The FCC will lift the current freeze on major change applications for Class A TV, low power TV (LPTV) and TV translator stations, and will permit applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations, on a phased basis starting on October 22, 2025. Licensees of Class A, LPTV and TV translator stations will be able to file applications to relocate up to 121 kilometers (approximately 75 miles) from a station’s licensed antenna reference coordinates. Starting on January 21, 2026, the FCC will accept applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations, and for major changes to existing Class A, LPTV and TV translator stations which propose relocations greater than 121 kilometers.
Applications will be processed on a first-come first-served basis, with a daily “cut-off” to determine mutually exclusive applications. Where applications are filed on the same day and are mutually exclusive, applicants will have an opportunity to resolve the mutual exclusivity through a technical solution or other settlement during a window to be announced by the FCC. If the mutual exclusivity is not resolved through a technical solution or settlement, it will be resolved through an auction. Where an application is mutually exclusive with an application filed on an earlier date, the subsequently filed application will be dismissed. This makes it particularly important to file on the first day the lift of the applicable freeze is effective, to minimize the chances of an application being mutually exclusive or dismissed.
To stabilize the FCC database ahead of lifting the freeze on October 22, 2025, the FCC has imposed a freeze on major change applications for channel changes, which previously were permitted, for Class A, LPTV and TV translator stations. The FCC plans to freeze all minor change applications, including displacement applications, for those stations as of 6:00 pm ET on October 15, 2025. These interim freezes will remain in place until 12:01 am ET on October 22, 2025. Similarly, to prepare for lifting the freeze on January 21, 2026, the FCC will impose a freeze on all major change applications for those stations as of 6:00 pm ET on December 3, 2025, and will freeze all minor change applications for those stations effective as of 6:00 pm ET on January 14, 2026. These interim freezes will remain in place until 12:01 am ET on January 21, 2026.
