[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 126 (Monday, June 30, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14785]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MB Docket Nos. 07-294; 06-121; 02-277; 04-228, MM Docket Nos. 01-235; 
01-317; 00-244; DA 08-1359]


In the Matter of Promoting Diversification of Ownership in the 
Broadcasting Services; Order Granting Request for Extension of Time

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Media Bureau extends the comment and 
reply comment period in this proceeding. The Commission seeks comment 
on various proposals to increase participation in the broadcasting 
industry by new entrants and small businesses, especially minority- and 
women-owned businesses, with the goal of promoting innovation, 
diversity of ownership and viewpoints, spectrum efficiency, and 
competition in media markets.

DATES: Comments are due July 30, 2008 and reply comments are due August 
29, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by MB Docket No. 07-294; 
FCC 07-217, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Federal Communications Commission's Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, with a 
copy to the Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and 
Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554.
     People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request 
reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language 
interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: [email protected] or phone: 202-418-
0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
    For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of In the Matter of Promoting Diversification of 
Ownership in the Broadcasting Services, 73 FR 28,400 (May 16, 2008).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Salovaara, 202-418-0783. Press 
inquiries should be directed to Clyde Ensslin, (202) 418-0506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order 
in DA 08-1359, adopted and released June 16, 2008.

Synopsis of the Order

    1. On March 5, 2008, the Commission released a Report and Order and 
Third Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (``Order and Third Further 
Notice'') establishing new rules and seeking comment on other rule 
proposals to increase participation in the broadcasting industry by new 
entrants and small businesses, including minority- and women-owned 
businesses. The current deadlines to file comments and reply comments 
in this proceeding are June 30, 2008, and July 14, 2008, respectively.
    2. In the Order and Third Further Notice, the Commission seeks 
comment on various proposals to increase participation in the 
broadcasting industry by new entrants and small businesses, especially 
minority- and women-owned businesses, with the goal of promoting 
innovation, diversity of ownership and viewpoints, spectrum efficiency, 
and competition in media markets.
    3. On June 5, 2008, the Diversity and Competition Supporters 
(``DCS'') filed a motion requesting that the deadline to file comments 
be extended to July 30, 2008 and that the deadline to file reply 
comments be extended to August 29, 2008. DCS is a coalition of 29 
organizations. DCS identifies 18 entities, representing a broad range 
of interests, that support its extension request. These 18 entities 
are: Belo Corp.; Benton Foundation; Common Cause; Community 
Broadcasters Association; Council Tree Communications, Inc.; Destiny 
Communications LLC; Dover Capital Partners, LLC; First Broadcasting 
Investment Partners, LLC; Gannett Co., Inc.; Granite Broadcasting 
Corporation; Independent Spanish Broadcasters Association; Media 
Alliance; Mullaney Engineering; National Association of Broadcasters; 
National Organization for Women; News Corporation; Spanish Broadcasting 
System, Inc.; and ZGS Communications.
    4. Citing the broad range of the proposals at issue in the 
proceeding, DCS argues that an extension is warranted to allow DCS to 
work with various stakeholders to explain the proposals, hear their 
concerns, and seek their support, and that this extension of time would 
facilitate the development of a full record.
    5. As set forth in Section 1.46(a) of the Commission's Rules, 47 
CFR 1.46, the Commission's policy is that extensions of time for filing 
comments in rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted. In 
this case, however, given the breadth and importance of the issues in 
this proceeding, the Commission grants an extension of time to 
facilitate the development of a full record. The new deadline for 
comments is July 30, 2008, and the new deadline for reply comments is 
August 29, 2008. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in 
Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), and 303(r) and Sections 0.61, 0.283, and 
1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.61, 0.283, and 1.46.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73

    Radio, Television.

Federal Communications Commission.
Monica Shah Desai,
Chief, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. E8-14785 Filed 6-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P