PRC and its partners helped over 300 public radio, arts and community radio organizations file license requests for FM non-commercial radio channels, during the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Non-Commercial Filing Window in October 2007. As a result of this collaborative effort, we anticipate more than 100 new public radio stations will be available across the country.

At the beginning of this project, PRC commissioned engineering studies to identify high potential frequencies. Nationwide maps denoting the potential signal coverage of available channels were shared with the public radio community to generate awareness, and to assist organizations in selecting effective channels. Once valuable channels were identified, PRC and its partners worked directly with organizations to file license requests. Nearly half of these applicants were new to public radio.

As the FCC awards channels during 2008, PRC will be working with recipients to help them develop sustainable business models for growing public radio audiences.

Generous support for this project was provided by the Annenberg Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, Otto Haas Charitable Trust #2, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Surdna Foundation. A related grant from the New York State Music Fund was provided to support efforts to acquire and build new music radio services specifically in New York State.

To increase public radio audience diversity, PRC re-granted funds to five partner organizations: Future of Music Coalition, Native Public Media, Pacifica Foundation, Prometheus Radio Project and Radio Bilingüe.