Notice2023-27954
Audio Description: Preliminary Nonbroadcast Network Rankings
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
FCC announces the top national nonbroadcast network rankings from the 2022-2023 ratings year, and gives networks the opportunity to seek exemption from the July 1, 2024 update to the Commission's audio description requirements.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 88075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27954]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[MB Docket No. 11-43; DA 23-1119; FRS 190156]
Audio Description: Preliminary Nonbroadcast Network Rankings
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FCC announces the top national nonbroadcast network rankings
from the 2022-2023 ratings year, and gives networks the opportunity to
seek exemption from the July 1, 2024 update to the Commission's audio
description requirements.
DATES: Exemption requests are due January 19, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Filings should be submitted electronically in MB Docket No.
11-43 by accessing the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System
(ECFS) at <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/">https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/</a>. Filers should follow the
instructions provided on the website for submitting filings.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact Diana
Sokolow (202-418-0588; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#44002d252a256a172b2f2b282b33042227276a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="14507d757a753a477b7f7b787b63547277773a737b62">[email protected]</span></a>).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Media Bureau's
Public Notice, DA 23-1119, released on November 30, 2023. The full text
of this public notice will be available electronically in ASCII,
Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat via ECFS. Alternative formats are
available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c4a4f4f191c186c4a4f4f024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="64020707515450240207074a030b12">[email protected]</span></a>
or calling the Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at
(202) 418-0530 (voice), 1-844-4-FCC-ASL (1-844-432-2275) (videophone).
Synopsis
The Commission's audio description rules require multichannel video
programming distributor (MVPD) systems that serve 50,000 or more
subscribers to provide 87.5 hours of audio description \1\ per calendar
quarter on channels carrying each of the top five national nonbroadcast
networks.\2\ The top five national nonbroadcast networks are defined by
an average of the national audience share during prime time among
nonbroadcast networks that reach 50 percent or more of MVPD households
and have at least 50 hours per quarter of prime time programming that
is not live or near-live or otherwise exempt under the audio
description rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Audio description makes video programming accessible to
individuals who are blind or visually impaired through ``[t]he
insertion of audio narrated descriptions of a television program's
key visual elements into natural pauses between the program's
dialogue.'' 47 CFR 79.3(a)(3).
\2\ The rule requires that 50 hours per calendar quarter be
provided in prime time or during children's programming, while the
additional 37.5 hours may be provided at any time between 6 a.m. and
11:59 p.m. local time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with the Commission's rules, the list of top five
nonbroadcast networks is updated at three year intervals to account for
changes in ratings, and the fourth triennial update will occur on July
1, 2024, based on the 2022 to 2023 ratings year.\3\ According to data
provided by the Nielsen Company, for the purposes of our requirements,
the top ten nonbroadcast networks for the 2022 to 2023 ratings year
are: Fox News Channel, ESPN, MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark, TLC, TNT, TBS,
Discovery, and History.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio
description requirements are TLC, HGTV, Hallmark, History, and TBS.
We note that the Media Bureau granted TBS a limited waiver of
section 79.3(b)(4) of the audio description rules for the triennial
period beginning on July 1, 2021 and ending on June 30, 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If a program network believes it should be excluded from the list
of top five networks covered by the audio description requirements
because it does not air at least 50 hours per quarter of prime time
programming that is not live or near-live or is otherwise exempt, it
must seek an exemption no later than 30 days after publication of this
Public Notice in the Federal Register. The Media Bureau will promptly
evaluate requests for exemption and will provide notice of any
resulting revisions to the list.
Federal Communications Commission.
Thomas Horan,
Chief of Staff, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2023-27954 Filed 12-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 20, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.