(b) Following are the FCC broadcast application and report forms, listed by number, that must be filed electronically in accordance with the filing instructions set forth in the application and report form.
(1) Form 398, in electronic form as of January 10, 1999.
[44 FR 38486, July 2, 1979]
Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting §73.3500, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.
§ 73.3511 Applications required.
(a) Formal application means any request for authorization where an FCC form for such request is prescribed. The prescription of an FCC form includes the requirement that the proper edition of the form is used. Formal applications on obsolete forms are subject to the provisions of §73.3564 concerning acceptance of applications and §73.3566 concerning defective applications.
(b) Informal application1 means all other written requests for authorization. All such applications should contain a caption clearly indicating the nature of the request submitted therein.
(c) Formal and informal applications must comply with the requirements as to signing specified herein and in §73.3513.
[44 FR 38486, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 40172, Sept. 13, 1982] § 73.3512 Where to file; number of copies.
All applications for authorizations required by §73.3511 shall be filed at the FCC in Washington, DC (Applications requiring fees as set forth at Part 1, Subpart G of this chapter must be filed in accordance with §0.401(b) of the rules.) The number of copies required for each application is set forth in the FCC Form which is to be used in filing such application.
[52 FR 10231, Mar. 31, 1987] § 73.3513 Signing of applications.
(a) Applications, amendments thereto, and related statements of fact required by the FCC must be signed by the following persons:
(1) Individual Applicant. The applicant, if the applicant is an individual.
(2) Partnership. One of the partners, if the applicant is a partnership.
(3) Corporation. An officer, if the applicant is a corporation.
(4) Unincorporated Association. A member who is an officer, if the applicant is an unincorporated association.
(5) Governmental Entity. Such duly elected or appointed officials as may be competent to do so under the law of the applicable jurisdiction, if the applicant is an eligible governmental entity, such as a State or Territory of the United States and political subdivisions thereof, the District of Columbia, and a unit of local government, including an unincorporated municipality.
(b) Applications, amendments thereto, and related statements of fact required by the FCC may be signed by the applicant's attorney in case of the applicant's physical disability or of his absence from the United States. The attorney shall in that event separately set forth the reason why the application is not signed by the applicant. In addition, if any matter is stated on the basis of the attorney's belief only (rather than his knowledge), he shall separately set forth his reasons for believing that such statements are true.
(c) Facsimile signatures are acceptable. Only the original of applications, amendments, or related statements of fact, need be signed; copies may be conformed.
(d) Applications, amendments, and related statements of fact need not be submitted under oath. Willful false statements made therein however, will be considered a violation of §73.1015, are also punishable by fine and imprisonment, U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001, and by appropriate adminstrative sanctions including revocation of station license pursuant to section 312(a)(i) of the Communications Act.
[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 3069, Jan. 23, 1986; 64 FR 56978, Oct. 22, 1999] § 73.3514 Content of applications.
(a) Each application shall include all information called for by the particular form on which the application is required to be filed, unless the information called for is inapplicable, in which case this fact shall be indicated.
(b) The FCC may require an applicant to submit such documents and written statements of fact as in its judgment may be necessary. The FCC may also, upon its own motion or upon motion of any party to a proceeding, order the applicant to amend the application so as to make it more definite and certain.
[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979] § 73.3516 Specification of facilities.
(a) An application for facilities in the AM, FM, TV or Class A TV broadcast services, or low power TV service shall be limited to one frequency, or channel, and no application will be accepted for filing if it requests an alternate frequency or channel. Applications specifying split frequency AM operations using one frequency during daytime hours complemented by a different frequency during nighttime hours will not be accepted for filing.
(b) An application for facilities in the experimental and auxiliary broadcast services may request the assignment of more than one frequency if consistent with applicable rules in Part 74. Such applications must specify the frequency or frequencies requested and may not request alternate frequencies.
(c) An application for a construction permit for a new broadcast station, the facilities for which are specified in an outstanding construction permit or license, will not be accepted for filing.
(d) An application for facilities in the International broadcast service may be filed without a request for specific frequency, as the FCC will assign frequencies from time to time in accordance with §§73.702 and 73.711.
(e) An application for construction permit for a new broadcast station or for modification of construction permit or license of a previously authorized broadcast station will not be accepted for filing if it is mutually exclusive with an application for renewal of license of an existing broadcast station unless the application for renewal of license is filed on or before May 1, 1995 and unless the mutually exclusive construction permit application is tendered for filing by the end of the first day of the last full calendar month of the expiring license term. A petition to deny an application for renewal of license of an existing broadcast station will be considered as timely filed if it is tendered for filing by the end of the first day of the last full calendar month of the expiring license term.
(1) If the license renewal application is not timely filed as prescribed in §73.3539, the deadline for filing petitions to deny thereto is the 90th day after the FCC gives public notice that it has accepted the late-filed renewal application for filing. In the case of a renewal application filed on or before May 1, 1995, if the license renewal application is not timely filed as prescribed in §73.3539, the deadline for filing applications mutually exclusive therewith is the 90th day after the FCC gives public notice that it has accepted the late-filed renewal application for filing.
(2) If any deadline falls on a nonbusiness day, the cutoff shall be the close of business of the first full business day thereafter.
(3) The dates when the licenses of all broadcast and broadcast auxiliary services regularly expire are listed in §§73.733, 73.1020 and 74.15.
[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 21494, May 18, 1982; 49 FR 47843, Dec. 7, 1984; 51 FR 44071, Dec. 8, 1986; 56 FR 64873, Dec. 12, 1991; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996; 65 FR 30006, May 10, 2000] § 73.3517 Contingent applications.
Contingent applications for new stations and for changes in facilities of existing stations are not acceptable for filing. Contingent applications will be accepted for filing under circumstances described below:
(a) Upon filing of an application for the assignment of a license or construction permit, or for a transfer of control of a licensee or permittee, the proposed assignee or transferee may, upon payment of the processing fee prescribed in Subpart G, Part 1 of this chapter, file applications in its own name for authorization to make changes in the facilities to be assigned or transferred contingent upon approval and consummation of the assignment or transfer. Any application filed pursuant to this paragraph must be accompanied by a written statement from the existing licensee which specifically grants permission to the assignee or permittee to file such application. The processing fee will not be refundable should the assignment or transfer not be approved. The existing licensee or permittee may also file a contingent application in its own name, but fees in such cases also not refundable.
(b) Whenever the FCC determines that processing of any application filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, would be contrary to sound administrative practice or would impose an unwarranted burden on its staff and resources, the FCC may defer processing of such application until the assignment or transfer has been granted and consummated.
(c) Upon payment of the filing fees prescribed in §1.1111 of this chapter, the Commission will accept two or more applications filed by existing AM licensees for modification of facilities that are contingent upon granting of both, if granting such contingent applications will reduce interference to one or more AM stations or will otherwise increase the area of interference-free service. The applications must state that they are filed pursuant to an interference reduction arrangement and must cross-reference all other contingent applications.
(d) Modified proposals curing conflicts between mutually exclusive clusters of applications filed in accordance with paragraphs (c) of this section will be accepted for 60 days following issuance of a public notice identifying such conflicts.
(e) The Commission will accept up to four contingently related applications filed by FM licensees and/or permittees for minor modification of facilities. Two applications are related if the grant of one is necessary to permit the grant of the second application. Each application must state that it is filed as part of a related group of applications to make changes in facilities, must cross-reference each of the related applications, and must include a copy of the agreement to undertake the coordinated facility modifications. All applications must be filed on the same date. Any coordinated facility modification filing that proposes the cancellation of a community's sole noncommercial educational FM station license also must include a public interest justification. Dismissal of any one of the related applications as unacceptable will result in the dismissal of all the related applications.
Note 1: No application to move to a frequency in the 1605–1705 kHz band may be part of any package of contingent applications associated with a voluntary agreement.
Note 2: In cases where no modified proposal is filed pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, the Commission will grant the application resulting in the greatest net interference reduction.
[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 41152, June 18, 1980; 52 FR 5294, Feb. 20, 1987; 53 FR 36787, Sept. 22, 1988; 56 FR 64873, Dec. 12, 1991; 64 FR 19501, Apr. 21, 1999] § 73.3518 Inconsistent or conflicting applications.
While an application is pending and undecided, no subsequent inconsistent or conflicting application may be filed by or on behalf of or for the benefit of the same applicant, successor or assignee.
[44 FR 38487, July 2, 1979] § 73.3519 Repetitious applications.
(a) Where the FCC has denied an application for a new station or for any modification of services or facilities, or dismissed such application with prejudice, no like application involving service of the same kind for substantially the same area by substantially the same applicant, or his successor or assignee, or on behalf or for the benefit of the original parties in interest, may be filed within 12 months from the effective date of the FCC's action. However, applicants whose applications have been denied in a comparative hearing may apply immediately for another available facility.
(b) Where an appeal has been taken from the action of the FCC in denying a particular application, another application for the same class of broadcast station and for the same area, in whole or in part, filed by the same applicant, or his successor or assignee, or on behalf of, or for the benefit of the original parties in interest, will not be considered until final disposition of such appeal.
[44 FR 38488, July 2, 1979] § 73.3520 Multiple applications.
Where there is one application for new or additional facilities pending, no other application for new or additional facilities for a station of the same class to serve the same community may be filed by the same applicant, or successor or assignee, or on behalf of, or for the benefit of the original parties in interest. Multiple applications may not be filed simultaneously.
[44 FR 38488, July 2, 1979] § 73.3521 Mutually exclusive applications for low power television, television translators and television booster stations.
When there is a pending application for a new low power television, television translator, or television booster station, or for major changes in an existing station, no other application which would be directly mutually exclusive with the pending application may be filed by the same applicant or by any applicant in which any individual in common with the pending application has any interest, direct or indirect, except that interests or less than 1% will not be considered.
[52 FR 31400, Aug. 20, 1987] § 73.3522 Amendment of applications.
(a) Broadcast services subject to competitive bidding. (1) Applicants in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding will be subject to the provisions of §§73.5002 and 1.2105(b) regarding the modification of their short-form applications.
(2) Subject to the provision of §73.5005, if it is determined that a long form application submitted by a winning bidder or a non-mutually exclusive applicant for a new station or a major change in an existing station in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding is substantially complete, but contains any defect, omission, or inconsistency, a deficiency letter will be issued affording the applicant an opportunity to correct the defect, omission or inconsistency. Amendments may be filed pursuant to the deficiency letter curing any defect, omission or inconsistency identified by the Commission, or to make minor modifications to the application, or pursuant to §1.65. Such amendments should be filed in accordance with §73.3513. If a petition to deny has been filed, the amendment shall be served on the petitioner.
(3) Subject to the provisions of §§73.3571, 73.3572 and 73.3573, deficiencies, omissions or inconsistencies in long-form applications may not be cured by major amendment. The filing of major amendments to long-form applications is not permitted. An application will be considered to be newly filed if it is amended by a major amendment.
(4) Paragraph (a) of this section is not applicable to applications for minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM broadcast service, nor to any application for a reserved band FM station.
(b) Reserved Channel FM and reserved noncommercial educational television stations. Applications may be amended after Public Notice announcing a period for filing amendments. Amendments, when applicable, are subject to the provisions of §§73.3514, 73.3525, 73.3572, 73.3573, 73.3580, and §1.65 of this chapter. Unauthorized or untimely amendments are subject to return by the FCC's staff without consideration. Amendments will be accepted as described below and otherwise will only be considered upon a showing of good cause for late filing or pursuant to §1.65 of this chapter or §73.3514:
(1) A §73.7002 Selectee. A Public Notice will announce that the application of a §73.7002 Selectee (selected based on fair distribution) has been found acceptable for filing. If any Selectee's application is determined unacceptable the application will be returned and the Selectee will be provided one opportunity for curative amendment by filing a petition for reconsideration requesting reinstatement of the application. All amendments filed in accordance with this paragraph must be minor and must not alter the §73.7002 preference.
(2) A §73.7003 Tentative Selectee. A Public Notice will announce that the application of a §73.7003 Tentative Selectee (selected through a point system) has been found acceptable for filing. If any Tentative Selectee's application is determined unacceptable the application will be returned and the Tentative Selectee will be provided one opportunity for curative amendment by filing a petition for reconsideration requesting reinstatement of the application. All amendments filed in accordance with this paragraph must be minor and must claim the same number of qualitative points as originally claimed, or more points than claimed by the applicant with the next highest point total.
(3) A Public Notice will identify all other reserved channel applications, such as non-mutually exclusive applications and the sole remaining application after a settlement among mutually exclusive applications. If any such application is determined unacceptable the application will be returned and the applicant will be provided one opportunity for curative amendment by filing a petition for reconsideration requesting reinstatement of the application. All amendments filed in accordance with this paragraph must be minor.
(c) Minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM broadcast service.
(1) Subject to the provisions of §§73.3525, 73.3573, and 73.3580, for a period of 30 days following the FCC's issuance of a Public Notice announcing the tender of an application for minor modification of a non-reserved band FM station, (other than Class D stations), minor amendments may be filed as a matter of right.
(2) For applications received on or after August 7, 1992, an applicant whose application is found to meet minimum filing requirements, but nevertheless is not complete and acceptable, shall have the opportunity during the period specified in the FCC staff's deficiency letter to correct all deficiencies in the tenderability and acceptability of the underlying application, including any deficiency not specifically identified by the staff. [For minimum filing requirements see §73.3564(a). Examples of tender defects appear at 50 FR 19936 at 19945–46 (May 13, 1985), reprinted as Appendix D, Report and Order, MM Docket No. 91–347, 7 FCC Rcd 5074, 5083–88 (1992). For examples of acceptance defects, see 49 FR 47331.] Prior to the end of the period specified in the deficiency letter, a submission seeking to correct a tender and/or acceptance defect in an application meeting minimum filing requirements will be treated as an amendment for good cause if it would successfully and directly correct the defect. Other amendments submitted prior to grant will be considered only upon a showing of good cause for late filing or pursuant to §1.65 or §73.3514.
(3) Unauthorized or untimely amendments are subject to return by the Commission without consideration. However, an amendment to a non-reserved band application will not be accepted if the effect of such amendment is to alter the proposed facility's coverage area so as to produce a conflict with an applicant who files subsequent to the initial applicant but prior to the amendment application. Similarly, an applicant subject to “first come/first serve” processing will not be permitted to amend its application and retain filing priority if the result of such amendment is to alter the facility's coverage area so as to produce a conflict with an applicant which files subsequent to the initial applicant but prior to the amendment.
Note 1 to §73.3522: When two or more broadcast applications are tendered for filing which are mutually exclusive with each other but not in conflict with any previously filed applications which have been accepted for filing, the FCC, where appropriate, will announce acceptance of the earliest tendered application and place the later filed application or applications on a subsequent public notice of acceptance for filing in order to establish a deadline for the filing of amendments as a matter of right for all applicants in the group.
[63 FR 48623, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 36378, June 8, 2000] § 73.3523 Dismissal of applications in renewal proceedings.
(a) An applicant for construction permit, that has filed an application that is mutually exclusive with an application for renewal of a license of an AM, FM or television station (hereinafter competing applicant”) filed on or before May 1, 1995, and seeks to dismiss or withdraw its application and thereby remove a conflict between applications pending before the Commission, must obtain the approval of the Commission.
(b) If a competing applicant seeks to dismiss or withdraw its application prior to the Initial Decision stage of the hearing on its application, it must submit to the Commission a request for approval of the dismissal or withdrawal of its application, a copy of any written agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal of its application, and an affidavit setting forth:
(1) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals has received or will receive any money or other consideration in exchange for dismissing or withdrawing its application;
(2) A statement that its application was not filed for the purpose of reaching or carrying out an agreement with any other applicant regarding the dismissal or withdrawal of its application; and
(3) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of its application.
In addition, within 5 days of the applicant's request for approval, each remaining competing applicant and the renewal applicant must submit an affidavit setting forth:
(4) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals has paid or will pay any money or other consideration in exchange for the dismissal or withdrawal of the application; and
(5) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of the application.
(c) If a competing applicant seeks to dismiss or withdraw its application after the Initial Decision stage of the hearing on its application, it must submit to the Commission a request for approval of the dismissal or withdrawal of its application, a copy of the any written agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal, and an affidavit setting forth:
(1) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals has received or will receive any money or other consideration in excess of the legitimate and prudent expenses of the applicant;
(2) The exact nature and amount of any consideration paid or promised;
(3) An itemized accounting of the expenses for which it seeks reimbursement;
(4) A statement that its application was not filed for the purpose of reaching or carrying out an agreement with any other applicant regarding the dismissal or withdrawal of its application; and
(5) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of its application.
In addition, within 5 days of the applicant's request for approval, each remaining party to any written or oral agreement must submit an affidavit setting forth:
(6) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals has paid or will pay money or other consideration in excess of the legitimate and prudent expenses of the withdrawing applicant in exchange for the dismissal or withdrawal of the application; and
(7) The terms of any oral agreement relating the dismissal or withdrawal of the application.
(d) For the purpose of this section:
(1) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the applicant, permittee or licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.
(2) An application shall be deemed to be pending before the Commission from the time an application is filed with Commission until an order of the Commission granting or denying the application is no longer subject to reconsideration by the Commission or to review by any court.
(3) “Legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by an applicant in preparing, filing, and prosecuting its application.
(4) “Other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as nonfinancial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.
[54 FR 22598, May 25, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996] § 73.3525 Agreements for removing application conflicts.
(a) Except as provided in §73.3523 regarding dismissal of applications in comparative renewal proceedings, whenever applicants for a construction permit for a broadcast station enter into an agreement to procure the removal of a conflict between applications pending before the FCC by withdrawal or amendment of an application or by its dismissal pursuant to §73.3568, all parties thereto shall, within 5 days after entering into the agreement, file with the FCC a joint request for approval of such agreement. The joint request shall be accompanied by a copy of the agreement, including any ancillary agreements, and an affidavit of each party to the agreement setting forth:
(1) The reasons why it is considered that such agreement is in the public interest;
(2) A statement that its application was not filed for the purpose of reaching or carrying out such agreement;
(3) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals has received any money or other consideration in excess of the legitimate and prudent expenses of the applicant; Provided That this provision shall not apply to bona fide merger agreements;
(4) The exact nature and amount of any consideration paid or promised;
(5) An itemized accounting of the expenses for which it seeks reimbursement; and
(6) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of its application.
(b) Whenever two or more conflicting applications for construction permits for broadcast stations pending before the FCC involve a determination of fair, efficient and equitable distribution of service pursuant to section 307(b) of the Communications Act, and an agreement is made to procure the withdrawal (by amendment to specify a different community or by dismissal pursuant to §73.3568) of the only application or applications seeking the same facilities for one of the communities involved, all parties thereto shall file the joint request and affidavits specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
(1) If upon examination of the proposed agreement the FCC finds that withdrawal of one of the applications would unduly impede achievement of a fair, efficient and equitable distribution of radio servce among the several States and communities, then the FCC shall order that further opportunity be afforded for other persons to apply for the facilities specified in the application or applications to be withdrawn before acting upon the pending request for approval of the agreement.
(2) Upon release of such order, any party proposing to withdraw its application shall cause to be published a notice of such proposed withdrawal at least twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks within the 3-week period immediately following release of the FCC's order, in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the community in which it was proposed to locate the station. However, if there is no such daily newspaper published in the community, the notice shall be published as follows:
(i) If one or more weekly newspapers of general circulation are published in the community in which the station was proposed to be located, notice shall be published in such a weekly newspaper once a week for 3 consecutive weeks within the 4-week period immediately following the release of the FCC's order.
(ii) If no weekly newspaper of general circulation is published in the community in which the station was proposed to be located, notice shall be published at least twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks within the 3-week period immediately following the release of the FCC's order in the daily newspaper having the greatest general circulation in the community in which the station was proposed to be located.
(3) The notice shall state the name of the applicant; the location, frequency and power of the facilities proposed in the application; the location of the station or stations proposed in the applications with which it is in conflict; the fact that the applicant proposes to withdraw the application; and the date upon which the last day of publication shall take place.
(4) Such notice shall additionally include a statement that new applications for a broadcast station on the same frequency, in the same community, with substantially the same engineering characteristics and proposing to serve substantially the same service area as the application sought to be withdrawn, timely filed pursuant to the FCC's rules, or filed, in any event, within 30 days from the last date of publication of the notice (notwithstanding any provisions normally requiring earlier filing of a competing application), will be entitled to comparative consideration with other pending mutually exclusive affidavits.
(5) Within 7 days of the last day of publication of the notice, the applicant proposing to withdraw shall file a statement in triplicate with the FCC giving the dates on which the notice was published, the text of the notice and the name and location of the newspaper in which the notice was published.
(6) Where the FCC orders that further opportunity be afforded for other persons to apply for the facilities sought to be withdrawn, no application of any party to the agreement will be acted upon by the FCC less than 30 days from the last day of publication of the notice specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Any applications for a broadcast station on the same frequency in the same community, with substantially the same engineering characteristics and proposing to serve substantially the same service area as the application sought to be withdrawn, filed within the 30-day period following the last date of publication of the notice (notwithstanding any provisions normally requiring earlier filing of a competing application), or otherwise timely filed, will be entitled to comparative consideration with other pending mutually exclusive applications. If the application of any party to which the new application may be in conflict has been designated for hearing, any such new application will be entitled to consolidation in the proceeding.
(c) Except where a joint request is filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, any applicant filing an amendment pursuant to §§73.3522 (b)(1) and (c), or a request for dismissal pursuant to §§73.3568 (b)(1) and (c), which would remove a conflict with another pending application; or a petition for leave to amend pursuant to §73.3522(b)(2) which would permit a grant of the amended application or an application previously in conflict with the amended application; or a request for dismissal pursuant to §73.3568(b)(2), shall file with it an affidavit as to whether or not consideration (including an agreement for merger of interests) has been promised to or received by such applicant, directly or indirectly, in connection with the amendment, petition or request.
(d) Upon the filing of a petition for leave to amend or to dismiss an application for broadcast facilities which has been designated for hearing or upon the dismissal of such application on the FCC's own motion pursuant to §73.3568, each applicant or party remaining in hearing, as to whom a conflict would be removed by the amendment or dismissal shall submit for inclusion in the record of that proceeding an affidavit stating whether or not he has directly or indirectly paid or promised consideration (including an agreement for merger of interests) in connection with the removal of such conflict.
(e) Where an affidavit filed pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section states that consideration has been paid or promised, the affidavit shall set forth in full all relevant facts, including, but not limited to, the material listed in paragraph (a) of this section for inclusions in affidavits.
(f) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the applicant, permittee or licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.
(g) Requests and affidavits which relate to an application which has not been designated for hearing shall bear the file number of such application. If the affiant is also an applicant, the affidavit shall also bear the file number of affiant's pending application(s). Requests and affidavits which relate to an application which is designated for hearing shall bear the file number of that application and the hearing docket number and will be acted on by the presiding officer.
(h) For the purposes of this section an application shall be deemed to be “pending” before the FCC and a party shall be considered to have the status of an “applicant” from the time an application is filed with the FCC until an order of the FCC granting or denying it is no longer subject to reconsideration by the FCC or to review by any court.
(i) For purposes of this section, “legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by an applicant in preparing, filing, prosecuting, and settling its application for which reimbursement is being sought.
(j) For purposes of this section, “other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including, but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as non-financial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.
(k) For purposes of this section, an “ancillary agreement” means any agreement relating to the dismissal of an application or settling of a proceeding, including any agreement on the part of an applicant or principal of an applicant to render consulting services to another party or principal of another party in the poroceeding.
