80 FR 35854 - Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 120 (June 23, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 120 (June 23, 2015)
| Page Range | 35854-35858 | |
| FR Document | 2015-15251 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 120 (Tuesday, June 23, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 35854-35858] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-15251] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 76 [CS Docket No. 98-120; FCC 15-65] Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts a proposal filed jointly by the American Cable Association and the National Association of Broadcasters that modifies and extends the exemption from the requirement to carry high definition (``HD'') broadcast signals under ``material degradation'' provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (``the Act'') that the Commission granted to certain small cable systems in 2012 (``HD carriage exemption''). DATES: Effective July 23, 2015, except for the requirement described in paragraph III.4.b of the Supplementary Information. That paragraph contains information collection requirements that have not been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of that paragraph. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raelynn Remy, [email protected], Federal Communications Commission, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2936. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Sixth Report and Order, CS Docket No. 98-120, FCC 15-65, which was adopted and released on June 10, 2015. The full text of this document is available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document will also be available via ECFS at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat. Alternative formats are available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to [email protected] or calling the Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418- 0432 (TTY). Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis This document contains new information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. It will be submitted to OMB for review under Section 3507(d) of the PRA. OMB, the general public, and other Federal agencies are invited to comment on the new information collection requirements contained in this proceeding. In addition, we note that pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), we previously sought specific comment on how the Commission might further reduce the information collection [[Page 35855]] burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. I. Introduction 1. In this Sixth Report and Order, we adopt a proposal filed jointly by the American Cable Association (``ACA'') and the National Association of Broadcasters (``NAB'') \1\ that modifies and extends the exemption from the requirement to carry high definition (``HD'') broadcast signals under ``material degradation'' provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (``the Act'') \2\ that the Commission granted to certain small cable systems in 2012 (``HD carriage exemption'').\3\ As discussed below, we find that the joint proposal strikes a reasonable balance between the interests of broadcast stations in having their HD signals transmitted without material degradation and the technical and financial constraints that some small cable operators continue to experience. We set forth below a brief history of the HD carriage exemption and explain the basis for our decision. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See Letter from Ross Lieberman, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, American Cable Association and Erin L. Dozier, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, National Association of Broadcasters, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, in CS Docket No. 98-120 (filed May 14, 2015) (``Joint Proposal''); Letter from Ross Lieberman, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, American Cable Association and Erin L. Dozier, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, National Association of Broadcasters, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, in CS Docket No. 98-120 (filed May 27, 2015) (clarifying two points in the joint proposal) (``Joint Clarification''). \2\ See 47 U.S.C. 534(b)(4)(A), 535(g)(2) (material degradation requirements relating to signals of local commercial and noncommercial television stations, respectively). \3\ See Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals: Amendment to Part 76 of the Commission's Rules, CS Docket No. 98- 120, Fifth Report and Order, 77 FR 36178 (2012) (``Fifth Report and Order''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Background 2. Sections 614(b)(4)(A) and 615(g)(2) of the Act require that cable operators carry signals of commercial and noncommercial broadcast television stations, respectively, ``without material degradation.'' In the context of the carriage of digital signals, the Commission has interpreted this requirement: (i) To prohibit cable operators from discriminating in their carriage between broadcast and non-broadcast signals; and (ii) to require cable operators to carry HD broadcast signals to their viewers in HD. To address concerns expressed by small cable operators about cost and technical capacity, the Commission in 2008 granted a three-year exemption from the HD carriage requirement to certain small cable systems. In particular, the Commission applied the exemption to small cable systems with 2,500 or fewer subscribers that are not affiliated with a cable operator serving more than 10 percent of all MVPD subscribers, and those with an activated channel capacity of 552 MHz or less. In 2012, the Commission extended the HD carriage exemption for those cable systems until June 12, 2015. 