‘Incubator’ Proposal Hot Topic in Next FCC Media Ownership Review

Sources say that the Federal Communications Commission is about to seek public comment on a far-reaching proposal to advance minority broadcast ownership.

The “Media Incubator” proposal would give a broadcast company an opportunity in some markets to acquire one more radio station than the rules otherwise would allow if the broadcaster makes it possible for a socially and economically disadvantaged business (“SDB”) to get into broadcast ownership in the same or a larger market. The incubator proposal was first offered in 1990 by the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB). In six rulemaking dockets spanning 21 years, the FCC has sought comment on the proposal in 1992, 1995 and (in a revised form) 2007. But it has yet to muster the votes to actually adopt and implement the proposal.