(l) The prohibition of collusion as set forth in §§1.2105(c) and 73.5002 of this section, which becomes effective upon the filing of short-form applications, shall apply to all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding.
Note: Although §74.780 of the Rules makes this section generally applicable to low power TV, TV translators, and TV booster stations, paragraph (b) of this section shall not be applicable to such stations.
[56 FR 28097, June 19, 1991, as amended at 63 FR 48624, Sept. 11, 1998] § 73.3526 Local public inspection file of commercial stations.
(a) Responsibility to maintain a file. The following shall maintain for public inspection a file containing the material set forth in this section.
(1) Applicants for a construction permit for a new station in the commercial broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(10) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an application is pending. If the application is granted, paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall apply.
(2) Every permittee or licensee of an AM, FM, TV or Class A TV station in the commercial broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(10) and paragraph (e)(13) of this section. In addition, every permittee or licensee of a commercial TV or Class A TV station shall maintain for public inspection a file containing material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(11) and (e)(15) of this section, and every permittee or licensee of a commercial AM or FM station shall maintain for public inspection a file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(12) and (e)(14) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an authorization is outstanding, and the file shall be maintained so long as an authorization to operate the station is outstanding.
(b) Location of the file. The public inspection file shall be maintained at the main studio of the station. An applicant for a new station or change of community shall maintain its file at an accessible place in the proposed community of license or at its proposed main studio.
(c) Access to material in the file. (1) The file shall be available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours. All or part of the file may be maintained in a computer database, as long as a computer terminal is made available, at the location of the file, to members of the public who wish to review the file. Material in the public inspection file shall be made available for printing or machine reproduction upon request made in person. The applicant, permittee, or licensee may specify the location for printing or reproduction, require the requesting party to pay the reasonable cost thereof, and may require guarantee of payment in advance (e.g., by requiring a deposit, obtaining credit card information, or any other reasonable method). Requests for copies shall be fulfilled within a reasonable period of time, which generally should not exceed 7 days.
(2) The applicant, permittee, or licensee who maintains its main studio and public file outside its community of license shall:
(i) Make available to persons within its geographic service area, by mail upon telephone request, photocopies of documents in the file (see §73.3526(c)(1)), excluding the political file (see §73.3526(e)(6)), and the station shall pay postage;
(ii) Mail the most recent version of “The Public and Broadcasting” to any member of the public that requests a copy; and
(iii) Be prepared to assist members of the public in identifying the documents they may ask to be sent to them by mail, for example, by describing to the caller, if asked, the period covered by a particular report and the number of pages included in the report.
Note to paragraph (c)(2): For purposes of this section, geographic service area includes the area within the Grade B contour for TV, 1 mV/m contour for all FM station classes except .7 mV/m for Class B1 stations and .5 mV/m for Class B stations, and .5 mV/m contour for AM stations.
(d) Responsibility in case of assignment or transfer. (1) In cases involving applications for consent to assignment of broadcast station construction permits or licenses, with respect to which public notice is required to be given under the provisions of §73.3580 or §73.3594, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the assignor. If the assignment is consented to by the FCC and consummated, the assignee shall maintain the file commencing with the date on which notice of the consummation of the assignment is filed with the FCC. The assignee shall retain public file documents obtained from the assignor for the period required under these rules.
(2) In cases involving applications for consent to transfer of control of a permittee or licensee of a broadcast station, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the permittee or licensee.
(e) Contents of the file. The material to be retained in the public inspection file is as follows:
(1) Authorization. A copy of the current FCC authorization to construct or operate the station, as well as any other documents necessary to reflect any modifications thereto or any conditions that the FCC has placed on the authorization. These materials shall be retained until replaced by a new authorization, at which time a copy of the new authorization and any related materials shall be placed in the file.
(2) Applications and related materials. A copy of any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with all related material, and copies of Initial Decisions and Final Decisions in hearing cases pertaining thereto. If petitions to deny are filed against the application and have been served on the applicant, a statement that such a petition has been filed shall be maintained in the file together with the name and address of the party filing the petition. Applications shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the application, except that applications for a new construction permit granted pursuant to a waiver showing and applications for assignment or transfer of license granted pursuant to a waiver showing shall be retained for as long as the waiver is in effect. In addition, license renewal applications granted on a short-term basis shall be retained until final action has been taken on the license renewal application filed immediately following the shortened license term.
(3) Citizen agreements. A copy of every written citizen agreement. These agreements shall be retained for the term of the agreement, including any renewal or extension thereof.
Note to paragraph (e)(3): For purposes of this section, a citizen agreement is a written agreement between a broadcast applicant, permittee, or licensee, and one or more citizens or citizen groups, entered for primarily noncommercial purposes. This definition includes those agreements that deal with goals or proposed practices directly or indirectly affecting station operations in the public interest, in areas such as—but not limited to—programming and employment. It excludes common commercial agreements such as advertising contracts; union, employment, and personal services contracts; network affiliation, syndication, program supply contracts, etc. However, the mere inclusion of commercial terms in a primarily noncommercial agreement—such as a provision for payment of fees for future services of the citizen-parties (see “Report and Order,” Docket 19518, 57 FCC 2d 494 (1976))—would not cause the agreement to be considered commercial for purposes of this section.
(4) Contour maps. A copy of any service contour maps, submitted with any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with any other information in the application showing service contours and/or main studio and transmitter location (State, county, city, street address, or other identifying information). These documents shall be retained for as long as they reflect current, accurate information regarding the station.
(5) Ownership reports and related materials. A copy of the most recent, complete ownership report filed with the FCC for the station, together with any statements filed with the FCC certifying that the current report is accurate, and together with all related material. These materials shall be retained until a new, complete ownership report is filed with the FCC, at which time a copy of the new report and any related materials shall be placed in the file. The permittee or licensee must retain in the public file either a copy of the contracts listed in such reports in accordance with §73.3615(a)(4)(i), or an up-to-date list of such contracts. Licensees or permittees who choose to retain a list of contracts must provide a copy of any contracts to requesting parties within 7 days.
(6) Political file. Such records as are required by §73.1943 to be kept concerning broadcasts by candidates for public office. These records shall be retained for the period specified in §73.1943 (2 years).
(7) Equal Employment Opportunity file. Such information as is required by §73.2080 to be kept in the public inspection file. These materials shall be retained until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.
(8) The public and broadcasting. At all times, a copy of the most recent version of the manual entitled “The Public and Broadcasting.”
(9) Letters and e-mail from the public. (i) All written comments and suggestions received from the public regarding operation of the station, unless the letter writer has requested that the letter not be made public or when the licensee feels that it should be excluded from public inspection because of the nature of its content, such as a defamatory or obscene letter. Letters and electronic mail messages shall be retained for a period of three years from the date on which they are received by the licensee.
(ii) For purposes of this section, written comments and suggestions received from the public include electronic mail messages transmitted via the internet to station management or an e-mail address publicized by the station. Personal e-mail messages sent to station employees need not be retained. Licensees may retain e-mails either on paper or in a computer file. Licensees who choose to maintain a computer file of e-mails may make the file available to the public either by providing the public with access to a computer terminal at the location of the public file, or providing the public with a copy of such e-mails on computer diskette, upon request. In the case of identical communications, licensees and permittees may retain one sample copy of the letter or electronic mail message together with a list identifying other parties who sent identical communications.
(10) Material relating to FCC investigation or complaint. Material having a substantial bearing on a matter which is the subject of an FCC investigation or complaint to the FCC of which the applicant, permittee, or licensee has been advised. This material shall be retained until the applicant, permittee, or licensee is notified in writing that the material may be discarded.
(11)(i) TV issues/programs lists. For commercial TV and Class A TV broadcast stations, every three months a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period. The list for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October-December, April 10 for the quarter January-March, etc.) The list shall include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment. The description of the programs shall include, but shall not be limited to, the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issue was treated. The lists described in this paragraph shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.
(ii) Records concerning commercial limits. For commercial TV and Class A TV broadcast stations, records sufficient to permit substantiation of the station's certification, in its license renewal application, of compliance with the commercial limits on children's programming established in 47 U.S.C. 303a and 47 CFR 73.670. The records for each calendar quarter must be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October-December, April 10 for the quarter January-March, etc.). These records shall be retained until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.
(iii) Children's television programming reports. For commercial TV broadcast stations, both analog and digital, on a quarterly basis, a completed Children's Television Programming Report (“Report”), on FCC Form 398, reflecting efforts made by the licensee during the preceding quarter, and efforts planned for the next quarter, to serve the educational and informational needs of children. The Report for each quarter is to be placed in the public inspection file by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter. By this date, a copy of the Report for each quarter is also to be filed electronically with the FCC. The Report shall identify the licensee's educational and informational programming efforts, including programs aired by the station that are specifically designed to serve the educational and informational needs of children, and it shall explain how programs identified as Core Programming meet the definition set forth in §73.671(c). The Report shall include the name of the individual at the station responsible for collecting comments on the station's compliance with the Children's Television Act, and it shall be separated from other materials in the public inspection file. The Report shall also identify the program guide publishers to which information regarding the licensee's educational and informational programming was provided as required in §73.673, as well as the station's license renewal date. These Reports shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application. Licensees shall publicize in an appropriate manner the existence and location of these Reports.
(12) Radio issues/programs lists. For commercial AM and FM broadcast stations, every three months a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period. The list for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October—December, April 10 for the quarter January—March, etc.). The list shall include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment. The description of the programs shall include, but shall not be limited to, the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issue was treated. The lists described in this paragraph shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.
(13) Local public notice announcements. Each applicant for renewal of license shall, within 7 days of the last day of broadcast of the local public notice of filing announcements required pursuant to §73.3580(h), place in the station's local public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with this requirement. The dates and times that the pre-filing and post-filing notices were broadcast and the text thereof shall be made part of the certifying statement. The certifying statement shall be retained in the public file for the period specified in §73.3580 (for as long as the application to which it refers).
(14) Radio and television time brokerage agreements. For commercial radio and television stations, a copy of every agreement or contract involving time brokerage of the licensee's station or of another station by the licensee, whether the agreement involves stations in the same markets or in differing markets, with confidential or proprietary information redacted where appropriate. These records shall be retained as long as the contract or agreement is in force.
(15) Must-carry or retransmission consent election. Statements of a commercial television or Class A television station's election with respect to either must-carry or re-transmission consent, as defined in §§76.64 and 76.1608 of this chapter. These records shall be retained for the duration of the three year election period to which the statement applies.
(16) Radio and television joint sales agreements. For commercial radio and commercial television stations, a copy of agreement for the joint sale of advertising time involving the station, whether the agreement involves stations in the same markets or in differing markets, with confidential or proprietary information redacted where appropriate.
(17) Class A TV continuing eligibility. Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the Class A television station is continuing to meet the eligibility requirements set forth at §73.6001.
Note 1 to paragraph (e): For purposes of this section, action taken on an application tendered with the FCC becomes final when that action is no longer subject to reconsideration, review, or appeal either at the FCC or in the courts.
Note 2 to paragraph (e): For purposes of this section, the term “all related material” includes all exhibits, letters, and other documents tendered for filing with the FCC as part of an application, report, or other document, all amendments to the application, report, or other document, copies of all documents incorporated therein by reference and not already maintained in the public inspection file, and all correspondence between the FCC and the applicant pertaining to the application, report, or other document, which according to the provisions of §§0.451 through 0.461 of this part are open for public inspection at the offices of the FCC.
[63 FR 49497, Sept. 16, 1998, as amended at 63 FR 70049, Dec. 18, 1998; 64 FR 35947, July 2, 1999; 64 FR 50645, Sept. 17, 1999; 65 FR 7457, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 30006, May 10, 2000; 65 FR 53614, Sept. 5, 2000; 65 FR 67288, Nov. 9, 2000; 70 FR 38, Jan. 3, 2005]
Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 38, Jan. 3, 2005, §73.3526 was amended by revising paragraph (e)(11)(iii). This paragraph contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.
§ 73.3527 Local public inspection file of noncommercial educational stations.
(a) Responsibility to maintain a file. The following shall maintain for public inspection a file containing the material set forth in this section.
(1) Applicants for a construction permit for a new station in the noncommercial educational broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraph (e)(2) and (e)(11) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an application is pending. If the application is granted, paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall apply.
(2) Every permittee or licensee of an AM, FM, or TV station in the noncommercial educational broadcast services shall maintain a public inspection file containing the material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(11) of this section. In addition, every permittee or licensee of a noncommercial educational TV station shall maintain for public inspection a file containing material, relating to that station, described in paragraphs (e)(12) of this section. A separate file shall be maintained for each station for which an authorization is outstanding, and the file shall be maintained so long as an authorization to operate the station is outstanding.
(b) Location of the file. The public inspection file shall be maintained at the main studio of the station. An applicant for a new station or change of community shall maintain its file at an accessible place in the proposed community of license or at its proposed main studio.
(c) Access to material in the file. (1) The file shall be available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours. All or part of the file may be maintained in a computer database, as long as a computer terminal is made available, at the location of the file, to members of the public who wish to review the file. Material in the public inspection file shall be made available for printing or machine reproduction upon request made in person. The applicant, permittee, or licensee may specify the location for printing or reproduction, require the requesting party to pay the reasonable cost thereof, and may require guarantee of payment in advance (e.g., by requiring a deposit, obtaining credit card information, or any other reasonable method). Requests for copies shall be fulfilled within a reasonable period of time, which generally should not exceed 7 days.
(2) The applicant, permittee, or licensee who maintains its main studio and public file outside its community of license shall:
(i) Make available to persons within its geographic service area, by mail upon telephone request, photocopies of documents in the file (see §73.3527(c)(1)), excluding the political file (see §73.3527(e)(5)), and the station shall pay postage;
(ii) Mail the most recent version of “The Public and Broadcasting” to any member of the public that requests a copy; and
(iii) Be prepared to assist members of the public in identifying the documents they may ask to be sent to them by mail, for example, by describing to the caller, if asked, the period covered by a particular report and the number of pages included in the report.
Note to paragraph (c)(2): For purposes of this section, geographic service area includes the area within the protected service contour in a particular service: Grade B contour for TV, 1 mVm contour for all FM station classes except .7 mV/m for Class B1 stations and .5 mV/m for Class B stations, and .5 mV/m contour for AM stations.
(d) Responsibility in case of assignment or transfer. (1) In cases involving applications for consent to assignment of broadcast station construction permits or licenses, with respect to which public notice is required to be given under the provisions of §73.3580 or §73.3594, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the assignor. If the assignment is consented to by the FCC and consummated, the assignee shall maintain the file commencing with the date on which notice of the consummation of the assignment is filed with the FCC. The assignee shall retain public file documents obtained from the assignor for the period required under these rules.
(2) In cases involving applications for consent to transfer of control of a permittee or licensee of a broadcast station, the file mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section shall be maintained by the permittee or licensee.
(e) Contents of the file. The material to be retained in the public inspection file is as follows:
(1) Authorization. A copy of the current FCC authorization to construct or operate the station, as well as any other documents necessary to reflect any modifications thereto or any conditions that the FCC has placed on the authorization. These materials shall be retained until replaced by a new authorization, at which time a copy of the new authorization and any related materials shall be placed in the file.
(2) Applications and related materials. A copy of any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with all related material, including supporting documentation of any points claimed in the application pursuant to §73.7003, and copies of FCC decisions pertaining thereto. If petitions to deny are filed against the application and have been served on the applicant, a statement that such a petition has been filed shall be maintained in the file together with the name and address of the party filing the petition. Applications shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the application, except that applications for a new construction permit granted pursuant to a waiver showing and applications for assignment or transfer of license granted pursuant to a waiver showing shall be retained for as long as the waiver is in effect. In addition, license renewal applications granted on a short-term basis shall be retained until final action has been taken on the license renewal application filed immediately following the shortened license term.
(3) Contour maps. A copy of any service contour maps, submitted with any application tendered for filing with the FCC, together with any other information in the application showing service contours and/or main studio and transmitter location (State, county, city, street address, or other identifying information). These documents shall be retained for as long as they reflect current, accurate information regarding the station.
(4) Ownership reports and related materials. A copy of the most recent, complete ownership report filed with the FCC for the station, together with any subsequent statement filed with the FCC certifying that the current report is accurate, and together with all related material. These materials shall be retained until a new, complete ownership report is filed with the FCC, at which time a copy of the new report and any related materials shall be placed in the file. The permittee or licensee must retain in the public file either a copy of the contracts listed in such reports in accordance with §73.3615(d)(3), or an up-to-date list of such contracts. Licensees and permittees who choose to maintain a list of contracts must provide a copy of any contracts to requesting parties within 7 days.
(5) Political file. Such records as are required by §73.1943 to be kept concerning broadcasts by candidates for public office. These records shall be retained for the period specified in §73.1943 (2 years).
(6) Equal Employment Opportunity file. Such information as is required by §73.2080 to be kept in the public inspection file. These materials shall be retained until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.
(7) The Public and Broadcasting. At all times, a copy of the most recent version of the manual entitled “The Public and Broadcasting.”
(8) Issues/programs lists. For nonexempt noncommercial educational broadcast stations, every three months a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period. The list for each calendar quarter is to be filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g., January 10 for the quarter October-December, April 10 for the quarter January-March, etc.). The list shall include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment. The description of the programs shall include, but shall not be limited to, the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issue was treated. The lists described in this paragraph shall be retained in the public inspection file until final action has been taken on the station's next license renewal application.
(9) Donor lists. The lists of donors supporting specific programs. These lists shall be retained for two years from the date of the broadcast of the specific program supported.
(10) Local public notice announcements. Each applicant for renewal of license shall, within 7 days of the last day of broadcast of the local public notice of filing announcements required pursuant to §73.3580(h), place in the station's local public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with this requirement. The dates and times that the pre-filing and post-filing notices were broadcast and the text thereof shall be made part of the certifying statement. The certifying statement shall be retained in the public file for the period specified in §73.3580 (for as long as the application to which it refers).
(11) Material relating to FCC investigation or complaint. Material having a substantial bearing on a matter which is the subject of an FCC investigation or complaint to the FCC of which the applicant, permittee, or licensee has been advised. This material shall be retained until the applicant, permittee, or licensee is notified in writing that the material may be discarded.
(12) Must-carry requests. Noncommercial television stations requesting mandatory carriage on any cable system pursuant to §§76.56, 76.1614, 76.1620, and 76.1709 of this chapter shall place a copy of such request in its public file and shall retain both the request and relevant correspondence for the duration of any period to which the request applies.
Note 1 to paragraph (e): For purposes of this section, a decision made with respect to an application tendered with the FCC becomes final when that decision is no longer subject to reconsideration, review, or appeal either at the FCC or in the courts.
Note 2 to paragraph (e): For purposes of this section, the term “all related material” includes all exhibits, letters, and other documents tendered for filing with the FCC as part of an application, report, or other document, all amendments to the application, report, or other document, copies of all documents incorporated therein by reference and not already maintained in the public inspection file, and all correspondence between the FCC and the applicant pertaining to the application, report, or other document, which according to the provisions of §§0.451 through 0.461 of the rules are open for public inspection at the offices of the FCC.
[63 FR 49499, Sept. 16, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 35947, July 2, 1999; 65 FR 7457, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 36378, June 8, 2000; 65 FR 53614, Sept. 5, 2000] § 73.3533 Application for construction permit or modification of construction permit.
(a) Application for construction permit, or modification of a construction permit, for a new facility or change in an existing facility is to be made on the following forms:
(1) FCC Form 301, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an Existing Commercial Broadcast Station.”
(2) FCC Form 309, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an Existing International or Experimental Broadcast Stations.”
(3) [Reserved]
(4) FCC Form 340, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in a Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station.”
(5) FCC Form 346, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in a Low Power TV, TV Translator or TV Booster Station.”
(6) FCC Form 349, “Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an FM Translator or FM Booster Station.”
(7) FCC Form 318, “Application for Construction Permit for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station.”
(b) The filing of an application for modification of construction permit does not extend the expiration date of the construction permit. Extension of the expiration date must be applied for on FCC Form 307, in accordance with the provisions of §73.3534.
(c) In each application referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, the applicant will provide the Antenna Structure Registration Number (FCC Form 854R) of the antenna structure upon which it will locate its proposed antenna. In the event the antenna structure does not already have a Registration Number, either the antenna structure owner shall file FCC Form 854 (“Application for Antenna Structure Registration”) in accordance with part 17 of this chapter or the applicant shall provide a detailed explanation why registration and clearance of the antenna structure is not necessary.
[44 FR 38494, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982; 49 FR 32582, Aug. 15, 1984; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 53 FR 36788, Sept. 22, 1988; 61 FR 4367, Feb. 6, 1996; 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 68 FR 12761, Mar. 17, 2003; 69 FR 72043, Dec. 10, 2004] § 73.3534 [Reserved]
§ 73.3536 Application for license to cover construction permit.
(a) The application for station license shall be filed by the permittee pursuant to the requirements of §73.1620 Program tests.
(b) The following application forms shall be used:
(1)(i) Form 302–AM for AM stations, “Application for New AM Station Broadcast License.”
(ii) Form 302–FM for FM stations, “Application for FM Station License.”
(iii) Form 302–TV for television stations, “Application for TV Station Broadcast License.”
(2) FCC Form 310, “Application for an International or Experimental Broadcast Station License.”
(3) [Reserved]
(4) FCC Form 347, “Application for a Low Power TV, TV Translator or TV Booster Station License.”
(5) FCC Form 350, “Application for an FM Translator or FM Booster Station License.”
(6) FCC Form 319, “Application for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station License.”
(c) Eligible low power television stations which have been granted a certificate of eligibility may file FCC Form 302-CA, “Application for Class A Television Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License.”
[44 FR 38495, July 2, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 32582, Aug. 15, 1984; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 51 FR 18451, May 20, 1986; 51 FR 32088, Sept. 9, 1986; 52 FR 31400, Aug. 20, 1987; 53 FR 36788, Sept. 22, 1988; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000; 68 FR 12761, Mar. 17, 2003; 69 FR 72043, Dec. 10, 2004] § 73.3537 Application for license to use former main antenna as an auxiliary.
See §73.1675, Auxiliary facility.
[62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997] § 73.3538 Application to make changes in an existing station.
Where prior authority is required from the FCC to make changes in an existing station, the following procedures shall be used to request that authority:
(a) An application for construction permit using the forms listed in §73.3533 must be filed for authority to:
(1) Make any of the changes listed in §73.1690(b).
(2) Change the hours of operation of an AM station, where the hours of operation are specified on the license or permit.
(3) Install a transmitter which has not been approved (type accepted) by the FCC for use by licensed broadcast stations.
(4) Any change in the location, height, or directional radiating characteristics of the antenna or antenna system.
(b) An informal application filed in accordance with §73.3511 is to be used to obtain authority to make the following changes in the station authorization:
(1) To modify or discontinue the obstruction marking or lighting of the antenna supporting structure where that specified on the station authorization either differs from that specified in 47 CFR 17, or is not appropriate for other reasons.
(2) Relocation of a main studio outside the principal community contour may require the filing and approval of a letter request for authority to make this change prior to implementation. See §73.1125.
[44 FR 38495, July 2, 1979, as amended at 44 FR 69935, Dec. 5, 1979; 49 FR 4000, Feb. 1, 1984; 52 FR 21685, June 9, 1987; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 66 FR 20758, Apr. 25, 2001] § 73.3539 Application for renewal of license.
(a) Unless otherwise directed by the FCC, an application for renewal of license shall be filed not later than the first day of the fourth full calendar month prior to the expiration date of the license sought to be renewed, except that applications for renewal of license of an experimental broadcast station shall be filed not later than the first day of the second full calendar month prior to the expiration date of the license sought to be renewed. If any deadline prescribed in this paragraph falls on a nonbusiness day, the cutoff shall be the close of business of the first full business day thereafter.
