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FCC Initiates Quadrennial Comments Due July 12, 2010 |
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The NOI is the first step of a comprehensive review of
the ownership rules that the FCC is statutorily required to conduct every
four years. The rules subject to review are: (i) the local TV ownership
rule; (ii) the local radio ownership rule; (iii) the newspaper/broadcast
cross-ownership rule; (iv) the radio/TV cross-ownership rule; and (v) the
dual network rule. The NOI invites comment on a wide range of issues
regarding these rules, each designed to help determine whether those rules
serve the public interest and promote the FCC’s policy goals of competition,
localism and diversity. Although the NOI does not propose any specific changes
(such proposals are expected to be made in upcoming Notices of Proposed
Rulemakings), it does recognize a number of factors that may affect the
ownership rules, including increased competition for audience members from
the internet, mobile devices, cable and direct broadcast satellite. The
NOI also acknowledges the national economic downturn and seeks comments on
what impact the marketplace and technological changes should have on
broadcast ownership rules. The NOI seeks specific comments on the effect new
technologies should have on the FCC’s ownership rules. First, the FCC
recognizes that its cross-ownership and local television ownership rules are
based in part on analog broadcast television contours. However, as full
power television stations have now transitioned to digital broadcasting,
those analog contours no longer exist and there are no analogous digital
contours. As a result, the FCC requests comments on whether it should
continue to use television contours as part of the broadcast ownership rules
and, if so, what contour should be used. Second, the NOI seeks comments on what aspects of the
National Broadband Plan, if any, are relevant to the FCC’s media ownership
rules and whether the fact that consumers are increasingly obtaining their
news and other programming through mobile devices should impact the ownership
rules. If you have questions regarding the FCC’s ownership rules
proceeding or are interested in filing comments, please contact your primary
attorney in our office.
June 15, 2010 |
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This memorandum is intended only as a general discussion of these issues and should not be regarded as legal advice. We would be pleased to provide additional details or advice about specific situations if desired. Copyright © 2010, Lerman Senter PLLC 2000 K Street NW,
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