02-28893. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

November 7, 2002.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a current valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted on or before January 13, 2003. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, or via the Internet to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0960.

Title: Application of Network Non-Duplication, Syndicated Exclusivity, and Sports Blackout Rules to Satellite Retransmissions of Broadcast Signals.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 1,407.

Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 to 1.0 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 63,992 hours.

Total Annual Costs: None.

Needs and Uses: In response to the FCC's Report and Order in Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999: Application of Network Non-duplication, Syndicated Exclusivity and Sports Blackout Rules to Satellite Retransmission of Broadcast Signals, CS Docket No. 00-2, FCC 00-38 (rel. November 2, 2000), parties filed petitions to reconsider certain aspects of the satellite program exclusivity rules adopted therein. In its Order on Reconsideration in the same docket, FCC 02-287 (rel. October 17, 2002), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, the Commission denied petitions to extend the phase-in period for implementation of the rules, and also maintained the application of the sports blackout rule to satellite carriage of network stations. The Commission revised section 76.122(c)(2), pertaining to identification of information about programming to be deleted, so that the satellite rule conforms to the cable rules. In addition, the Commission clarified and amended section 76.127(c), pertaining to notifications of deletions for sports broadcasts, to permit sports rights holders with a discernable season to submit blackout notifications for an entire season, but also to establish a date certain by when those notifications must be received by satellite carriers.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.