[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 23 (Monday, February 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 9380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02355]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 17-69]


Freeze on the Filing of Applications for Digital Companion 
Channels

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Media Bureau of the Federal 
Communications Commission (Commission) announces a freeze on the filing 
of digital companion channels by low power television and TV translator 
stations.

DATES: This filing limitation became effective on January 19, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaun Maher, Video Division, Media 
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, [email protected], 
(202) 418-2324.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document, DA 17-69, released January 19, 2017. The complete text of 
this document is available for download at http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0119/DA-17-69A1.pdf.
    Effective immediately, the Media Bureau announces a freeze on the 
filing of applications for digital companion channels for low power 
television (LPTV) and TV translator stations. The incentive auction is 
being conducted pursuant to Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and 
Job Creation Act of 2012. It includes a ``reverse auction'' and 
reorganization or ``repacking'' of the broadcast television bands in 
order to free up a portion of the ultra-high frequency band for new 
flexible uses. The facilities of LPTV and TV translator stations are 
not protected during repacking. ``Operating'' LPTV and TV translator 
stations displaced by repacking will be permitted to file displacement 
applications in a special window to be opened following the completion 
of the auction. ``Operating'' stations are defined as those that have 
licensed their authorized construction permit facilities or have an 
application for a license to cover on file with the Commission on the 
release date of the incentive auction Closing and Channel Reassignment 
Public Notice.
    To facilitate the special window for displaced LPTV and TV 
translator stations and to protect the opportunity for LPTV and TV 
translator stations displaced by the repacking of the television bands 
to obtain a new channel in the special window from the limited number 
of channels likely to be available for application after repacking, the 
Media Bureau deems it appropriate to freeze the acceptance of digital 
companion channel applications at this time. Because the Commission has 
postponed the digital transition deadline for LPTV and TV translator 
stations until 12 months after the completion of the 39-month post-
incentive auction transition period (51 months total), temporary 
postponement of the filing of applications for digital companion 
channels should not impact stations' efforts to transition to digital. 
The Media Bureau will continue to process pending digital companion 
channel applications. Following completion of the special window for 
displaced LPTV and TV translator stations, we will announce when we 
will again begin accepting digital companion channel applications.
    The decision to impose this freeze is procedural in nature, and 
therefore is not subject to the notice and comment and effective date 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), 
(d). Moreover, we find that there is good cause for not delaying the 
effect of these procedures until 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register. Such a delay would be impractical, unnecessary, and 
contrary to the public interest because it would undercut the purposes 
of the freeze.
    This action is taken by the Chief, Media Bureau pursuant to 
authority delegated by 47 CFR 0.283 of the Commission's rules.

Federal Communications Commission.
Barbara Kreisman,
Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2017-02355 Filed 2-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P