FCC Gears Up Auction 114 for FM Broadcast Permits Next Year
Published Date: 8/7/2026
Rule
Summary
This document summarizes the procedures, deadlines, and upfront payment and minimum opening bid amounts for the upcoming auction of FM broadcast construction permits. The Auction 114 Procedures Public Notice summarized here provides details regarding the procedures, terms, conditions, dates, and deadlines governing participation in Auction 114 bidding, as well as overview of the post- auction application and payment processes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory application and payment deadlines
If you want to bid for an FM construction permit, you must file a short-form application (FCC Form 175) by 6:00 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026, and your upfront payment must be received by 6:00 p.m. ET on December 3, 2026. Bidding is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2027.
Wire-transfer only upfront payments
All upfront payments for Auction 114 must be sent by electronic wire transfer in U.S. dollars to the specified U.S. Treasury account and must be received before 6:00 p.m. ET on December 3, 2026. Each payment must be accompanied by a completed FCC Form 159 and the form must be faxed or emailed at least one hour before initiating the wire.
Higher deposit for former defaulters
If an applicant (or its controlling interests) is a former defaulter, the applicant must pay an upfront payment that is 50% greater than the amount required of non-defaulters (i.e., multiply required bidding units by 1.5).
Environmental and historic-review obligations
Winning permittees must comply with environmental review rules under the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and related statutes, including consultations with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and preparation of environmental assessments when required.
132 FM construction permits offered
Auction 114 will offer 132 FM broadcast construction permits, including 33 permits that were offered but not sold in prior auctions. These 132 new allotments are available for qualified bidders to select and bid on.
Mutual exclusivity requires bidding
If two or more timely short-form applications select the same FM allotment, that construction permit becomes mutually exclusive and must be awarded by auction; when mutual exclusivity exists, even a single qualified applicant must submit at least one bid to obtain the permit.
Auction may be delayed, suspended, or canceled
The FCC may delay, suspend, or cancel Auction 114 at any time before or during bidding for reasons like natural disaster, technical problems, network interruption, evidence of unlawful bidding, or other factors affecting fair conduct. The FCC will notify participants by public notice and/or the bidding system.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18778, Review of the Commission's Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2026
The FCC has set the fees that companies must pay for using communication services in Fiscal Year 2026. If you’re a business in TV, radio, satellite, or other communication fields, these fees affect you, and you need to pay by September 24, 2026, to avoid extra charges. The new fee schedule is official starting September 14, 2026, so get ready to pay up on time!
2026-18774, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules for businesses, nonprofits, and governments that use phone systems to make sure emergency calling info is up to date and easy to handle. They want your thoughts on how to keep this info collection useful but less of a hassle, especially for small businesses. Comments are due by November 13, 2026, and this process helps keep emergency phone services running smoothly without wasting time or money.
2026-18581, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
John Comito is officially banned from the E-Rate Program and all related federal support programs for three years starting September 11, 2026, or when he gets the debarment letter—whichever comes first. This means he can’t participate in these programs or receive any federal funds during that time. The FCC is serious about keeping these programs fair and clean!
2026-18591, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
Donna Woods is officially banned from the E-Rate Program and all related federal support programs for three years starting September 11, 2026, or when she gets the letter—whichever comes first. This means she can’t participate in programs that help schools and libraries get funding for internet and technology. The ban aims to keep the program fair and protect taxpayer money.
2026-18535, Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through the Equipment Authorization Program
The FCC is tightening rules to stop risky communication devices from sneaking into the U.S. supply chain. If a device uses parts from banned companies, it won’t get approved, and online sellers must show official FCC IDs when selling gear. These changes kick in on October 13, 2026, affecting manufacturers, sellers, and anyone buying communication equipment, helping keep our networks safe without extra costs.
2026-18585, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
Donatus Anyanwu is banned from the E-Rate program and all federal support programs for three years starting September 11, 2026, or when he gets the official letter—whichever comes first. This means he can’t participate in any federal funding for schools and libraries during that time. The move protects taxpayer money and keeps the program fair for everyone.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16129, Special Conditions: ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A Airplanes; Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized Internal Access
The FAA is setting new safety rules for ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes because they have a cool new digital system that lets people inside the plane access its electronics through wireless and wired networks. These rules make sure this tech is just as safe as older systems. The changes kick in on August 7, 2026, and anyone can share their thoughts by September 21, 2026—no extra costs expected.
Next: 2026-16136, Ohio Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), is approving, in part, two amendments to the Ohio regulatory program (the Ohio program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). As proposed by Ohio, the amendment involves statutory and regulatory changes to its bonding program (i.e., revising Ohio's alternative bonding system and providing the option for an applicant to post full-cost performance securities) and also includes statutory and regulatory changes pertaining to other subjects, such as abandoned mine land program funding, permitting standards, valid existing rights, remining, blasting, and topsoil handling. Ohio submitted this amendment, in part, to satisfy a program condition related to bonding inadequacies. We are removing this program condition.