(b) No application for renewal of license of any broadcast station will be considered unless there is on file with the FCC the information currently required by §§73.3612 through 73.3615, inclusive, for the particular class of station.
(c) Whenever the FCC regards an application for a renewal of license as essential to the proper conduct of a hearing or investigation, and specifically directs that it be filed by a date certain, such application shall be filed within the time thus specified. If the licensee fails to file such application within the prescribed time, the hearing or investigation shall proceed as if such renewal application had been received.
(d) Renewal application forms titles and numbers are listed in §73.3500, Application and Report Forms.
[44 FR 38495, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982; 49 FR 32582, Aug. 15, 1984] § 73.3540 Application for voluntary assignment or transfer of control.
(a) Prior consent of the FCC must be obtained for a voluntary assignment or transfer of control.
(b) Application should be filed with the FCC at least 45 days prior to the contemplated effective date of assignment or transfer of control.
(c) Application for consent to the assignment of construction permit or license must be filed on FCC Form 314 “Assignment of license” or FCC Form 316 “Short form” (See paragraph (f) of this section).
(d) Application for consent to the transfer of control of a corporation holding a construction permit or license must be filed on FCC Form 315 “Transfer of Control” or FCC Form 316 “Short form” (see paragraph (f) of this section).
(e) Application for consent to the assignment of construction permit or license or to the transfer of control of a corporate licensee or permittee for an FM or TV translator station, a low power TV station and any associated auxiliary station, such as translator microwave relay stations and UHF translator booster stations, only must be filed on FCC Form 345 “Application for Transfer of Control of Corporate Licensee or Permittee, or Assignment of License or Permit for an FM or TV translator Station, or a Low Power TV Station.”
(f) The following assignment or transfer applications may be filed on FCC “Short form” 316:
(1) Assignment from an individual or individuals (including partnerships) to a corporation owned and controlled by such individuals or partnerships without any substantial change in their relative interests;
(2) Assignment from a corporation to its individual stockholders without effecting any substantial change in the disposition of their interests;
(3) Assignment or transfer by which certain stockholders retire and the interest transferred is not a controlling one;
(4) Corporate reorganization which involves no substantial change in the beneficial ownership of the corporation;
(5) Assignment or transfer from a corporation to a wholly owned subsidiary thereof or vice versa, or where there is an assignment from a corporation to a corporation owned or controlled by the assignor stockholders without substantial change in their interests; or
(6) Assignment of less than a controlling interest in a partnership.
[44 FR 38496, July 2, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 21486, May 12, 1983; 49 FR 47843, Dec. 7, 1984; 50 FR 32416, Aug. 12, 1985] § 73.3541 Application for involuntary assignment of license or transfer of control.
(a) The FCC shall be notified in writing promptly of the death or legal disability of an individual permittee or licensee, a member of a partnership, or a person directly or indirectly in control of a corporation which is a permittee or licensee.
(b) Within 30 days after the occurrence of such death or legal disability, an application on FCC Form 316 shall be filed requesting consent to involuntary assignment of such permit or license or for involuntary transfer of control of such corporation to a person or entity legally qualified to succeed to the foregoing interests under the laws of the place having jurisdiction over the estate involved.
[44 FR 38496, July 2, 1979] § 73.3542 Application for emergency authorization.
(a) Authority may be granted, on a temporary basis, in extraordinary circumstances requiring emergency operation to serve the public interest. such situations include: emergencies involving danger to life and property; a national emergency proclaimed by the President or the Congress of the U.S.A and; the continuance of any war in which the United States is engaged, and where such action is necessary for the national defense or security or otherwise in furtherance of the war effort.
(1) An informal application may be used. The FCC may grant such construction permits, station licenses, modifications or renewals thereof, without the filing of a formal application.
(2) No authorization so granted shall continue to be effective beyond the period of the emergency or war requiring it.
(3) Each individual request submitted under the provisions of this paragraph shall contain, as a minimum requirement, the following information:
(i) Name and address of applicant.
(ii) Location of proposed installation or operation.
(iii) Official call letters of any valid station authorization already held by applicant and the station location.
(iv) Type of service desired (not required for renewal or modification unless class of station is to be modified).
(v) Frequency assignment, authorized transmitter power(s), authorized class(es) of emission desired (not required for renewal; required for modification only to the extent such information may be involved).
(vi) Equipment to be used, specifying the manufacturer and type or model number (not required for renewal; required for modification only to the extent such information may be involved).
(vii) Statements to the extent necessary for the FCC to determine whether or not the granting of the desired authorization will be in accordance with the citizenship eligibility requirements of section 310 of the Cummunications Act.
(viii) Statement of facts which, in the opinion of the applicant, constitute an emergency to be found by the FCC for the purpose of this section. This statement must also include the estimated duration of the emergency and if during an emergency or war declared by the President or Congress, why such action, without formal application, is necessary for the national defense or security or in furtherance of the war effort.
(b) Emergency operating authority issued under this section may be cancelled or modified by the FCC without prior notice or right to hearing. See also §73.1250, Broadcasting Emergency Information, for situations in which emergency operation may be conducted without prior authorization, and §73.1635, Special Temporary Authorization (STA), for temporary operating authorizations necessitated by circumstances not within the ambit of this section.
[50 FR 30948, July 31, 1985, as amended at 63 FR 33878, June 22, 1998] § 73.3543 Application for renewal or modification of special service authorization.
(a) No new special service authorization will be issued. However, consideration will be given to renewal or modification of a special service authorization which was outstanding on February 3, 1958, providing a satisfactory showing has been made in regard to the following, among others:
(1) That the requested operation may not be granted on a regular basis under the existing rules governing the operation of AM stations;
(2) That experimental operation is not involved as provided for by §73.1510 (Experimental authorizations); and
(3) That public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the authorization requested.
[44 FR 38496, July 2, 1979] § 73.3544 Application to obtain a modified station license.
Where prior authority from the FCC is not required to make certain changes in the station authorization or facilities, but a modified station license must be obtained, the following procedures shall be used to obtain modification of the station license:
(a) The changes specified in §73.1690(c) may be made by the filing of a license application using the forms listed in §73.3536(b)(1).
(b) An informal application, see §73.3511(b), may be filed with the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio Division (radio) or Video Services Division (television), Media Bureau, to cover the following changes:
(1) A correction of the routing instructions and description of an AM station directional antenna system field monitoring point, when the point itself is not changed.
(2) A change in the type of AM station directional antenna monitor. See §73.69.
(3) A change in the location of the station main studio when prior authority to move the main studio location is not required.
(4) The location of a remote control point of an AM or FM station when prior authority to operate by remote control is not required.
(c) A change in the name of the licensee where no change in ownership or control is involved may be accomplished by written notification by the licensee to the Commission.
[44 FR 38497, July 2, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 20483, Mar. 28, 1980; 50 FR 32416, Aug. 12, 1985; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 63 FR 33878, June 22, 1998; 67 FR 13232, Mar. 21, 2002] § 73.3545 Application for permit to deliver programs to foreign stations.
Application under section 325(c) of the Communications Act for authority to locate, use, or maintain a broadcast studio in connection with a foreign station consistently received in the United States, should be made on FCC Form 308, “Application for Permit to Deliver Programs to Foreign Broadcast Stations.” An informal application may be used by applicants holding an AM, FM or TV broadcast station license or construction permit. Informal applications must, however, contain a description of the nature and character of the programming proposed, together with other information requested on Page 4 of Form 308.
[44 FR 38497, July 2, 1979, as amended at 58 FR 51250, Oct. 1, 1993] § 73.3549 Requests for extension of time to operate without required monitors, indicating instruments, and EAS encoders and decoders.
Requests for extension of authority to operate without required monitors, transmission system indicating instruments, or encoders and decoders for monitoring and generating the EAS codes and Attention Signal should be made to the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio Division (radio) or Video Division (television), Media Bureau. Such requests must contain information as to when and what steps were taken to repair or replace the defective equipment and a brief description of the alternative procedures being used while the equipment is out of service.
[67 FR 13233, Mar. 21, 2002] § 73.3550 Requests for new or modified call sign assignments.
(a) All requests for new or modified call sign assignments for radio and television broadcast stations shall be made via the FCC's on-line call sign reservation and authorization system accessible through the Internet's World Wide Web by specifying http://www.fcc.gov. Licensees and permittees may utilize this on-line system to determine the availability and licensing status of any call sign; to select an initial call sign for a new station; to change a station's currently assigned call sign; to modify an existing call sign by adding or deleting an “-FM” or “-TV” suffix; to exchange call signs with another licensee or permittee in the same service; or to reserve a different call sign for a station being transferred or assigned.
(b) No request for an initial call sign assignment will be accepted from a permittee for a new radio or full-service television station until the FCC has granted a construction permit. Each such permittee shall request the assignment of its station's initial call sign expeditiously following the grant of its construction permit. All initial construction permits for low power TV stations will be issued with a five-character low power TV call sign, in accordance with §74.783(d) of this chapter.
(c) Following the filing of a transfer or assignment application, the proposed assignee/transferee may request a new call sign for the station whose license or construction permit is being transferred or assigned. No change in call sign assignment will be effective until such transfer or assignment application is granted by the FCC and notification of consummation of the transaction is received by the FCC.
(d) Where an application is granted by the FCC for transfer or assignment of the construction permit or license of a station whose existing call sign conforms to that of a commonly-owned station not part of the transaction, the new licensee of the transferred or assigned station shall expeditiously request a different call sign, unless consent to retain the conforming call sign has been obtained from the primary holder and from the licensee of any other station that may be using such conforming call sign.
(e) Call signs beginning with the letter “K” will not be assigned to stations located east of the Mississippi River, nor will call signs beginning with the letter “W” be assigned to stations located west of the Mississippi River.
(f) Only four-letter call signs (plus an LP, FM, TV or CA suffix, if used) will be assigned. The four letter call sign for LPFM stations will be followed by the suffix “-LP.” However, subject to the other provisions of this section, a call sign of a station may be conformed to a commonly owned station holding a three-letter call assignment (plus FM, TV, CA or LP suffixes, if used).
(g) Subject to the foregoing limitations, applicants may request call signs of their choice if the combination is available. Objections to the assignment of requested call signs will not be entertained at the FCC. However, this does not hamper any party from asserting such rights as it may have under private law in some other forum. Should it be determined by an appropriate forum that a station should not utilize a particular call sign, the initial assignment of a call sign will not serve as a bar to the making of a different assignment.
(h) Stations in different broadcast services (or operating jointly in the 535–1605 kHz band and in the 1605–1705 kHz band) which are under common control may request that their call signs be conformed by the assignment of the same basic call sign if that call sign is not being used by a non-commonly owned station. For the purposes of this paragraph, 50% or greater common ownership shall constitute a prima facie showing of common control.
(i) The provisions of this section shall not apply to International broadcast stations or to stations authorized under part 74 of this chapter (except as provided in §74.783).
(j) A change in call sign assignment will be made effective on the date specified in the postcard acknowledging the assignment of the requested new call sign and authorizing the change. Unless the requested change in call sign assignment is subject to a pending transfer or assignment application, the requester is required to include in its on-line call sign request a specific effective date to take place within 45 days of the submission of its electronic call sign request. Postponement of the effective date will be granted only in response to a timely request and for only the most compelling reasons.
(k) Four-letter combinations commencing with “W” or “K” which are assigned as call signs to ships or to other radio services are not available for assignment to broadcast stations, with or without the “-FM” or “-TV” suffix.
(l) Users of nonlicensed, low-power devices operating under part 15 of this chapter may use whatever identification is currently desired, so long as propriety is observed and no confusion results with a station for which the FCC issues a license.
(m) Where a requested call sign, without the “-FM,' “-TV,” “-CA” or “LP” suffix, would conform to the call sign of any other non-commonly owned station(s) operating in a different service, an applicant utilizing the on-line reservation and authorization system will be required to certify that consent to use the secondary call sign has been obtained from the holder of the primary call sign.
[63 FR 71603, Dec. 29, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000] § 73.3555 Multiple ownership.
(a)(1) Local radio ownership rule. A person or single entity (or entities under common control) may have a cognizable interest in licenses for AM or FM radio broadcast stations in accordance with the following limits:
(i) In a radio market with 45 or more full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 8 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 5 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM);
(ii) In a radio market with between 30 and 44 (inclusive) full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 7 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 4 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM);
(iii) In a radio market with between 15 and 29 (inclusive) full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 6 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 4 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM);
(iv) In a radio market with 14 or fewer full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations, not more than 5 commercial radio stations in total and not more than 3 commercial stations in the same service (AM or FM); provided, however, that no person or single entity (or entities under common control) may have a cognizable interest in more than 50% of the full-power, commercial and noncommercial radio stations in such market unless the combination of stations comprises not more than one AM and one FM station.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) Local television multiple ownership rule. (1) For purposes of this section, a television station's market shall be defined as the Designated Market Area (DMA) to which it is assigned by Nielsen Media Research or any successor entity at the time the application to acquire or construct the station(s) is filed. Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands each will be considered a single market.
(2) An entity may have a cognizable interest in more than one full-power commercial television broadcast station in the same DMA in accordance with the following conditions and limits:
(i) At the time the application to acquire or construct the station(s) is filed, no more than one of the stations that will be attributed to such entity is ranked among the top four stations in the DMA, based on the most recent all-day (9 a.m.–midnight) audience share, as measured by Nielsen Media Research or by any comparable professional, accepted audience ratings service; and
(ii)(A) Subject to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, in a DMA with 17 or fewer full-power commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations, an entity may have a cognizable interest in no more than 2 commercial television broadcast stations; or
(B) Subject to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, in a DMA with 18 or more full-power commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations, an entity may have a cognizable interest in no more than 3 commercial television broadcast stations.
(c) Cross-media limits. Cross-ownership of a daily newspaper and commercial broadcast stations, or of commercial broadcast radio and television stations, is permitted without limitation except as follows:
(1) In Nielsen Designated Market Areas (DMAs) to which three or fewer full-power commercial and noncommercial educational television stations are assigned, no newspaper/broadcast or radio/television cross-ownership is permitted.
(2) In DMAs to which at least four but not more than eight full-power commercial and noncommercial educational television stations are assigned, an entity that directly or indirectly owns, operates or controls a daily newspaper may have a cognizable interest in either:
(i) One, but not more than one, commercial television station in combination with radio stations up to 50% of the applicable local radio limit for the market; or,
(ii) Radio stations up to 100% of the applicable local radio limit if it does not have a cognizable interest in a television station in the market.
(3) The foregoing limits on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership do not apply to any new daily newspaper inaugurated by a broadcaster.
(d) National television multiple ownership rule. (1) No license for a commercial television broadcast station shall be granted, transferred or assigned to any party (including all parties under common control) if the grant, transfer or assignment of such license would result in such party or any of its stockholders, partners, members, officers or directors having a cognizable interest in television stations which have an aggregate national audience reach exceeding forty-five (45) percent.
(2) For purposes of this paragraph (d):
(i) National audience reach means the total number of television households in the Nielsen Designated Market Areas (DMAs) in which the relevant stations are located divided by the total national television households as measured by DMA data at the time of a grant, transfer, or assignment of a license. For purposes of making this calculation, UHF television stations shall be attributed with 50 percent of the television households in their DMA market.
(ii) No market shall be counted more than once in making this calculation.
(e) The ownership limits of this section are not applicable to noncommercial educational FM and noncommercial educational TV stations. However, the attribution standards set forth in the Notes to this section will be used to determine attribution for noncommercial educational FM and TV applicants, such as in evaluating mutually exclusive applications pursuant to subpart K.
Note 1 to §73.3555: The words “cognizable interest” as used herein include any interest, direct or indirect, that allows a person or entity to own, operate or control, or that otherwise provides an attributable interest in, a broadcast station.
Note 2 to §73.3555: In applying the provisions of this section, ownership and other interests in broadcast licensees, cable television systems and daily newspapers will be attributed to their holders and deemed cognizable pursuant to the following criteria
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, partnership and direct ownership interests and any voting stock interest amounting to 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporate broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper will be cognizable;
(b) Investment companies, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 80a–3, insurance companies and banks holding stock through their trust departments in trust accounts will be considered to have a cognizable interest only if they hold 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporate broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper, or if any of the officers or directors of the broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper are representatives of the investment company, insurance company or bank concerned. Holdings by a bank or insurance company will be aggregated if the bank or insurance company has any right to determine how the stock will be voted. Holdings by investment companies will be aggregated if under common management.
(c) Attribution of ownership interests in a broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper that are held indirectly by any party through one or more intervening corporations will be determined by successive multiplication of the ownership percentages for each link in the vertical ownership chain and application of the relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product, except that wherever the ownership percentage for any link in the chain exceeds 50%, it shall not be included for purposes of this multiplication. For purposes of paragraph (i) of this note, attribution of ownership interests in a broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper that are held indirectly by any party through one or more intervening organizations will be determined by successive multiplication of the ownership percentages for each link in the vertical ownership chain and application of the relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product, and the ownership percentage for any link in the chain that exceeds 50% shall be included for purposes of this multiplication. [For example, except for purposes of paragraph (i) of this note, if A owns 10% of company X, which owns 60% of company Y, which owns 25% of “Licensee,” then X's interest in “Licensee” would be 25% (the same as Y's interest because X's interest in Y exceeds 50%), and A's interest in “Licensee” would be 2.5% (0.1×0.25). Under the 5% attribution benchmark, X's interest in “Licensee” would be cognizable, while A's interest would not be cognizable. For purposes of paragraph (i) of this note, X's interest in “Licensee” would be 15% (0.6×0.25) and A's interest in “Licensee” would be 1.5% (0.1×0.6×0.25). Neither interest would be attributed under paragraph (i) of this note.]
(d) Voting stock interests held in trust shall be attributed to any person who holds or shares the power to vote such stock, to any person who has the sole power to sell such stock, and to any person who has the right to revoke the trust at will or to replace the trustee at will. If the trustee has a familial, personal or extra-trust business relationship to the grantor or the beneficiary, the grantor or beneficiary, as appropriate, will be attributed with the stock interests held in trust. An otherwise qualified trust will be ineffective to insulate the grantor or beneficiary from attribution with the trust's assets unless all voting stock interests held by the grantor or beneficiary in the relevant broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper are subject to said trust.
(e) Subject to paragraph (i) of this note, holders of non-voting stock shall not be attributed an interest in the issuing entity. Subject to paragraph (i) of this note, holders of debt and instruments such as warrants, convertible debentures, options or other non-voting interests with rights of conversion to voting interests shall not be attributed unless and until conversion is effected.
(f)(1) A limited partnership interest shall be attributed to a limited partner unless that partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and the licensee or system so certifies. An interest in a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Registered Limited Liability Partnership (“RLLP”) shall be attributed to the interest holder unless that interest holder is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and the licensee or system so certifies.
(2) For a licensee or system that is a limited partnership to make the certification set forth in paragraph (f)(1) of this note, it must verify that the partnership agreement or certificate of limited partnership, with respect to the particular limited partner exempt from attribution, establishes that the exempt limited partner has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media activities of the partnership. For a licensee or system that is an LLC or RLLP to make the certification set forth in paragraph (f)(1) of this note, it must verify that the organizational document, with respect to the particular interest holder exempt from attribution, establishes that the exempt interest holder has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media activities of the LLC or RLLP. The criteria which would assume adequate insulation for purposes of this certification are described in the Memorandum Opinion and Order in MM Docket No. 83–46, FCC 85–252 (released June 24, 1985), as modified on reconsideration in the Memorandum Opinion and Order in MM Docket No. 83–46, FCC 86–410 (released November 28, 1986). Irrespective of the terms of the certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, or other organizational document in the case of an LLC or RLLP, however, no such certification shall be made if the individual or entity making the certification has actual knowledge of any material involvement of the limited partners, or other interest holders in the case of an LLC or RLLP, in the management or operation of the media-related businesses of the partnership or LLC or RLLP.
(3) In the case of an LLC or RLLP, the licensee or system seeking insulation shall certify, in addition, that the relevant state statute authorizing LLCs permits an LLC member to insulate itself as required by our criteria.
(g) Officers and directors of a broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper are considered to have a cognizable interest in the entity with which they are so associated. If any such entity engages in businesses in addition to its primary business of broadcasting, cable television service or newspaper publication, it may request the Commission to waive attribution for any officer or director whose duties and responsibilities are wholly unrelated to its primary business. The officers and directors of a parent company of a broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper, with an attributable interest in any such subsidiary entity, shall be deemed to have a cognizable interest in the subsidiary unless the duties and responsibilities of the officer or director involved are wholly unrelated to the broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper subsidiary, and a statement properly documenting this fact is submitted to the Commission. [This statement may be included on the appropriate Ownership Report.] The officers and directors of a sister corporation of a broadcast licensee, cable television system or daily newspaper shall not be attributed with ownership of these entities by virtue of such status.
(h) Discrete ownership interests will be aggregated in determining whether or not an interest is cognizable under this section. An individual or entity will be deemed to have a cognizable investment if:
(1) The sum of the interests held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 20 percent; or
(2) The sum of the interests other than those held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 5 percent; or
(3) The sum of the interests computed under paragraph (h)(1) of this note plus the sum of the interests computed under paragraph (h)(2) of this note is equal to or exceeds 20 percent.
(i) Notwithstanding paragraphs (e) and (f) of this note, the holder of an equity or debt interest or interests in a broadcast licensee, cable television system, daily newspaper, or other media outlet subject to the broadcast multiple ownership or cross-ownership rules (“interest holder”) shall have that interest attributed if:
(1) The equity (including all stockholdings, whether voting or nonvoting, common or preferred) and debt interest or interests, in the aggregate, exceed 33 percent of the total asset value, defined as the aggregate of all equity plus all debt, of that media outlet; and
(2)(i) The interest holder also holds an interest in a broadcast licensee, cable television system, newspaper, or other media outlet operating in the same market that is subject to the broadcast multiple ownership or cross-ownership rules and is attributable under paragraphs of this note other than this paragraph (i); or
(ii) The interest holder supplies over fifteen percent of the total weekly broadcast programming hours of the station in which the interest is held. For purposes of applying this paragraph, the term, “market,” will be defined as it is defined under the specific multiple ownership rule or cross-media limit that is being applied, except that for television stations, the term “market,” will be defined by reference to the definition contained in the local television multiple ownership rule contained in paragraph (b) of this section.
(j) “Time brokerage” (also known as “local marketing”) is the sale by a licensee of discrete blocks of time to a “broker” that supplies the programming to fill that time and sells the commercial spot announcements in it.
(1) Where two radio stations are both located in the same market, as defined for purposes of the local radio ownership rule contained in paragraph (a) of this section, and a party (including all parties under common control) with a cognizable interest in one such station brokers more than 15 percent of the broadcast time per week of the other such station, that party shall be treated as if it has an interest in the brokered station subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section. This limitation shall apply regardless of the source of the brokered programming supplied by the party to the brokered station.
(2) Where two television stations are both located in the same market, as defined in the local television ownership rule contained in paragraph (b) of this section, and a party (including all parties under common control) with a cognizable interest in one such station brokers more than 15 percent of the broadcast time per week of the other such station, that party shall be treated as if it has an interest in the brokered station subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. This limitation shall apply regardless of the source of the brokered programming supplied by the party to the brokered station.
(3) Every time brokerage agreement of the type described in this Note shall be undertaken only pursuant to a signed written agreement that shall contain a certification by the licensee or permittee of the brokered station verifying that it maintains ultimate control over the station's facilities including, specifically, control over station finances, personnel and programming, and by the brokering station that the agreement complies with the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section if the brokering station is a television station or with paragraphs (a) and (c) if the brokering station is a radio station.
