FMC | Low Power FM Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET: Low Power FM

May 2008

Low Power FM stations (LPFM) are community-based, non-commercial radio stations that operate at 100 watts or less and reach a radius of 3 to 7 miles.

Allowing LPFM stations on the air empowers local broadcasters to serve their communities with a variety of new voices and services. LPFM stations can address the interests of specific groups - underserved musical genres, minority, religious and linguistic communities - and provide a forum for debate about important local issues. LPFM stations strengthen community identity in urban neighborhoods, rural towns and other communities that are currently too small to win much attention from "mainstream," ratings-driven media.

Contents:

Who can get a license to operate a Low Power Radio FM station?

Why is Low Power FM important?

Why is Low Power FM important for musicians?

Doesn't public radio fill the gaps?

Legislative History of Low Power Radio Service

What Musicians Can Do

Resources

Who can get a license to operate a Low Power Radio FM station?

LPFM licenses are available to community groups, high schools, labor unions, churches and other nonprofit organizations that would like to reach out to a small, geographically concentrated group of individuals in their community. About 825 radio stations, broadcasting at 100 watts or less, are currently successfully serving communities across the country, with many more in the process of applying for a license or in the construction phase.

Why is Low Power FM important?

As the radio marketplace consolidates, what we hear on the airwaves is increasingly homogenized. Massive media organizations are focused on attracting the broadest audiences possible, gearing programming to the demographic groups that are most appealing to advertisers. As a result, programming that reflects local community interests and niche genres has largely disappeared.

Why is Low Power FM important for musicians?

Since commercial radio is focused on programming music with mainstream appeal, music from niche formats or independent sources is not usually heard on the radio. This impacts the livelihoods of many musicians, including jazz, classical and world music artists. Musicians find it increasingly difficult to reach listeners via the airwaves, and venues, presenting organizations, orchestras and opera companies have fewer opportunities to promote their performances and broaden their audience base.
Radio also largely ignores regional musical formats. For example, Opelousas, LA is considered the birthplace of zydeco music, but until recently the community could not hear the unique sound of its local heritage on the radio. Likewise, zydeco musicians had no way to expand their audiences. In 2003, the Southern Development Foundation began broadcasting on a Low Power frequency, and the station now plays zydeco, blues, gospel and jazz, and hosts community talk shows. This has benefited both niche musicians and the community at large.
Doesn't public radio fill the gaps?

Public and noncommercial radio has done an admirable job supporting independent and culturally diverse music, but the increasing pressure on profitability and market share has caused public radio stations to change their formats as well. In 2001, New Hampshire Public Radio dropped all of their classical and most of their jazz programming in favor of talk-oriented fare. Residents in New Hampshire were unable to listen to classical music on the radio until an LPFM station, WCNH, received its license in 2004 and became the only classical music station in the state. Public radio stations across the country are making decisions similar to New Hampshire Public Radio's, and moving from music programming to public affairs and talk-radio formats. This has resulted in less airtime for music of all kinds.

Legislative History of Low Power Radio Service

In January 2000, the FCC voted to issue low power FM radio licenses. This amounted to a huge victory for communities nationwide where, in many instances, consolidation of commercial media outlets following the 1996 Telecommunications Act had led to decreased localism and diversity on the airwaves.

Incumbent broadcasters, represented in large part by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), lobbied Congress to stop the service, warning that low power FM radio would cause “oceans of interference” for full power stations. Responding to this pressure, Congress passed the Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act in December 2000, which eliminated about 75 percent of the original LPFM licensing opportunities, predominantly in the most densely populated areas, and required that the FCC undertake a study of potential interference issues.

After three years of inquiry and testing, the interference study was released in July 2003. The MITRE Corporation, which was hired by the FCC to conduct the study, concluded that LPFM stations caused no significant interference problems and recommended lifting the burdensome restrictions imposed by Congress. In other words, the interference concerns raised by the NAB were, as predicted by Low Power advocates, unfounded.

In March 2005, the FCC began a further inquiry into possible revisions to its LPFM rules. Thousands of citizens filed comments in the proceeding.

In June 2007, The Local Community Radio Act was introduced in both the House and the Senate. If passed, HR 2802 and S 1675 would remove the "third-adjacent channel" restrictions, allowing further low power stations to be licensed in more urban and suburban areas. In October 2007, S 1675 was voted out of committee by consensus vote and was sent to the full Senate for review.

In November 2007, the FCC passed a set of provisions designed to protect existing LPFM stations and encourage localism and diversity. The provisions include limiting the number of stations that can be owned to one per organization, giving existing LPFM stations some protection in interference issues with full power stations, and prohibiting the use of repetitive/automated programming. The FCC also reiterated its support for Congress lifting the third adjacent channel ban, which is a very affirmative step towards the long-term goal of having LPFM stations available in more populated areas.

In February 2009, Representatives Michael Doyle (D-PA and Lee Terry (R-NB) introduced the Local Community Radio Act (H.R. 1147) in the House. A companion bill was introduced by the Senate (S. 592) in March 2009, and has been sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John McCain (R-AZ).

What Musicians Can Do

Support Low Power and community radio initiatives in your own community.

RESOURCES

FMC blog posts on LPFM

Prometheus Radio Project

Media Access Project

FCC's Audio Division

National Federation of Community Broadcasters

Download as PDF

Want to stay on top of music/tech issues? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Read the latest edition online here.

