FCC Updates Broadcast Radio and Television Rules for Modern Systems
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Table of Contents
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a rule update on March 25, 2026, that cleans up broadcast radio and television regulations. The changes replace outdated references to an old filing system called CDBS with the current Licensing and Management System (LMS). The commission also updated form names to match current conventions, corrected inconsistent terminology for FM and TV channel allotment tables, and removed rules tied to a completed spectrum auction that ended in 2020.
Why it matters: This update is mostly administrative. It clears out outdated system names, fixes inconsistent terminology, and removes rules that no longer apply because the underlying processes or deadlines have passed. The practical effect is that broadcasters and their legal counsel will deal with fewer obsolete references and one fewer restriction on AM power increases.
Who it affects
- Broadcast radio and television licensees
The Federal Communications Commission released this rule update in the Federal Register; readers should review the full Report and Order before relying on the specific regulatory text.
Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Source: Federal Register — read the official document