3. In January 2015, ACA filed a Petition for Rulemaking asking the Commission: (i) To commence a rulemaking proceeding to extend for an additional three years the HD carriage exemption; and (ii) to clarify that analog-only cable systems are not subject to the HD carriage requirement because carriage of HD signals by such systems is not ``technically feasible'' under Section 614(b)(4)(A) of the Act. On March 12, 2015, the Commission issued a Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this proceeding that, among other things, proposed to extend the HD carriage exemption for three more years.\4\ In their initial pleadings responsive to the Fifth Further Notice, multichannel video programming distributors (``MVPDs'') supported the Commission's proposal to extend the HD carriage exemption and broadcasters opposed it. After a series of discussions aimed at resolving their differences, ACA and NAB, on May 14, 2015, filed the joint proposal with the Commission.\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ See Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals: Amendment to Part 76 of the Commission's Rules, CS Docket No. 98- 120, Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 80 FR 16347 (2015) (``Fifth Further Notice''). \5\ See Joint Proposal. See also Joint Clarification; Letter from Erin L. Dozier, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, National Association of Broadcasters, and Ross Lieberman, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, American Cable Association, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, in CS Docket No. 98-120 (filed May 13, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Discussion 4. We conclude that it would serve the public interest to adopt the joint proposal put forth by ACA and NAB. Throughout the course of this proceeding, ACA and NAB have expressed differing views about the appropriate scope and duration of the HD carriage exemption, among other issues. We find that the compromise reached by ACA and NAB as reflected in the joint proposal reasonably balances the interest of broadcast stations in having their HD signals transmitted in HD and the interest of small cable operators in upgrading their systems to carry HD broadcast signals in a manner that is cost efficient. We note that no industry commenter has lodged any objection to the joint proposal. We, therefore, find that the public interest would be served by adopting ACA and NAB's joint proposal, as set forth below: \6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ See Joint Proposal; Joint Clarification. We need not resolve in this order the issue whether analog-only cable systems are subject to the HD carriage requirement under Section 614(b)(4)(A) of the Act because under the terms of the joint proposal, cable systems that do not offer any programming in HD, including analog-only systems, will be exempt from the HD carriage requirement. See Joint Proposal at 1. Thus, our adoption of the joint proposal renders this issue moot. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- a. HD Carriage Exemption Eligibility after June 12, 2015: A small cable system not offering any programming in HD is exempt from the HD carriage requirement. Beginning December 12, 2016, a system utilizing the HD carriage exemption shall no longer be eligible to use it once the system offers any programming in HD. b. Notice: Beginning December 12, 2016, at the time a small cable system utilizing the HD carriage exemption offers any programming in HD, the system must give notice that it is offering HD programming to all broadcast stations in its market that are carried on its system. c. Transition for Some Systems: A cable system utilizing the HD carriage exemption on June 12, 2015 that does not qualify for the HD carriage exemption on or after June 13, 2015 must come into compliance by December 12, 2016. A cable system that becomes ineligible for the HD carriage exemption after December 12, 2016 would be expected to come into compliance promptly. d. Revisions to Definition of ``Small'' Cable System: ``Small'' cable systems eligible for the HD carriage exemption would be redefined as those: (i) Serving 1,500 (rather than 2,500) or fewer subscribers, and not affiliated with a cable operator serving more than 2 percent (rather than 10 percent) of all MVPD subscribers, or (ii) having an activated channel capacity of 552 MHz or less. IV. Procedural Matters A. Regulatory Flexibility Act 5. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (``RFA'') \7\ an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis (``IRFA'') was incorporated in the Fifth Further Notice [[Page 35856]] in this proceeding.\8\ The Commission sought written public comment on the proposals in the Fifth Further Notice, including comment on the IRFA. The Commission received no comments on the IRFA. This Final Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis (``FRFA'') conforms to the RFA.\9\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601-612, has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (``SBREFA''), Pub. L. 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996). The SBREFA was enacted as Title II of the Contract With America Advancement Act of 1996 (``CWAAA''). \8\ See Fifth Further Notice, Appendix. \9\ See 5 U.S.C. 604. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Need for, and Objectives of, the Sixth Report and Order 6. This proceeding stems from a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the American Cable Association in January 2015 principally requesting that the Commission extend the exemption from the requirement to carry high definition (``HD'') broadcast signals under the ``material degradation'' provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that it granted to certain small cable systems in the 2012 Fifth Report and Order (``HD carriage exemption''). The HD carriage exemption will expire on June 12, 2015 without action by the Commission. 7. In the accompanying Sixth Report and Order, the Commission adopts a proposal filed jointly by the American Cable Association (``ACA'') and the National Association of Broadcasters (``NAB'') that modifies and extends the HD carriage exemption. The joint proposal reflects a compromise between ACA and NAB on issues concerning, among other things, the appropriate scope and duration of the HD carriage exemption. The Sixth Report and Order concludes that the joint proposal strikes a reasonable balance between the interests of broadcast stations in having their HD signals transmitted without material degradation and the interests of small cable operators in upgrading their systems to provide HD broadcast signals in a manner that is cost efficient. 8. In particular, the Sixth Report and Order adopts the following provisions that are set forth in the joint proposal:HD Carriage Exemption Eligibility after June 12, 2015: A small cable system not offering any programming in HD is exempt from the HD carriage requirement. Beginning December 12, 2016, a system utilizing the HD carriage exemption shall no longer be eligible to use it once the system offers any programming in HD. Notice: Beginning December 12, 2016, at the time a small cable system utilizing the HD carriage exemption offers any programming in HD, the system must give notice that it is offering HD programming to all broadcast stations in its market that are carried on its system. Transition for Some Systems: A cable system utilizing the HD carriage exemption on June 12, 2015 that does not qualify for the HD carriage exemption on or after June 13, 2015 must come into compliance by December 12, 2016. A cable system that becomes ineligible for the HD carriage exemption after December 12, 2016 would be expected to come into compliance promptly. Revisions to Definition of ``Small'' Cable System: ``Small'' cable systems eligible for the HD carriage exemption would be redefined as those: (i) Serving 1,500 (rather than 2,500) or fewer subscribers, and not affiliated with a cable operator serving more than 2 percent (rather than 10 percent) of all MVPD subscribers, or (ii) having an activated channel capacity of 552 MHz or less. 2. Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comments in Response to the IRFA 9. The Commission did not receive any comments in response to the IRFA. 3. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Rules Will Apply 10. The RFA directs the Commission to provide a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that will be affected by the proposed actions if adopted.\10\ The RFA generally defines the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms ``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental jurisdiction.'' \11\ In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small Business Act.\12\ A ``small business concern'' is one which: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the Small Business Administration (SBA).\13\ The action taken in the accompanying Sixth Report and Order will affect small cable system operators and small television broadcast stations. A description of these small entities, as well as an estimate of the number of such small entities, is provided below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ 5 U.S.C. 603(b)(3). \11\ 5 U.S.C. 601(b). \12\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of ``small-business concern'' in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies ``unless an agency, after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and after opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.'' \13\ 15 U.S.C. 632. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Cable Companies and Systems. The Commission has developed its own small business size standards for the purpose of cable rate regulation. Under the Commission's rules, a ``small cable company'' is one serving 400,000 or fewer subscribers nationwide.\14\ Industry data indicate that there are currently 660 cable operators.\15\ Of this total, all but ten cable operators nationwide are small under this size standard.\16\ In addition, under the Commission's rate regulation rules, a ``small system'' is a cable system serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers.\17\ Current Commission records show 4,629 cable systems nationwide.\18\ Of this total, 4,057 cable systems have less than 20,000 subscribers, and 572 systems have 20,000 or more subscribers, based on the same records. Thus, under this standard, we estimate that most cable systems are small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ 47 CFR 76.901(e). \15\ NCTA, Industry Data, Number of Cable Operators and Systems, http://www.ncta.com/Statistics.aspx (visited October 13, 2014). \16\ See SNL Kagan, ``Top Cable MSOs--12/12 Q''; available at http://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/TopCableMSOs.aspx?period=2012Q4&sortcol=subscribersbasic&sortorder=desc. \17\ 47 CFR 76.901(c). \18\ The number of active, registered cable systems comes from the Commission's Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) database on October 10, 2014. A cable system is a physical system integrated to a principal headend. