[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 154 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40813-40814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19703]



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[[Page 40814]]



FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 95-92; DA 95-1711]


Review of the Commission's Regulations Governing Programming 
Practices of Broadcast Television Networks and Affiliates

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Commission granted a 30-day extension of time to file 
comments and reply comments in the above proceeding in response to a 
request filed by the Network Affiliated Stations Alliance for a 60-day 
extension. The rulemaking seeks comment on five Commission rules 
governing programming practices between networks and their affiliates. 
See Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 95-92, FCC 95-254 
(released June 15, 1995), 60 FR 35369 (July 7, 1995).

DATES: Comments are now due on September 28, 1995; reply comments are 
due October 27, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jane Hinckley Halprin ((202) 776-1653) or Robert Kieschnick ((202) 739-
0764).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Order Granting Extension of Time

    Adopted: August 2, 1995.
    Released: August 3, 1995.

    1. On June 15, 1995, the Commission initiated a rulemaking 
proceeding reexamining the Commission's rules governing programming 
practices of networks and their affiliates--specifically the right to 
reject rule, the time option rule, the exclusive affiliation rule, the 
dual network rule and the network territorial exclusivity rule. Notice 
of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 95-92, FCC 95-254 (released 
June 15, 1995), 60 FR 35369 (July 7, 1995). Comments were due August 
28, 1995, and reply comments were due September 27, 1955.
    2. On July 17, 1995, the Network Affiliated Stations Alliance 
(NASA) filed a motion seeking a 60-day extension of time to file 
comments and reply comments. NASA contends that additional time is 
necessary to compile the substantial economic data required to properly 
assess the rules at issue. Further, NASA submits that given the length 
of time these rules have been in place and the breadth of the proposals 
in the Notice, an extension of 60 days is reasonable.
    3. 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. We do not agree 
that a 60-day extension is warranted in this case. We are persuaded by 
petitioner, however, that some extension of time is necessary to enable 
parties to carefully compile a complete record regarding the complex 
issues raised in this proceeding. We will therefore extend the comment 
and reply comment deadlines by 30 days.
    4. Accordingly, it is ordered that the Motion for Extension of Time 
filed in MM Docket No. 95-92 by the Network Affiliated Stations 
Alliance is granted to the extent indicated above.
    5. It is further ordered that the time for filing comments in the 
above-captioned proceeding is extended to September 28, 1995, and the 
time for filing reply comments is extended to October 27, 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, 47 
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(r), and Secs. 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the 
Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45.

Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 95-19703 Filed 8-9-95; 8:45 am]
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