Amendment of the Commission's Rules Regarding Duplication of Programming on Commonly Owned Radio Stations; Modernization of Media Initiative
broadcasting · Federal Communications Commission · Published 2020-10-22 · Effective 2020-10-22 · 85 FR 67303
Document
Document number
2020-21319
Federal Register citation
85 FR 67303
CFR reference
47 CFR 73
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
broadcasting
Publication date
2020-10-22
Effective date
2020-10-22
FCC docket
MB Docket No. 19-310 and MB Docket No. 17-105
Abstract
In this document, the Commission eliminates the radio duplication rule, which restricts the duplication of programming on commonly owned stations operating in the same geographic area, for both AM and FM stations to reflect technological and marketplace changes since the current version of the rule was adopted in 1992. This approach will strike an appropriate balance between fostering our public interest goals of promoting competition and diversity and affording broadcast radio licensees greater flexibility to address issues of local concern in a timely fashion, facilitate digital broadcasting by AM stations, and ultimately allow stations to improve service to their communities.