(k) “Joint Sales Agreement” is an agreement with a licensee of a “brokered station” that authorizes a “broker” to sell advertising time for the “brokered station.”
(1) Where two radio stations are both located in the same market, as defined for purposes of the local radio ownership rule contained in paragraph (a) of this section, and a party (including all parties under common control) with a cognizable interest in one such station sells more than 15 percent of the advertising time per week of the other such station, that party shall be treated as if it has an interest in the brokered station subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.
(2) Every joint sales agreement of the type described in this Note shall be undertaken only pursuant to a signed written agreement that shall contain a certification by the licensee or permittee of the brokered station verifying that it maintains ultimate control over the station's facilities, including, specifically, control over station finances, personnel and programming, and by the brokering station that the agreement complies with the limitations set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.
Note 3 to §73.3555: In cases where record and beneficial ownership of voting stock is not identical (e.g., bank nominees holding stock as record owners for the benefit of mutual funds, brokerage houses holding stock in street names for the benefit of customers, investment advisors holding stock in their own names for the benefit of clients, and insurance companies holding stock), the party having the right to determine how the stock will be voted will be considered to own it for purposes of these rules.
Note 4 to §73.3555: Paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section will not be applied so as to require divestiture, by any licensee, of existing facilities, and will not apply to applications for assignment of license or transfer of control filed in accordance with §73.3540(f) or §73.3541(b), or to applications for assignment of license or transfer of control to heirs or legatees by will or intestacy, if no new or increased concentration of ownership would be created among commonly owned, operated or controlled media properties. Paragraphs (a) through (c) will apply to all applications for new stations, to all other applications for assignment or transfer, to all applications for major changes to existing stations, and to applications for minor changes to existing stations that implement an approved change in an FM radio station's community of license or create new or increased concentration of ownership among commonly owned, operated or controlled media properties. Commonly owned, operated or controlled media properties that do not comply with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section may not be assigned or transferred to a single person, group or entity, except as provided in this Note or in the Report and Order in Docket No. 02–277, released July 2, 2003 (FCC 02–127).
Note 5 to §73.3555: Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section will not be applied to cases involving television stations that are “satellite” operations. Such cases will be considered in accordance with the analysis set forth in the Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87–8, FCC 91–182 (released July 8, 1991) in order to determine whether common ownership, operation, or control of the stations in question would be in the public interest. An authorized and operating “satellite” television station may subsequently become a “non-satellite” station under the circumstances described in the aforementioned Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87–8. A cognizable interest in such “non-satellite” television stations may be retained by the existing interest-holder even if that interest would be impermissible under §73.3555(b) or (c). However, such “non-satellite” station may not be transferred or assigned to a single person, group, or entity except as provided for by §73.3555(b) and (c).
Note 6 to §73.3555: For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section a daily newspaper is one that is published four or more days per week, is in the dominant language of the market in which it is published, and is circulated generally in the community of publication. A college newspaper is not considered as being circulated generally.
Note 7 to §73.3555: The Commission will entertain applications to waive the restrictions in paragraph (b) of this section (the local television multiple ownership rule) on a case-by-case basis. We will entertain waiver requests as follows:
(1) If one of the broadcast stations involved is a “failed” station that has not been in operation due to financial distress for at least four consecutive months immediately prior to the application, or is a debtor in an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding at the time of the application.
(2) If one of the television stations involved is a “failing” station that has an all-day audience share of no more than four percent; the station has had negative cash flow for three consecutive years immediately prior to the application; and consolidation of the two stations would result in tangible and verifiable public interest benefits that outweigh any harm to competition and diversity.
(3) If the combination will result in the construction of an unbuilt station. The permittee of the unbuilt station must demonstrate that it has made reasonable efforts to construct but has been unable to do so.
(4) If the signals of the stations in a proposed combination: (a) do not have overlapping Grade B contours; and (b) have not been carried, via DBS or cable, to any of the same geographic areas within the past year.
(5) For paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section only (the top four-ranked restriction), if the stations in a proposed combination are in a market with 11 or fewer full-power television stations, we will consider waivers pursuant to criteria described in the Report and Order in MB Docket No. 02–277, released July 2, 2003 (FCC 03–127).
Note 8 to §73.3555: Paragraph (a)(1) of this section will not apply to an application for an AM station license in the 535–1605 kHz band where grant of such application will result in the overlap of 5 mV/m groundwave contours of the proposed station and that of another AM station in the 535–1605 kHz band that is commonly owned, operated or controlled if the applicant shows that a significant reduction in interference to adjacent or co-channel stations would accompany such common ownership. Such AM overlap cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether common ownership, operation or control of the stations in question would be in the public interest. Applicants in such cases must submit a contingent application of the major or minor facilities change needed to achieve the interference reduction along with the application which seeks to create the 5 mV/m overlap situation.
Note 9 to §73.3555: Paragraph (a)(1) of this section will not apply to an application for an AM station license in the 1605–1705 kHz band where grant of such application will result in the overlap of the 5 mV/m groundwave contours of the proposed station and that of another AM station in the 535–1605 kHz band that is commonly owned, operated or controlled. Paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii) of this section will not apply to an application for an AM station license in the 1605–1705 kHz band by an entity that owns, operates, controls or has a cognizable interest in AM radio stations in the 535–1605 kHz band.
Note 10 to §73.3555: Authority for joint ownership granted pursuant to Note 9 will expire at 3 a.m. local time on the fifth anniversary for the date of issuance of a construction permit for an AM radio station in the 1605–1705 kHz band.
Note 11 to §73.3555: For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section: (1) For radio/newspaper combinations, the Cross-Media Limit is triggered when the newspaper's community of publication is completely encompassed by: (i) for AM radio stations, the predicted or measured 2mV/m contour computed in accordance with §73.183 or §73.186 of the Commission's rules; (ii) for FM stations, the predicted 1 mV/m contour computed in accordance with §73.313 of the Commission's rules; and (2) for television/newspaper combinations, the Cross-Media Limit is triggered when the newspaper's community of publication is located within the same Nielsen Designated Market Area to which the television station is assigned.
Note 12 to §73.3555: For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, for television/radio combinations, the rule is triggered when the radio station's community of license is located within the Nielsen Designated Market Area to which the television station is assigned.
[59 FR 49007, Sept. 26, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 62613, Dec. 6, 1994; 61 FR 10690 and 10692, Mar. 15, 1996; 64 FR 50645, 50651, 50666, Sept. 17, 1999; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 66 FR 9048, Feb. 6, 2001; 66 FR 9972, Feb. 13, 2001; 66 FR 15356, Mar. 19, 2001; 68 FR 46355, Aug. 5, 2003] § 73.3556 Duplication of programming on commonly owned or time brokered stations.
(a) No commercial AM or FM radio station shall operate so as to devote more than 25 percent of the total hours in its average broadcast week to programs that duplicate those of any station in the same service (AM or FM) which is commonly owned or with which it has a time brokerage agreement if the principal community contours (predicted or measured 5 mV/m groundwave for AM stations and predicted 3.16 mV/m for FM stations) of the stations overlap and the overlap constitutes more than 50 percent of the total principal community contour service area of either station.
(b) For purposes of this section, duplication means the broadcasting of identical programs within any 24 hour period.
(c) Any party engaged in a time brokerage arrangement which conflicts with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section on September 16, 1992, shall bring that arrangement into compliance within one year thereafter.
[57 FR 18093, Apr. 29, 1992, as amended at 57 FR 42706, Sept. 16, 1992]
Effective Date Note: At 57 FR 18093, Apr. 29, 1992, §73.3556 was added, effective Aug. 1, 1992. At 57 FR 35763, Aug. 11, 1992, the effective date was deferred pending action by the agency. At 57 FR 37888, Aug. 21, 1992, the effective date was further deferred. At 57 FR 42706, Sept. 16, 1992, paragraph (a) was revised and paragraph (c) was added, effective Sept. 16, 1992.
§ 73.3561 Staff consideration of applications requiring Commission action.
Upon acceptance of an application, the complete file is reviewed by the staff and, except where the application is acted upon by the staff pursuant to delegation of authority, a report containing the recommendations of the staff and any other documents required is prepared and placed on the Commission's agenda.
[44 FR 38499, July 2, 1979] § 73.3562 Staff consideration of applications not requiring action by the Commission.
Those applications which do not require action by the Commission but which, pursuant to the delegations of authority set forth in subpart B of part 0 of this chapter, may be acted upon by the Chief, Media Bureau, are forwarded to the Media Bureau for necessary action. If the application is granted, the formal authorization is issued. In any case where it is recommended that the application be set for hearing, where a novel question of policy is presented, or where the Chief, Media Bureau desires instructions from the Commission, the matter is placed on the Commission agenda.
[67 FR 13233, Mar. 21, 2002] § 73.3564 Acceptance of applications.
(a)(1) Applications tendered for filing are dated upon receipt and then forwarded to the Media Bureau, where an administrative examination is made to ascertain whether the applications are complete. Except for applications for minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM band, as defined in §73.3573(a)(2), long form applications subject to the provisions of §73.5005 found to be complete or substantially complete are accepted for filing and are given file numbers. In the case of minor defects as to completeness, a deficiency letter will be issued and the applicant will be required to supply the missing or corrective information. Applications that are not substantially complete will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant.
(2) In the case of minor modifications of facilities in the non-reserved FM band, applications will be placed on public notice if they meet the following two-tiered minimum filing requirements as initially filed in first-come/first-serve proceedings:
(i) The application must include:
(A) Applicant's name and address,
(B) Applicant's signature,
(C) Principal community,
(D) Channel or frequency,
(E) Class of station, and
(F) Transmitter site coordinates; and
(ii) The application must not omit more than three of the following second-tier items:
(A) A list of the other media interests of the applicant and its principals,
(B) Certification of compliance with the alien ownership provisions contained in 47 U.S.C. 310(b),
(C) Tower/antenna heights,
(D) Effective radiated power,
(E) Whether the antenna is directional or omnidirectional, and
(F) An exhibit demonstrating compliance with the contour protection requirements of 47 CFR 73.215, if applicable.
(3) Applications found not to meet minimum filing requirements will be returned to the applicant. Applications found to meet minimum filing requirements, but that contain deficiencies in tender and/or acceptance information, shall be given an opportunity for corrective amendment pursuant to 73.3522 of this part. Applications found to be substantially complete and in accordance with the Commission's core legal and technical requirements will be accepted for filing. Applications with uncorrected tender and/or acceptance defects remaining after the opportunity for corrective amendment will be dismissed with no further opportunity for amendment.
(b) Acceptance of an application for filing merely means that it has been the subject of a preliminary review by the FCC's administrative staff as to completeness. Such acceptance will not preclude the subsequent dismissal of the application if it is found to be patently not in accordance with the FCC's rules.
(c) At regular intervals, the FCC will issue a Public Notice listing all long form applications which have been accepted for filing. Pursuant to §§73.3571(h), 73.3572, and 73.3573(f), such notice shall establish a cut-off date for the filing of petitions to deny. With respect to reserved band FM applications, the Public Notice shall also establish a cut-off date for the filing of mutually exclusive applications pursuant to §73.3573(e). However, no application will be accepted for filing unless certification of compliance with the local notice requirements of §73.3580(h) has been made in the tendered application.
(d) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to §73.5002, a period for filing applications for new stations or for major modifications in the facilities of an existing station. Except for reserved band FM stations and TV stations on reserved noncommercial educational channels, applications for new and major modifications in facilities will be accepted only during these window filing periods specified by the Commission.
(e) Applications for minor modification of facilities may be tendered at any time, unless restricted by the FCC. These applications will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis and will be treated as simultaneously tendered if filed on the same day. Any applications received after the filing of a lead application will be grouped according to filing date, and placed in a queue behind the lead applicant. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those minor modification of facilities applications accepted for filing.
(f) If a non-reserved band FM channel allotment becomes vacant, after the grant of a construction permit becomes final, because of a lapsed construction permit or for any other reason, the FCC will, by Public Notice, announce a subsequent filing window for the acceptance of new applications for such channels.
(g) Applications for operation in the 1605–1705 kHz band will be accepted only if filed pursuant to the terms of §73.30(b).
[63 FR 48624, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 56978, Oct. 22, 1999; 67 FR 13233, Mar. 21, 2002] § 73.3566 Defective applications.
(a) Applications which are determined to be patently not in accordance with the FCC rules, regulations, or other requirements, unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver, will be considered defective and will not be accepted for filing or if inadvertently accepted for filing will be dismissed. Requests for waiver shall show the nature of the waiver or exception desired and shall set forth the reasons in support thereof.
(b) If an applicant is requested by the FCC to file any additional documents or information not included in the prescribed application form, a failure to comply with such request will be deemed to render the application defective, and such application will be dismissed.
[44 FR 38499, July 2, 1979] § 73.3568 Dismissal of applications.
(a) (1) Failure to prosecute an application, or failure to respond to official correspondence or request for additional information, will be cause for dismissal.
(2) Applicants in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding will be subject to the provisions of §§73.5002 and 1.2105(b) regarding the dismissal of their short-form applications.
(3) Applicants in all broadcast services subject to competitive bidding will be subject to the provisions of §§73.5004, 73.5005 and 1.2104(g) regarding the dismissal of their long-form applications and the imposition of applicable withdrawal, default and disqualification payments.
(b)(1) Subject to the provisions of §73.3525, dismissal of applications for channels reserved for noncommercial educational use will be without prejudice where an application has not yet been designated for hearing, but may be made with prejudice after designation for hearing.
(2) Subject to the provisions of §73.3525, requests to dismiss an application for a channel reserved for noncommercial educational use, without prejudice, after it has been designated for hearing, will be considered only upon written petition properly served upon all parties of record. Such requests shall be granted only upon a showing that the request is based on circumstances wholly beyond the applicant's control which preclude further prosecution of his application.
(c) Subject to the provisions of §§73.3523 and 73.3525, any application for minor modification of facilities may, upon request of the applicant, be dismissed without prejudice as a matter of right.
(d) An applicant's request for the return of an application that has been accepted for filing will be regarded as a request for dismissal.
[63 FR 48624, Sept. 11, 1998] § 73.3571 Processing of AM broadcast station applications.
(a) Applications for AM broadcast facilities are divided into three groups.
(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or for major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change for an AM station authorized under this part is any change in community of license or in frequency, except frequency changes to non-expanded band first, second or third adjacent channels. A major change in ownership is a situation where the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50% ownership interest in the application as originally filed. All other changes will be considered minor.
(2) The second group consists of applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of authorized stations.
(3) The third group consists of applications for operation in the 1605–1705 kHz band which are filed subsequent to FCC notification that allotments have been awarded to petitioners under the procedure specified in §73.30.
(b)(1) The FCC may, after acceptance of an application for modification of facilities, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore is subject to the provisions of §§73.3522, 73.3580 and 1.1111 of this chapter pertaining to major changes. Such major modification applications will be dismissed as set forth in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.
(2) An amendment to an application which would effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, will not be accepted except as provided for in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.
(c) An application for changes in the facilities of an existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of said licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.
(d) If, upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of an application, the same will be granted. If the FCC is unable to make such a finding and it appears that a hearing may be required, the procedure set forth in §73.3593 will be followed.
(e) Applications proposing to increase the power of an AM station are subject to the following requirements:
(1) In order to be acceptable for filing, any application which does not involve a change in site must propose at least a 20% increase in the station's nominal power.
(2) Applications involving a change in site are not subject to the requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
(3) Applications for nighttime power increases for Class D stations are not subject to the requirements of this section and will be processed as minor changes.
(4) The following special procedures will be followed in authorizing Class II-D daytime-only stations on 940 and 1550 kHz, and Class III daytime-only stations on the 41 regional channels listed in §73.26(a), to operate unlimited-time.
(i) Each eligible daytime-only station in the foregoing categories will receive an Order to Show Cause why its license should not be modified to specify operation during nighttime hours with the facilities it is licensed to start using at local sunrise, using the power stated in the Order to Show Cause, that the Commission finds is the highest nighttime level—not exceeding 0.5 kW—at which the station could operate without causing prohibited interference to other domestic or foreign stations, or to co-channel or adjacent channel stations for which pending applications were filed before December 1, 1987.
(ii) Stations accepting such modification shall be reclassified. Those authorized in such Show Cause Orders to operate during nighttime hours with a power of 0.25 kW or more, or with a power that, although less than 0.25 kW, is sufficient to enable them to attain RMS field strengths of 141 mV/m or more at 1 kilometer, shall be redesignated as Class II-B stations if they are assigned to 940 or 1550 kHz, and as unlimited-time Class III stations if they are assigned to regional channels.
(iii) Stations accepting such modification that are authorized to operate during nighttime hours at powers less than 0.25 kW, and that cannot with such powers attain RMS field strengths of 141 mV/m or more at 1 kilometer, shall be redesignated as Class II-S stations if they are assigned to 940 or 1550 kHz, and as Class III-S stations if they are assigned to regional channels.
(iv) Applications for new stations may be filed at any time on 940 and 1550 kHz and on the regional channels. Also, stations assigned to 940 or 1550 kHz, or to the regional channels, may at any time, regardless of their classifications, apply for power increases up to the maximum generally permitted. Such applications for new or changed facilities will be granted without taking into account interference caused to Class II-S or Class III-S stations, but will be required to show interference protection to other classes of stations, including stations that were previously classified as Class II-S or Class III-S, but were later reclassified as Class II-B or Class III unlimited-time stations as a result of subsequent facilities modifications that permitted power increases qualifying them to discontinue their “S” subclassification.
(f) Applications for minor modifications for AM broadcast stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, conflicting applicants. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed and, if they are found to be mutually exclusive, must be resolved through settlement or technical amendment. Conflicting applications received after the filing of a first acceptable application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in a queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent, conflicting applicants only reserves a place in the queue. The rights of an applicant in a queue ripen only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and if the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until a construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.
(g) Applications for change of license to change hours of operation of a Class C AM broadcast station, to decrease hours of operation of any other class of station, or to change station location involving no change in transmitter site will be considered without reference to the processing line.
(h) Processing new and major AM broadcast station applications. (1)(i) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to §73.5002, a period for filing AM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. AM applications for new facilities or for major modifications, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be accepted only during these specified periods. Applications submitted prior to the appropriate filing period or “window” opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.
(ii) Such AM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§1.2105 and 73.5002 regarding the submission of the short-form application, FCC Form 175, and all appropriate certifications, information and exhibits contained therein. To determine which AM applications are mutually exclusive, AM applicants must submit the engineering data contained in FCC Form 301 as a supplement to the short-form application. Such engineering data will not be studied for technical acceptability, but will be protected from subsequently filed applications as of the close of the window filing period. Determinations as to the acceptability or grantability of an applicant's proposal will not be made prior to an auction.
(iii) AM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§1.2105 and 73.5002 regarding the modification and dismissal of their short-form applications.
(2) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices:
(i) Identifying the short-form applications received during the window filing period which are found to be mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), as well as the procedures the FCC will use to resolve the mutually exclusive applications;
(ii) Establishing a date, time and place for an auction;
(iii) Providing information regarding the methodology of competitive bidding to be used in the upcoming auction, bid submission and payment procedures, upfront payment procedures, upfront payment deadlines, minimum opening bid requirements and applicable reserve prices in accordance with the provisions of §73.5002;
(iv) Identifying applicants who have submitted timely upfront payments and, thus, are qualified to bid in the auction.
(3) After the close of the filing window, the FCC will also release a Public Notice identifying any short-form applications received which are found to be non-mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6). All non-mutually exclusive applicants will be required to submit an appropriate long form application within 30 days of the Public Notice and, for applicants for commercial broadcast stations, pursuant to the provisions of §73.5005(d). Non-mutually exclusive applications for commercial broadcast stations will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§73.5006 and 73.3584. Non-mutually exclusive applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§73.7004 and 73.3584. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the non-mutually exclusive long form application, the same will be granted.
(4)(i) The auction will be held pursuant to the procedures set forth in §§1.2101 et seq. and 73.5000 et seq. Subsequent to the auction, the FCC will release a Public Notice announcing the close of the auction and identifying the winning bidders. Winning bidders will be subject to the provisions of §1.2107 of this chapter regarding down payments and will be required to submit the appropriate down payment within 10 business days of the Public Notice. Pursuant to §1.2107 of this chapter and §73.5005, a winning bidder that meets its down payment obligations in a timely manner must, within 30 days of the release of the Public Notice announcing the close of the auction, submit the appropriate long-form application for each construction permit for which it was the winning bidder. Long-form applications filed by winning bidders shall include the exhibits identified in §73.5005(a).
(ii) Winning bidders are required to pay the balance of their winning bids in a lump sum prior to the deadline established by the Commission pursuant to §1.2109(a). Long-form construction permit applications will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such applications that have been accepted for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§73.5006 and 73.3584. Construction permits will be granted by the Commission only after full and timely payment of winning bids and any applicable late fees, and if the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served.
(iii) All long-form applications will be cutoff as of the date of filing with the FCC and will be protected from subsequently filed long-form applications. Applications will be required to protect all previously filed commercial and noncommercial applications. Winning bidders filing long-form applications may change the technical proposals specified in their previously submitted short-form applications, but such change may not constitute a major change. If the submitted long-form application would constitute a major change from the proposal submitted in the short-form application, the long-form application will be returned pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.
(i) In order to grant a major or minor change application made contingent upon the grant of another licensee's request for a facility modification, the Commission will not consider mutually exclusive applications by other parties that would not protect the currently authorized facilities of the contingent applicants. Such major change applications remain, however, subject to the provisions of §§73.3580 and 1.1111. The Commission shall grant contingent requests for construction permits for station modifications only upon a finding that such action will promote the public interest, convenience and necessity.
[63 FR 48625, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 19501, Apr. 21, 1999; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26227, May 15, 2003; 71 FR 6228, Feb. 7, 2006] § 73.3572 Processing of TV broadcast, Class A TV broadcast, low power TV, TV translators, and TV booster applications.
(a) Applications for TV stations are divided into two groups:
(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change for TV broadcast stations authorized under this part is any change in frequency or community of license which is in accord with a present allotment contained in the Table of Allotments (§73.606). Other requests for change in frequency or community of license for TV broadcast stations must first be submitted in the form of a petition for rulemaking to amend the Table of Allotments.
(2) In the case of Class A TV stations authorized under subpart J of this part and low power TV, TV translator, and TV booster stations authorized under part 74 of this chapter, a major change is any change in:
(i) Frequency (output channel), except a change in offset carrier frequency; or
(ii) Transmitting antenna location where the protected contour resulting from the change is not predicted to overlap any portion of the protected contour based on the station's authorized facilities.
(3) Other changes will be considered minor; provided, until October 1, 2000, proposed changes to the facilities of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations, other than a change in frequency, will be considered minor only if the change(s) will not increase the signal range of the Class A TV, low power TV or TV booster in any horizontal direction.
(4) The following provisions apply to displaced Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations:
(i) In the case of an authorized low power TV, TV translator or TV booster which is predicted to cause or receive interference to or from an authorized TV broadcast station pursuant to §74.705 of this chapter or interference with broadcast or other services under §74.703 or §74.709 of this chapter, an application for a change in output channel, together with technical modifications which are necessary to avoid interference (including a change in antenna location of less than 16.1km), will not be considered as an application for a major change in those facilities.
