The Two Types of Radio & Television Stations the FCC Licenses

Even as cable, satellite, Internet and other new media options provide alternatives, over-the-air broadcast licenses are in high demand. In some major markets, for example, all usable radio broadcast frequencies are already allocated. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has provided a second-tier licensing system for stations operating at lower power with much more limited coverage (and interference) areas, enabling greater access to broadcasting capabilities.

Full and Low Power Licensees

Low-power licenses for TV and FM provide access to the airwaves without the extensive financial resources required for full-power operation. In addition, the upper portion of the FM broadcast band is reserved for non-profit broadcasters. Low-power TV can be used for by any entity, including individuals, businesses, community stations, religious stations and translator stations, which relay the signals of high-power stations. Low-power FM stations are restricted to schools, colleges, and other local organizations and governments.

Low Cost Advantages

Within some basic content restrictions established by the FCC such as public decency rules, all stations can provide whatever they consider viable content for their business model. Smaller stations, which cost much less to license and operate, often provide more locally oriented and produced or specialized content such as religious or non-English language programming. Government grants are sometimes available for organizations to purchase studio and production equipment for low-power TV stations.

Coverage and Technologies

The FCC allocates broadcast frequencies for full-power stations based on existing stations and engineering studies to prevent interference. These stations often serve an entire metropolitan area or region. Low-power stations serve a town, campus or neighborhood area of only a few miles and can't interfere with full-power stations. Both types of TV stations must provide digital TV signals, although some low-power stations have until September 2015 to upgrade. FM radio stations can use digital technologies and traditional.

Licensing Requirements

Before establishing a radio or TV station in the United States, the FCC requires that the station obtain a broadcast license. Full-power stations follow an expensive and detailed licensing process costing thousands of dollars in application and filing fees, technical consulting, attorney's fees and possible bidding between applicants. Low-power stations, including college and school facilities, have a much simpler and inexpensive process.

Low Power Innovation

In 2001 the FCC established a pilot project, based on the Digital Data Services Act passed by Congress, which explored the use of low-power TV (LPTV) stations for supplying Internet and other data services to underserved areas. The project was short-lived, but showed that LPTV could be used to explore new broadcast station options.

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