NOTICE ********************************************************* NOTICE ********************************************************* This document was originally prepared in Word Perfect. If the original document contained-- * Footnotes * Boldface & Italics --this information is missing in this version The document format (spacing, margins, tabs, etc.) is changed too. If you need the complete document, download the Word Perfect version. For information about downloading documents (FTP) see file how2ftp. File how2ftp (.txt & .wp) is in directory \pub\Public_Notices\Miscellaneous. ***************************************************************** ******** $//B'cast TV Networks & Affiliates; MM Dkt. No. 95-92; DA 95-1970//$ $/Extension of Time; 73.658(a),(b),(d),(e) & (g)/$ $/FOR FCC RECORD ONLY/$ Before the DA 95-1970 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of) ) Review of the Commission's ) MM Docket No. 95-92 Regulations Governing Programming) Practices of Broadcast Television ) Networks and Affiliates ) ) 47 C.F.R.  73.658(a), (b), (d), ) (e) and (g) ) ORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME Adopted: September 13, 1995 Released: September 14, 1995 By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau: 1. On June 15, 1995, the Commission initiated a rulemaking proceeding reexamining the Commission's rules governing programming practices of networks and their affiliates -- specifically the right to reject rule, the time option rule, the exclusive affiliation rule, the dual network rule and the network territorial exclusivity rule. Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 95-92, FCC 95-254 (released June 15, 1995). Comments were due August 28, 1995, and reply comments were due September 27, 1995. 2. On August 3, 1995, the Mass Media Bureau granted a 30-day extension of the comment period; as a result, comments were due September 28, 1995, and reply comments were due October 27, 1995. Order Granting Extension of Time in MM Docket No. 95-92, DA 95-1711 (released Aug. 3, 1995). The Bureau did so in response to a request by the Network Affiliated Stations Alliance (NASA) for a 60-day extension. While the Bureau did not agree that a 60-day extension was appropriate, it stated its belief that a 30-day extension was warranted to enable parties to carefully compile a complete record regarding the complex issues raised in MM Docket No. 95-92. 3. On August 30, 1995, CBS, Inc., National Broadcasting Company, Inc., and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., filed a motion to extend the comment date in this proceeding by an additional 30 days, to October 28, 1995. The networks note that ABC and CBS have recently entered into major merger agreements, and that CBS and NBC are involved in a number of station transactions. Further, they submit, all three networks are involved in proceedings involving the network/affiliate advertising rules, children's television and advanced television (ATV). The networks contend that these various undertakings have been occupying the time of their management and legal personnel and that a 30-day extension of time in this proceeding is necessary to provide them a full opportunity to present their views. 4. As set forth in Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.46, it is our policy that extensions of time for filing comments in rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted. In response to NASA's request, we stated our belief that an extension until October 28 was excessive. Upon further reflection, however, and in light of recent events, we believe that it would be in the public interest to extend the comment and reply comment dates for this proceeding an additional 30 days. This proceeding has the potential to significantly affect the way the broadcast networks and their affiliates do business, and the fact that both the major networks and the affiliates feel they need additional time to prepare comments is persuasive. 5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the Motion for Extension of Time filed in MM Docket No. 95-92 by CBS, Inc., National Broadcasting Company, Inc., and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., IS GRANTED. 5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the time for filing comments in the above- captioned proceeding IS EXTENDED to October 28, 1995, and the time for filing reply comments IS EXTENDED to November 26, 1995. 6. 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 C.F.R.  0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Roy J. Stewart Chief, Mass Media Bureau