(ii) Provided further, that a low power TV, TV translator or TV booster station authorized on a channel from channel 52 to 69, or which is causing or receiving interference or is predicted to cause or receive interference to or from an authorized DTV station pursuant to §74.706 of this chapter, or which is located within the distances specified in paragraph (4)(iv) of this section to the coordinates of co-channel DTV authorizations (or allotment table coordinates if there are no authorized facilities at different coordinates), may at any time file a displacement relief application for a change in output channel, together with any technical modifications which are necessary to avoid interference or continue serving the station's protected service area. Such an application will not be considered as an application for a major change in those facilities. Where such an application is mutually exclusive with applications for new low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, or with other nondisplacement relief applications for facilities modifications of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, priority will be afforded to the displacement application(s) to the exclusion of other applications, provided the permittee or licensee had tendered its initial application for a new LPTV or TV translator station to operate on channels 52–69 prior to the August 2000 filing window.
(iii) A Class A TV station which is causing or receiving interference or is predicted to cause or receive interference to or from an authorized TV broadcast station pursuant to §§73.6011 or 73.613; a DTV station or allotment pursuant to §§73.6013 or 73.623, or which is located within the distances specified below in paragraph (iv) of this section to the coordinates of co-channel DTV authorizations (or allotment table coordinates if there are no authorized facilities at different coordinates); or other service that protects and/or is protected by Class A TV stations, may at any time file a displacement relief application for a change in channel, together with technical modifications that are necessary to avoid interference or continue serving the station's protected service area, provided the station's protected contour resulting from a relocation of the transmitting antenna is predicted to overlap some portion of the protected contour based on its authorized facilities. A Class A TV station displacement relief applications will be considered major change applications, and will be placed on public notice for a period of not less than 30 days to permit the filing of petitions to deny. However, these applications will not be subject to the filing of competing applications. Where a Class A displacement relief application becomes mutually exclusive with applications for new low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, or with other non-displacement relief applications for facilities modifications of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, priority will be afforded to the Class A TV displacement relief application(s) to the exclusion of other applications. Mutually exclusive displacement relief applications of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translators or TV booster stations filed on the same day will be subject to competitive bidding procedures if the mutual exclusivity is not resolved by an engineering solution.
(iv)(A) The geographic separations to co-channel DTV facilities or allotment reference coordinates, as applicable, within which to qualify for displacement relief are the following:
(1) Stations on UHF channels: 265 km (162 miles)
(2) Stations on VHF channels 2–6: 280 km (171 miles)
(3) Stations on VHF channels 7–13: 260 km (159 miles)
(B) Engineering showings of predicted interference may also be submitted to justify the need for displacement relief.
(v) Provided further, that the FCC may, within 15 days after acceptance of any other application for modification of facilities, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore subject to the provisions of §§73.3522, 73.3580, and 1.1111 of this chapter pertaining to major changes. Such major modification applications filed for Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator, TV booster stations, and for a non-reserved television allotment, are subject to competitive bidding procedures and will be dismissed if filed outside a specified filing period. See 47 CFR 73.5002(a).
(b) A new file number will be assigned to an application for a new station or for major changes in the facilities of an authorized station, when it is amended so as to effect a major change, as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section, or result in a situation where the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50% ownership interest in the application as originally filed and §73.3580 will apply to such amended application. An application for change in the facilities of any existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of such licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.
(c) Amendments to Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator, TV booster stations, or non-reserved television applications, which would require a new file number pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, are subject to competitive bidding procedures and will be dismissed if filed outside a specified filing period. See 47 CFR 73.5002(a). When an amendment to an application for a reserved television allotment would require a new file number pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the applicant will have the opportunity to withdraw the amendment at any time prior to designation for a hearing if applicable; and may be afforded, subject to the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, an opportunity to withdraw the amendment after designation for a hearing.
(d)(1) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, a period for filing applications for new television stations on reserved noncommercial educational channels or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station on reserved channels. TV reserved channel applications for new facilities or for major modifications will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or “window.” Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely. Mutually exclusive applications for reserved channel television stations will be resolved using the point system in subpart K of this part.
(2) Concurrently with the filing of a new or major modification application for a reserved noncommercial educational channel, the applicant shall submit to the FCC's public reference room and to a local public inspection file consistent with §73.3527(e)(2), supporting documentation of points claimed, as described in the application form.
(e) The FCC will specify by Public Notice a period for filing applications for a new non-reserved television, low power TV and TV translator stations or for major modifications in the facilities of such authorized stations, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), and major modifications in the facilities of Class A TV stations.
(f) Applications for minor modification of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first-come/first-served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, competing applicants. Provided, however, that applications for minor modifications of Class A TV and those of TV broadcast stations may become mutually exclusive until grant of a pending Class A TV or TV broadcast minor modification application.
(g) TV booster station applications may be filed at any time. Subsequent to filing, the FCC will release a Public Notice accepting for filing and proposing for grant those applications which are not mutually exclusive with any other TV translator, low power TV, TV booster, or Class A TV application, and providing for the filing of Petitions To Deny pursuant to §73.3584.
[63 FR 48626, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 67 FR 5513, Feb. 6, 2002; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26227, May 15, 2003] § 73.3573 Processing FM broadcast station applications.
(a) Applications for FM broadcast stations are divided into two groups:
(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or for major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change for an FM station authorized under this part is any change in frequency or community of license which is in accord with a present allotment contained in the Table of Allotments (§73.202(b)) of this part. A licensee or permittee may seek the higher or lower class adjacent channel, intermediate frequency or co-channel or the same class adjacent channel of its existing FM broadcast station authorization by filing a minor change application. Other requests for change in frequency or community of license for FM stations must first be submitted in the form of a petition for rule making to amend the Table of Allotments. Long-form applications submitted pursuant to §73.5005 of this part for a new FM broadcast service may propose a higher or lower class adjacent channel, intermediate frequency or co-channel. For reserved frequency noncommercial educational and Class D FM stations, a major change is any change in community of license, any change in frequency except changes to first, second or third adjacent channels, and any change in antenna location where the station would not continue to provide 1 mV/m service to some portion of its previously authorized 1 mV/m service area. A major change in ownership is a situation where the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50% ownership interest in the application as originally filed.
(2) The second group consists of applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of authorized stations.
(b)(1) The FCC may, after the acceptance of an application for modification of facilities, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore subject to the provisions of §§73.3522, 73.3580 and 1.1111 of this chapter pertaining to major changes. Such major modification applications in the non-reserved band will be dismissed as set forth in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
(2) An amendment to a non-reserved band application which would effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, will not be accepted, except as provided for in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
(3) A new file number will be assigned to a reserved band application for a new station or for major changes in the facilities of an authorized station, when it is amended so as to effect a major change, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Where an amendment to a reserved band application would require a new file number, the applicant will have the opportunity to withdraw the amendment at any time prior to designation for hearing, if applicable; and may be afforded, subject to the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, an opportunity to withdraw the amendment after designation for hearing.
(c) An application for changes in the facilities of any existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of such licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.
(d) If, upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of an application for FM broadcast facilities, the same will be granted. If the FCC is unable to make such a finding and it appears that a hearing may be required, the procedure given in §73.3593 will be followed. In the case of mutually exclusive applications for reserved channels, the procedures in subpart K of this part will be followed. In the case of mutually exclusive applications for unreserved channels, the procedures in subpart I of this part will be followed.
(e) Processing reserved channel FM broadcast station applications. (1) Applications for minor modifications for reserved channel FM broadcast stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, competing applicants. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Conflicting applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed and mutually exclusive. Conflicting applications received after the filing of the first acceptable application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in the queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent conflicting applicants only reserves a place in the queue. The right of an applicant in a queue ripens only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and that the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until the construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.
(2) The FCC will specify by Public Notice a period for filing reserved channel FM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. FM reserved channel applications for new facilities or for major modifications will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or “window.” Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.
(3) Concurrently with the filing of a new or major modification application for a reserved noncommercial educational channel, the applicant shall submit to the FCC's public reference room and to a local public inspection file consistent with §73.3527(e)(2), supporting documentation of points claimed, as described in the application form.
(4) Timely filed applications for new facilities or for major modifications for reserved FM channels will be processed pursuant to the procedures set forth in subpart K of this part (§73.7000 et seq.) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices identifying: mutually exclusive groups of applications; applications selected pursuant to the fair distribution procedures set forth in §73.7002; applications received during the window filing period which are found to be non-mutually exclusive; tentative selectees determined pursuant to the point system procedures set forth in §73.7003; and acceptable applications. The Public Notices will also announce: additional procedures to be followed for certain groups of applications; deadlines for filing additional information; and dates by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §73.3584. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the application, it will be granted. If an application is determined unacceptable for filing, the application will be returned, and subject to the amendment requirements of §73.3522.
(f) Processing non-reserved FM broadcast station applications. (1) Applications for minor modifications for non-reserved FM broadcast stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and, generally, will be processed in the order in which they are tendered. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Processing of these applications will be on a “first come/first serve” basis with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent applicants. All applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously tendered and, if they are found to be mutually exclusive, must be resolved through settlement or technical amendment. Applications received after the tender of a lead application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in a queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, as against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent applicants for that channel and community only reserves a place in the queue. The rights of an applicant in a queue ripen only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and if the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until a construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.
(2)(i) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to §73.5002(a), a period for filing non-reserved band FM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. FM applications for new facilities or for major modifications, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or “window.” Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.
(ii) Such FM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§1.2105 and 73.5002 regarding the submission of the short-form application, FCC Form 175, and all appropriate certifications, information and exhibits contained therein. FM applicants may submit a set of preferred site coordinates as a supplement to the short-form application. Any specific site indicated by FM applicants will not be studied for technical acceptability, but will be protected from subsequently filed applications as a full-class facility as of the close of the window filing period. Determinations as to the acceptability or grantability of an applicant's proposal will not be made prior to an auction.
(iii) FM applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§1.2105 and 73.5002(c) regarding the modification and dismissal of their short-form applications.
(3) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices:
(i) Identifying the short-form applications received during the window filing period which are found to be mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), as well as the procedures the FCC will use to resolve the mutually exclusive applications;
(ii) Establishing a date, time and place for an auction;
(iii) Providing information regarding the methodology of competitive bidding to be used in the upcoming auction, bid submission and payment procedures, upfront payment procedures, upfront payment deadlines, minimum opening bid requirements and applicable reserve prices in accordance with the provisions of §73.5002;
(iv) Identifying applicants who have submitted timely upfront payments and, thus, are qualified to bid in the auction.
(4) If, after the close of the appropriate window filing period, a non-reserved FM allotment remains vacant, the window remains closed until the FCC, by Public Notice, specifies a subsequent period for filing non-reserved band FM applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section. After the close of the filing window, the FCC will also release a Public Notice identifying the short-form applications which are found to be non-mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6). These non-mutually exclusive applicants will be required to submit the appropriate long-form application within 30 days of the Public Notice and, for applicants for commercial broadcast stations, pursuant to the provisions of §73.5005(d). Non-mutually exclusive applications for commercial broadcast stations will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§73.5006 and 73.3584. Non-mutually exclusive applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§73.7004 and 73.3584. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served by the granting of the non-mutually exclusive long-form application, it will be granted.
(5)(i) Pursuant to §1.2107 of this chapter and §73.5005, a winning bidder that meets its down payment obligations in a timely manner must, within 30 days of the release of the public notice announcing the close of the auction, submit the appropriate long-form application for each construction permit for which it was the winning bidder. Long-form applications filed by winning bidders shall include the exhibits identified in §73.5005(a).
(ii) Winning bidders are required to pay the balance of their winning bids in a lump sum prior to the deadline established by the Commission pursuant to §1.2109(a) of this chapter. Long-form construction permit applications will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such applications that have been accepted for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§73.5006 and 73.3584. Construction permits will be granted by the Commission only after full and timely payment of winning bids and any applicable late fees, and if the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served.
(iii) All long-form applications will be cut-off as of the date of filing with the FCC and will be protected from subsequently filed long-form applications and rulemaking petitions. Applications will be required to protect all previously filed commercial and noncommercial applications. Winning bidders filing long-form applications may change the technical proposals specified in their previously submitted short-form applications, but such change may not constitute a major change. If the submitted long-form application would constitute a major change from the proposal submitted in the short-form application or the allotment, the long-form application will be returned pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
Note 1 to §73.3573: Applications to modify the channel and/or class of an FM broadcast station to an adjacent channel, intermediate frequency (IF) channel, or co-channel shall not require any other amendments to the Table of Allotments. Such applications may resort to the provisions of the Commission's Rules permitting short spaced stations as set forth in §73.215 as long as the applicant shows by separate exhibit attached to the application the existence of an allotment reference site which meets the allotment standards, the minimum spacing requirements of §73.207 and the city grade coverage requirements of §73.315. This exhibit must include a site map or, in the alternative, a statement that the transmitter will be located on an existing tower. Examples of unsuitable allotment reference sites include those which are offshore, in a national or state park in which tower construction is prohibited, on an airport, or otherwise in an area which would necessarily present a hazard to air navigation.
Note 2 to §73.3573: Processing of applications for new low power educational FM applications: Pending the Commission's restudy of the impact of the rule changes pertaining to the allocations of 10-watt and other low power noncommercial educational FM stations, applications for such new stations, or major changes in existing ones, will not be accepted for filing. Exceptions are: (1) In Alaska, applications for new Class D stations or major changes in existing ones are acceptable for filing; and (2) applications for existing Class D stations to change frequency are acceptable for filing. In (2), upon the grant of such application, the station shall become a Class D (secondary) station. (See First Report and Order, Docket 20735, FCC 78–386, 43 FR 25821, and Second Report and Order, Docket 20735, FCC 78–384, 43 FR 39704.) Effective date of this FCC imposed “freeze” was June 15, 1978. Applications which specify facilities of at least 100 watts effective radiated power will be accepted for filing.
Note 3 to §73.3573: For rules on processing FM translator and booster stations, see §74.1233 of this chapter.
Note 4 to §73.3573: A Class C station operating with antenna height above average terrain (“HAAT”) of less than 451 meters is subject to reclassification as a Class C0 station upon the filing of a triggering application for construction permit that is short-spaced to such a Class C station under §73.207 but would be fully spaced to such a station considered as a Class C0 assignment. Triggering applications may utilize §73.215. Triggering applications must certify that no alternative channel is available for the proposed service. Available alternative frequencies are limited to frequencies that the proposed service could use at the specified antenna location in full compliance with the distance separation requirements of §73.207, without any other changes to the FM Table of Allotments. Copies of a triggering application and related pleadings must be served on the licensee of the affected Class C station. If the staff concludes that a triggering application is acceptable for filing, it will issue an order to show cause why the affected station should not be reclassified as a Class C0 station The order to show cause will provide the licensee 30 days to express in writing an intention to seek authority to modify the subject station's technical facilities to minimum Class C HAAT or to otherwise challenge the triggering application. If no such intention is expressed and the triggering application is not challenged, the subject station will be reclassified as a Class C0 station, and processing of the triggering application will be completed. If an intention to modify is expressed, an additional 180-day period will be provided during which the Class C station licensee must file an acceptable construction permit application to increase antenna height to at least 451 meters HAAT. Upon grant of such a construction permit application, the triggering application will be dismissed. Class C station licensees must serve on triggering applicants copies of any FAA submissions related to the application grant process. If the construction is not completed as authorized, the subject Class C station will be reclassified automatically as a Class C0 station. The reclassification procedure also may be initiated through the filing of an original petition for rule making to amend the FM Table of Allotments as set forth in Note 2 to §1.420(g).
[63 FR 48627, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 19502, Apr. 21, 1999; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 65 FR 79780, Dec. 20, 2000; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26228, May 15, 2003; 71 FR 6228, Feb. 7, 2006] § 73.3574 Processing of international broadcast station applications.
(a) Applications for International station facilities are divided into two groups.
(1) In the first group are applications for new stations, or for major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change is any change in or addition to authorized zones or areas of reception, any change in transmitter location other than one in the immediate vicinity of existing antennas of the station, or any change in power, or antenna directivity. However, the FCC may, within 15 days after the acceptance for filing of any other application for modification, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore is subject to §§1.1111 and 73.3580 pertaining to major changes.
(2) The second group consists of applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of authorized stations.
(b) If an application is amended so as to effect a major change as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or so as to result in an assignment or transfer of control which, in the case of an authorized station, would require the filing of an application therefor on FCC Form 314 or 315 (see §73.3540), §73.3580 will apply to such amended application.
(c) Applications for International stations will be processed as nearly as possible in the order in which they are filed.
[44 FR 38504, July 2, 1979] § 73.3578 Amendments to applications for renewal, assignment or transfer of control.
(a) Any amendments to an application for renewal of any instrument of authorization shall be considered to be a minor amendment. However, the FCC may, within 15 days after tender for filing of any amendment, advise the applicant that the amendment is considered to be a major amendment and therefore is subject to the provisions of §73.3580.
(b) Any amendment to an application for assignment of construction permit or license, or consent to the transfer of control of a corporation holding such a construction permit or license, shall be considered to be a minor amendment, except that any amendment which seeks a change in the ownership interest of the proposed assignee or transferee which would result in a change in control, or any amendment which would require the filing of FCC Forms 314, 315, or 345 (see §73.3540), if the changes sought were made in an original application for assignment or transfer of control, shall be considered to be a major amendment. However, the FCC may, within 15 days after the acceptance for filing of any other amendment, advise the applicant that the amendment is considered to be a major amendment and therefore is subject to the provisions of §73.3580.
[44 FR 38504, July 2, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 18451, May 20, 1986] § 73.3580 Local public notice of filing of broadcast applications.
(a) All applications for instruments of authorization in the broadcast service (and major amendments thereto, as indicated in §§73.3571, 73.3572, 73.3573, 73.3574 and 73.3578) are subject to the local public notice provisions of this section, except applications for:
(1) A minor change in the facilities of an authorized station, as indicated in §§73.3571, 73.3572, 73.3573 and 73.3574.
(2) Consent to an involuntary assignment or transfer or to a voluntary assignment or transfer which does not result in a change of control and which may be applied for on FCC Form 316 pursuant to the provisions of §73.3540(b).
(3) A license under section 319(c) of the Communications Act or, pending application for or grant of such license, any special or temporary authorization to permit interim operation to facilitate completion of authorized construction or to provide substantially the same service as would be authorized by such license.
(4) Extension of time to complete construction of authorized facilities.
(5) An authorization of facilities for remote pickup or studio links for use in the operation of a broadcast station.
(6) Authorization pursuant to section 325(c) of the Communications Act (“ * * * studios of foreign stations”) where the programs to be transmitted are special events not of a continuing nature.
(7) An authorization under any of the proviso clauses of section 308(a) of the Communications Act concerning applications for and conditions in licenses.
(b) Applications (as originally filed or amended) will be acted upon by the FCC no sooner than 30 days following public notice of acceptance for filing or amendment, except as otherwise permitted in §73.3542, “Application for temporary authorization.”
(c) An applicant who files an application or amendment thereto which is subject to the provisions of this section, must give notice of this filing in a newspaper. Exceptions to this requirement are applications for renewal of AM, FM, TV, Class A TV and international broadcasting stations; low power TV stations; TV and FM translator stations; TV boosters stations; FM boosters stations; and applications subject to paragraph (e) of this section. The local public notice must be completed within 30 days of the tendering of the application. In the event the FCC notifies the applicant that a major change is involved, requiring the applicant to file public notice pursuant to §§73.3571, 73.3572, 73.3573 or 73.3578, this filing notice shall be given in a newspaper following this notification.
(1) Notice requirements for these applicants are as follows. (i) In a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the community in which the station is located, or proposed to be located, at least twice a week for two consecutive weeks in a three-week period; or,
(ii) If there is no such daily newspaper, in a weekly newspaper of general circulation published in that community, once a week for 3 consecutive weeks in a 4-week period; or,
(iii) If there is no daily or weekly newspaper published in that community, in the daily newspaper from wherever published, which has the greatest general circulation in that community, twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks within a 3-week period.
(2) Notice requirements for applicants for a permit pursuant to section 325(b) of the Communications Act (“ * * * Studios of Foreign Stations”) are as follows. In a daily newspaper of general circulation in the largest city in the principal area to be served in the U.S.A. by the foreign broadcast station, at least twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks within a three-week period.
(3) Notice requirements for applicants for a change in station location are as follows. In the community in which the station is located and the one in which it is proposed to be located, in a newspaper with publishing requirements as in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii) or (iii) of this section.
(4) The notice required in paragraphs (c)(1), (2) and (3) of this section shall contain the information described in paragraph (f) of this section.
(d) The licensee of an operating broadcast station who files an application or amendment thereto which is subject to the provisions of this section must give notice as follows:
(1) An applicant who files for renewal of a broadcast station license, other than a low power TV station license not locally originating programming as defined by §74.701(h), an FM translator station or a TV translator station license, must give notice of this filing by broadcasting announcements on applicant's station. (Sample and schedule of announcements are below.) Newspaper publication is not required. An applicant who files for renewal of a low power TV station license not locally originating programming as defined by §74.701(h), an FM translator station or a TV translator station license will comply with (g) below.
(2) An applicant who files an amendment of an application for renewal of a broadcast station lincense will comply with paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(3) An applicant who files for modification, assignment or transfer of a broadcast station license (except for International broadcast, low power TV, TV translator, TV booster, FM translator and FM booster stations) shall give notice of the filing in a newspaper as described in paragraph (c) of this section, and also broadcast the same notice over the station as follows:
(i) At least once daily on four days in the second week immediately following either the tendering for filing of the application or immediately following notification to the applicant by the FCC that Public Notice is required pursuant to §§73.3571, 73.3572, 73.3573 or §73.3578. For commercial radio stations these announcements shall be made between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. For stations which neither operate between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. nor between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., these announcements shall be made during the first two hours of broadcast operation. For commercial TV stations, these announcements shall be made between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. (5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central and Mountain time).
(4) The broadcast notice requirements for those filing renewal applications and amendments thereto are as follows:
(i) Pre-filing announcements. During the period and beginning on the first day of the sixth calendar month prior to the expiration of the license, and continuing to the date on which the application is filed, the following announcement shall be broadcast on the 1st and 16th day of each calendar month. Stations broadcasting primarily in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.
On (date of last renewal grant) (Station's call letters) was granted a license by the Federal Communication Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee until (expiration date).
Our license will expire on (date). We must file an application for renewal with the FCC (date four calendar months prior to expiration date). When filed, a copy of this application will be available for public inspection during our regular business hours. It contains information concerning this station's performance during the last (period of time covered by the application).
Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application and to whether this station has operated in the public interest should file comments and petitions with the FCC by (date first day of last full calendar month prior to the month of expiration).
Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is available at (address of location of the station's public inspection file) or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington, DC 20554.
(A) An applicant who files for renewal of a low power TV station locally originating programming (as defined by §74.701(h)) shall broadcast this announcement, except that statements indicating there is a public inspection file at the station containing the renewal application and other information on the license renewal process, shall be omitted.
(B) This announcement shall be made during the following time periods:
(1) For commercial TV stations—at least two of the required announcements between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. (5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central and Mountain Time).
(2) For commercial radio stations—at least two of the required announcements between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. For stations which neither operate between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. nor between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., at least two of the required announcements shall be made during the first two hours of broadcast operation.
(3) For noncommercial educational stations, at the same time as commercial stations, except that such stations need not broadcast the announcement during any month during which the station does not operate.
(4) For low power TV stations locally originating programming (as defined by §74.701(h)), at the same time as for commercial TV stations, or as close to that time as possible.
(ii) Post-filing announcements. During the period beginning of the date on which the renewal application is filed to the sixteenth day of the next to last full calendar month prior to the expiration of the license, all applications for renewal of broadcast station licenses shall broadcast the following announcement on the 1st and 16th day of each calendar month. Stations broadcasting primarily in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.
