FCC Sets Ground Rules for July 2021 Auction of AM and FM Construction Permits
Beginning on July 27, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will auction four AM and 136 FM construction permits in Auction 109. Auction 109 includes the FM radio permits previously included in Auction 106, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plus the AM permits and six additional FM permits.
The agency has released a Public Notice which sets the timetable and ground rules for the auction. A short-form (FCC Form 175) filing window for potential bidders will take place from April 28 through May 11, 2021. Note that this window will include a freeze on all minor change applications for any full-powered FM station. All upfront payments for the auction will be due by June 16, 2021.
An online auction tutorial will be available at fcc.gov beginning on April 14. The construction permits to be auctioned and their minimum bids are listed here.
For more information, please contact the attorneys listed on this alert or the Wiley attorney with whom you regularly work.
