[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18793-18794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9093]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 94-123, DA 95-694]


Radio Broadcast Services; Television Program Practices

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of reply comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Commission granted a joint request by the Network 
Affiliated Stations Alliance for an extension of time for filing 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 

[[Page 18794]]
proceeding. This action will facilitate the development of a full and 
complete record on these issues.

DATES: Reply comments are now due on May 12, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alan E. Aronowitz, Mass Media Bureau, (202) 776-1653.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Adopted: March 31, 1995.
    Released: March 31, 1995.

    By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:
    1. On October 25, 1994, the Commission released a Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 94-123, 59 FR 55402 (November 7, 
1994) (NPRM), in this proceeding, soliciting comment on the legal and 
policy justifications, in light of current economic and technological 
conditions, for the Prime Time Access Rule, Sec. 73.658(k) of the 
Commission's Rules, and to consider the continued need for the rule in 
its current form. By an Order adopted on December 7, 1994, the deadline 
for filing comments was extended to March 7, 1995, and the deadline for 
filing reply comments was extended to April 6, 1995. See Order Granting 
Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments in MM Docket 
No. 94-123, 59 FR 64382 (December 14, 1994).
    2. On March 24, 1995, a motion for extension of time for filing 
reply comments in this proceeding was filed by the Network Affiliated 
Stations Alliance, which states that it is authorized to represent the 
Association of Independent Television Stations, Inc., Viacom, Inc. King 
World Productions, Inc., Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., CBS Inc., the 
National Broadcasting Company, Inc., the Motion Picture Association of 
America, Inc., and the Media Access Project (``Joint Petitioners'') in 
this request. The motion requests that the deadline for filing reply 
comments be extended from April 6, 1995, to May 12, 1995.
    3. The Joint Petitioners contend that the comments filed in this 
proceeding include detailed economic studies on all sides of the 
issues. These parties, who take differing views on the continued need 
for the Prime Time Access Rule, assert that certain data underlying 
those studies is now becoming available and is expected to be 
accessible for public review at the Commission shortly. In order to 
respond to the comprehensive economic analysis called for in the NPRM 
and to properly evaluate the comments and economic studies submitted 
thus far, the Joint Petitioners suggest that absent an extension of 
time, any meaningful review of this data prior to the deadline for 
filing reply comments would be virtually impossible. These parties 
maintain that the grant of this request for a modest extension will 
serve the public interest by permitting a more thorough public and 
industry review of the economic data, which would, in turn, facilitate 
the submission of reply comments that will prove more useful in 
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 reply comments is warranted. This extension 
of time should facilitate the development of a full and complete record 
on the issues raised in the NPRM 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 above-mentioned motion for 
an extension of time is granted, and that the time for filing reply 
comments in this proceeding is extended to May 12, 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 
Secs. 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the Commission's rules.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR part 73:

    Television broadcasting.

Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 95-9093 Filed 4-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M