The FCC has released its Order setting the amounts of the annual regulatory fees for broadcasters – though the window for making those payments has not yet been set. Look for that window to be set in the near future, as payments will probably be due in September. Broadcast fees are based on the class of facility and the population covered by the station. All fees are based on the status of the station as of October 1 of 2008. Click on "continue reading" below to see the amount of the fees to be paid by broadcasters.
In its order, the FCC declined a request to broaden the categories of broadcast stations that were suffering from financial hardship justifying a waiver of the rules. Stations seeking a financial hardship waiver must provide the FCC with sufficient financial information, including profit and loss statements and a showing of how much the station’s owners were receiving as compensation, for the Commission to make a determination that the payment of the fees would pose an undue hardship on the station. The FCC did say that bankruptcy or receivership, or the fact that a station was silent or dark, would be viewed as evidence of financial hardship.
1. AM Class A
<=25,000 population $675
25,001-75,000 population $1,350
75,001-150,000 population $2,025
150,001-500,000 population $3,050
500,001-1,200,000 population $4,400
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $6,750
>3,000,000 population $8,100
2. AM Class B
<=25,000 population $550
25,001-75,000 population $1,075
75,001-150,000 population $1,350
150,001-500,000 population $2,300
500,001-1,200,000 population $3,500
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $5,400
>3,000,000 population $6,475
3. AM Class C
<=25,000 population $500
25,001-75,000 population $750
75,001-150,000 population $1,000
150,001-500,000 population $1,500
500,001-1,200,000 population $2,500
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $3,750
>3,000,000 population $4,750
4. AM Class D
<=25,000 population $575
25,001-75,000 population $875
75,001-150,000 population $1,450
150,001-500,000 population $1,725
500,001-1,200,000 population $2,875
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $4,600
>3,000,000 population $5,750
5. AM Construction Permit $400
6. FM Classes A, B1 and C3
<=25,000 population $650
25,001-75,000 population $1,325
75,001-150,000 population $1,825
150,001-500,000 population $2,800
500,001-1,200,000 population $4,450
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $7,250
>3,000,000 population $9,250
7. FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 and C2
<=25,000 population $825
25,001-75,000 population $1,450
75,001-150,000 population $2,725
150,001-500,000 population $3,550
500,001-1,200,000 population $5,225
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $8,350
>3,000,000 population $10,850
8. FM Construction Permits $650
TV (47 CFR, Part 73)
VHF Commercial
1. Markets 1 thru 10 $77,575
2. Markets 11 thru 25 $60,550
3. Markets 26 thru 50 $37,575
4. Markets 51 thru 100 $22,950
5. Remaining Markets $ 5,950
6. Construction Permits $ 5,950
UHF Commercial
1. Markets 1 thru 10 $24,250
2. Markets 11 thru 25 $21,525
3. Markets 26 thru 50 $13,350
4. Markets 51 thru 100 $ 7,600
5. Remaining Markets $ 1,950
6. Construction Permits $ 1,950
Satellite UHF/VHF Commercial
1. All Markets $1,275
2. Construction Permits $ 650
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM $ 400
Translator, & TV/FM Booster
(47 CFR Part 74)
Broadcast Auxiliary $ 10