It’s been a slow week for LPFM news, with only a couple of new construction permits granted. One application was dismissed this week and, sadly, one existing license was canceled. However, there’s potentially exciting news for stations hoping to upgrade, as a proposal for a new 250 watt LPFM service is officially open for public comments.
In this week’s Radio Survivor Bulletin exclusive (subscribe here), we provided an update about REC Networks’ proposal for a 250 watt LPFM service. The FCC is now accepting public comments on this proposal through June 15, 2015.
Canceled License in Illinois
Peoria Chinese Ministry Association’s WCUA-LP at 101.9 FM in Peoria, Illinois had its license canceled by the FCC. After not responding to a warning letter in April, the station’s license was canceled on May 13, 2015. In its letter, the FCC indicates that the station “has been silent since at least March 28, 2013” and since it has been off the air for more than a year, the license has expired. Back in 2013, WCUA-LP was granted a special temporary authority to remain silent. At the time, the station asked to go off the air for “financial reasons.”
New Construction Permits for Groups in California and Florida
As far as granted construction permits, there wasn’t much activity this week, with only two organizations getting the go-ahead:
Foundation for a Beautiful Life (92.9 FM in Cupertino, CA): According to its application, this group’s “primary focus is promoting the interests and needs of the Chinese language population in Cupertino…” This has been a contested application and competing applicant South Bay Public Radio filed an Informal Objection on Tuesday, arguing that Foundation for a Beautiful Life has proposed that an antenna be placed atop a tower owned by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on land managed by an open space district. South Bay Public Radio claims that “there is no permission to build or affix a radio transmitting apparatus at this location.” It will be interesting to see how the FCC responds.
Caribbean Festival Association (99.1 FM in St. Petersburg, FL): This group aims to “provide a strong academic, artistic, and multi-cultural educational environment” with its new low power FM radio station, according to its application. Planned programming includes a call-in homework help line as well as children’s radio drama. It’s hoped that the non-profit will work to “develop a children’s theater workshop,” whose productions will air over the radio station.
Dismissed Application in Texas
This week, the application for Iglesia Fe Y Amor de Dios Inc. in Houston, Texas was dismissed.
Low Power FM coming to D.C. Area
Earlier this week, Elevation D.C. ran a nice feature about the low power FM stations coming to the Washington, D.C. area. Elevation D.C. writes, “WERA in Arlington and WOWD in Takoma Park are just two of the hundreds of new stations now signing on from coast to coast.” Also potentially in the mix is WOOK, whose launch is in question because of a “legal battle,” according to the article. We wrote a bit about WOOK’s situation back in February.
LPFM Watch is a weekly feature on Radio Survivor appearing every Thursday.