On (date of last renewal grant) (Station's call letters) was granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee until (expiration date).
Our license will expire on (date). We have filed an application for renewal with the FCC.
A copy of this application is available for public inspection during our regular business hours. It contains information concerning this station's performance during the last (period of time covered by application).
Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application and to whether this station has operated in the public interest should file comments and petitions with the FCC by (date first day of last full calendar month prior to the month of expiration).
Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is available at (address of location of the station's public inspection file) or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington, DC 20554.
(A) An applicant who files for renewal of a low power TV station locally originating programming (as defined by §74.701(h)) shall broadcast this announcement, except that statements indicating there is a public inspection file at the station containing the renewal application and other information on the license renewal process, shall be omitted.
(B) This announcement shall be made during the following time periods:
(1) For commercial TV stations—at least three of the required announcements between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. (5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central and Mountain time), at least one announcement between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at least one announcement between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and at least one announcement between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
(2) For commercial radio stations—at least three of the required announcements between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., at least one announcement between 9 a.m. and noon, at least one announcement between noon and 4 p.m., and at least one announcement between 7 p.m. and midnight. For stations which do not operate between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., at least three of the required announcements shall be made during the first two hours of broadcast operation.
(3) For noncommercial educational stations, at the same time as commercial stations, except that such stations need not broadcast the announcement during any month during which the station does not operate. In such instances noncommercial educational stations shall meet the requirements in the exact order specified in paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(A) (1) or (2) of this section (e.g., if only four renewal notices are broadcast by an educational TV licensee, 3 must be broadcast between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and the fourth between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.).
(4) For low power TV stations locally originating programming (as defined by §74.701(h)), at the same time as for commercial TV stations, or as close to that time as possible.
(iii) TV broadcast stations (commercial and noncommercial educational), in presenting the pre- and post-filing announcements, must use visuals with the licensee's and the FCC's addresses when this information is being orally presented by the announcer.
(iv) Stations which have not received a renewal grant since the filing of their previous renewal application, shall use the following first paragraph for the pre-filing and the post-filing announcements:
(Station's call letters) is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee.
(5) An applicant who files for a Class A television license must give notice of this filing by broadcasting announcements on applicant's station. (Sample and schedule of announcements are below.) Newspaper publication is not required.
(i) The broadcast notice requirement for those filing for Class A television license applications and amendment thereto is as follows:
(A) Pre-filing announcements. Two weeks prior to the filing of the license application, the following announcement shall be broadcast on the 5th and 10th days of the two week period. The required announcements shall be made between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. (5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central and Mountain Time) Stations broadcasting primarily in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.
On (date), the Federal Communications Commission granted (Station's call letters) a certification of eligibility to apply for Class A television status. To become eligible for a Class A certificate of eligibility, a low power television licensee was required to certify that during the 90-day period ending November 28, 1999, the station: (1) Broadcast a minimum of 18 hours per day; (2) broadcast an average of at least three hours per week of programming produced within the market area served by the station or by a group of commonly-owned low power television stations; and (3) had been in compliance with the Commission's regulations applicable to the low power television service. The Commission may also issue a certificate of eligibility to a licensee unable to satisfy the foregoing criteria, if it determines that the public interest, convenience and necessity would be served thereby.
(Station's call letters) intends to file an application (FCC Form 302–CA) for a Class A television license in the near future. When filed, a copy of this application will be available at (address of location of the station's public inspection file) for public inspection during our regular business hours. Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to the station's eligibility for Class A status should file comments and petitions with the FCC prior to Commission action on this application.
(B) Post-filing announcements. The following announcement shall be broadcast on the 1st and 10th days following the filing of an application for a Class A television license. The required announcements shall be made between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. (5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central and Mountain Time). Stations broadcasting primarily in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.
On (date of filing license application) (Station's call letters) filed an application, FCC Form 302–CA, for a Class A television license. Such stations are required to broadcast a minimum of 18 hours per day, and to average at least 3 hours of locally produced programming each week, and to comply with certain full-service television station operating requirements.
A copy of this application is available for public inspection during our regular business hours at (address of location of the station's public inspection file). Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to the station's eligibility for Class A status should file comments and petitions with the FCC prior to Commission action on this application.
(ii) [Reserved]
(e) When the station in question is the only operating station in its broadcast service which is located in the community involved, or if it is a noncommercial educational station, publication of the notice in a newspaper, as provided in paragraph (c) of this section is not required, and publication by broadcast over that station as provided in paragraph (d) of this section shall be deemed sufficient to meet the notice requirements of this section. Noncommercial educational broadcast stations which do not broadcast during the portion of the year in which the period of broadcast of notice falls must comply with the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section.
(f) The notice required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section shall contain, when applicable, the following information, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d) (1) and (2) and (e) of this section in regard to renewal applications:
(1) The name of the applicant, if the applicant is an individual; the names of all partners, if the applicant is a partnership; or the names of all officers and directors and of those persons holding 10% or more of the capital stock or other ownership interest if the applicant is a corporation or an unincorporated association. (In the case of applications for assignment or transfer of control, information should be included for all parties to the application.)
(2) The purpose for which the application was or will be filed (such as, construction permit, modification, assignment or transfer of control).
(3) The date when the application or amendment was tendered for filing with the FCC.
(4) The call letters, if any, of the station, and the frequency or channel on which the station is operating or proposes to operate.
(5) In the case of an application for construction permit for a new station, the facilities sought, including type and class of station, power, location of studios, transmitter site and antenna height.
(6) In the case of an application for modification of a construction permit or license, the exact nature of the modification sought.
(7) In the case of an amendment to an application, the exact nature of the amendment.
(8) In the case of applications for a permit pursuant to Section 325(b) of the Communications Act (“* * * studios of foreign stations”), the call letters and location of the foreign radio broadcast station, the frequency or channel on which it operates, and a description of the programs to be transmitted over the station.
(9) A statement that a copy of the application, amendment(s), and related material are on file for public inspection at a stated address in the community in which the station is located or is proposed to be located. See §§73.3526 and 73.3527.
(g) An applicant who files for authorization or major modifications, or a major amendment thereto, for a low power TV, TV translator, TV booster, FM translator, or FM booster station, must give notice of this filing in a daily, weekly or biweekly newspaper of general circulation in the community or area to be served. Likewise, an applicant for assignment, transfer or renewal, or a major amendment thereto, for a low power TV, TV translator or FM translator station, must give this same type of newspaper notice. The filing notice will be given immediately following the tendering for filing of the application or amendment, or immediately following notification to the applicant by the FCC that public notice is required pursuant to §§73.3572, 73.3573, or 73.3578.
(1) Notice requirements for these applicants are as follows:
(i) In a newspaper at least one time; or
(ii) If there is no newspaper published or having circulation in the community or area to be served, the applicant shall determine an appropriate means of providing the required notice to the general public, such as posting in the local post office or other public place. The notice shall state:
(A) The name of the applicant, the community or area to be served, and the transmitter site.
(B) The purpose for which the application was filed.
(C) The date when the application or amendment was filed with the FCC.
(D) The output channel or channels on which the station is operating or proposes to operate and the power used or proposed to be used.
(E) In the case of an application for changes in authorized facilities, the nature of the changes sought.
(F) In the case of a major amendment to an application, the nature of the amendment.
(G) A statement, if applicable, that the station engages in or intends to engage in rebroadcasting, and the call letters, location and channel of operation of each station whose signals it is rebroadcasting or intends to rebroadcast.
(H) A statement that invites comment from individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to the renewal application and whether the station has operated in the public interest.
(h) The applicant may certify in the appropriate application that it has or will comply with the public notice requirements contained in paragraphs (c), (d) or (g) of this section. However, an applicant for renewal of a license that is required to maintain a public inspection file, shall, within 7 days of the last day of broadcast of the required publication announcements, place in its public inspection file a statement certifying compliance with §73.3580 along with the dates and times that the pre-filing and post-filing notices were broadcast and the text thereof. This certification need not be filed with the Commission but shall be retained in the public inspection file for as long as the application to which it refers.
(i) Paragraphs (a) through (h) of this section apply to major amendments to license renewal applications. See §73.3578(a).
[44 FR 38504, July 2, 1979, as amended at 44 FR 65765, Nov. 15, 1979; 45 FR 6402, Jan. 28, 1980; 46 FR 36852, July 16, 1981; 47 FR 17066, Apr. 21, 1982; 49 FR 33664, Aug. 24, 1984; 49 FR 47844, Dec. 7, 1984; 50 FR 40015, Oct. 1, 1985; 52 FR 21686, June 9, 1987; 52 FR 31401, Aug. 20, 1987; 53 FR 26074, July 11, 1988; 57 FR 14647, Apr. 22, 1992; 58 FR 51251, Oct. 1, 1993; 65 FR 30008, May 10, 2000; 65 FR 34406, May 30, 2000] § 73.3584 Procedure for filing petitions to deny.
(a) For mutually exclusive applications subject to selection by competitive bidding (non-reserved channels) or fair distribution/point system (reserved channels), petitions to deny may be filed only against the winning bidders or tentative selectee(s), and such petitions will be governed by §§73.5006 and 73.7004, respectively. For all other applications the following rules will govern. Except in the case of applications for new low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, for major changes in the existing facilities of such stations, or for applications for a change in output channel tendered by displaced low power TV and TV translator stations pursuant to §73.3572(a)(1), any party in interest may file with the Commission a Petition to Deny any application (whether as originally filed or if amended so as to require a new file number pursuant to §§73.3571(j), 73.3572(b), 73.3573(b), 73.3574(b) or 73.3578) for which local notice pursuant to §73.3580 is required, provided such petitions are filed prior to the day such applications are granted or designated for hearing; but where the FCC issues a public notice pursuant to the provisions of §§73.3571(c), 73.3572(c) or §73.3573(d), establishing a “cut-off” date, such petitions must be filed by the date specified. In the case of applications for transfers and assignments of construction permits or station licenses, Petitions to Deny must be filed not later than 30 days after issuance of a public notice of the acceptance for filing of the applications. In the case of applications for renewal of license, Petitions to Deny may be filed at any time up to the deadline established in §73.3516(e). Requests for extension of time to file Petitions to Deny applications for new broadcast stations or major changes in the facilities of existing stations or applications for renewal of license will not be granted unless all parties concerned, including the applicant, consent to such requests, or unless a compelling showing can be made that unusual circumstances make the filing of a timely petition impossible and the granting of an extension warranted.
(b) Except in the case of applications for new low power TV or TV translator stations, or for major changes in the existing facilities of such stations, the applicant may file an opposition to any Petition to Deny, and the Petitioner a reply to such opposition in which allegations of fact or denials thereof shall be supported by affidavit of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof. The times for filing such oppositions and replies shall be those provided in §1.45 except that as to a Petition to Deny an application for renewal of license, an opposition thereto may be filed within 30 days after the Petition to Deny is filed, and the party that filed the Petition to Deny may reply to the opposition within 20 days after opposition is due or within 20 days after the opposition is filed, whichever is longer. The failure to file an opposition or a reply will not necessarily be construed as an admission of fact or argument contained in a pleading.
(c) In the case of applications for new low power TV, TV translator, or TV booster stations, for major changes in the existing facilities of such stations, or for applications for a change in output channel tendered by displaced low power TV and TV translator stations pursuant to §73.3572(a)(1), any party in interest may file with the FCC a Petition to Deny any applcation (whether as originally filed or if amended so as to require a new file number pursuant to §73.3572(b)) for which local notice pursuant to §73.3580 is required, provided such petitions are filed within 30 days of the FCC Public Notice proposing the application for grant (applicants may file oppositions within 15 days after the Petition to Deny is filed); but where the FCC selects a tentative permittee pursuant to Section 1.1601 et seq., Petitions to Deny shall be accepted only if directed against the tentative selectee and filed after issuance of and within 15 days of FCC Public Notice announcing the tentative selectee. The applicant may file an opposition within 15 days after the Petition to Deny is filed. In cases in which the minimum diversity preference provided for in §1.1623(f)(1) has been applied, an “objection to diversity claim” and opposition thereto, may be filed against any applicant receiving a diversity preference, within the same time period provided herein for Petitions and Oppositions. In all pleadings, allegations of fact or denials thereof shall be supported by appropriate certification. However, the FCC may announce, by the Public Notice announcing the acceptance of the last-filed mutually exclusive application, that a notice of Petition to Deny will be required to be filed no later than 30 days after issuance of the Public Notice.
(d) A party in interest may file a Petition to Deny any application that proposes reclassification of a Class C authorization to Class C0 not later than 30 days after issuance of an order to show cause by the Commission notifying the affected licensee of the proposed reclassification.
(e) Untimely Petitions to Deny, as well as other pleadings in the nature of a Petition to Deny, and any other pleadings or supplements which do not lie as a matter of law or are otherwise procedurally defective, are subject to return by the FCC's staff without consideration.
[48 FR 27206, June 13, 1983, as amended at 52 FR 31401, Aug. 20, 1987; 53 FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988; 55 FR 28914, July 16, 1990; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 65 FR 79780, Dec. 20, 2000] § 73.3587 Procedure for filing informal objections.
Before FCC action on any application for an instrument of authorization, any person may file informal objections to the grant. Such objections may be submitted in letter form (without extra copies) and shall be signed. The limitation on pleadings and time for filing pleadings provided for in §1.45 of the rules shall not be applicable to any objections duly filed under this section.
[44 FR 38507, July 2, 1979] § 73.3588 Dismissal of petitions to deny or withdrawal of informal objections.
(a) Whenever a petition to deny or an informal objection has been filed against any application, and the filing party seeks to dismiss or withdraw the petition to deny or the informal objection, either unilaterally or in exchange for financial consideration, that party must file with the Commission a request for approval of the dismissal or withdrawal, a copy of any written agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal, and an affidavit setting forth:
(1) A certification that neither the petitioner nor its principals has received or will receive any money or other consideration in excess of legitimate and prudent expenses in exchange for the dismissal or withdrawal of the petition to deny;
(2) The exact nature and amount of any consideration received or promised;
(3) An itemized accounting of the expenses for which it seeks reimbursement; and
(4) The terms of any oral agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal of the petition to deny.
In addition, within 5 days of petitioner's request for approval, each remaining party to any written or oral agreement must submit an affidavit setting forth:
(5) A certification that neither the applicant nor its principals had paid or will pay money or other consideration in excess of the legitimate and prudent expenses of the petitioner in exchange for dismissing or withdrawing the petition to deny; and
(6) The terms of any oral agreement relating to the dismissal or withdrawal of the petition to deny.
(b) Citizens' agreements. For purposes of this section, citizens agreements include agreements arising whenever a petition to deny or informal objection has been filed against any application and the filing party seeks to dismiss or withdraw the petition or objection in exchange for nonfinancial consideration (e.g., programming, ascertainment or employment initiatives). The parties to such an agreement must file with the Commission a joint request for approval of the agreement, a copy of any written agreement, and an affidavit executed by each party setting forth:
(1) Certification that neither the petitioner, nor any person or organization related to the petitioner, has received or will receive any money or other consideration in connection with the citizens' agreement other than legitimate and prudent expenses incurred in prosecuting the petition to deny;
(2) Certification that neither the petitioner, nor any person or organization related to petitioner is or will be involved in carrying out, for a fee, any programming, ascertainment, employment or other non-financial initiative referred to in the citizens' agreement; and
(3) The terms of any oral agreement.
(c) For the purposes of this section:
(1) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the applicant, permittee or licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.
(2) A petition shall be deemed to be pending before the Commission from the time a petition is filed with the Commission until an order of the Commission granting or denying the petition is no longer subject to reconsideration by the Commission or to review by any court.
(3) “Legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by a petitioner in preparing, filing, and prosecuting its petition for which reimbursement is being sought.
(4) “Other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as non-financial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.
[54 FR 22598, May 25, 1989. Redesignated and amended at 55 FR 28914, July 16, 1990] § 73.3589 Threats to file petitions to deny or informal objections.
(a) No person shall make or receive any payments in exchange for withdrawing a threat to file or refraining from filing a petition to deny or an informal objection. For the purposes of this section, reimbursement by an applicant of the legitimate and prudent expenses of a potential petitioner or objector incurred reasonably and directly in preparing to file a petition to deny will not be considered to be payment for refraining from filing a petition to deny or informal objection. Payments made directly to a potential petitioner or objector, or a person related to a potential petitioner or objector, to implement nonfinancial promises are prohibited unless specifically approved by the Commission.
(b) Whenever any payment is made in exchange for withdrawing a threat to file or refraining from filing a petition to deny or informal objection, the licensee must file with the Commission a copy of any written agreement related to the dismissal or withdrawal, and an affidavit setting forth:
(1) Certification that neither the would-be petitioner, nor any person or organization related to the would-be petitioner, has received or will receive any money or other consideration in connection with the citizens' agreement other than legitimate and prudent expenses reasonably incurred in preparing to file the petition to deny;
(2) Certification that unless such arrangement has been specifically approved by the Commission, neither the would-be petitioner, nor any person or organization related to the would-be petitioner, is or will be involved in carrying out, for a fee, any programming ascertainment, employment or other nonfinancial initiative referred to in the citizens' agreement; and
(3) The terms of any oral agreement.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) Affidavits filed pursuant to this section shall be executed by the licensee, if an individual; a partner having personal knowledge of the facts, if a partnership; or an officer having personal knowledge of the facts, if a corporation or association.
(2) “Legitimate and prudent expenses” are those expenses reasonably incurred by a would-be petitioner in preparing to file its petition for which reimbursement is being sought.
(3) “Other consideration” consists of financial concessions, including but not limited to the transfer of assets or the provision of tangible pecuniary benefit, as well as non-financial concessions that confer any type of benefit on the recipient.
[55 FR 28914, July 16, 1990] § 73.3591 Grants without hearing.
(a) Except for renewal applications filed after May 1, 1995 which will be subject to paragraph (d) of this section, in the case of any application for an instrument of authorization, other than a license pursuant to a construction permit, the FCC will make the grant if it finds (on the basis of the application, the pleadings filed or other matters which it may officially notice) that the application presents no substantial and material question of fact and meets the following requirements:
(1) There is not pending a mutually exclusive application filed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section;
(2) The applicant is legally, technically, financially, and otherwise qualified;
(3) The applicant is not in violation of provisions of law, the FCC rules, or established policies of the FCC; and
(4) A grant of the application would otherwise serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.
(b) In making its determinations pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the FCC will not consider any other application, or any application if amended so as to require a new file number, as being mutually exclusive or in conflict with the application under consideration unless such other application was substantially complete, and tendered for filing by:
(1) The close of business on the day preceding the day designated by Public Notice as the day the listed application is to be available and ready for processing;
(2) The date prescribed in §73.3516(e) in the case of applications which are mutually exclusive with applications for renewal of license of broadcast stations; or
(3) The close of business on the day designated by the FCC pursuant to §73.3564(d) as the date(s) for filing low power TV or TV translator applications.
(c) If a petition to deny the application has been filed in accordance with §73.3584 and the FCC makes the grant in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the FCC will deny the petition and issue a concise statement setting forth the reasons for denial and disposing of all substantial issues raised by the petition.
(d) Renewal applications filed after May 1, 1995 will be governed by the criteria established in 47 U.S.C. §309(k).
[44 FR 38507, July 2, 1979, as amended at 50 FR 47844, Dec. 7, 1984; 59 FR 31557, June 20, 1994; 61 FR 18291, Apr. 25, 1996] § 73.3592 Conditional grant.
(a) Where a grant of an application would preclude the grant of any application or applications mutually exclusive with it, the FCC may, if the public interest will be served thereby, make a conditional grant of one of the applications and designate all of the mutually exclusive applications for hearing. Such conditional grant will be made upon the express condition that such grant is subject to being withdrawn if, at the hearing, it is shown that public interest will be better served by a grant of one of the other applications. Such conditional grants will be issued only where it appears:
(1) That some or all of the applications were not filed in good faith but were filed for the purpose of delaying or hindering the grant of another application; or
(2) That public interest requires the prompt establishment of broadcast service in a particular community or area; or
(3) That a grant of one or more applications would be in the public interest, and that a delay in making a grant to any applicant until after the conclusion of a hearing on all applications might jeopardize the rights of the United States under the provisions of international agreement to the use of the frequency in question; or
(4) That a grant of one application would be in the public interest, and that it appears from an examination of the remaining applications that they cannot be granted because they are in violation of provisions of the Communications Act, other statutes, or the provisions of the FCC rules.
(b) When two or more applications for the same AM, FM or TV assignment have been designated for hearing, the FCC may, if the public interest will be served thereby, make a conditional grant to a group composed of any two or more of the competing applicants, such grant to terminate when the successful applicant commences operation under the terms of a regular authorization. No conditional grant will be made unless all of the competing applicants have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to participate in the group seeking the conditional grant. In its application, the group shall include a special showing as to the need for the service pending operation by the successful applicant under the terms of a regular authorization; the effect, if any, of a grant on the position of any applicant which is not a member of the group; and any other factors which are deemed pertinent to the public interest judgment.
[44 FR 38507, July 2, 1979] § 73.3593 Designation for hearing.
If the FCC is unable, in the case of any application for an instrument of authorization, to make the findings specified in §73.3591(a), it will formally designate the application for hearing on the grounds or reasons then obtaining and will forthwith notify the applicant and all known parties in interest of such action and the grounds and reasons therefor, specifying with particularity the matters and things in issue but not including issues or requirements phrased generally. If, however, the issue to be resolved is limited to the mutual exclusivity of applications for initial authorizations or for major changes to existing stations, that mutual exclusivity shall be resolved pursuant to competitive bidding procedures identified in subpart I (unreserved channels) or point system procedures identified in subpart K (reserved channels).
[65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000] § 73.3594 Local public notice of designation for hearing.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of this section when an application subject to the provisions of §73.3580 (except for applications for International broadcast, low power TV, TV translator, FM translator, and FM booster stations) is designated for hearing, the applicant shall give notice of such designation as follows: Notice shall be given at least twice a week, for 2 consecutive weeks within the 3-week period immediately following release of the FCC's order, specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing, in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the community in which the station is located or proposed to be located.
(1) However, if there is no such daily newspaper published in the community, the notice shall be given as follows:
(i) If one or more weekly newspapers of general circulation are published in the community in which the station is located or proposed to be located, notice shall be given in such a weekly newspaper once a week for 3 consecutive weeks within the 4-week period immediately following the release of the FCC's order, specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing;
(ii) If no weekly newspaper of general circulation is published in the community in which the station is located or proposed to be located, notice shall be given at least twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks within the 3-week period immediately following the release of the FCC's orders, specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing in the daily newspaper having the greatest general circulation in the community in which the station is located or proposed to be located.
(2) In the case of an application for a permit pursuant to Section 325(c) of the Communications Act, the notice shall be given at least twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks within the 3-week period immediately following release of the FCC's order, specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the largest city in the principal area to be served in the United States by the foreign radio broadcast station.
(3) In the case of an application for change in the location of a station, the notice shall be given both in the community in which the station is located and in the community in which the station is proposed to be located.
(b) When an application which is subject to the provisions of §73.3580 and which seeks modification, assignment, transfer, or renewal of an operating broadcast station is designated for hearing (except for applications for an International broadcast, low power TV, TV translator, FM translator, or FM booster stations), the applicant shall, in addition to giving notice of such designation as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, cause the same notice to be broadcast over that station at least once daily for 4 days in the second week immediately following the release of the FCC's order, specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing. In the case of both commercial and noncommercial TV broadcast stations such notice shall be broadcast orally with the camera focused on the announcer. The notice required by this paragraph shall be broadcast during the following periods:
(1) For commercial TV stations, between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
(2) For commercial AM and FM stations, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., but if such stations do not operate during those hours, then between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
(3) For noncommercial educational TV stations, between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., but if the period of broadcast of notice falls within a portion of the year during which such stations do not broadcast, then such stations need not comply with the provisions of this paragraph.