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Cable System Operators (Telecom Act Standard). The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, also contains a size standard for small cable system operators, which is ``a cable operator that, directly or through an affiliate, serves in the aggregate fewer than 1 percent of all subscribers in the United States and is not affiliated with any entity or entities whose gross annual revenues in the aggregate exceed $250,000,000.'' \19\ There are approximately 54 million cable video subscribers in the United States today.\20\ Accordingly, an operator serving fewer than 540,000 subscribers shall be deemed a small operator if its annual revenues, when combined with the total annual revenues of all its affiliates, do not exceed $250 million in the aggregate.\21\ Based on available data, we find that all but ten incumbent cable operators are small entities under this size standard.\22\ We note that the [[Page 35857]] Commission neither requests nor collects information on whether cable system operators are affiliated with entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250 million.\23\ Although it seems certain that some of these cable system operators are affiliated with entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250,000,000, we are unable at this time to estimate with greater precision the number of cable system operators that would qualify as small cable operators under the definition in the Communications Act. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ 47 U.S.C. 543(m)(2); see 47 CFR 76.901(f) & nn. 1-3. \20\ See NCTA, Industry Data, Cable's Customer Base, http://www.ncta.com/industry-data (visited October 13, 2014). \21\ 47 CFR 76.901(f). \22\ See NCTA, Industry Data, Top 25 Multichannel Video Service Customers (2012), http://www.ncta.com/industry-data (visited Aug. 30, 2013). \23\ The Commission does receive such information on a case-by- case basis if a cable operator appeals a local franchise authority's finding that the operator does not qualify as a small cable operator pursuant to 76.901(f) of the Commission's rules. See 47 CFR 76.901(f). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. Open Video Systems. The open video system (OVS) framework was established in 1996, and is one of four statutorily recognized options for the provision of video programming services by local exchange carriers.\24\ The OVS framework provides opportunities for the distribution of video programming other than through cable systems. Because OVS operators provide subscription services,\25\ OVS falls within the SBA small business size standard covering cable services, which is ``Wired Telecommunications Carriers.'' \26\ The SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category, which is: all such businesses having 1,500 or fewer employees.\27\ Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated for that entire year.\28\ Of this total, 2,940 firms had fewer than 100 employees, and 248 firms had 100 or more employees.\29\ Therefore, under this size standard, we estimate that the majority of these businesses can be considered small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \24\ 47 U.S.C. 571(a)(3)-(4). \25\ See 47 U.S.C. 573. \26\ See 13 CFR 121.201, 2012 NAICS code 517110. This category of Wired Telecommunications Carriers is defined in part as follows: ``This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies. Establishments in this industry use the wired telecommunications network facilities that they operate to provide a variety of services, such as wired telephony services, including VoIP services; wired (cable) audio and video programming distribution; and wired broadband Internet services.'' U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 NAICS Definitions, ``517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers,'' at http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch. \27\ 13 CFR 121.201; 2012 NAICS code 517110. \28\ U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census. See U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder, ``Information: Subject Series--Estab and Firm Size: Employment Size of Establishments for the United States: 2007--2007 Economic Census,'' NAICS code 517110, Table EC0751SSSZ5; available at http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \29\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. Television Broadcasting. This economic Census category ``comprises establishments primarily engaged in broadcasting images together with sound.'' \30\ The SBA has created the following small business size standard for such businesses: those having $38.5 million or less in annual receipts.\31\ The 2007 U.S. Census indicates that 808 firms in this category operated in that year. Of that number, 709 had annual receipts of $25,000,000 or less, and 99 had annual receipts of more than $25,000,000.