One thing I still haven’t understood after reading far too much about this strange story, is why the requirement is there. Like, why can’t they just apply for a regular FM license on the frequency they already use?
> THE FCC IS NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW FM COMMERCIAL BROADCAST STATIONS AT THE PRESENT TIME.
Even if they were, your application just puts the allocation up for the next auction. I don't think the FCC has held an auction in a long time.
Is it because of pointless administrative gridlock? If so, good on them for finding a way to get around some bureaucrat's unwillingness to wield their approval stamp.
Is it because of some technical reason? Ok, bummer, but that's totally different. If it's someone's bottom line vs a public resource, that's that... but I get the sense the FCC would have said that explicitly, no?