(4) For noncommercial educational AM and FM stations, between 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., but if the period of broadcast of notice falls within a portion of the year during which such stations do not broadcast, then such stations need not comply with the provisions of this paragraph.
(c) If the station in question is the only operating station in its broadcast service which is located in the community involved, or if it is a noncommerical educational station, publication of the notice in a newspaper, as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, is not required, and publication by broadcast over that station as provided in paragraph (b) of this section shall be deemed sufficient to meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. However, noncommercial educational stations which do not broadcast during the portion of the year in which the period of broadcast of notice falls must comply with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) The notice required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall state:
(1) The name of the applicant or applicants designated for hearing.
(2) The call letters, if any, of the stations or stations involved, and the frequencies or channels on which the station or stations are operating or proposed to operate.
(3) The time and place of the hearing.
(4) The issues in the hearing as listed in the FCC's order or summary of designation for hearing.
(5) A statement that a copy of the application, amendment(s), and related material are on file for public inspection at a stated address in the community in which the station is located or is proposed to be located. See §§73.3526 and 73.3527.
(e) When an application for renewal of license is designated for hearing, the notice shall contain the following additional statements:
(1) Immediately preceding the listing of the issues in the hearing:
The application of this station for a renewal of its license to operate this station in the public interest was tendered for filing with the Federal Communications Commission on (date). After considering this application, the FCC has determined that it is necessary to hold a hearing to decide the following questions:
(2) Immediately following the listing of the issues in the hearing:
The hearing will be held at (place of hearing) commencing at (time), on (date). Members of the public who desire to give evidence concerning the foregoing issues should write to the Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554, not later than (date). Letters should set forth in detail the specific facts concerning which the writer wishes to give evidence. If the FCC believes that the evidence is legally competent, material, and relevant to the issues, it will contact the person in question.
(Here the applicant shall insert, as the date on or before which members of the public who desire to give evidence should write to the FCC, the date 30 days after the date of release of the FCC's order specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing.)
(f) When an application for a low power TV, TV translator, FM translator, or FM booster station which is subject to the provisions of §73.3580 is designated for hearing, the applicant shall give notice of such designation as follows: Notice shall be given at least once during the 2-week period immediately following release of the FCC's order, specifying the time and place of the commencement of the hearing in a daily, weekly or biweekly publication having general circulation in the community or area to be served. However, if there is no publication of general circulation in the community or area to be served, the applicant shall determine an appropriate means of providing the required notice to the general public, such as posting in the local post office or other public place. The notice shall state:
(1) The name of the applicant or applicants designated for hearing.
(2) The call letters, if any, of the station or stations involved, the output channel or channels of such stations, and, for any rebroadcasting, the call letters, channel and location of the station or stations being or proposed to be rebroadcast.
(3) The time and place of the hearing.
(4) The issues in the hearing as listed in the FCC's order or summary of designation for hearing.
(5) If the application is for renewal of license, the notice shall contain, in addition to the information required by paragraphs (f) (1) through (4) of this section, the statements required by paragraph (e) of this section.
(g) Within 7 days of the last day of publication or broadcast of the notice required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the applicant shall file a statement in triplicate with the FCC setting forth the dates on which the notice was published, the newspaper in which the notice was published, the text of the notice, and/or, where applicable, the date and time the notice was broadcast and the text thereof. When public notice is given by other means, as provided in pararaph (f) of this section, the applicant shall file, within 7 days of the giving of such notice, the text of the notice, the means by which it was accomplished, and the date thereof.
(h) The failure to comply with the provisions of this section is cause for dismissal of an application with prejudice. However, upon a finding that applicant has complied (or proposes to comply) with the provisions of Section 311(a)(2) of the Communications Act, and that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served thereby, the presiding officer may authorize an applicant, upon a showing of special circumstances, to publish notice in a manner other than that prescribed by this section; may accept publication of notice which does not conform strictly in all respects with the provisions of this section; or may extend the time for publishing notice.
[44 FR 38508, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 21495, May 18, 1982; 48 FR 9012, Mar. 3, 1983; 49 FR 38132, Sept. 27, 1984; 51 FR 19347, May 29, 1986; 52 FR 21686, June 9, 1987; 58 FR 51251, Oct. 1, 1993] § 73.3597 Procedures on transfer and assignment applications.
(a) If, upon the examination of an application for FCC consent to an assignment of a broadcast construction permit or license or for a transfer of control of a corporate permittee or licensee, it appears that the station involved has been operated on-air by the current licensee or permittee for less than one year, the application will be designated for hearing on appropriate issues unless the FCC is able to find that:
(1) The permit or license was not authorized either through the Minority Ownership Policy or after a comparative hearing or, in the case of low power TV and TV translator stations, the permit or license was not authorized after a lottery in which the permittee or licensee benefited from minority or diversity preferences;
(2) The application involves an FM translator station or FM booster station only;
(3) The application involves a pro forma assignment or transfer of control; or
(4) The assignor or transferor has made an affirmative factual showing, supported by affidavits of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, which establishes that, due to unavailability of capital, to death or disability of station principals, or to other changed circumstances affecting the licensee or permittee occurring subsequent to the acquisition of the license or permit, FCC consent to the proposed assignment or transfer of control will serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.
(5) the assignee or transferee has made an affirmative factual showing, supported by affidavits of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, which established that the proposed transaction would involve an assignment or transfer to a minority-owned or minority controlled entity in furtherance of our Minority Ownership Policy.
(b)(1) The commencement date of the one-year period set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall be the date on which the station initiated program tests in accordance with §73.1620 or §74.14.
(2) In determining whether the station has been operating on-air for one year, the FCC will calculate the period between the date of initiation of program tests (as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section) and the date the application for transfer or assignment is tendered for filing with the FCC.
(c)(1) As used in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section:
(i) Unbuilt station refers to an AM, FM, or TV broadcast station or a low power TV or TV translator station for which a construction permit is outstanding, and, regardless of the stage of physical completion, as to which program tests have not commenced or, if required, been authorized.
(ii) Seller includes the assignor(s) of a construction permit for an unbuilt station, the transferor(s) of control of the holder of such construction permit, and any principal or such assignor(s) or transferor(s) who retains an interest in the permittee or acquires or reacquires such interest within 1 year after commencing program tests.
(iii) The provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section apply only to mutually exclusive noncommercial educational applications filed on or after the release of the Report and Order in MM Docket 98–43, where the construction permit is issued pursuant to settlement agreement.
(2) The FCC will not consent to the assignment or transfer of control of the construction permit of an unbuilt station if the agreements or understandings between the parties provide for, or permit, payment to the seller of a sum in excess of the aggregate amount clearly shown to have been legitimately and prudently expended and to be expended by the seller, solely for preparing, filing, and advocating the grant of the construction permit for the station, and for other steps reasonably necessary toward placing the station in operation.
(3)(i) Applications for consent to the assignment of a construction permit or transfer of control shall, in the case of unbuilt stations, be accompanied by declarations both by the assignor (or transferor) and by the assignee (or transferee) that, except as clearly disclosed in detail in the applications, there are no agreements or understandings for reimbursement of the seller's expenses or other payments to the seller, for the seller's retention of any interest in the station, for options or any other means by which the seller may acquire such an interest, or for any other actual or potential benefit to the seller in the form of loans, the subsequent repurchase of the seller's retained interest, or otherwise.
(ii) When the seller is to receive reimbursement of his expenses, the applications of the parties shall include an itemized accounting of such expenses, together with such factual information as the parties rely upon for the requisite showing that those expenses represent legitimate and prudent outlays made solely for the purposes allowable under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(d)(1) Whenever an agreement for the assignment of the construction permit of an unbuilt station or for the transfer of control of the permittee of an unbuilt station, or any arrangement or understanding incidental thereto, provides for the retention by the seller of any interest in the station, or for any other actual or potential benefit to the seller in the form of loans or otherwise, the question is raised as to whether the transaction involves actual or potential gain to the seller over and above the legitimate and prudent out-of-pocket expenses allowable under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. In such cases the FCC will designate the assignment or transfer applications for evidentiary hearing. However, a hearing is not mandatory in cases coming within paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
(2) It is not intended to forbid the seller to retain an equity interest in an unbuilt station which he is transferring or assigning if the seller obligates himself, for the period ending 1 year after commencing program tests, to provide that part of the total capital made available to the station, up to the end of that period, which is proportionate to the seller's equity share in the permittee, taking into account equity capital, loan capital, and guarantees of interest and amortization payments for loan capital provided by the seller before the transfer or assignment. This condition will be satisfied:
(i) In the case of equity capital: By paid-in cash capital contributions proportionate to the seller's equity share;
(ii) In cases where any person who has an equity interest in the permittee provides loan capital: By the seller's provision of that part of the total loan capital provided by equity holders which is proportionate to the seller's equity share; and
(iii) In cases where any person cosigns or otherwise guarantees payments under notes given for loan capital provided by nonequity holders: By similar guarantees by the seller covering that part of such payments as is proportionate to the seller's equity share. However, this condition shall not be deemed to be met if the guarantees given by persons other than the seller cover, individually or collectively, a larger portion of such payments than the ratio of the combined equities of persons other than the seller to the total equity.
(3) In cases which are subject to the requirements of paragraphs (d)(2) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section:
(i) The assignee's (or transferee's) application shall include a showing of the anticipated capital needs of the station through the first year of its operation and the seller's financial capacity to comply with the above requirements, in the light of such anticipated capital needs.
(ii) The FCC will determine from its review of the applications whether a hearing is necessary to ensure compliance with the above requirements.
(iii) Compliance with the above requirements will be subject to review by the FCC at any time, either when considering subsequently filed applications or whenever the FCC may otherwise find it desirable.
(iv) Within 30 days after any time when a seller is required to provide equity or loan capital or execute guarantees, the permittee shall furnish the FCC a written report containing sufficient details as to the sources and amounts of equity capital paid in, loan capital made available, or guarantees obtained as to enable the FCC to ascertain compliance with the above requirements.
(v) No steps shall be taken by the permittee to effectuate arrangements for the provision of equity or loan capital from sources not previously identified and disclosed to the FCC, until 30 days after the permittee has filed with the FCC a report of such arrangements and of provisions made for the seller's compliance with the above requirement.
(vi) The provisions of paragraphs (d)(3) (iv) and (v) of this section shall cease to apply 1 year after commencing program tests.
(4) Applications subject to this paragraph (d) of this section will, in any event, be designated for evidentiary hearing in any case where the agreements, arrangements or understandings with the seller provide for the seller's option to acquire equity in the station or to increase equity interests he retains at the time of the assignment or transfer of control. An evidentiary hearing will similarly be held in any case in which the assignee(s), transferee(s) or any of their principals, or any person in privity therewith, has an option to purchase all or part of the seller's retained or subsequently acquired equity interests in the station.
[44 FR 38509, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 24580, June 7, 1982; 47 FR 55930, Dec. 14, 1982; 48 FR 9012, Mar. 3, 1983; 48 FR 27207, June 13, 1983; 50 FR 6946, Feb. 19, 1985; 53 FR 36787, Sept. 22, 1988; 63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998] § 73.3598 Period of construction.
(a) Each original construction permit for the construction of a new TV, AM, FM or International Broadcast; low power TV; TV translator; TV booster; FM translator; or FM booster station, or to make changes in such existing stations, shall specify a period of three years from the date of issuance of the original construction permit within which construction shall be completed and application for license filed. Each original construction permit for the construction of a new LPFM station shall specify a period of eighteen months from the date of issuance of the construction permit within which construction shall be completed and application for license filed.
(b) The period of construction for an original construction permit shall toll when construction is prevented by the following causes not under the control of the permittee:
(i) Construction is prevented due to an act of God, defined in terms of natural disasters (e.g., floods, tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes) or
(ii) the grant of the permit is the subject of administrative or judicial review (i.e., petitions for reconsideration and applications for review of the grant of a construction permit pending before the Commission and any judicial appeal of any Commission action thereon), or construction is delayed by any cause of action pending before any court of competent jurisdiction relating to any necessary local, state or federal requirement for the construction or operation of the station, including any zoning or environmental requirement.
(c) A permittee must notify the Commission as promptly as possible and, in any event, within 30 days, of any pertinent event covered by paragraph (b) of this section, and provide supporting documentation. All notifications must be filed in triplicate with the Secretary and must be placed in the station's local public file.
(d) A permittee must notify the Commission promptly when a relevant administrative or judicial review is resolved. Tolling resulting from an act of God will automatically cease six months from the date of the notification described in paragraph (c) of this section, unless the permittee submits additional notifications at six month intervals detailing how the act of God continues to cause delays in construction, any construction progress, and the steps it has taken and proposes to take to resolve any remaining impediments.
(e) Any construction permit for which construction has not been completed and for which an application for license has not been filed, shall be automatically forfeited upon expiration without any further affirmative cancellation by the Commission.
[63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7648, Feb. 15, 2000; 68 FR 12761, Mar. 17, 2003; 69 FR 53352, Sept. 1, 2004] § 73.3601 Simultaneous modification and renewal of license.
When an application is granted by the FCC necessitating the issuance of a modified license less than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license sought to be modified, and an application for renewal of the license is granted subsequent or prior thereto (but within 30 days of expiration of the present license), the modified license as well as the renewal license shall be issued to conform to the combined action of the FCC.
[44 FR 38511, July 2, 1979] § 73.3603 Special waiver procedure relative to applications.
(a) In the case of any broadcast applications designated for hearing, the parties may request the FCC to grant or deny an application upon the basis of the information contained in the applications and other papers specified in paragraph (b) of this section without the presentation of oral testimony. Any party desiring to follow this procedure should execute and file with the FCC a waiver in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, and serve copies on all other parties, or a joint waiver may be filed by all the parties. Upon the receipt of waivers from all parties to a proceeding, the FCC will decide whether the case is an appropriate one for determination without the presentation of oral testimony. If it is determined by the FCC that, notwithstanding the waivers, the presentation of oral testimony is necessary, the parties will be so notified and the case will be retained on the hearing docket. If the FCC concludes that the case can appropriately be decided without the presentation of oral testimony, the record will be considered as closed as of the date the waivers of all the parties were first on file with the FCC.
(b) In all cases considered in accordance with this procedure, the FCC will decide the case on the basis of the information contained in the applications and in any other papers pertaining to the applicants or applications which are open to public inspection and which were on file with the FCC when the record was closed. The FCC may call upon any party to furnish any additional information which the FCC deems necessary to a proper decision. Such information shall be served upon all parties. The waiver previously executed by the parties shall be considered in effect unless within 10 days of the service of such information the waiver is withdrawn.
(c) Any decision by the FCC rendered pursuant to this section will be in the nature of a final decision, unless otherwise ordered by the FCC.
(d) By agreeing to the waiver procedure prescribed in this section, no party shall be deemed to waive the right to petition for reconsideration or rehearing, or to appeal to the courts from any adverse final decision of the FCC.
(e) The waiver provided for by this section shall be in the following form:
Waiver Name of applicantCall lettersDocket No.
The undersigned hereby requests the FCC to consider its application and grant or deny it in accordance with the procedure prescribed in §73.3603 of the FCC's rules and regulations. It is understood that all the terms and provisions of ____ are incorporated in this waiver.
[44 FR 38511, July 2, 1979] § 73.3605 Retention of applications in hearing status after designation for hearing.
(a) After an application for a broadcast facility is designated for hearing, it will be retained in hearing status upon the dismissal or amendment and removal from hearing of any other application or applications with which it has been consolidated for hearing.
(b) Where any applicants for a broadcast facility file a request pursuant to §73.3525(a) for approval of an agreement to remove a conflict between their applications, the applications will be retained in hearing status pending such proceedings on the joint request as may be ordered and such action thereon as may be taken.
(1) If further hearing is not required on issues other than those arising out of the agreement, the proceeding shall be terminated and appropriate disposition shall be made of the applications.
(2) Where further hearing is required on issues unrelated to the agreement, the presiding officer shall continue to conduct the hearing on such other issues pending final action on the agreement, but the record in the proceeding shall not be closed until such final action on the agreement has been taken.
(3) In any case where a conflict between applications will be removed by an agreement for an engineering amendment to an application, the amended application shall be removed from hearing status upon final approval of the agreement and acceptance of the amendment.
(c) An application for a broadcast facility which has been designated for hearing and which is amended so as to eliminate the need for hearing or further hearing on the issues specified, other than as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, will be removed from hearing status.
[44 FR 38511, July 2, 1979] § 73.3612 Annual employment report.
Each licensee or permittee of a commercially or noncommercially operated AM, FM, TV, Class A TV or International Broadcast station with five or more full-time employees shall file an annual employment report with the FCC on or before September 30 of each year on FCC Form 395–B.
Note to §73.3612: Data concerning the gender, race and ethnicity of a broadcast station's workforce collected in the annual employment report will be used only for purposes of analyzing industry trends and making reports to Congress. Such data will not be used for the purpose of assessing any aspect of an individual broadcast licensee's compliance with the equal employment opportunity requirements of §73.2080.
[69 FR 34954, June 23, 2004]
Effective Date Note: At 69 FR 34954, June 23, 2004, §73.3612 was revised. This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.
§ 73.3613 Filing of contracts.
Each licensee or permittee of a commercial or noncommercial AM, FM, TV or International broadcast station shall file with the FCC copies of the following contracts, instruments, and documents together with amendments, supplements, and cancellations (with the substance of oral contracts reported in writing), within 30 days of execution thereof:
(a) Network service: Network affiliation contracts between stations and networks will be reduced to writing and filed as follows:
(1) All network affiliation contracts, agreements, or understandings between a TV broadcast or low power TV station and a national network. For the purposes of this paragraph the term network means any person, entity, or corporation which offers an interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25 affiliated television licensees in 10 or more states; and/or any person, entity, or corporation controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person, entity, or corporation.
(2) Each such filing on or after May 1, 1969, initially shall consist of a written instrument containing all of the terms and conditions of such contract, agreement or understanding without reference to any other paper or document by incorporation or otherwise. Subsequent filings may simply set forth renewal, amendment or change, as the case may be, of a particular contract previously filed in accordance herewith.
(3) The FCC shall also be notified of the cancellation or termination of network affiliations, contracts for which are required to be filed by this section.
(b) Ownership or control: Contracts, instruments or documents relating to the present or future ownership or control of the licensee or permittee or of the licensee's or permittee's stock, rights or interests therein, or relating to changes in such ownership or control shall include but are not limited to the following:
(1) Articles of partnership, association, and incorporation, and changes in such instruments;
(2) Bylaws, and any instruments effecting changes in such bylaws;
(3) Any agreement, document or instrument providing for the assignment of a license or permit, or affecting, directly or indirectly, the ownership or voting rights of the licensee's or permittee's stock (common or preferred, voting or nonvoting), such as:
(i) Agreements for transfer of stock;
(ii) Instruments for the issuance of new stock; or
(iii) Agreements for the acquisition of licensee's or permittee's stock by the issuing licensee or permittee corporation. Pledges, trust agreements, options to purchase stock and other executory agreements are required to be filed. However, trust agreements or abstracts thereof are not required to be filed, unless requested specifically by the FCC. Should the FCC request an abstract of the trust agreement in lieu of the trust agreement, the licensee or permittee will submit the following information concerning the trust:
(A) Name of trust;
(B) Duration of trust;
(C) Number of shares of stock owned;
(D) Name of beneficial owner of stock;
(E) Name of record owner of stock;
(F) Name of the party or parties who have the power to vote or control the vote of the shares; and
(G) Any conditions on the powers of voting the stock or any unusual characteristics of the trust.
(4) Proxies with respect to the licensee's or permittee's stock running for a period in excess of 1 year, and all proxies, whether or not running for a period of 1 year, given without full and detailed instructions binding the nominee to act in a specified manner. With respect to proxies given without full and detailed instructions, a statement showing the number of such proxies, by whom given and received, and the percentage of outstanding stock represented by each proxy shall be submitted by the licensee or permittee within 30 days after the stockholders' meeting in which the stock covered by such proxies has been voted. However, when the licensee or permittee is a corporation having more than 50 stockholders, such complete information need be filed only with respect to proxies given by stockholders who are officers or directors, or who have 1% or more of the corporation's voting stock. When the licensee or permittee is a corporation having more than 50 stockholders and the stockholders giving the proxies are not officers or directors or do not hold 1% or more of the corporation's stock, the only information required to be filed is the name of any person voting 1% or more of the stock by proxy, the number of shares voted by proxy by such person, and the total number of shares voted at the particular stockholders' meeting in which the shares were voted by proxy.
(5) Mortgage or loan agreements containing provisions restricting the licensee's or permittee's freedom of operation, such as those affecting voting rights, specifying or limiting the amount of dividends payable, the purchase of new equipment, or the maintenance of current assets.
(6) Any agreement reflecting a change in the officers, directors or stockholders of a corporation, other than the licensee or permittee, having an interest, direct or indirect, in the licensee or permittee as specified by §73.3615.
(7) Agreements providing for the assignment of a license or permit or agreements for the transfer of stock filed in accordance with FCC application Forms 314, 315, 316 need not be resubmitted pursuant to the terms of this rule provision.
(c) Personnel: (1) Management consultant agreements with independent contractors; contracts relating to the utilization in a management capacity of any person other than an officer, director, or regular employee of the licensee or permittee; station management contracts with any persons, whether or not officers, directors, or regular employees, which provide for both a percentage of profits and a sharing in losses; or any similar agreements.
(2) The following contracts, agreements, or understandings need not be filed: Agreements with persons regularly employed as general or station managers or salesmen; contracts with program managers or program personnel; contracts with attorneys, accountants or consulting radio engineers; contracts with performers; contracts with station representatives; contracts with labor unions; or any similar agreements.
(d)(1) Time brokerage agreements (also known as local marketing agreements): Time brokerage agreements involving radio stations where the licensee (including all parties under common ownership) is the brokering entity, the brokering and brokered stations are both in the same market as defined in the local radio multiple ownership rule contained in §73.3555(a), and more than 15 percent of the time of the brokered station, on a weekly basis is brokered by that licensee; time brokerage agreements involving television stations where the licensee (including all parties under common control) is the brokering entity, the brokering and brokered stations are both licensed to the same market as defined in the local television multiple ownership rule contained in §73.3555(b), and more than 15 percent of the time of the brokered station, on a weekly basis, is brokered by that licensee; time brokerage agreements involving radio or television stations that would be attributable to the licensee under §73.3555 Note 2, paragraph (i). Confidential or proprietary information may be redacted where appropriate but such information shall be made available for inspection upon request by the FCC.
(2) Joint sales agreements: Joint sales agreements involving radio stations where the licensee (including all parties under common control) is the brokering entity, the brokering and brokered stations are both in the same market as defined in the local radio multiple ownership rule contained in §73.3555(a), and more than 15 percent of the advertising time of the brokered station on a weekly basis is brokered by that licensee. Confidential or proprietary information may be redacted where appropriate but such information shall be made available for inspection upon request by the FCC.
(e) The following contracts, agreements or understandings need not be filed but shall be kept at the station and made available for inspection upon request by the FCC; subchannel leasing agreements for Subsidiary Communications Authorization operation; franchise/leasing agreements for operation of telecommunications services on the television vertical blanking interval and in the visual signal; time sales contracts with the same sponsor for 4 or more hours per day, except where the length of the events (such as athletic contests, musical programs and special events) broadcast pursuant to the contract is not under control of the station; and contracts with chief operators.