\32\ Because the Census has no additional classifications that could serve as a basis for determining the number of stations whose receipts exceeded $38.5 million in that year, we conclude that the majority of television broadcast stations were small under the applicable SBA size standard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \30\ U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 NAICS Definitions, ``515120 Television Broadcasting,'' at http://www.census.gov./cgi-bin/sssd/ naics/naicsrch. \31\ 13 CFR 121.201; 2012 NAICS code 515120. \32\ U.S. Census Bureau, Table No. EC0751SSSZ4, Information: Subject Series--Establishment and Firm Size: Receipts Size of Firms for the United States: 2007 (515120), http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ4&prodType=table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Apart from the U.S. Census, the Commission has estimated the number of licensed commercial television stations to be 1,387 stations.\33\ Of this total, 1,221 stations (or about 88 percent) had revenues of $38.5 million or less, according to Commission staff review of the BIA Kelsey Inc. Media Access Pro Television Database (BIA) on July 2, 2014. In addition, the Commission has estimated the number of licensed noncommercial educational (NCE) television stations to be 395.\34\ NCE stations are non-profit, and therefore considered to be small entities.\35\ Based on these data, we estimate that the majority of television broadcast stations are small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ See Broadcast Station Totals as of June 30, 2014, Press Release (MB rel. July 9, 2014) (Broadcast Station Totals) at https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-328096A1.pdf. \34\ See Broadcast Station Totals, supra. \35\ See generally 5 U.S.C. 601(4), (6). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. We note, however, that in assessing whether a business concern qualifies as ``small'' under the above definition, business (control) affiliations \36\ must be included. Because we do not include or aggregate revenues from affiliated companies in determining whether an entity meets the revenue threshold noted above, our estimate of the number of small entities affected is likely overstated. In addition, we note that one element of the definition of ``small business'' is that an entity not be dominant in its field of operation. We are unable at this time to define or quantify the criteria that would establish whether a specific television broadcast station is dominant in its field of operation. Accordingly, our estimate of small television stations potentially affected by the proposed rules includes those that could be dominant in their field of operation. For this reason, such estimate likely is over-inclusive. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \36\ ``[Business concerns] are affiliates of each other when one concern controls or has the power to control the other or a third party or parties controls or has the power to control both.'' 13 CFR 21.103(a)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements for Small Entities 17. In this section, we describe the reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements that the Commission adopts in the Sixth Report and Order. 18. Reporting Requirements. The Sixth Report and Order does not adopt reporting requirements. 19. Recordkeeping Requirements. The joint proposal adopted in the Sixth Report and Order requires that, ``[b]eginning December 12, 2016, at the time a small cable system utilizing the HD carriage exemption offers any programming in HD, the system must give notice that it is offering HD programming to all broadcast stations in its market that are carried on its system.'' This requirement obligates certain small cable operators to notify broadcast stations, and thus, to make and keep records of such notification. 20. Other Compliance Requirements. The joint proposal adopted in the Sixth Report and Order: Requires ``[a] cable system utilizing the HD carriage exemption on June 12, 2015 that does not qualify for the HD carriage exemption on or after June 13, 2015 [to] come into compliance [with the HD carriage requirement] by December 12, 2016. A cable system that becomes ineligible for the HD carriage exemption after December 12, 2016 would be expected to come into compliance promptly.'' Requires that ``[b]eginning December 12, 2016, a system utilizing the HD carriage exemption shall no longer be eligible to use it once the system offers any programming in HD.'' [[Page 35858]] 5. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered 21. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, which may include the following four alternatives (among others): (1) The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities.\37\ We seek comment on the applicability of any of these alternatives to affected small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \37\ 5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)-(c)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22. The HD carriage exemption, as modified in the Sixth Report and Order, provides continued regulatory relief to operators of certain small cable systems, i.e., those that (i) serve 1,500 or fewer subscribers and are not affiliated with a cable operator serving more than two percent of all MVPD subscribers; or (ii) have an activated channel capacity of 552 MHz or less. Although some eligible cable systems will no longer qualify for the exemption as a result of the Sixth Report and Order, the joint proposal adopted in the order gives such systems until December 12, 2016 to come into compliance with the HD carriage requirement. We note that the modifications made to the exemption in the Sixth Report and Order were an outgrowth of discussions between ACA and NAB and thus reflect the interests of both small cable operators and broadcasters (including small broadcasters), respectively. The HD carriage exemption has a positive economic impact on any cable system operator that takes advantage of the exemption, and imposes no significant burdens on small television stations. 