Federal Communications Commission to Lift Restrictions on Applications for Brand New Low-Power Television (LPTV) and TV Translator Broadcasting Stations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a phased process to lift the current freeze on major changes for Class A television, low power television (LPTV), and television (TV) translator stations.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET, October 22, 2025, the FCC will lift the major modification application filing freeze for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations. This will allow expanded opportunity for these stations to file major change applications, with relocations limited to no more than 121.0 kilometres (km).

However, a temporary application filing freeze will be imposed on all minor change applications (including displacement applications) for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations, effective at 12:01 a.m. ET, October 15, 2025. This freeze will continue until 6:00 p.m. ET, January 14, 2026.

The FCC will also lift the temporary freeze on all minor modification and displacement applications for Class A, LPTV, and TV translator stations at 12:01 a.m. ET, October 22, 2025.

It's worth noting that applications for new LPTV stations have been frozen since 2010. The new process will lift the freeze on LPTV applications, allowing stations to file for new displacement relief and technical changes. However, the specific date for when applications for new LPTV stations can be submitted again remains undetermined.

To ensure existing stations can serve their viewers before new station applications are accepted, the FCC has imposed a distance limit of 121.0 km on major changes.

The FCC will initially freeze certain applications during the process to provide a stable database for stations to prepare for the filing of major modification applications. Details on the filing and processing procedures are available in the full Public Notice.

The FCC has set specific dates for the phased process and the procedures that applicants must follow when filing during these opportunities.

The temporary application filing freeze for all major change applications for Class A, LPTV, and TV Translator stations will be reinstated at 6:00 p.m. ET, December 3, 2025, and at 6:00 p.m. ET, January 14, 2026, for all minor change applications and displacement applications for LPTV and TV translator stations.

Applications filed during the filing opportunity may not propose facilities that would cause interference to other authorized stations. The FCC believes it is appropriate to permit both unrestricted major modification applications and new station applications at the same time, as would have been allowed in 2010.

The FCC will begin accepting applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations at 12:01 a.m. ET, January 21, 2026, but not for Class A stations. The nationwide window for new LPTV and TV translator stations, initially set for January 25, 2010, was postponed indefinitely.

The FCC encourages all interested parties to carefully review the Public Notice for detailed information on this phased process.

Federal Communications Commission to Lift Restrictions on Applications for Brand New Low-Power Television (LPTV) and TV Translator Broadcasting Stations