Modification of local television markets

(a)

In general

Part I of title III of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

343.

Modification of local television markets

(a)

In general

The adjacent underserved county of a television broadcast station may file with the Commission a petition for the inclusion of such county in the local market of such station. Not later than 120 days after receiving such a petition, the Commission shall grant such petition by modifying the local market of such station by including such county in such market. (b)

Multiple markets

The Commission may determine under subsection (a) that a particular county is part of the local market of more than one television broadcast station affiliated with the same television network. (c)

Single petition

A county may request the inclusion of such county in the local market of more than one television broadcast station in a single petition filed under subsection (a). (d)

Point of contact with county

A county that files a petition under subsection (a) shall designate an official or body to communicate with the Commission about matters relating to such petition. (e)

Carriage during pendency of proceeding

During the pendency of a proceeding on a petition under subsection (a) for the inclusion of a county in the local market of a television broadcast station, a multichannel video programming distributor may not delete from carriage the signal of a television broadcast station— (1)that is affiliated with the same television network; and (2)the local market of which includes such county. (f)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Adjacent market

(A)

In general

The term adjacent market means, with respect to a television broadcast station, any designated market area adjacent to, and partially but not entirely in the same State as, the designated market area in which the station’s community of license is located. (B)

Treatment of certain counties

In the case of a county that is not within the local market or the adjacent market (as defined in subparagraph (A)) of any network station licensed to a community in the State in which such county is located, such county shall be considered to be within the adjacent market of any television broadcast station licensed to a community in the nearest designated market area— (i)that is located in whole or in part within such State; and (ii)with respect to which the community of license of at least one network station is located both in such designated market area and in such State. (2)

Adjacent underserved county

The term adjacent underserved county means, with respect to a television broadcast station, a county within the station’s adjacent market that is both— (A)located in the same State as the station’s community of license; and (B)not within the local market of any other station that is both affiliated with the same television network and located in the same State. (3)

Cable operator

The term cable operator has the meaning given such term in section 602. (4)

County

The term county means a county, parish, or similar political subdivision of a State of the type generally used in determining the boundaries of designated market areas. (5)

Designated market area

The term designated market area has the meaning given such term in section 122(j)(2)(C) of title 17, United States Code. (6)

Local market

The term local market means, with respect to a television broadcast station— (A)for purposes of carriage of such station by satellite carriers, the local market of such station as determined under section 122(j)(2) of title 17, United States Code; and (B)for purposes of carriage of such station by cable operators, the television market of such station as determined under section 614(h)(1)(C). (7)

Multichannel video programming distributor

The term multichannel video programming distributor has the meaning given such term in section 602. (8)

Network station

The term network station has the meaning given such term in section 119(d) of title 17, United States Code. (9)

Satellite carrier

The term satellite carrier has the meaning given such term in section 119(d) of title 17, United States Code. (10)

Television broadcast station

The term television broadcast station has the meaning given such term in section 325(b). (11)

Television network

The term television network has the meaning given such term in section 339(d).

(b)

Effect for purposes of cable carriage

Section 614(h)(1)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 534(h)(1)(C)) is amended— (1)by moving the margin of clause (iv) two ems to the left; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

(v)If the Commission modifies the local market of a television broadcast station under section 343 by including a county in such market, the Commission shall include within the television market of such station for purposes of this section all of the communities within such county.

(c)

Effect for purposes of satellite carriage

Section 122(j)(2) of title 17, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(E)

Modification by FCC

If the Federal Communications Commission modifies the local market of a television broadcast station under section 343 of the Communications Act of 1934, such modification shall modify the local market of such station as determined under this paragraph.