[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 48429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12368]



[[Page 48429]]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 24-498; FR ID 223700]


Media Bureau Announces Commencement of First-Come, First-Serve 
Channel Change Opportunity for Class A Television, LPTV and TV 
Translator Stations Beginning on August 20, 2024

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Media Bureau announces that beginning August 20, 2024, it 
will lift its current freeze on major modification applications and 
permit all Class A television (Class A), low power television (LPTV), 
and television translator stations (TV translator) stations to file 
major change applications in order to change their existing channel, 
subject to certain limitations. Specifically changes to a station's 
facility are restricted to a change in channel and those that could 
otherwise be requested in a minor modification application. No other 
major changes will be permitted. The current freeze will remain in 
place until further notice for all other major modifications and 
applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations.

DATES: The Media Bureau will lift the freeze on major modification 
applications on August 20, 2024 and begin allowing applications for 
major change in order that Class A, LPTV and TV translator stations may 
seek to change their existing channel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Colombo (technical questions), 
[email protected], (202) 418-7611, or Shaun Maher (legal questions), 
[email protected], (202) 418-2324, of the Video Division, Media 
Bureau.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Media Bureau's 
Public Notice, DA 24-498, released on May 28, 2024. The full text of 
this document is available for download at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-498A1.pdf. To request materials in accessible formats 
(braille, large print, computer diskettes, or audio recordings), please 
send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Government 
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (VOICE), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

Synopsis

    Beginning August 20, 2024, all Class A, LPTV, and TV translator 
stations will be permitted, on a nationwide basis and without 
geographic limitation, to file a major modification to seek authority 
to change channel. No other major changes will be permitted and any 
changes to a station's facility are restricted to a change in channel 
and those that could otherwise be requested in a minor modification 
application. See 47 CFR 73.3572(a)(2), (3) and 74.787(b)(1), (2). For 
example, requests to move a facility greater than 30 miles (or 48 
kilometers) are not permitted and remain subject to the existing 
freeze. The Media Bureau finds that limiting major modifications in 
this manner is in the public interest as it will allow stations that 
have not had an opportunity to change channel since prior to the 
Incentive Auction the ability to resolve viewer reception issues that 
cannot be resolved through means other than changing channel. It will 
also allow stations to improve television service to existing viewers 
prior to providing an opportunity for other major modifications, such 
as moving greater than 30 miles, or allowing interested parties to 
apply for new stations.
    All applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve 
basis and will be ``cut off'' daily for purposes of determining mutual 
exclusivity (MX). Applicants will be given an opportunity to resolve 
their mutual exclusivity through settlement or engineering amendment 
that may be submitted during a settlement window to be announced by the 
Media Bureau by separate public notice. Applications that do not comply 
with the parameters of this filing opportunity may be amended within 30 
days to come into compliance, provided that the amended application 
does not create a new MX with any other application filed during this 
opportunity. Any application that fails to come into compliance will be 
dismissed.
    Class A station applications must be filed electronically via the 
Commission's Licensing and Management System (LMS) on FCC Form 2100--
Schedule E and applicants will be required to pay the requisite fee for 
a major change application ($4,755.00). LPTV and TV translator station 
applications must be filed electronically via LMS on FCC Form 2100--
Schedule C and applicants will be required to pay the requisite fee for 
a major change application ($865.00). Applications prepared for this 
filing opportunity should be prepared using 2020 Census data found in 
the new TVStudy 2.3.0 software. See Office of Engineering and 
Technology Announces Release of Version 2.3.0 of TV Study, Public 
Notice, DA 24-499 (rel. May 28, 2024); Media Bureau Announces the 
Incorporation of 2020 U.S. Census Population Data into the Commission's 
TVStudy Software and Requirements to Utilize Such Data Effective August 
1, 2024, Public Notice, DA 24-497 (rel. May 28, 2024).
    This action is taken by the Chief, Media Bureau, pursuant to 
authority delegated by sections 0.61 and 0.283 of the Commission's 
rules. 47 CFR 0.61 and 0.283.

Federal Communications Commission.
Thomas Horan,
Chief of Staff, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2024-12368 Filed 6-5-24; 8:45 am]
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