[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 178 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 47746-47747] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-22095] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 47747]] FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [DA 95-1871] Finsyn Reports AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Suspension of filing deadline. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commission granted a request filed jointly by the National Broadcasting Company, Inc., CBS Inc. and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. (``Petitioners'') that the requirement to file Network Television Program Ownership and Syndication Reports (``Reports'') be suspended. The Reports are currently due to be filed by September 1, 1995. The Commission noted that one purpose of the Reports is to facilitate preparation of comments in connection with the Commission's review of the financial interest and syndication (``finsyn'') rules prior to the scheduled expiration of those rules. As the comment cycle in that review has now closed, the Commission will not now require additional Reports to be filed. The Commission also recognized that collection and preparation of the information required to be included in the Reports represent a significant burden on Petitioners, and determined that it is not necessary for the Commission to review that information at this time. The intended effect of the Commission's action is to suspend this reporting requirement, while reserving the right to require that the Reports be filed if necessary depending upon the Commission's decision in its review of the finsyn rules. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Matthews, Mass Media Bureau (202) 776-1563. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Adopted: August 28, 1995. Released: August 28, 1995. By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau: 1. On August 21, 1995, the National Broadcasting Company, Inc., CBS Inc. and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. (``Petitioners'') filed a joint request that the requirement to file Network Television Program Ownership and Syndication Reports (``Reports''), pursuant to Section 73.661 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 73.661, be suspended until 30 days after the Commission concludes its final review of the Financial Interest and Syndication ``finsyn'') rules. The Reports are currently due to be filed by September 1, 1995. 47 CFR 73.661(f). 2. The reporting requirements set forth in Section 73.661 were adopted in connection with revisions made by the Commission to the finsyn rules in May 93.\1\ At that time, the Commission substantially relaxed its finsyn rules and established a timetable for their complete expiration. The reporting requirements were intended to ``help the Commission monitor the efficacy of the rule changes adopted * * * and oversee the networks' conduct in the program acquisition and syndication markets.'' \2\ The Commission also noted ``the data collected pursuant to these requirements should prove useful in conducting the scheduled review of the new finsyn regime * * *.'' \3\ \1\ Second Report and Order in MM Docket No. 90-162 (58 FR 28927, May 18, 1993). The Report and Order revised existing reporting requirements in Section 73.661 to reflect changes being made to the finsyn rules. \2\ Id. at 28931. \3\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The finsyn rules are presently scheduled to expire on November 10, 1995. The Commission commenced its scheduled review of network activities in the financial interest and syndication areas on April 5, 1995.\4\ The burden of proof was placed on those parties seeking continued restrictions. The comment cycle in that proceeding closed in June 1995. \4\ Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 95-39 (60 FR 19562, April 19, 1995). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Petitioners contend that compilation, preparation and filing of the Reports require a significant amount of time and effort on their part. Petitioners also argue that there is no reason to require them to undertake this effort in view of the status of the Commission's review of the finsyn rules. 5. At the present time, we believe it is not necessary for the Commission to review the information required to be submitted by Petitioners pursuant to Section 73.661. The Reports required by that provision must identify all network prime time entertainment programs and all first-run non-network programs in which the network has financial interests or syndication rights, 47 CFR 73.661(a), and provide information regarding independent syndicators who hold the active syndication rights for these programs. 47 CFR 73.661(c). The Reports must also list the sales to broadcast stations of any such programming the networks actively syndicate. 47 CFR 73.661(b). We recognize that collection and preparation of this information represents a significant burden on Petitioners, and do not believe it is necessary to require them to undertake this effort at this time. One purpose of the Reports is to facilitate preparation of comments in connection with our review of the finsyn rules. A number of Reports were filed, and the comment cycle has closed. Accordingly, we will not now require that additional Reports be filed. 6. Accordingly, it is ordered that the request by the National Broadcasting Company, Inc., CBS Inc. and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. to suspend the deadline to file the Reports required by Section 73.661 of our rules is granted to the extent detailed herein. 7. It is further ordered That grant of this request is without prejudice to the Commission's right to require that such Reports be filed if necessary depending upon the Commission's decision in MM Docket No. 95-39. 8. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(r), and Sections 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45. Federal Communications Commission. Roy J. Stewart, Chief, Mass Media Bureau. [FR Doc. 95-22095 Filed 9-13-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-M