FMC Releases New York State Edition of "Same Old Song: An Analysis of Radio Playlists in a Post-FCC Consent Decree World"
Data-driven report examines radio playlists in New York State from 2005-2008 and finds almost no measurable change in playlist composition.
June 30, 2009
Press Release | Report

"I Support Community Radio" Artist Video Campaign
Musicians talk about what good local radio means to them.
July 10, 2009
Project Page | Press Release

"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home V"
All-star Tipitina's concert on May 22, 2009 benefits Big Easy musicians and Sweet Home New Orleans.
May 7, 2009
Press Release

FMC Releases "Same Old Song: An Analysis of Radio Playlists in a Post-FCC Consent Decree World"
Data-driven report examines radio playlists from 2005-2008 and finds almost no measurable change in playlist composition.
April 29, 2009
Press Release | Report

Low Power FM Briefing Brought Diverse Voices Together for Community Radio
Advocates for LPFM gathered at our nation’s capital to promote the importance of local community radio in more American towns and cities.
April 24, 2009
Press release

FMC Honors Departing Executive Director Ann Chaitovitz
Chaitovitz’s tenure brought unambiguous artist focus to FMC’s work in education, research and advocacy for musicians.
April 7, 2009
Press release

D.C. Policy Day 2009
Event featured lively discussion between artists, advocates, music industry insiders, policymakers and technologists.
February 12, 2009
Press release | Event site

"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" New Orleans Benefit Concert
Show is the culmination of FMC and Air Traffic Control's annual three-day Artist Activism Camp.
November 19, 2008
Press Release

FMC Analysis: Election Impact on Artists and the Music Community
There are many indicators that a new Adminstration will create conditions for more art and culture-friendly policy; FMC identifies key areas for improvement.
November 5, 2008
Analysis | PDF

FMC Statement on the FCC's White Spaces Vote
Musicians will benefit from White Spaces — those unoccupied frequencies in the existing TV spectrum — given careful implementation of new "smart" devices.
November 4, 2008
Statement

FMC and realizePhiladelphia present web.illish.us
Multi-faceted web and live shows raise awareness about net neutrality and democratic access to the media.
October 29, 2008
Press release | Event page | Main site

A2IM and FMC Report on Independent Music and Commerical Airplay
In-depth survey finds little has changed 18 months after FCC Consent Decree and "voluntary agreements."
October 22, 2008
Press release | Report

FMC Statement on CRB Rulings
Rate-setting for mechanical royalties for physical and digital music should songwriters; encourage new business models.
October 3, 2008
Press release

FMC Reveals Programming for Fall Events
Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Sampling and Fair Use Panel in NYC.
September 9, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Announces Upcoming Events
Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Washington, D.C. Policy Day and Policy Summit set for 2009.
August 5, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision
On August 1, the FCC ruled that Comcast violated net neutrality principles; the decision is a positive step in preserving the open internet.
August 1, 2008

Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album
On July 17, FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival will host a free discussion about Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at Chicago's Cultural Center, featuring Chuck D, members of PE's production team and music media experts.
July 8, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
FMC and the Center for Creative Voices in Media filed a brief at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the FCC's indecency policy has a chilling effect on creativity and expression and deprives the public of access to protected speech.
July 2, 2008
Press release | Indecency amicus brief (PDF)

FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Localism Proceeding
June 11, 2008
PDF of Reply Comments | Press release

Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD
Thirsty Ear Recordings to release album on July 29 to benefit FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality.
June 2, 2008
Press release | Rock the Net

Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance
Two Raleigh concerts in memory of musician Drew Glackin; proceeds go to Glackin's family and Future of Music Coalition's Health Insurance Navigation Tool
April 10, 2008
Press release
FMC's HINT program

New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists
Forums in Rochester (April 28), Syracuse (April 29) and Albany (April 30) to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 25, 2008
Event details | RSVP

Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality
Damian Kulash and Andy Ross discuss the importance of open Internet structures to musicians; Kulash testifies before House Judiciary Committee.
March 13, 2008
Press release
Spoken testimony
Written testimony
Rock the Net

New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists
Kick-off forum in Buffalo on April 2 to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 7, 2008 | Event details

Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality
February 23 Sugar Town show at Tritone in Philadelphia will showcase lady rockers and DJs, as well as musicians' support for net neutrality.
February 15, 2008

OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians
Bands also champion FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality
February 2 benefit show at DC's 9:30 Club raised over $8,000 for New Orleans musicians. Bands played cuts off their new benefit EP, You're Not Alone, available on iTunes on February 5.
February 4, 2008

Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama
On February 2, OK Go and Bonerama will play a benefit at D.C.'s 9:30 Club in support of You're Not Alone - an EP to support Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 21, 2008

Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians
Last week, two benefit concerts raised over $6,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's musicians - and Big Easy music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 15, 2008
Press release | Event details

FMC's Latest Fact Sheets
HD Radio
Low Power FM Radio
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings
Orphan Works
Traveling with Instruments
Touring Internationally
SoundExchange
Net Neutrality
Full Power Non-Commerical Radio Licenses
Media Ownership

Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
FMC's New Executive Director
A proven leader in musician and public policy issues, Chaitovitz replaces founding Executive Director Jenny Toomey
January 3, 2008

Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together
Two New Orleans shows and upcoming benefit CD from OK Go and Bonerama
January 2, 2008

FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation
Kristin Thomson to Serve as FMC's Interim Executive Director; Michael Bracy to Chair FMC Board of Directors
November 26, 2007