Media Bureau Resumes Phased Processing of LPTV and Translator Applications
MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES A PHASED RESUMPTION OF FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR MAJOR CHANGES FOR CLASS A, LPTV, AND TV TRANSLATOR STATIONS AND APPLICATIONS FOR NEW LPTV AND TV TRANSLATOR STATIONS
By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau (Bureau) announces that, beginning today, the Commission is initiating a phased process to lift the current freeze on major changes for Class A television, low power television (LPTV), and television (TV) translator stations, in its entirety, and permit the filing of applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations. Outlined below are the dates relating to the phased process and procedures that applicants must follow when filing during these opportunities. The Appendix outlines instructions for filing applications in LMS.
Summary of Important Dates
September 3, 2025 11:59 p.m. ET
Temporary application filing freeze for all major change applications for Class A, LPTV, and TV Translator stations.
October 15, 2025 6:00 p.m. ET
Temporary application filing freeze for all minor change applications (including displacement applications) for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations.
October 22, 2025 12:01 a.m. ET
Expanded opportunity for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations to file major change applications, with relocations limited to no more than 121.0 kilometers (km). Freeze on all minor change applications (including displacement applications) for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations is also lifted.
December 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. ET
Temporary application filing freeze for all major change applications for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations.
January 14, 2026 6:00 p.m. ET
Temporary application filing freeze for all minor change applications (including displacement applications) for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations.
January 21, 2026 12:01 a.m. ET
Resumption, without limit or restriction, of filing of Class A, LPTV and TV translator major change applications and acceptance of applications for new LPTV and TV translators stations. Freeze on minor change applications (including displacement applications) for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations is also lifted.
More information can be found in the complete notice below: