LPFM Proposal Would 'Upend' LPFM Model, NAB Says

Approval of a Low Power FM Advocacy Group petition “would completely upend” the LPFM model, NAB said in comments filed Tuesday in docket RM-11753. LPFM-AG proposals to allow LPFM stations to run commercials would subject them to control by businesses and increase interference risk for FM stations, NAB said. Though NAB said LPFM stations face financial challenges, the petition’s proposals are “a bridge too far,” NAB said. LPFM group REC Networks also filed comments opposing the LPFM-AG petition. “Allowing LPFM to become a commercial service would price the service out of reach of those entities it was originally intended to serve,” REC Networks said. REC said it would support more relaxed rules for corporate underwriting for LPFM , and that it wouldn’t oppose efforts to make LPFM a primary service. Such a change should be made by Congress rather than the FCC, REC said.