Commissioner Starks on Release of NPRM to Modify FM Booster Rules

Regarding the adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on whether to modify the FCC’s FM Booster Rules to permit geo-targeted content to originate from FM booster stations, which could provide a way for small and minority-owned stations to better serve their communities by offering hyper-localized content including alternative language news, weather, emergency alerts, and advertising periodically during the broadcast day:

“I was immediately drawn to this compelling proposal by GeoBroadcast that garnered the support of 21 civil rights organizations, and I was proud to champion it through the FCC process leading to this notice of proposed rulemaking. This is exactly the type of creative policy-making we need to help strengthen the staying power of struggling broadcasters and begin to close the appalling disparity that we see in minority ownership numbers. I see great potential in this proposed FCC action to improve the local radio experience for audiences of small broadcasters and broadcasters of color, and to better position these broadcasters to compete for listeners and advertising dollars.”