The new date for unbuilt digital LPTV and TV translator stations appears to be 13 July 2021.
On 13 April 2017, the FCC announced an LPTV digital transition date of 13 July 2021. In late 2015, the FCC announced that they will extend the expiration dates of all valid construction permits for new digital LPTV and TV translator stations to the new digital transition date.
The FCC has acknowledged the greater disadvantage that unbuilt LPTV stations face:
In fact, permittees of unbuilt digital LPTV and TV translator stations face a greater displacement challenge following the auction than operating LPTV and TV translator stations due to the fact that permittees are not eligible to submit a displacement application in the special window that will occur following the completion of the incentive auction.
We find that this creates even greater uncertainty as to the future viability of these facilities and justifies special relief for this class of parties.
Permittees of new digital LPTV and TV translator stations may seek one last extension of time to complete construction, of not more than six months, to be filed not later than four months prior to the new digital transition date. As of right now, that means that all currently-granted LPTV Construction Permits must be built out by 13 January 2022, if their extension is granted.