[44 FR 38512, July 2, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 21496, May 18, 1982; 50 FR 4664, Feb. 1, 1985; 50 FR 30951, July 31, 1985; 51 FR 9966, Mar. 24, 1986; 51 FR 15785, Apr. 28, 1986; 57 FR 18093, Apr. 29, 1992; 57 FR 42706, Sept. 16, 1992; 61 FR 36305, July 10, 1996; 63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998; 64 FR 50646, Sept. 17, 1999; 66 FR 9972, Feb. 13, 2001; 68 FR 46358, Aug. 5, 2003] § 73.3615 Ownership reports.
(a) With the exception of sole proprietorships and partnerships composed entirely of natural persons, each licensee of a commercial AM, FM, or TV broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323 when filing the station's license renewal application and every two years thereafter on the anniversary of the date that its renewal application is required to be filed. Licensees owning multiple stations with different anniversary dates need file only one Report every two years on the anniversary of their choice, provided that their Reports are not more than two years apart. A licensee with a current and unamended Report on file at the Commission may certify that it has reviewed its current Report and that it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new Report. Ownership Reports shall provide the following information as of a date not more than 60 days prior to the filing of the Report:
(1) In the case of an individual, the name, race or ethnicity, and gender of such individual;
(2) In the case of a partnership, the name, race or ethnicity, and gender of each partner and the interest of each partner. Except as specifically noted below, the names of limited partners shall be reported. A limited partner need not be reported, regardless of the extent of its ownership, if the limted partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the licensee and the licensee so certifies.
(i) Any change in partners or in their rights will require prior consent of the FCC upon an application for consent to assignment of license or permit. If such change involves less than a controlling interest, the application for FCC consent to such changes may be made upon FCC Form 316.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) In the case of a corporation, association, trust, estate or receivership, the data applicable to each:
(i)(A) The name, residence, citizenship, race or ethnicity, gender, and stockholding of every officer, director, trustee, executor, administrator, receiver and member of an association, and any stockholder which holds stock accounting for 5 percent or more of the votes of the corporation, except that an investment company, insurance company, or bank trust department need be reported only if it holds stock amounting to 10 percent or more of the votes, provided that the licensee certifies that such entity has made no attempt to influence, directly or indirectly, the management or operation of the licensee, and that there is no representation on the licensee's board or among its officers by any person professionally or otherwise associated with the entity.
(B) A licensee shall report any separate interests known to the licensee to be held ultimately by the same individual or entity, whether those interests are held in custodial accounts, by individual holding corporations or otherwise, if, when aggregated:
(1) The sum of all interests except those held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 5 percent; or
(2) The sum of all interests held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 10 percent; or
(3) The sum of the interests computed under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B)(1) of this section plus the sum of the interests computed under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B)(2) of this section is equal to or exceeds 10 percent.
(C) If the majority of the voting stock of a corporate licensee is held by a single individual or entity, no other stockholding need be reported for that licensee;
(ii) Full information as to family relationship or business association between two or more officials and/or stockholders, trustees, executors, administrators, receivers, and members of any association;
(iii) Capitalization with a description of the classes and voting power of stock authorized by the corporate charter or other appropriate legal instrument and the number of shares of each class issued and outstanding; and
(iv) Full information with respect to the interest and identity of any person having any direct, indirect, fiduciary, or beneficial interest in the licensee or in its stock accounting for 5% or more of its votes. For example:
(A) Where A is the trustee of stock held for beneficiary B, A shall be reported if A votes the stock or has the sole or shared power to dispose of the stock; B or any other party shall be reported if B or such party votes the stock or has sole power to dispose of the stock or has the power to revoke the trust or replace the trustee at will;
(B) Where X is not a natural person and has attributable ownership interest in the licensee under §73.3555 of the rules, regardless of its position in the vertical ownership chain, an Ownership Report shall be filed for X which, except as specifically noted below, must contain the same information as required of a licensee. If X has a voting stockholder interest in the licensee, only those voting interests of X that are cognizable after application of the “multiplier” described in note 2(c) of §73.3555 of the rules, if applicable, shall be reported. If X is a corporation, whether or not its interest in the licensee is by virtue of its ownership of voting stock, the officers and directors shall be reported. With respect to those officers and directors whose duties and responsibilities are wholly unrelated to the licensee, and who wish to be relieved of attribution in the licensee, the name, title and duties of these officers and directors, with statements properly documenting that their duties do not involve the licensee, shall be reported.
(4) In the case of all licensees:
(i) A list of all contracts still in effect required to be filed with the FCC by §73.3613 showing the date of execution and expiration of each contract; and
(ii) Any interest which the licensee may have in any other broadcast station.
(b) Except as specifically noted below, each permittee of a commercial AM, FM or TV broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323 (1) within 30 days of the date of grant by the FCC of an application for original construction permit and (2) on the date that it applies for a station license. The Ownership Report of the permittee shall give the information required by the applicable portions of paragraph (a) of this section. A permittee with a current and unamended Report on file at the Commission may certify that it has reviewed its current Report and it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new Report.
(c) Before any change is made in the organization, capitalization, officers, directors, or stockholders of a corporation other than licensee or permittee, which results in a change in the control of the licensee or permittee, prior FCC consent must be received under §73.3540. A transfer of control takes place when an individual or group in privity, gains or loses affirmative or negative (50%) control. See instructions on FCC Form 323 (Ownership Report). Each permittee or licensee of a commercial AM, FM or TV Broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323 within 30 days of consummating authorized assignments or transfers of permits and licenses. The Ownership Report of the permittee or licensee shall give the information required by the applicable portions of paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) Each licensee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323–E when filing the station's license renewal application and every two years thereafter on the anniversary of the date that its renewal application is required to be filed. Licensees owning more than one noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station with different anniversary dates need file only one Report every two years on the anniversary of their choice, provided that their Reports are not more than two years apart. A licensee with a current and unamended Report on file at the Commission may certify that it has reviewed its current Report and that it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new Report. Ownership reports shall give the following information as of a date not more than 60 days prior to the filing of the Ownership Report:
(1) The following information as to all officers, members of governing board, and holders of 1% or more ownership interest (if any): Name, residence, office held, citizenship, principal profession or occupation, and by whom appointed or elected.
(2) Full information with respect to the interest and identity of any individual, organization, corporation, association, or any other entity which has direct or indirect control over the licensee or permittee.
(3) A list of all contracts still in effect required by §73.3613 to be filed with the FCC, showing the date of execution and expiration of each contract.
(4) Any interest which the licensee or permittee or any of its officers, members of the governing board, and holders of 1% or more ownership interest (if any) held in any other broadcast station.
(e) Each permittee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323–E:
(1) Within 30 days of the date of grant by the FCC of an application for original construction permit and;
(2) On the date that it applies for a station license. The Ownership Report of the permittee shall give the information required by the applicable form. A permittee with a current and unamended Report on file at the Commission may certify that it has reviewed its current Report and it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new Report.
(f) Each permittee or licensee of a noncommercial educational AM, FM or TV Broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323–E within 30 days of consummating authorized assignments or transfers of permits and licenses. The Ownership Report of the noncommercial educational permittee or licensee shall give the information required by the applicable form.
(g) A copy of all ownership and supplemental ownership reports and related material filed pursuant to this section shall be maintained and made available for public inspection locally as required by §§73.3526 and 73.3527.
[44 FR 38513, July 2, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 19498, May 8, 1984; 50 FR 27450, July 3, 1985; 50 FR 40016, Oct. 1, 1985; 53 FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988; 53 FR 5684, Feb. 25, 1988; 63 FR 70050, Dec. 18, 1998; 66 FR 9973, Feb. 13, 2001; 66 FR 12897, Mar. 1, 2001] § 73.3617 Information available on the Internet.
The Media Bureau and each of its Divisions provide information on the Internet regarding rules and policies, pending and completed rulemakings, and pending applications. These sites also include copies of public notices and texts of recent decisions. The Media Bureau's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/; the Audio Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mmb/audio; the Video Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video; the Policy Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy; the Engineering Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering; and the Industry Analysis Division's address is http://www.fcc.gov/mb/industry_analysis.
[67 FR 13233, Mar. 21, 2002] § 73.3999 Enforcement of 18 U.S.C. 1464 (restrictions on the transmission of obscene and indecent material).
(a) No licensee of a radio or television broadcast station shall broadcast any material which is obscene.
(b) No licensee of a radio or television broadcast station shall broadcast on any day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. any material which is indecent.
[60 FR 44439, Aug. 28, 1995] § 73.4000 Listing of FCC policies.
The following sections list, solely for the purpose of reference and convenience, certain Policies of the FCC. The present listing of FCC policies and citations thereto should not be relied upon as an all-inclusive list, and the failure to include a policy in this list does not affect its validity. Each section bears the title of one Policy and the citations which will direct the user to the specific document(s) pertaining to that Policy.
[44 FR 36387, June 22, 1979] § 73.4005 Advertising—refusal to sell.
See 412 U.S. 94 (Supreme Court, 1973).
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979] § 73.4015 Applications for AM and FM construction permits, incomplete or defective.
See Public Notice, FCC 84–366, dated August 2, 1984, 49 FR 47331, December 3, 1984.
[49 FR 50048, Dec. 26, 1984] § 73.4017 Application processing: Commercial FM stations.
See Report and Order, MM Docket 84–750, FCC 85–125, adopted March 4, 1985. 50 FR 19936, May 13, 1985.
[59 FR 52086, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4045 Barter agreements.
See Order, FCC 72–167, adopted February 16, 1972. 33 FCC 2d 653; 37 FR 4009, February 25, 1972.
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979] § 73.4050 Children's TV programs.
(a) See Report and Policy Statement, Docket 19142, FCC 74–1174, adopted October 24, 1974. 50 FCC 2d 1; 39 FR 39396, November 6, 1974.
(b) See Report and Order; Policy Statement, Docket 19142, FCC 83–609, adopted December 22, 1983. 96 FCC 2d 634; 49 FR 1704, January 13, 1984.
(c) See Report and Order, MM Dockets 90–570 and 83–670, FCC 91–113, adopted April 9, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 2111; 56 FR 19611, April 19, 1991; Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Dockets 90–570 and 83–670, FCC 91–248, adopted August 1, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 5093; 56 FR 42707, August 29, 1991.
[49 FR 14509, Apr. 12, 1984, as amended at 59 FR 52086, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4055 Cigarette advertising.
See 15 U.S.C. 1335.
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979] § 73.4060 Citizens agreements.
(a) See Report and Order, Docket 20495, FCC 75–1359, adopted December 10, 1975. 57 F.C.C. 2d 42; 40 F.R. 49730, December 30, 1975.
(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 78–875, adopted December 21, 1978. 70 F.C.C. 2d 1672.
[44 FR 58720, Oct. 11, 1979] § 73.4075 Commercials, loud.
See Memorandum Opinion and Order, BC Docket 79–168, FCC 84–300, adopted June 27, 1984. 49 FR 28077, July 10, 1984.
[49 FR 38132, Sept. 27, 1984] § 73.4082 Comparative broadcast hearings—specialized programming formats.
(a) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 80–33, adopted January 30, 1980. 75 FCC 2d 721.
(b) See Report and Order, Docket 79–137, FCC 79–331, adopted June 1, 1979. 72 FCC 2d 202.
(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 79–206, adopted March 30, 1979. 71 FCC 2d 460.
[47 FR 3792, Jan. 27, 1982] § 73.4091 Direct broadcast satellites.
(a) See Report and Order, General Docket 80–603, FCC 82–285, adopted June 23, 1982. 90 FCC 2d 676; 47 FR 31555, July 21, 1982.
(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 82–427, adopted September 23, 1982. 91 FCC 2d.
(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 82–498, adopted November 4, 1982. 91 FCC 2d.
[48 FR 9012, Mar. 3, 1983] § 73.4094 Dolby encoder.
See Public Notice dated July 10, 1974, 72 FCC 2d 790.
[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980] § 73.4095 Drug lyrics.
(a) See Public Notice, FCC 71–205, dated March 5, 1971. 28 FCC 2d 409; 36 FR 4901, March 13, 1971.
(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 71–428, adopted April 16, 1971. 31 FCC 2d 377; 36 FR 8090, April 29, 1971.
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979] § 73.4097 EBS (now EAS) attention signals on automated programing systems.
See Public Notice dated March 1, 1979. 72 FCC 2d 788; 44 FR 17792, March 23, 1979.
[49 FR 50049, Dec. 26, 1984, as amended at 59 FR 67103, Dec. 28, 1994] § 73.4099 Financial qualifications, certification of.
See Public Notice, FCC 87–97, adopted March 19, 1987. 52 FR 17333, May 7, 1987.
[53 FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988] § 73.4100 Financial qualifications; new AM and FM stations.
See Public Notice, FCC 78–556, dated August 2, 1978. 69 FCC 2d 407; 43 FR 34841, August 7, 1978.
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979] § 73.4101 Financial qualifications, TV stations.
See Public Notice, FCC 79–299, dated May 11, 1979. 72 F.C.C. 2d 784; 44 FR 29160, May 18, 1979.
[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980] § 73.4102 FAA communications, broadcast of.
See Public Notice, FCC 72–105, dated February 2, 1972. 37 FR 3567, February 17, 1972.
[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980] § 73.4104 FM assignment policies and procedures.
See Report and Order, BC Docket 80–130, FCC 82–240, adopted May 20, 1982. 90 FCC 2d, 88; 47 FR 26625, June 21, 1982.
[47 FR 54448, Dec. 3, 1982] § 73.4107 FM broadcast assignments, increasing availability of.
(a) See, First Report and Order MM Docket 84–231, FCC 84–640, adopted December 19, 1984. 100 FCC 2d 1332; 50 FR 3514, January 25, 1994.
(b) See, Second Report and Order, MM Docket 84–231, FCC 85–124, adopted March 14, 1985. 101 FCC 2d 630; 50 FR 15558, April 19, 1985.
(c) See, Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 84–231, FCC 86–76, adopted February 10, 1986. 51 FR 9210, March 18, 1986.
(d) See Public Notice, 51 FR 26009, July 18, 1986.
[51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 11656, Apr. 10, 1987; 59 FR 52086, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4108 FM transmitter site map submissions.
See Memorandum Opinion and Order and Public Notice, adopted October 24, 1986. 1 FCC Rcd 381 (1986); 51 FR 45945, December 23, 1986.
[52 FR 11656, Apr. 10, 1987] § 73.4110 Format changes of stations.
See Memorandum Opinion and Order, Docket 20682, FCC 76–744, adopted July 28, 1976. 60 FCC 2d 858; 41 FR 37153, September 2, 1976.
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979] § 73.4135 Interference to TV reception by FM stations.
See Public Notice, FCC 67–1012, dated August 30, 1967, 74 FCC 2d 619.
(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1068, 1082 (47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303))
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 28142, Apr. 28, 1980; 49 FR 45154, Nov. 15, 1984; 50 FR 5073, Feb. 6, 1985; 51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986] § 73.4140 Minority ownership; tax certificates and distress sales.
(a) See Public Notice, FCC 78–322, dated May 25, 1978. 68 FCC 2d 979; 43 FR 25188, June 9, 1978.
(b) See Public Notice, FCC 78–725, dated October 11, 1978. 43 FR 47612, October 16, 1978.
(c) See Policy Statement, General Docket 82–797, FCC 82–523, adopted December 2, 1982. 92 FCC 2d 849; 48 FR 5943, February 9, 1983.
(d) See Report and Order, General Docket 82–797, FCC 84–647, adopted December 21, 1984. 99 FCC 2d 1249; 50 FR 1239, January 10, 1985.
[44 FR 36388, June 22, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 38132, Sept. 27, 1984; 49 FR 50049, Dec. 26, 1984; 50 FR 47055, Nov. 14, 1985; 52 FR 11656, Apr. 10, 1987] § 73.4154 Network/AM, FM station affiliation agreements.
See Report, Statement of Policy, and Order, Docket 20721, FCC 77–206, adopted March 10, 1977. 63 FCC 2d 674.
[47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982] § 73.4157 Network signals which adversely affect affiliate broadcast service.
See Public Notice, FCC 79–387, dated April 20, 1970. 22 F.C.C. 2d 779.
[45 FR 6403, Jan. 28, 1980] § 73.4163 Noncommercial nature of educational broadcast stations.
(a) See Second Report and Order, BC Docket 21136, FCC 81–204, adopted April 23, 1981. 86 FCC 2d 141; 46 FR 27944, May 22, 1981.
(b) See Order, BC Docket 21136, FCC 82–327 adopted July 15, 1982. 90 FCC 2d 895; 47 FR 36171, August 19, 1982.
(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, BC Docket 21136, FCC 84–105, adopted March 28, 1984. 97 FCC 2d 255; 49 FR 13534, April 5, 1984.
(d) See, Public Notice, FCC 86–161, dated April 11, 1986. 51 FR 21800, June 16, 1986. Excerpt reprinted at 7 FCC Rcd 827.
(e) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 90–111, adopted March 28, 1990. 5 FCC Rcd 4920.
[47 FR 54448, Dec. 3, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986; 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4165 Obscene language.
(a) See FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, 438 U.S. 726, 57 L.Ed 2d 1073, 46 U.S.L.W. 5018 (1978). See also Action for Children's Television v. FCC, 852 F.2d 1332 (D.C. Cir. 1988).
(b) See Action for Children's Television v. FCC, [ACT III] 11 F.3d 170 (D.C. Cir. 1993). See also, Action for Children's Television v. FCC, [ACT IV] 15 F.3d 186 (D.C. Cir. 1994), rehearing granted, en banc.
(c) See Report and Order, GC Docket 92–223, FCC 93–42, adopted January 19, 1993. 8 FCC Rcd 704; 58 FR 5937, January 25, 1993.
(d) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 93–246, adopted May 11, 1993, 8 FCC Rcd 3600.
(e) See Letter to Rusk Corporation, dated May 6, 1993, FCC 93–229, 8 FCC Rcd 3228.
(f) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 93–4, adopted January 5, 1993. 8 FCC Rcd 498
(g) See Branton v. FCC, 993 F.2d 906 (D.C. Cir. 1993).
(h) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 91–557, adopted April 30, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 2560.
[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4170 Obscene broadcasts.
(a) See Miller v. California, 413 U.S.C. 15 (1973). See also Pope v. Illinois, 107 S.Ct. 1918 (1987). 18 U.S.C. 1464.
(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 83–575, FCC 88–4, adopted January 12, 1988. 3 FCC Rcd 757. See also Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 83–575, FCC 93–180, adopted April 2, 1993. 8 FCC Rcd 2753.
(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 87–365, adopted November 24, 1987. 3 FCC Rcd 930.
(d) See “Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice concerning Complaints and Cases Involving Obscenity and Indecency,” released April 9, 1991. See also News Release dated April 19, 1991.
[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4180 Payment disclosure: Payola, plugola, kickbacks.
(a) See 47 U.S.C. 507.
(b) See Public Notice, FCC 70–593, dated June 4, 1970. 23 FCC 2d 588; 35 FR 9045, June 11, 1970.
(c) See Public Notice, FCC 88–175, dated May 18, 1988.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 20504, May 15, 1984; 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4185 Political broadcasting and telecasting, the law of.
(a) See “The Law of Political Broadcasting and Cablecasting: Political Primer 1984,” 100 FCC 2d 1476 (1984).
(b) See Report and Order, MM Docket 91–168, FCC 91–403, adopted December 12, 1991. 7 FCC Rcd 678; 57 FR 189, January 3, 1992; Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 91–168, FCC 92–210, adopted May 14, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 4611; 57 FR 27705, June 22, 1992.
[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4190 Political candidate authorization notice and sponsorship identification.
(a) See Joint Public Notice by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Election Commission, FCC 78–419, dated June 19, 1978. 69 FCC 2d 1129; 43 FR 30126, July 13, 1978.
(b) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 92–55, adopted February 12, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 1616.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979, as amended at 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4195 Political advertising by UHF translators.
See Public Notice, FCC 76936, dated October 8, 1976. 62 FCC 2d 896; 41 FR 45043, October 14, 1976.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4210 Procedure Manual: “The Public and Broadcasting”.
See FCC 74–942, dated September 5, 1974. 49 FCC 2d 1; 39 FR 32288, dated September 5, 1974.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4215 Program matter: Supplier identification.
See Public Notice, FCC 73–595, dated June 1, 1973. 41 FCC 2d 333; 38 FR 14979, June 7, 1973.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4242 Sponsorship identification rules, applicability of.
See Public Notice dated September 3, 1975, 40 FR 41936, September 9, 1975.
[47 FR 28388, June 30, 1982] § 73.4246 Stereophonic pilot subcarrier use during monophonic programming.
See Report and Order, Docket 19571, FCC 73–680, adopted June 21, 1973. 41 FCC 2d 534; 38 FR 17021, June 28, 1973.
[47 FR 3792, Jan. 27, 1982] § 73.4247 STV: Competing applications.
See Second Report and Order, Docket 21502, FCC 81–13, adopted January 8, 1981. 85 FCC 2d 631; 46 FR 19937, April 2, 1981.
[47 FR 3792, Jan. 27, 1982] § 73.4250 Subliminal perception.
(a) See Public Notice, FCC 74–78, dated January 24, 1974. 44 FCC 2d, 1016; 39 FR 3714, January 29, 1974.
(b) See FCC Information Bulletin, “Subliminal Projection”, dated November 1977.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4255 Tax certificates: Issuance of.
(a) See Public Notice, FCC 76–337, dated April 21, 1976. 59 FCC 2d, 91; 41 FR 17605, April 27, 1976.
(b) See Report and Order MM Docket 87–267, FCC 91–303 adopted, September 26, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 6273; 56 FR 64842, December 12, 1991.
[56 FR 64874, Dec. 12, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4260 Teaser announcements.
See Public Notice, FCC 62–592, dated June 1, 1962. 27 FR 5274, June 5, 1962.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4265 Telephone conversation broadcasts (network and like sources).
See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 75–1406, adopted December 18, 1975. 57 FCC 2d, 334; 41 FR 816, January 5, 1976.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4266 Tender offer and proxy statements.
See Policy Statement, MM Docket 85–218, FCC 86–67, adopted January 30, 1986. 51 FR 9794, March 21, 1986.
[51 FR 26251, July 22, 1986] § 73.4267 Time brokerage.
(a) See Policy Statement, Docket 78–355, FCC 80–621, adopted October 21, 1980. 82 FCC 2d 107.
(b) See Report and Order, MM Docket 91–140, FCC 92–97, adopted March 12, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 2755; 57 FR 18089, April 29, 1992.
(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MM Docket 91–140, FCC 92–361, adopted August 5, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 6387; 57 FR 42701, September 16, 1992.
[47 FR 3792, Jan. 27, 1982, as amended at 59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994] § 73.4275 Tone clusters; audio attention-getting devices.
See Public Notice, FCC 76–610, dated July 2, 1976. 60 FCC 2d 920; 41 FR 28582, July 12, 1976.
[44 FR 36389, June 22, 1979] § 73.4280 Character evaluation of broadcast applicants.
(a) See Report and Order and Policy Statement, Gen. Docket 81–500, BC Docket 78–108, FCC 85–648, adopted December 10, 1985. 102 FCC 2d 1179; 51 FR 3049, January 23, 1986.
(b) See Policy Statement and Order, FCC 90–195, adopted May 10, 1990. 5 FCC Rcd 3252, 55 FR 23082, June 6, 1990.
(c) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 91–146, adopted May 1, 1991. 6 FCC Rcd 3448, 56 FR 25633, June 5, 1991.
(d) See Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 92–448, adopted September 18, 1992. 7 FCC Rcd 6564, 57 FR 47410, October 16, 1992.
[59 FR 52087, Oct. 14, 1994]
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