With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress is allowing "FM broadcast stations" and FM translators access to reimbursement for certain expenses accured as a result of the repacking of television stations.  In MB Docket 18-214, the Commission reached a tentative conclusion that LPFM stations were considered as "FM broadcast stations" for the purpose of enacted law and therefore should be permitted to seek reimbursement as appropriate. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that the 2018 National Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) tests have been postponed until the backup date of October 3, 2018 due to Florence and other weather events.   The WEA test will take place at 2:18 PM EDT and the EAS test will take place at 2:20 PM EDT.

Clients retained by REC for the test should check their in-boxes for an update. 

This data was compiled on June 9, 2017 in a review of whether we need review the eligbility standards for new LPFM stations.  REC's priority is to foster new community stations operated by collectives of local community members with a level of transparency and accountability and free of hidden multiple ownership.

As we are all preparing for next week’s nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA) on September 20th, just a reminder to broadcasters and cable providers not to air the audio attention signal for WEA or the EAS during any news coverage of the test.  Any transmission, including broadcast, of the WEA or EAS attention signals or codes, or a simulation of them, under any circumstances other than a genuine alert, authorized test, or approved public service announcement violates the Commission’s rules and undermines the important public safety pr

REC Networks has filed Reply Comments with the FCC today in MB Docket 18-119 relating to proposed changes to the rules regarding interference by proposed or newly constructed FM translator stations to existing broadcast stations including LPFM stations. 

In REC's reply, we have aligned with many of the comments filed by the LPFM Coalition in regards to various issues including:

REC Networks is all about a citizen's access to spectrum.  This means assuring that new entrants are able to enter into broadcasting for the first time.  While the FCC's "Broadcast Incubator" program was touted to do just that, it is not.  Instead, it is an underhanded method of allowing large corporate broadcasters a "free-pass" on the local ownership caps under the guise of a "mentorship" program.  While we support "big" broadcasters providing mentorship to upstarts, a "free-pass" on the ownership cap is not the appropriate reward where a more appropriate reward could be consideration suc