[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57244-57245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21504]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MB Docket No. 04-256; DA 04-2996]


Attribution of Joint Sales Agreements in Local Television 
Markets; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule, extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Media Bureau extends the period for 
comment and reply comments in the Attribution of Joint Sales Agreements 
in Local Television Markets proceeding. The proposed rule seeks comment 
on whether to attribute certain TV Joint Sales Agreements for purposes 
of applying the broadcast ownership rules. The deadline to file 
comments is extended from September 27, 2004, to October 27, 2004, and 
the deadline to file reply comments is extended from October 12, 2004, 
to November 30, 2004.

[[Page 57245]]

The action is taken to respond to a Request for Extension of Time, and 
a Statement in Support of Request for Extension of Time, and a 
Statement in Support of Request for Extension of Time.

DATES: Comments are due on or before October 27, 2004, and reply 
comments are due on or before November 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Portals II, 445 12th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Sabourin, Industry Analysis 
Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2330 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's 
Order, DA-04-2996, in MB Docket No. 04-256, released on September 16, 
2004. The full text of this Order is available for inspection and 
copying during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, 445 
Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY-A257, Portals II, Washington, DC 20554, 
and may also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, Best 
Company and Printing, Inc., Room CY-B402, telephone (800) 378-3160, 
http://www.bcpiweb.com. To request materials in accessible formats for 
people with disabilities (electronic files, large print, audio format 
and Braille), send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0531 (voice), 418-7365 (TTY).
    On August 2, 2004, the Media Bureau (``Bureau'') released a Notice 
of Proposed Rule Making (``NPRM'') seeking comment on whether to 
attribute certain TV Joint Sales Agreements (``JSAs'') for purposes of 
applying the broadcast ownership rules. On August 26, 2004, a summary 
of the Notice was published in the Federal Register, establishing 
deadlines for the filing of comments and reply comments of September 
27, 2004, and October 12, 2004, respectively. (Rules and Policies 
Concerning Attribution of Joint Sales Agreements in Local Television 
Markets, 69 FR 52464, August 26, 2004).
    On September 13, 2004, Paxson Communications Corporation 
(``Paxson'') filed a Request for Extension of Time to file comments and 
reply comments. Paxson asks that the deadline for filing comments be 
extended to October 27, 2004, and the deadline for filing reply 
comments be extended to November 30, 2004. It asserts that, as owner 
and operator of 61 full power television stations and owner of the 
PaxTV broadcast network, it is party to a large number of JSAs. Paxson 
notes that the Commission asked parties to JSAs to gather and provide 
information concerning the terms and conditions of those JSAs, as well 
as their public interest benefits. Paxson says it needs more time to 
prepare its comments and respond to the factual and legal issues raised 
in this proceeding given the number of other open Commission 
proceedings on broadcasting in which it is involved. According to 
Paxson, an extension will enable it to prepare and present a more 
thorough factual record and analysis of the legal issues in this 
proceeding. On September 14, 2004, the National Association of 
Broadcasters (``NAB'') filed a ``Statement in Support of Request for 
Extension of Time'' in support of Paxson's motion for the same reasons, 
arguing that an extension will serve the public interest by allowing 
for a more complete record.
    We conclude that Paxson and NAB have stated good cause to justify 
granting an extension of the deadlines for the filing of comments and 
reply comments in this proceeding. Granting the extensions will serve 
the public interest in gathering a full record on the factual and legal 
issues raised in the Notice, including the information sought on the 
terms and conditions of existing TV JSAs. The new deadline to file 
comments will be October 27, 2004, and the new deadline to file reply 
comments will be November 30, 2004.

Federal Communications Commission.
Thomas L. Horan,
Legal Advisor, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 04-21504 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P