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- LPFM Advocate Calls for a Power Boost
The Low Power FM Advocacy Group believes that without some changes in FCC rules, the entire LPFM service is at risk. In comments filed by its Executive Director David Solomon, LPFM-AG says that low-power FM stations in the United States face mounting competition from big tech, just as large groups do, but also unique technical barriers including a 100-watt ceiling and rigid translator restrictions. Solomon noted that the LPFM universe includes community-based broadcast stations operated by churches, schools, civic organizations, cultural organizations, local nonprofits, public-safety entities and community groups. Such organizations typically “cannot compete financially for full-power NCE facilities or commercial facilities.” Solomon is a longtime radio engineer, operations manager and air talent. According to his LinkedIn page, he supports LPFM-AG as executive director as a volunteer. The 16-page filing is part of the FCC’s biennial communications marketplace review, conducted every two years. That review coincides now with the commission’s latest review of broadcast ownership rules, conducted every four years. There are about 2,000 LPFM stations licensed in the country. [Related: “Visualizing U.S. Radio Station Counts Since 2000”] “A 100-watt LPFM station in 2001 did not face the same competitive environment, receiver environment, in-car environment, spectrum environment, cost environment or listener-fragmentation environment that LPFM faces in 2026,” LPFM-AG told the FCC. Now a listener can choose from streaming music, podcasts, satellite radio, smart speakers, mobile devices, connected vehicles, social video, YouTube and countless app-based audio products. Solomon believes the FCC must consider changes if LPFM is to survive over the next five to 10 years. “The commission should not allow LPFM to become a declining, paper-local service trapped by a 100-watt ceiling, crowded spectrum, unequal technical tools, rigid translator restrictions, uncompensated displacement, limited programming access and rules that make local origination harder to sustain than rebroadcast operation,” he wrote. “The rules governing LPFM leave that service with a diminishing practical ability to remain audible, finance operations, obtain programming, preserve frequency identity, recover from displacement and improve facilities in a marketplace transformed by digital audio, in-car streaming, smart speakers, podcasts, satellite radio, and a far more congested FM dial.” The FCC must recognize that any local originating radio service should have a minimum practical facility opportunity no smaller than the lowest-powered secondary rebroadcast service used to deliver local programming to FM listeners, Solomon argues. Yet the current regulatory framework allows FM translators to operate with up to 250 watts ERP where… [TheTopNews] Read More.3 days ago - New Radio Show Looks to Restore Civility to Constitutional DebateSteve Herman and Bill Bernardoni Ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary, a limited-run show is launching that seeks to place historical context into current issues being debated in American society — free of bias. “America @ 250: Due Diligence” will be co-hosted by Steven Herman, the executive director of the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation at the University of Mississippi, and Illinois-based talk show producer Bill Bernardoni. Herman is a former White House bureau chief of the Voice of America. Bernardoni’s background includes work as a campaign manager and political consultant for candidates from the state to national level. The one-hour weekend show promises experts from across the political spectrum as featured guests. “There are few issues-oriented or public affairs radio programs independently produced that are free of intended political bias,” Herman said. It will be heard on approximately 50 AM and FM radio stations beginning the first weekend in June, with distribution via Talk Media Network, the Public Radio Exchange, the Radio Free America project and on commercial shortwave station WRMI, according to Herman’s Substack. He said that the show will continue through the end of this year and a weekly online extended version will be on podcast distribution platforms. [Do you receive the Radio World SmartBrief newsletter each weekday morning? We invite you to sign up here.] The post New Radio Show Looks to Restore Civility to Constitutional Debate appeared first on Radio World. [TheTopNews] Read More.3 days ago
- Millennials lead AI usage surge
From the formidable Fred Jacobs we learn that weekly AI use has doubled in the past year, and tripled in two years. We are further informed that Millennials lead the charge. And Pope Leo is quoted … several times. Continue Reading → [TheTopNews] Read More.3 days ago - FCC Warns Broadcasters on Public Interest Duties
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a forceful reminder to radio and television broadcasters that their licenses are conditioned on serving the public interest, warning that the agency is prepared to take enforcement action against stations that fail to meet those obligations. In a [TheTopNews] Read More.3 days ago - NAB Announces 2026 Radio Board Election ResultsThe National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of its 2026 Radio Board of Directors elections, with the newly elected members set to begin two-year terms in June. Among those elected to represent their districts are Molly Draper Russell of Draper Radio (District 4 - [TheTopNews] Read More.3 days ago
- Optimize Your Air Chain: A Free Ebook
Are you getting the most out of your air chain? In the latest Radio World eBook, we’ve asked consulting engineers and technology suppliers about best practices to help you avoid common problems and missed opportunities. We got back 39 pages of great ideas. Is the audio clean? Is the metadata right? Is the watermarking doing its job? Do the streams function correctly? What other questions should smart engineers and managers be asking to make sure their chains are functioning at top efficiency from microphone to the listener’s ears? Read it here. The post Optimize Your Air Chain: A Free Ebook appeared first on Radio World. [TheTopNews] Read More.3 days ago
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