AM Revitalization

April 30, 2021
   Public Notice Announcing Effective Date of Modified AM Digital Notification Form, Public Notice, DA 21-499, released April 30, 2021.   [ PDF | Word ].  Media Bureau Announces effective date of April 29, 2021, for modified FCC Form 335-AM Digital Notification Form.

December 17, 2020
   All-Digital Broadcasting Public Notice, Public Notice, DA 20-1497, released December 17, 2020.   [ PDF | Word ].  Media Bureau Announces Federal Register Publication of Report and Order in All-Digital AM Broadcasting, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service Proceeding.

In Docket 13-249, the FCC is making an effort to revitalize the AM broadcasting service through rule changes and the use of FM translator (repeater) stations by AM broadcasters.  Changes already adopted include changes to AM daytime and nighttime community coverage standards, elimination of the AM "ratchet" rule, easier filing requirements for stations using Modulation Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL) technology, and a relaxation of the minimum antenna efficiency standards (see the October 23, 2015 First Report and Order).  Comments and supporting data are sought on additional proposals intended to benefit AM licensees, and we encourage participation in the discussion.

FM Translator Modification Windows for AM Licensees.  The Commission will open two application filing windows for AM broadcasters seeking to relocate or modify an FM translator station.  The first window period will open during the first quarter of 2016, while the second filing window will open immediately after.  Eligibility may be limited for participation in each of these filing window periods.  Please see the October 26, 2015 Public Notice for important details for filing and processing of FCC Form 349 construction permit applications.

FM Translator Auction Windows for AM Licensees.  The Commission has also directed the Media Bureau, in conjunction with the Wireless Bureau, to open two new FM translator application auction windows, in 2017.  These windows will only be open to AM stations that did not file applications in one of the two modification windows identified above.

Check this page for new developments in the AM revitalization effort.

Documents relating to the AM Revitalization Effort:

April 30, 2021
   Public Notice Announcing Effective Date of Modified AM Digital Notification Form, Public Notice, DA 21-499, released April 30, 2021.   [ PDF | Word ].  Media Bureau Announces effective date of April 29, 2021, for modified FCC Form 335-AM Digital Notification Form.

December 17, 2020
   All-Digital Broadcasting Public Notice, Public Notice, DA 20-1497, released December 17, 2020.   [ PDF | Word ].  Media Bureau Announces Federal Register Publication of Report and Order in All-Digital AM Broadcasting, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service Proceeding.

October 29, 2020
   Prohibited Presentations in Revitalization of AM Radio Service, Public Notice, DA 20-1282, released October 29, 2020.   [ PDF | Word ].  Notice of Prohibited Presentations in the Matter of Revitalization of the AM Radio Service.

October 28, 2020
   Commission adopts a Report and Order authorizing AM radio stations to transition to an all-digital signal on a voluntary basis, Report and Order, FCC-20-154, released October 28, 2020.  [ PDF | Word ]. Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  Rosenworcel: [ PDF | Word ].

November 20, 2018
   Comment/Reply Comment Dates Set for AM Revitalization Second FNPRM, Public Notice, DA 18-1181, released November 20, 2018.   [ PDF | Word ].  Announces publication of Second FNPRM Summary in Federal Register and comment/reply comment dates.

October 5, 2018
   FCC Proposes Revised Interference Protection for Class A AM Stations, FNPRM, FCC-18-139, released October 5, 2018.   [ PDF | Word ].  The Commission adopts a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposes revised interference protection for Class A AM Stations.

May 25, 2018
   Auction 99 (AM Revitalization/FM Translators) Winning Bidders, Public Notice, DA-18-541, released May 25, 2018.   [ PDF | Word ].  Announces close of Auction 99, establishes deadlines for down payments, final payments and filing of Forms 349.

May 22, 2018
   Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, Order on Reconsideration, MB Docket 13-249, FCC 18-64, released May 22, 2018. [ PDF | Word ].  Denied the petition for reconsideration.

November 1, 2017
   Media Bureau Announces FM Translator Filing Window for Long-Form Applications, Public Notice, DA 17-1069, released November 1, 2017.  [ Word | PDF ].  Attachment A: [ PDF |  Excel ].  Complete Form 349 applications are due by December 21, 2017, for the applications listed in Attachment A.

September 25, 2017
   Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, Third Report and Order, MB Docket 13-249, FCC 17-119, released September 25, 2017.  [ PDF | Word ].  Relaxes or eliminates certain rules pertaining to AM broadcasters employing and maintaining directional antenna arrays.

March 16, 2017
   Media Bureau Announces Notice of Effective Date of Rule Change Adopted in Second Report and Order in Revitalization of the AM Radio Service Published in Federal Register; Effective Date of Modified Section 74.1201(g) of Commission's Rules Is April 10, 2017, Public Notice, DA 17-255, released March 16, 2017.  [ PDF | Word ].

March 1, 2017
   Media Bureau Procedures for Processing FM Translator Modification Applications, News Release, MB Docket 13-249, DA 17-202, released March 1, 2017.  [ PDF | Word ].  Media Bureau reminds FM translator modification applicants that it will not process applications relying on rule change in the Second Report and Order in the AM Revitalization proceeding until the effective date of the changed rules.

February 24, 2017
   Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, Second Report and Order, MB Docket 13-249, FCC 17-14, released February 24, 2017. [ PDF | Word ].  Ajit Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  Clyburn: [ PDF | Word ].  News Release, FCC Expands Area Where FM Translators Rebroadcasting AM Radio Stations Can Be Located, released February 23, 2017: [ PDF | Word ].

March 30, 2016
   AM Revitalization Spring Forward, Blog by William T. Lake, Chief, Media Bureau

December 23, 2015
   Media Bureau Announces Filing Dates And Procedures For AM Station Filing Window For FM Translator Modifications And Availability of FM Translator Technical Tools, Public Notice, DA 15-1491, released December 23, 2015.   [ PDF | Word ].  Announces filing dates for FM Translator modifications; provides information on filing procedures, translator technical tools, and FAQs.

October 26, 2015
   Media Bureau Initiates AM Revitalization Outreach Efforts; Modification Window Procedures and Requirements Announced, Public Notice, released October 26, 2015: [ PDF | Word ].

October 23, 2015
   Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, First Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry, MB Docket 13-249, FCC 15-142, released October 23, 2015.  [ PDF | Word ]. Wheeler: [ PDF | Word ].  Clyburn: [ PDF | Word ].  Ajit Pai: [ PDF | Word ].  O'Rielly: [ PDF | Word ]. 

February 7, 2014
   Deadline Extended for Reply Comments on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, Public Notice: [ PDF | Word ].

October 31, 2013
   Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), MB Docket 13-249 , FCC 13- 139, released October 31, 2013.  [ PDF | Word ].  Clyburn: [ PDF | Word ]. Pai: [ PDF | Word ].

For more information on AM and FM radio broadcasting, please visit the Audio Division website, and the Broadcast Radio Links page.

FCC > Media Bureau > Audio Division, (202) 418-2700.