Commercial Broadcasters Look to Block Low-Power Radio Stations

It started out with what regulators thought was a simple way to squeeze more voices into increasingly consolidated airwaves: mini-radio stations that could cover several miles at a time to serve up local news, sports and music.

But the plan by the Federal Communications Commission to authorize hundreds of low-power FM stations rankled the nation’s commercial broadcasters. As the industry gathers here for its annual meeting, undoing the FCC’s action is high on its agenda.

“I don’t know what’s fuzzier, the static from low-power FM or the FCC’s thinking on the issue,” said Edward Fritts, head of the National Assn. of Broadcasters.

FCC Chairman William Kennard, the driving force behind low-power radio, took the stage here Tuesday and chided the industry for trying to derail the initiative.

“Why in the midst of all this opportunity for broadcasters have you chosen to muster your considerable resources in Washington and around the country to deny churches and schools and community-based organizations just a little piece of the broadcast pie?” he asked.

Kennard also questioned why the group had “squandered its goodwill at the FCC” in its battle against low-power. Kennard offered to work with the industry to address its concerns but stressed the new service would not cause harmful interference with existing FM stations.

Commercial broadcasters say the new, low-power stations would ruin the integrity of the FM channel. They have galvanized support on Capitol Hill, where legislation that would curtail the number of low-power stations the FCC could license is winding through the House.