On October 10, 2019, the FCC announced that it
will hold a full-power FM Broadcast auction for 130 new
construction permits starting on April 28, 2020. For now, the FCC
is seeking comment on the procedures for the auction, although it
does not propose any significant changes from past FM broadcast
auctions. In connection with the auction, the FCC also announced a filing
freeze prohibiting minor change applications, petitions, or
counter-proposals directly affecting or failing to protect the
construction permits to be auctioned.
A majority of the construction permits
will be for lower-power Class A facilities, but there are 28 new
facilities that are authorized to operate at 25 kW or higher. For
example, a Class B facility in Sacramento will be available, along
with stations on the outskirts of major cities like Dallas and
Seattle. Overall, Texas is home to the most available permits (32),
with numerous opportunities also available in Wyoming (11),
California (10),
