Due to a recent ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC, 939 F.3d 567 (3d Cir. 2019), petition for rehearing en banc denied (3d Cir. Nov. 20, 2019), the FCC’s radio incubator program is not currently in effect. For more information about the Court’s ruling, you may review the following Order released by the Media Bureau on December 20, 2019: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-1303A1.pdf. You may also consult this website for updates on the status of the program.
The Commission’s incubator program was designed to support new and diverse entrants in the radio broadcasting industry by encouraging larger, experienced broadcasters to assist small, aspiring or struggling broadcasters that otherwise lack the financing or operational expertise necessary to own and operate a full-service radio station.
Incubator Webinar. On October 30, 2018, the Media Bureau hosted a free webinar on the incubator program. The webinar reviewed the basic elements of the incubator program, including the eligibility standards, the application process, and guidelines for completing the program successfully. A video recording and slides from the presentation are now available.
Public Notices, Orders, and Other Related Documents
June 2019
- Public Notice, Media Bureau Accepting Incubation Proposals, DA 19-546, released June 10, 2019:
[Word | Acrobat]
April 2019
- Compliance Guide, Rules and Policies to Promote New Entry and Ownership Diversity in the Broadcasting Services, DA 19-254, released April 4, 2019:
[Word | Acrobat]
October 2018
- Public Notice, Update on Media Bureau Informational Webinar for Broadcast Incubator Program, DA 18-1065, released October 17, 2018:
[Word | Acrobat] - Public Notice, Media Bureau Announces Information Webinar for Broadcast Incubator Program, DA 18-1031, released October 5, 2018:
[Word | Acrobat]
August 2018