fcc_ecfs:FCC-2026-2443-0001:10331166613668
South Orange County Radio, Inc.SupportOther
Summary: The commenter supports the proposed deregulatory initiatives and specifically requests that the FCC remove all paid sponsorship regulations for Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations. They argue that removing these restrictions will allow stations to rely on the free market for financial sustainability.
This is in response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Public Notice seeking input on deregulatory initiatives to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens in the broadcasting industry. As it applies to Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations we propose the following:
LPFM radio stations were created by the FCC back in 2000 with the hope they would revive community radio. To some extent this has worked but unfortunately most LPFM radio stations fail due to the sponsorship regulations placed on them by the FCC. The few that have not failed have either done so illegally by using paid sponsorships or receiving federal funding via grants from the CPB. The federal government should not be involved in financially supporting LPFM radio stations. Every LPFM radio station should rely on the free market for its financial well being. We propose that in order to provide deregulation the FCC should cease all federal funding of LPFM radio stations and conversely remove all paid sponsorship regulations. This will allow LPFM radio stations to rely on the free market for their financial well being.