FCC Announces Auction 109 Rules and Temporary Filing Freeze

The FCC has announced deadlines and procedures for Auction 109. Short-form (Form 175) applications can be filed between April 28, 2021 and May 11, 2021. Upfront payments will be due June 16, 2021. The auction will begin on July 27, 2021. The auction will offer four AM and 136 FM construction permits for competitive bidding. A list of specific available channels is available here. You can read our earlier memo about Auction 109 here.

The FCC will post an online tutorial to the Auction 109 website by April 14. According to the FCC, the tutorial will provide information about pre-auction procedures, the FCC Auction Application System, completing short-form applications, auction conduct, the FCC auction bidding system, auction rules, and broadcast services rules.

The FCC is also imposing a temporary freeze on the filing of FM commercial and noncommercial educational minor change applications, effective April 28, 2021. The freeze will help prevent technical conflicts with Auction 109 applications. Stations planning to file minor modification applications should do so before April 28, 2021, or be prepared to wait until after the close of the Auction 109 Form 175 application window on May 11.

If you would like more information about Auction 109 or the upcoming filing freeze, please contact any attorney in our office.