Notice2024-12368
Media Bureau Announces Commencement of First-Come, First-Serve Channel Change Opportunity for Class A Television, LPTV and TV Translator Stations Beginning on August 20, 2024
Primary source
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Published
June 6, 2024
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
The Media Bureau announces that beginning August 20, 2024, it will lift its current freeze on major modification applications and permit all Class A television (Class A), low power television (LPTV), and television translator stations (TV translator) stations to file major change applications in order to change their existing channel, subject to certain limitations. Specifically changes to a station's facility are restricted to a change in channel and those that could otherwise be requested in a minor modification application. No other major changes will be permitted. The current freeze will remain in place until further notice for all other major modifications and applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 48429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12368]
[[Page 48429]]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[DA 24-498; FR ID 223700]
Media Bureau Announces Commencement of First-Come, First-Serve
Channel Change Opportunity for Class A Television, LPTV and TV
Translator Stations Beginning on August 20, 2024
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Media Bureau announces that beginning August 20, 2024, it
will lift its current freeze on major modification applications and
permit all Class A television (Class A), low power television (LPTV),
and television translator stations (TV translator) stations to file
major change applications in order to change their existing channel,
subject to certain limitations. Specifically changes to a station's
facility are restricted to a change in channel and those that could
otherwise be requested in a minor modification application. No other
major changes will be permitted. The current freeze will remain in
place until further notice for all other major modifications and
applications for new LPTV and TV translator stations.
DATES: The Media Bureau will lift the freeze on major modification
applications on August 20, 2024 and begin allowing applications for
major change in order that Class A, LPTV and TV translator stations may
seek to change their existing channel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Colombo (technical questions),
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5815392a33761b373437353a37183e3b3b763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d09db1a2bbfe93bfbcbfbdb2bf90b6b3b3feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>, (202) 418-7611, or Shaun Maher (legal questions),
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#edbe858c9883c3a08c85889fad8b8e8ec38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b28131a0e1555361a131e093b1d1818551c140d">[email protected]</span></a>, (202) 418-2324, of the Video Division, Media
Bureau.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Media Bureau's
Public Notice, DA 24-498, released on May 28, 2024. The full text of
this document is available for download at <a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-498A1.pdf">https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-498A1.pdf</a>. To request materials in accessible formats
(braille, large print, computer diskettes, or audio recordings), please
send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a2c29295f5a5e2a0c0909440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="064045453336324660656528616970">[email protected]</span></a> or call the Consumer & Government
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (VOICE), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).
Synopsis
Beginning August 20, 2024, all Class A, LPTV, and TV translator
stations will be permitted, on a nationwide basis and without
geographic limitation, to file a major modification to seek authority
to change channel. No other major changes will be permitted and any
changes to a station's facility are restricted to a change in channel
and those that could otherwise be requested in a minor modification
application. See 47 CFR 73.3572(a)(2), (3) and 74.787(b)(1), (2). For
example, requests to move a facility greater than 30 miles (or 48
kilometers) are not permitted and remain subject to the existing
freeze. The Media Bureau finds that limiting major modifications in
this manner is in the public interest as it will allow stations that
have not had an opportunity to change channel since prior to the
Incentive Auction the ability to resolve viewer reception issues that
cannot be resolved through means other than changing channel. It will
also allow stations to improve television service to existing viewers
prior to providing an opportunity for other major modifications, such
as moving greater than 30 miles, or allowing interested parties to
apply for new stations.
All applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve
basis and will be ``cut off'' daily for purposes of determining mutual
exclusivity (MX). Applicants will be given an opportunity to resolve
their mutual exclusivity through settlement or engineering amendment
that may be submitted during a settlement window to be announced by the
Media Bureau by separate public notice. Applications that do not comply
with the parameters of this filing opportunity may be amended within 30
days to come into compliance, provided that the amended application
does not create a new MX with any other application filed during this
opportunity. Any application that fails to come into compliance will be
dismissed.
Class A station applications must be filed electronically via the
Commission's Licensing and Management System (LMS) on FCC Form 2100--
Schedule E and applicants will be required to pay the requisite fee for
a major change application ($4,755.00). LPTV and TV translator station
applications must be filed electronically via LMS on FCC Form 2100--
Schedule C and applicants will be required to pay the requisite fee for
a major change application ($865.00). Applications prepared for this
filing opportunity should be prepared using 2020 Census data found in
the new TVStudy 2.3.0 software. See Office of Engineering and
Technology Announces Release of Version 2.3.0 of TV Study, Public
Notice, DA 24-499 (rel. May 28, 2024); Media Bureau Announces the
Incorporation of 2020 U.S. Census Population Data into the Commission's
TVStudy Software and Requirements to Utilize Such Data Effective August
1, 2024, Public Notice, DA 24-497 (rel. May 28, 2024).
This action is taken by the Chief, Media Bureau, pursuant to
authority delegated by sections 0.61 and 0.283 of the Commission's
rules. 47 CFR 0.61 and 0.283.
Federal Communications Commission.
Thomas Horan,
Chief of Staff, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2024-12368 Filed 6-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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