PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 97-1284

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


     CABLE SERVICES ACTION                          June 19, 1997


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


     Responding to the requests of interested parties, the Federal Communications Commission
has postponed its 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; and (2) video programming blocking technology.  The en banc hearing was
scheduled for June 20, 1997.  The hearing has been rescheduled for July 14, 1997, 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 the format in advance of the hearing.

     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 July 7,
1997 to July 28, 1997.


Media contact:  Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358
TV Ratings contacts:  Meryl S. Icove or Rick Chessen (202) 418-7200;
                           Buck Logan (202) 418-2130
V-chip Technology contact:  Rick Engelman (202) 418-2157


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