[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30700]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 14, 1994]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MM Docket No. 94-123, DA 94-1408]
Proposed Rule; Extension of Comment and Reply Comment Periods
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
SUMMARY: The Commission granted a joint request by the Association of
Independent Television Stations, Inc., Viacom, Inc. and King World
Productions, Inc. for an extension of time for filing comments and
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 proceeding. This action will facilitate the
development of a full and complete record on these issues.
DATES: Comments are now due on March 7, 1995. Reply comments are now
due on April 6, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alan E. Aronowitz, Mass Media Bureau, (202) 632-7792.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[MM Docket No. 94-123]
Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments
In re: Review of the Prime Time Access Rule, Section 73.658(k)
of the Commission's Rules.
Adopted: December 7, 1994;
Released: December 8, 1994
By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:
1. On October 25, 1994, the Commission released a Notice of
Proposed Rule Making (``Notice''), FCC 94-266, in this proceeding (59
FR 55402, November 7, 1994) soliciting comment on the legal and policy
justifications, in light of current economic and technological
conditions, for the Prime Time Access Rule, Section 73.658(k) of the
Commission's Rules, and to consider the continued need for the rule in
its current form. The deadline for filing comments is currently January
6, 1995, and the deadline for filing reply comments is currently
February 6, 1995.
2. On November 29, 1994, a joint motion for extension of time for
filing comments and reply comments was filed by the Association of
Independent Television Stations, Inc., Viacom, Inc. and King World
Productions, Inc. (``Joint Petitioners''). The motion requests that the
deadline for filing comments be extended by sixty days, and the reply
comment deadline to follow thirty days thereafter. Under this schedule,
comments would be due on March 7, 1995, and reply comments due by April
6, 1995. On December 1, 1994, joint comments in support of the
extension of time request were filed by CapCities/ABC, Inc., CBS Inc.
and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (``Joint Commenters'').
3. The Joint Petitioners contend that in order to respond to the
comprehensive economic analysis called for in the Notice, they have
retained a leading economic consulting group which, in an attached
letter, states that the additional time is necessary not only to
collect and tabulate the economic data (which generally does not now
exist in computerized formats), but also to analyze that data using
economic and statistical models. Similarly, the Joint Commenters report
that each of the economists with whom they consulted advised them that
it would be impossible to prepare an appropriately responsive economic
study within the time frame established by the Notice because of the
breadth and depth of the issues raised. These parties maintain that the
grant of this request will serve the public interest by permitting them
sufficient time to compile the information necessary for 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 comments and reply comments is warranted in
light of the number and complexity of the issues raised in this
proceeding. This extension of time should facilitate the development of
a full and complete record on the issues raised in the Notice 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 Joint Motion for Extension
of Time filed by the joint petitioners Is Granted, the time for filing
comments in this proceeding Is Extended to March 7, 1995, and the time
for filing reply comments in this proceeding Is Extended to April 6,
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
Sec. 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the Commission's Rules.
Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 94-30700 Filed 12-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M