NEWSReport No. MM 96-18      MASS MEDIA ACTION               April 12, 1996
                                     
          THE FCC PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE LICENSE TERMS OF MOST
                    BROADCAST STATIONS TO EIGHT YEARS
                          (MM Docket No. 96-90)
                                    
     In order to implement new statutory provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
the Commission has proposed rules which would extend the license terms for television and radio
stations to eight years, with the exception of experimental broadcast station license terms which
would remain one year. The lengthened license terms would reduce the burden to broadcasters
seeking periodic renewal of their licenses, as well as reduce the associated burden on the
Commission, and eliminate the current difference in license terms between radio and television
stations.

     The Telecom Act provides that broadcast licenses may be granted for terms "not to
exceed" eight years for both television and radio stations, but does not require the Commission
to use the maximum permissible time. The Commission proposed granting broadcast licenses for
the maximum term, consistent with past practice. Current Commission rules provide five year
license terms for television stations and seven year license terms for radio stations, the previous
statutory maximum terms.

     Also consistent with past practice, the Commission proposed to continue issuing licenses
for experimental broadcast stations for a term of one year. The Commission noted that a longer
term would not be warranted for this class of station.

     The Commission also proposed a method to incorporate license term changes into the
existing schedule of renewal cycles without disrupting the synchronization of the process.
Broadcast license renewal applications granted after the effective date of a decision in this
proceeding would be for a term of eight years, and renewal applications filed as part of the
current renewal cycle, and that have been granted only the maximum seven-year license term,
would be extended to a term of eight years.

     Action by the Commission April 11, 1996, by Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FCC 96-
169) Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Chong and Ness.

                                  - FCC -

     News Media contact: Rochelle Cohen at (202) 418-0500.
     Mass Media Bureau contact: Robert Somers at (202) 418-2135.