6. Report to Congress 23. The Commission will send a copy of this Sixth Report and Order, including this FRFA, in a report to be sent to Congress pursuant to the SBREFA.\38\ In addition, the Commission will send a copy of this Sixth Report and Order, including the FRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. A copy of this Sixth Report and Order and the FRFA (or summaries thereof) also will be published in the Federal Register.\39\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \38\ See id. 801(a)(1)(A). \39\ See id. 604(b). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Paperwork Reduction Act 24. This Sixth Report and Order contains new information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. It will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under Section 3507(d) of the PRA. OMB, the general public, and other Federal agencies are invited to comment on the new or modified information collection requirements contained in this proceeding. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), we previously sought specific comment on how the Commission might further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. C. Congressional Review Act 25. The Commission will send a copy of this Sixth Report and Order in a report to be sent to Congress and the Government Accountability Office, pursuant to the Congressional Review Act.\40\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \40\ See 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Additional Information 26. For more information, contact Raelynn Remy, [email protected], Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2936. V. Ordering Clauses 27. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to the authority found in sections 4, 303, 614, and 615 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 534, and 535, this Sixth Report and Order is adopted and will become effective July 23, 2015, except that the requirement described in paragraph III.4.b of the Supplementary Information, which contains new or modified information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, will not become effective until the Federal Communications Commission publishes a notice in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of that rule. 28. It is further ordered that, pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A), the Commission will send a copy of this Sixth Report and Order in CS Docket No. 98-120 in a report to Congress and the Government Accountability Office. 29. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, will send a copy of this Sixth Report and Order in CS Docket No. 98-120, including the Final Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-15251 Filed 6-22-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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Louisiana: Campti, Town of, 220401 August 28, 1992, Emerg; July 3, 2003, Reg; ......do ............... Do.
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Code for reading third column: Emerg.—Emergency; Reg.—Regular; Susp.—Suspension.
Dated: April 22, 2015. of 1934, as amended (‘‘the Act’’) that the http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Documents
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[FR Doc. 2015–15346 Filed 6–22–15; 8:45 am]
paragraph III.4.b of the Supplementary sending an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or
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information collection requirements that Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202)
have not been approved by the Office of 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Management and Budget (OMB). The (TTY).
COMMISSION Commission will publish a document in
the Federal Register announcing OMB Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
47 CFR Part 76 approval and the effective date of that Analysis
[CS Docket No. 98–120; FCC 15–65] paragraph.
This document contains new
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carriage of Digital Television information collection requirements
Raelynn Remy, Raelynn.Remy@fcc.gov,
Broadcast Signals subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
Federal Communications Commission,
Media Bureau, (202) 418–2936. of 1995, Public Law 104–13. It will be
AGENCY: Federal Communications submitted to OMB for review under
Commission. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s Sixth Section 3507(d) of the PRA. OMB, the
ACTION: Final rule. general public, and other Federal
Report and Order, CS Docket No. 98–
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications 120, FCC 15–65, which was adopted agencies are invited to comment on the
Commission (Commission) adopts a and released on June 10, 2015. The full new information collection
proposal filed jointly by the American text of this document is available for requirements contained in this
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Cable Association and the National public inspection and copying during proceeding. In addition, we note that
Association of Broadcasters that regular business hours in the FCC pursuant to the Small Business
