What is a Low Power fm Station?
In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission authorized a new radio service called Low-Power FM (LPFM). LPFM was a response to what was seen as the consolidation of radio station ownership leading to fewer broadcast “voices” in communities. For example, only three companies now own all 16 commercial radio stations in Madison. LPFM stations are only be available to non-profit entities, especially educational institutions, and are only be allowed to operate non-commercially. The stations operate at lower power than standard FM stations and cover a radius of 3 to 7 miles, compared with 15-60 miles of higher powered stations. They were meant to serve smaller communities, or portions of larger cities.
