[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1259-1260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00286]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 17-1227]


Media Bureau Freezes the Filing of Minor Change Applications for 
LPTV/Translator Stations

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces a freeze on the filing of minor change 
applications by low power television and TV translator stations.

DATES: This filing limitation became effective on December 20, 2017.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective immediately, the Media Bureau 
announces a freeze on the filing of applications for minor change 
applications 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 minor 
change applications at this time. The Media Bureau will continue to 
process pending minor change applications. Following completion of the 
special window for displaced LPTV/translator stations, the Media Bureau 
will announce when it will again begin accepting minor change 
applications.
    The Media Bureau will consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests 
for waiver of the filing limitation imposed by this Public Notice when 
a minor change application is necessary or otherwise in the public 
interest for technical or other reasons to maintain quality service to 
the public. As with any request for waiver of our rules, such a request 
will be granted only on a showing of good cause and when grant of the 
waiver will serve the public interest.

[[Page 1260]]

    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, the Media Bureau finds 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. 2018-00286 Filed 1-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P