The FCC has announced plans today to hold an auction of vacant commercial FM allocations in February 2027.
Auction 114 will offer 132 potential construction permits and will be the first media auction using the commission’s new application and bidding systems. Ahead of the auction, the FCC is opening a comment period on its proposal to conduct the auction using a simultaneous multiple-round auction format.
Along with the auction is an immediate freeze on applications proposing to modify any of vacant non-reserved band FM allotments scheduled for Auction 114, petitions and counterproposals that propose a change in channel, class, community, or reference coordinates for any of the vacant non-reserved band FM allotments scheduled for Auction 114, and applications, petitions and counterproposals that fail to fully protect any Auction 114 FM Allotment.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said, “This FM auction is another step toward expanding opportunities for new voices and strengthening competition in the radio marketplace. We’re pleased to open the door to additional growth and innovation—and to deliver real value for taxpayers through a strong auction process. The FCC has a responsibility to ensure that spectrum is put to its highest and best use, and today’s action advances that mission. I want to thank our outstanding Auctions Division and Media Bureau teams for their work on this auction. It is because of their expertise and dedication that an auction like this can happen, even as both teams work to achieve other major Commission priorities, including the upcoming AWS-3 and Upper C-band auctions and the streamlining and modernization of outdated broadcast regulations.”
The list of allotments to be made available in the auction and the minimum opening bid is embedded here:
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