Division
For more information about radio broadcasting or the Audio Division, please call the Audio Division at (202) 418-2700.
FCC > Media Bureau > Audio Division.
