PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                  DA 97-857

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


Report No. CS 97-14      CABLE SERVICES ACTION     April 23, 1997


               COMMISSION ANNOUNCES EN BANC HEARING
        ON INDUSTRY PROPOSAL FOR RATING VIDEO PROGRAMMING
                    AND ON "V-CHIP" TECHNOLOGY

     On June 4, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission will hold an en banc hearing on: 
(1) the joint proposal submitted to the Commission on January 17, 1997 by the National Association
of Broadcasters, the National Cable Television Association and the Motion Picture Association of
America describing a voluntary system for rating video programming (the "industry proposal"); and
(2) video programming blocking technology (the so-called "V-chip" technology).  The en banc
hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Commission meeting room, Room 856, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.  The Commission will announce participants and a hearing format in the
near future.

     In order to provide interested parties an opportunity to respond to matters raised in the en
banc hearing, the due date for surreply comments in CS Docket No. 97-55 is extended from May 23,
1997 to June 16, 1997.


Media contact:  Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358
TV Ratings contact:  Meryl S. Icove or Rick Chessen (202) 418-7096
V-chip Technology contact:  Rick Engelman (202) 418-2157


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