Translators vs. LPFMs in three markets

The attached charts show the radio dial in three sample markets: Macon, Georgia, Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, California. You can see how many low power stations, full power stations, translators, and translator applications were in each market at the time this data was collected (around 2007). Because translators use the same channels that could be available for low power stations, the 13,000 translator applications filed in 2003 would squeeze out any opportunities for local groups to have their own stations (if the FCC approved the translator applications before opening another low power license window). The FCC needs to rebalance the priority between big companies (which often repeat their programming over dozens or hundreds of translators) and local groups who want just one chance to broadcast to their communities with a low power station.