Today, Monday, August 12, 2024, REC Networks (REC) is announcing the launch of a new initiative to recognize well-established Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations with a track record of longevity, dependability and rules compliance.
The new program is called PACE, which stands for Participation, Availability, Compliance and Experience. PACE will utilize various metrics from REC’s vast collection of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data to highlight those well-established stations that have been the most involved in the proper operation of their station in an effort to be good broadcast band neighbors and to better the medium of radio in an effort consistent with REC’s overall goals to keep radio relevant, especially in this time of “non-radio” competition.
PACE looks at four key concepts:
- Participation in the Emergency Alert System National Periodic Tests. This is the only routine reporting requirement that LPFM stations have. This further demonstrates the utility of LPFM (and all of radio in that manner) during local and national emergencies.
- Assuring that LPFM stations are on the air broadcasting to the public assuring that those who listen to the radio will always have access to “more choices and more voices”.
- Assuring that LPFM stations are following the rules, especially where it comes to underwriting acknowledgement messages, station location and other technical operations and the timely filing of renewal applications.
- Acknowledging LPFM licensees that have been operating their stations for an extended period of time, which helps them gain experience, especially considering that there is an ownership limit on LPFM stations.
Data used for PACE comes from several sources including:
- The FCC’s License Management System (LMS).
- The FCC’s Centralized Database System (CDBS), the predecessor to LMS.
- Data on enforcement actions released through FCC notices and decisions and compiled in REC’s DINGERS enforcement database.
- Information on EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) activity from the FCC, obtained by REC through a Freedom of Information Act request.
These metrics are mostly based on a four-year rolling clock that takes into consideration licensed and on-air operations. The use of a four-year evaluation period is consistent with some FCC policies in respect to full-service noncommercial FM radio.
PACE qualified facilities will receive recognition in REC systems through the use of a green star badge, similar to the “verification” marks used on some social media platforms to highlight certain users. PACE qualified facilities will also receive full listings at LPFM.us, the National LPFM Station Directory, regardless of their past relationship REC.
The opportunity for an LPFM station to achieve PACE is available to all LPFM stations that follow all of the guidelines of the REC PACE plan. Stations do not need to do anything specific to meet PACE. They just need to follow the FCC rules, keep up with the FCC or REC for information that LPFM stations need to know, as well as keeping their stations going and file all of the necessary forms when they are asked for. PACE is based solely on regulatory metrics regardless of a station’s program choices, political leanings, language, demographics and religion. All stations have a fair chance to receive PACE recognition. PACE is a product of REC Networks and not of the Federal Government.
At the launch of the PACE program, there are currently 1,963 licensed LPFM stations, including silent stations. Of those stations, 492 (25.1%) of all LPFM stations meet the entire PACE criteria. All 1,963 LPFM stations currently meet at least one PACE metric including Participation (28.9%), Availability (99.2%), Compliance (98.1%) and Experience (93.7%). Most LPFM stations not qualifying for PACE only need to start fully participating in future EAS National Periodic Tests in order to gain this status.
For more detailed information about the qualifications to earn PACE, visit:
https://recnet.com/pace
To look up a licensed LPFM station to determine items the station qualifies for right now and what parts, if any, that they need to work on, visit:
https://recnet.com/pacer
Questions and answers about PACE:
https://recnet.com/pace-faq
