Broadcast Incubator Program

On August 3, 2018, the Commission released a Report and Order (Order), Rules and Policies to Promote New Entry and Ownership Diversity in the Broadcasting Services, FCC 18-114, in MB Docket No. 18-289, establishing the requirements that will govern the incubator program that the Commission previously decided to adopt to support the entry of new and diverse voices into the radio broadcast industry. The Commission recognized the need for more innovative approaches to encourage access to capital, as well as technical, operational, and management training for use by new entrants and small businesses, that without assistance, would not be able to own broadcast stations. The incubator program is designed for small businesses, struggling station owners, and new entrants that do not have any other means to access the financial assistance and operational support necessary for success in the broadcast industry. The goal is the pairing of these small aspiring, or struggling, broadcast station owners with established broadcasters. These incubation relationships will provide new entrants and struggling small broadcasters access to the financing, mentoring, and industry connections that are necessary for success in the industry, but to date have been unavailable to many. In return for successfully incubating a small aspiring, or struggling, broadcast station owner as part of the incubator program, an incumbent broadcaster will be eligible to receive a waiver of the Local Radio Ownership Rule following the conclusion of a successful qualifying incubation relationship.

The latest form for Broadcast Incubator Program expires 2022-04-30 and can be found here.

Broadcast Incubator Program

Federal Enterprise Architecture: General Government - Central Fiscal Operations