Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554

                            MM Docket No. 99-153

In re Applications of           )
                                )
READING BROADCASTING, INC.      )  File No. BRCT-940407KF
                                )
For Renewal of License of       )
Station WTVE(TV), Channel 51    )
Reading, Pennsylvania           )
                                )
and                             )
                                )
ADAMS COMMUNICATIONS            )  File No. BPCT-940630KG
CORPORATION                     )
                                )
For Construction Permit for a New)
Television Station to Operate on)
Channel 51, Reading, Pennsylvania)
                                 
                                
                   HEARING DESIGNATION ORDER


   Adopted:   May 6, 1999               Released:  May 6, 1999    

By the Chief, Video Services Division:

     1.   The Commission, by the Chief, Video Services Division, Mass Media Bureau, acting
pursuant to delegated authority, has before it for consideration: (a) the application of Reading Broadcasting,
Inc. (RBI) for renewal of license of station WTVE(TV), Channel 51, Reading, Pennsylvania; and (b) the
application of Adams Communications Corporation (Adams) for a construction permit for a new television
station.  The applications are mutually exclusive because Adams proposes to operate on Channel 51 at
Reading. 

     2.   Based upon our review of the pending applications, the applicants appear qualified to
construct and/or operate as proposed.  Since the proposals are mutually exclusive, they must be designated
for hearing in a consolidated proceeding, and the parties permitted to present factors and evidence they
believe most appropriate under the standard comparative issue, including whether WTVE(TV)'s performance
has been "substantial" during the renewal term, thus meriting a renewal expectancy.    See First Report and
Order - Competitive Bidding for Commercial Broadcast and Instructional Television Fixed Service Licenses,
13 FCC Rcd 15920, 16004-06 (1998), reconsideration granted in part and denied in part, FCC 99-74,
released April 20, 1999.  

     3.   ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED, That pursuant to Section 309(e) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the above-captioned license renewal application of WTVE(TV)
and the application for a construction permit for a new station filed by Adams, ARE DESIGNATED FOR
HEARING in a consolidated proceeding to be held before an Administrative Law Judge at a time and place
to be specified in a subsequent Order, on the following issues:

     (1)    To determine which of the proposals would, on a comparative basis, better serve the public
interest; and

     (2)  To determine, in light of the evidence adduced pursuant to the foregoing issue, which, if either,
of the applications should be granted.

     4.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That a copy of each document filed in this proceeding
subsequent to the date of adoption of this Order SHALL BE SERVED on the counsel of record in the
Enforcement Division appearing on behalf of the Chief, Mass Media Bureau.  Parties may inquire as to the
identity of the counsel of record by calling the Enforcement Division at (202) 418-1430.  Such service
SHALL BE ADDRESSED to the named counsel of record, Enforcement Division, Mass Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C.  20554.  

     5.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That to avail themselves of the opportunity to be heard,
Reading Broadcasting, Inc. and Adams Communications Corporation, pursuant to Section 1.221(c) of the
Commission's Rules, in person or by their respective attorneys, within 20 days of the mailing of this Order,
SHALL FILE in triplicate, a WRITTEN APPEARANCE, stating an intention to appear on the date fixed for
the hearing and present evidence on the issues specified in this Order.

     6.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That the applicants herein, pursuant to Section 311(a)(2) of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 73.3594 of the Commission's Rules, SHALL
GIVE NOTICE of the hearing within the time and in the manner prescribed in such Rule, and SHALL
ADVISE the Commission of the publication of such notice as required by Section 73.3594(g) of the Rules.

     
                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                         Barbara A. Kreisman
                         Chief, Video Services Division
                         Mass Media Bureau