The FCC’s Media Bureau released a Public Notice announcing the opportunity to file applications for major changes in the channel and location of LPTV, Class A, and TV translator stations starting on October 22, with a subsequent opportunity to file applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations starting on January 26. These are not technically “windows” for filing applications as they do not have defined end dates, but they are instead the lifting of freezes on applications by these stations that have been in effect for well over a decade. Once the freezes are lifted, as explained below, with limited exceptions for temporary freezes set by the Public Notice, these filing opportunities will remain in effect until further notice. The opportunity to make major changes in existing stations, and to file for new stations, have long been requested by LPTV advocates anxious to improve station coverage and adapt to marketplace changes – opportunities that have largely been limited for over a decade during the TV incentive auction process and the subsequent repacking of the TV spectrum.
The “major change” window will allow for channel changes by existing stations and site moves of up to 121 kilometers (roughly 75 miles). To have a stable database from which applicants can operate, a freeze on all major changes for these stations went into effect on September 3, and all minor changes will be temporarily frozen on October 15 (details below).
Applications for new LPTV and TV translators will be allowed starting on January 26 – with another temporary freeze on all major changes taking effect on December 3, and one on minor changes on January 14. This will be the first opportunity to file for new LPTV and TV translator stations in 15 years as the FCC froze applications for new stations in 2010 (see our article here), and had precluded applications in larger markets well before that date. All freezes will be lifted on January 26.
The exact deadlines are set forth below:
Note that applications filed in each window will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications will be “cut-off” daily. That means that multiple applications filed on the same day that specify facilities that will interfere with each other so that all cannot be granted, will be considered “mutually exclusive” – and, if the parties cannot settle or find a technical solution, the conflict will be resolved by an auction. But, if there are no mutually exclusive applications filed on the same day, an acceptable application will preclude any subsequent application that would propose facilities that would interfere with the previously-filed proposal. Thus, filing early in the window will provide the most opportunities for applicants seeking facilities in spectrum-congested areas.
Phase 1: Major and Minor Modification Filing Freezes
- 11:59 pm Sept. 3 – Major Changes Freeze on Class A, LPTV and TV translator major modification applications for channel changes
- 6:00 pm ET, Oct. 15 – Minor Changes Freeze on all Class A, LPTV, and TV translator minor change applications (including displacement applications).
Phase 2: Existing Stations Expanded Major Change Opportunity Opens/Minor Change Freeze Lifts
- 12:01 am ET, Oct. 22 – Major Change Window Opens. Existing Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations may file major change applications to change channels and/or relocate facilities up to 121 km (~75 miles) from the licensed antenna reference coordinates. This filing opportunity is first-come, first-served. Mutually exclusive applications (i.e., applications that are filed on the same day and are in conflict with each other) will be handled in accordance with the procedures described below. This filing window will be open until 6 pm ET on December 3, 2025.
- Minor Change Freeze Lifts: coincident with the opening of the major change opportunity, the minor change temporary freeze is also lifted.
Phase 3: Re-Freezes
- 6:00 pm ET, December 3, 2025: Freeze on further major change applications for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations.
- 6:00 p.m. ET, January 14, 2026: Freeze on all minor change applications (including displacement applications) for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations.
Phase 4: Resumption of Existing Station Filings/Commencement of Filing Opportunity for NEW LPTV and Translator Stations
- 12:01 am ET, January 26: all freezes lifted AND the Media Bureau begins accepting applications for NEW LPTV and TV Translator stations of a first come, first served basis. These filing opportunities will continue indefinitely (unless and until another freeze is instituted) and there will be no geographic or other restrictions (i.e., the 121 kilometer limit will no longer apply).
Read the Media Bureau’s Public Notice for more details – and start planning now if you are interested in taking advantage of these new opportunities for Class A, LPTV and TV translator operations.
