[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18793-18794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9093]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MM Docket No. 94-123, DA 95-694]
Radio Broadcast Services; Television Program Practices
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of reply comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Commission granted a joint request by the Network
Affiliated Stations Alliance for an extension of time for filing reply
comments in this proceeding. The Commission determined that the
extension of time was warranted in light of the time necessary to
compile information critical to resolution of the numerous and complex
issues raised in this
[[Page 18794]]
proceeding. This action will facilitate the development of a full and
complete record on these issues.
DATES: Reply comments are now due on May 12, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alan E. Aronowitz, Mass Media Bureau, (202) 776-1653.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Adopted: March 31, 1995.
Released: March 31, 1995.
By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:
1. On October 25, 1994, the Commission released a Notice of
Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 94-123, 59 FR 55402 (November 7,
1994) (NPRM), in this proceeding, soliciting comment on the legal and
policy justifications, in light of current economic and technological
conditions, for the Prime Time Access Rule, Sec. 73.658(k) of the
Commission's Rules, and to consider the continued need for the rule in
its current form. By an Order adopted on December 7, 1994, the deadline
for filing comments was extended to March 7, 1995, and the deadline for
filing reply comments was extended to April 6, 1995. See Order Granting
Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments in MM Docket
No. 94-123, 59 FR 64382 (December 14, 1994).
2. On March 24, 1995, a motion for extension of time for filing
reply comments in this proceeding was filed by the Network Affiliated
Stations Alliance, which states that it is authorized to represent the
Association of Independent Television Stations, Inc., Viacom, Inc. King
World Productions, Inc., Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., CBS Inc., the
National Broadcasting Company, Inc., the Motion Picture Association of
America, Inc., and the Media Access Project (``Joint Petitioners'') in
this request. The motion requests that the deadline for filing reply
comments be extended from April 6, 1995, to May 12, 1995.
3. The Joint Petitioners contend that the comments filed in this
proceeding include detailed economic studies on all sides of the
issues. These parties, who take differing views on the continued need
for the Prime Time Access Rule, assert that certain data underlying
those studies is now becoming available and is expected to be
accessible for public review at the Commission shortly. In order to
respond to the comprehensive economic analysis called for in the NPRM
and to properly evaluate the comments and economic studies submitted
thus far, the Joint Petitioners suggest that absent an extension of
time, any meaningful review of this data prior to the deadline for
filing reply comments would be virtually impossible. These parties
maintain that the grant of this request for a modest extension will
serve the public interest by permitting a more thorough public and
industry review of the economic data, which would, in turn, facilitate
the submission of reply comments that will prove more useful in
generating the comprehensive record that the Commission seeks in this
proceeding.
4. As set forth in Sec. 1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR
1.46, it is our policy that extensions of time for filing comments in
rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted. However, under
the circumstances described above, we believe that the requested
extension of time to file reply comments is warranted. This extension
of time should facilitate the development of a full and complete record
on the issues raised in the NPRM and, thus, it appears reasonable to
provide the commenting parties additional time to analyze and address
these issues.
5. Accordingly, it is ordered That the above-mentioned motion for
an extension of time is granted, and that the time for filing reply
comments in this proceeding is extended to May 12, 1995.
6. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in sections
4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and
Secs. 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the Commission's rules.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR part 73:
Television broadcasting.
Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 95-9093 Filed 4-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M
