FCC Establishes Incubator Program Procedures To Increase Diversity In The Broadcast Industry

The Federal Communications Commission adopted requirements that will govern an incubator program to assist new, small, or struggling voices, including women and minorities, in overcoming the key barriers to entry into the broadcast sector. Under the program, an established broadcaster will provide financial and operational support, including training and mentoring, to a new or small broadcaster. At the end of a successful incubation relationship, the new or small broadcaster will either own and operate a new station independently, or the previously-struggling broadcaster’s station will be on a firmer footing. Once an incubation relationship is completed successfully, the established broadcaster will be eligible to receive a waiver of the FCC’s Local Radio Ownership Rule, subject to certain requirements. The incubator program initially will apply to full-service AM and FM broadcast radio stations as the costs of obtaining and operating radio stations make the radio sector a significantly more accessible entry point than television for entities with limited capital resources and operational experience.