[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20856]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 25, 1994]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 76

[CS Docket No. 94-95; DA 94-895]

 

Cable Television Service; List of Major Television Markets

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commission, through this action, invites comments on its 
proposal to amend its rules regarding the listing of major television 
markets, to change the designation of the Tampa-St.Petersburg-
Clearwater television market to include the community of Lakeland, 
Florida. This action is taken at the request of Public Interest 
Corporation, licensee of television station WTMV(TV), channel 32, 
Lakeland, Florida and it taken to test the proposal for market 
hyphenation through the record established based on comments filed by 
interested parties.

DATES: Comments are due on or before September 14, 1994 and reply 
comments are due on or before October 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William H. Johnson, Cable Services 
Bureau (202) 418-0856
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Docket 94-95, adopted August 12, 1994 
and released August 15, 1994. The full text of this decision is 
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in 
the FCC Reference Center (room 239), 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, 
D.C. 20554, and may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 
International Transcription Service, (202) 857-3800, 1919 M Street, NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20554.

Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making

    1. The Commission, in response to a Petition for Rule Making filed 
by the petitioner, proposed to amend Sec. 76.51 of the Rules to add the 
community of Lakeland to the Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida 
television market.
    2. In evaluating past requests for hyphenation of a market, the 
Commission has considered the following factors as relevant to its 
examination: (1) the distance between the existing designated 
communities and the community proposed to be added to the designation; 
(2) whether cable carriage, if afforded to the subject station, would 
extend to areas beyond its Grade B signal coverage area; (3) the 
presence of a clear showing of a particularized need by the station 
requesting the change of market designation; and (4) an indication of 
benefit to the public from the proposed change. Each of these factors 
helps the Commission to evaluate individual market conditions 
consistent ``with the underlying competitive purpose of the market 
hyphenation rule to delineate areas where stations can and do, both 
actually and logically, compete.''
    3. Based on the facts presented, the Commission believes that a 
sufficient case for redesignation of the subject market has been set 
forth so that this proposal should be tested through the rule making 
process, including the comments of interested parties. It appears from 
the information before us that the television stations licensed to 
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lakeland do compete for 
audiences and advertisers throughout much of the proposed combined 
market area, and that sufficient evidence has been presented tending to 
demonstrate commonality between the proposed communities to be added to 
the market designation and the market as a whole. Moreover, the 
petitioners' proposal appears to be consistent with the Commission's 
policies regarding redesignation of a hyphenated television market. 
Accordingly, comment is requested on the proposed addition of Lakeland 
to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida television market.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    4. The Commission certifies that the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 
1980 does not apply to this rulemaking proceeding because if the 
proposed rule amendment is promulgated, there will not be a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small business entities, as 
defined by Sec. 601 (3) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A few cable 
television system operators will be affected by the proposed rule 
amendment. The Secretary shall send a copy of this Notice of Proposed 
Rule Making, including the certification, to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in accordance with 
paragraph 603(a) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Pub. L. No. 96-354, 
94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq. (1981).

Ex Parte

    5. This is a non-restricted notice and comment rule making 
proceeding. Ex parte presentations are permitted, provided they are 
disclosed as provided in the Commission's Rules. See generally 47 CFR 
Secs. 1.1202, 1.1203 and 1.1206(a).

Comment Dates

    6. Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in Secs. 1.415 and 
1.419 of the Commission's Rules, interested parties may file comments 
on or before September 14, 1994, and reply comments on or before 
October 14, 1994. All relevant and timely comments will be considered 
before final action is taken in this proceeding. To file formally in 
this proceeding, participants must file an original and four copies of 
all comments, reply comments, and supporting comments. If participants 
want each Commissioner to receive a personal copy of their comments, an 
original plus nine copies must be filed. Comments and reply comments 
should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments and reply comments will be 
available for public inspection during regular business hours in the 
FCC Reference Center (Room 239) of the Federal Communications 
Commission, 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20554.
    7. Accordingly, this action is taken by the Chief, Cable Services 
Bureau, pursuant to authority delegated by Sec. 0.321 of the 
Commission's Rules.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 76

    Cable television.

Federal Communications Commission.
William H. Johnson,
Acting Chief, Cable Services Bureau.
[FR Doc. 94-20856 Filed 8-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-F