how long does it take for an application to get approval from the FCC???

[36james]

this is in regards to the recent attempt to buy KTPI FM, i called the station and they said its pending,
sales wise, how long does this normally take? 3 months, a year, to buy a station or stations outright?? ;D ;D

 

[davideduardo]

this is in regards to the recent attempt to buy KTPI FM, i called the station and they said its pending,
sales wise, how long does this normally take? 3 months, a year, to buy a station or stations outright?? ;D ;D

You do a deal. The lawyers file the papers with the FCC soon after. The FCC puts it in the processing line. If approved, the closing can be within a few days or even a month.

If all is easy, the processing might take around a month to perhaps three.

On the other hand, if there are issues like complicated ownership, cross ownership with other stations, etc., that take longer to consider... or if the FCC has to ask questions about the deal or they return the application due to some technicality, like a form filled in wrong, it can take longer.

We're usually talking somewhere in the three month plus range for a regular closing (this is a lot like getting a mortgage and waiting for approval, etc.). Sometimes, when the seller has high confidence in the buyer there may be an LMA, essentially a lease to own, until the full closing.