[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50517-50518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24229]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR PART 73

[MM Docket No. 95-92; DA 95-1970]


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 an additional 30-day extension of time 
to file comments and reply comments in the above proceeding in response 
to a request filed by CBS, Inc., National Broadcasting Company, Inc., 
and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. The Commission had previously granted a 
30-day extension of the original comment period. The rulemaking 
proceeding seeks comment on five Commission rules governing programming 
practices between networks and their affiliates. This extension will 
permit parties to conduct more extensive analyses of the issues raised 
in this proceeding.

DATES: Comments are now due on October 28, 1995; reply comments are due 
November 26, 1995.

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


[[Page 50518]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Kieschnick ((202) 739-0764).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Order Granting Extension of Time

    Adopted: September 13, 1995.
    Released: September 14, 1995.

    By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:
    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, 1995.
    2. On August 3, 1995, the Mass Media Bureau granted a 30-day 
extension of the comment period; as a result, comments were due 
September 28, 1995, and reply comments were due October 27, 1995. Order 
Granting Extension of Time in MM Docket No. 95-92, DA 95-1711 (released 
Aug. 3, 1995), 60 FR 40814 (Aug. 10, 1995). The Bureau did so in 
response to a request by the Network Affiliated Stations Alliance 
(NASA) for a 60-day extension. While the Bureau did not agree that a 
60-day extension was appropriate, it stated its belief that a 30-day 
extension was warranted to enable parties to carefully compile a 
complete record regarding the complex issues raised in MM Docket No. 
95-92.
    3. On August 30, 1995, CBS, Inc., National Broadcasting Company, 
Inc., and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., filed a motion to extend the 
comment date in this proceeding by an additional 30 days, to October 
28, 1995. The networks note that ABC and CBS have recently entered into 
major merger agreements, and that CBS and NBC are involved in a number 
of station transactions. Further, they submit, all three networks are 
involved in proceedings involving the network/affiliate advertising 
rules, children's television and advanced television (ATV). The 
networks contend that these various undertakings have been occupying 
the time of their management and legal personnel and that a 30-day 
extension of time in this proceeding is necessary to provide them a 
full opportunity to present their views.
    4. As set forth in Section 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. In response to 
NASA's request, we stated our belief that an extension until October 28 
was excessive. Upon further reflection, however, and in light of recent 
events, we believe that it would be in the public interest to extend 
the comment and reply comment dates for this proceeding an additional 
30 days. This proceeding has the potential to significantly affect the 
way the broadcast networks and their affiliates do business, and the 
fact that both the major networks and the affiliates feel they need 
additional time to prepare comments is persuasive.
    5. Accordingly, it is ordered That the Motion for Extension of Time 
filed in MM Docket No. 95-92 by CBS, Inc., National Broadcasting 
Company, Inc., and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., is granted.
    5. It is further ordered That the time for filing comments in the 
above-captioned proceeding is extended to October 28, 1995, and the 
time for filing reply comments is extended to November 26, 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 Sections 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. 95-24229 Filed 9-28-95; 8:45 am]
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