[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30700]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 14, 1994]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 94-123, DA 94-1408]

 

Proposed Rule; Extension of Comment and Reply Comment Periods

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

SUMMARY: The Commission granted a joint request by the Association of 
Independent Television Stations, Inc., Viacom, Inc. and King World 
Productions, Inc. for an extension of time for filing comments and 
reply comments in this proceeding. The Commission determined that the 
extension of time was warranted in light of the time necessary to 
compile information critical to resolution of the numerous and complex 
issues raised in this proceeding. This action will facilitate the 
development of a full and complete record on these issues.

DATES: Comments are now due on March 7, 1995. Reply comments are now 
due on April 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alan E. Aronowitz, Mass Media Bureau, (202) 632-7792.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[MM Docket No. 94-123]

Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments

    In re: Review of the Prime Time Access Rule, Section 73.658(k) 
of the Commission's Rules.

Adopted: December 7, 1994;
Released: December 8, 1994

    By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:
    1. On October 25, 1994, the Commission released a Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making (``Notice''), FCC 94-266, in this proceeding (59 
FR 55402, November 7, 1994) soliciting comment on the legal and policy 
justifications, in light of current economic and technological 
conditions, for the Prime Time Access Rule, Section 73.658(k) of the 
Commission's Rules, and to consider the continued need for the rule in 
its current form. The deadline for filing comments is currently January 
6, 1995, and the deadline for filing reply comments is currently 
February 6, 1995.
    2. On November 29, 1994, a joint motion for extension of time for 
filing comments and reply comments was filed by the Association of 
Independent Television Stations, Inc., Viacom, Inc. and King World 
Productions, Inc. (``Joint Petitioners''). The motion requests that the 
deadline for filing comments be extended by sixty days, and the reply 
comment deadline to follow thirty days thereafter. Under this schedule, 
comments would be due on March 7, 1995, and reply comments due by April 
6, 1995. On December 1, 1994, joint comments in support of the 
extension of time request were filed by CapCities/ABC, Inc., CBS Inc. 
and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (``Joint Commenters'').
    3. The Joint Petitioners contend that in order to respond to the 
comprehensive economic analysis called for in the Notice, they have 
retained a leading economic consulting group which, in an attached 
letter, states that the additional time is necessary not only to 
collect and tabulate the economic data (which generally does not now 
exist in computerized formats), but also to analyze that data using 
economic and statistical models. Similarly, the Joint Commenters report 
that each of the economists with whom they consulted advised them that 
it would be impossible to prepare an appropriately responsive economic 
study within the time frame established by the Notice because of the 
breadth and depth of the issues raised. These parties maintain that the 
grant of this request will serve the public interest by permitting them 
sufficient time to compile the information necessary for generating the 
comprehensive record that the Commission seeks in this proceeding.
    4. As set forth in Sec. 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 
1.46, it is our policy that extensions of time for filing comments in 
rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted. However, under 
the circumstances described above, we believe that the requested 
extension of time to file comments and reply comments is warranted in 
light of the number and complexity of the issues raised in this 
proceeding. This extension of time should facilitate the development of 
a full and complete record on the issues raised in the Notice and, 
thus, it appears reasonable to provide the commenting parties 
additional time to analyze and address these issues.
    5. Accordingly, It Is Ordered, that the Joint Motion for Extension 
of Time filed by the joint petitioners Is Granted, the time for filing 
comments in this proceeding Is Extended to March 7, 1995, and the time 
for filing reply comments in this proceeding Is Extended to April 6, 
1995.
    6. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 
4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and 
Sec. 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the Commission's Rules.

Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 94-30700 Filed 12-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M