modifies and extends the exemption Reference Center, Federal Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public
from the requirement to carry high Communications Commission, 445 12th Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4),
definition (‘‘HD’’) broadcast signals Street SW., Room CY–A257, we previously sought specific comment
under ‘‘material degradation’’ Washington, DC 20554. This document on how the Commission might further
provisions of the Communications Act will also be available via ECFS at reduce the information collection
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 120 / Tuesday, June 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 35857
Commission neither requests nor had fewer than 100 employees, and 248 we do not include or aggregate revenues
collects information on whether cable firms had 100 or more employees.29 from affiliated companies in
system operators are affiliated with Therefore, under this size standard, we determining whether an entity meets the
entities whose gross annual revenues estimate that the majority of these revenue threshold noted above, our
exceed $250 million.23 Although it businesses can be considered small estimate of the number of small entities
seems certain that some of these cable entities. affected is likely overstated. In addition,
system operators are affiliated with 14. Television Broadcasting. This we note that one element of the
entities whose gross annual revenues economic Census category ‘‘comprises definition of ‘‘small business’’ is that an
exceed $250,000,000, we are unable at establishments primarily engaged in entity not be dominant in its field of
this time to estimate with greater broadcasting images together with operation. We are unable at this time to
precision the number of cable system sound.’’ 30 The SBA has created the define or quantify the criteria that
operators that would qualify as small following small business size standard would establish whether a specific
cable operators under the definition in for such businesses: those having $38.5 television broadcast station is dominant
the Communications Act. million or less in annual receipts.31 The in its field of operation. Accordingly,
13. Open Video Systems. The open 2007 U.S. Census indicates that 808 our estimate of small television stations
video system (OVS) framework was firms in this category operated in that potentially affected by the proposed
established in 1996, and is one of four year. Of that number, 709 had annual rules includes those that could be
statutorily recognized options for the receipts of $25,000,000 or less, and 99 dominant in their field of operation. For
provision of video programming had annual receipts of more than this reason, such estimate likely is over-
services by local exchange carriers.24 $25,000,000.32 Because the Census has inclusive.
The OVS framework provides no additional classifications that could
opportunities for the distribution of 4. Description of Projected Reporting,
serve as a basis for determining the Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance
video programming other than through number of stations whose receipts
cable systems. Because OVS operators Requirements for Small Entities
exceeded $38.5 million in that year, we
provide subscription services,25 OVS conclude that the majority of television 17. In this section, we describe the
falls within the SBA small business size reporting, recordkeeping, and other
broadcast stations were small under the
standard covering cable services, which compliance requirements that the
applicable SBA size standard.
is ‘‘Wired Telecommunications Commission adopts in the Sixth Report
Carriers.’’ 26 The SBA has developed a 15. Apart from the U.S. Census, the
Commission has estimated the number and Order.
small business size standard for this 18. Reporting Requirements. The
category, which is: all such businesses of licensed commercial television
stations to be 1,387 stations.33 Of this Sixth Report and Order does not adopt
having 1,500 or fewer employees.27 reporting requirements.
Census data for 2007 shows that there total, 1,221 stations (or about 88
percent) had revenues of $38.5 million 19. Recordkeeping Requirements. The
were 3,188 firms that operated for that
or less, according to Commission staff joint proposal adopted in the Sixth
entire year.28 Of this total, 2,940 firms
review of the BIA Kelsey Inc. Media Report and Order requires that,
www.ncta.com/industry-data (visited Aug. 30, Access Pro Television Database (BIA) on ‘‘[b]eginning December 12, 2016, at the
2013). July 2, 2014. In addition, the time a small cable system utilizing the
23 The Commission does receive such information
Commission has estimated the number HD carriage exemption offers any
on a case-by-case basis if a cable operator appeals of licensed noncommercial educational programming in HD, the system must
a local franchise authority’s finding that the give notice that it is offering HD
operator does not qualify as a small cable operator (NCE) television stations to be 395.34
pursuant to 76.901(f) of the Commission’s rules. See NCE stations are non-profit, and programming to all broadcast stations in
47 CFR 76.901(f). therefore considered to be small its market that are carried on its
24 47 U.S.C. 571(a)(3)–(4).
entities.35 Based on these data, we system.’’ This requirement obligates
25 See 47 U.S.C. 573.
estimate that the majority of television certain small cable operators to notify
26 See 13 CFR 121.201, 2012 NAICS code 517110.
broadcast stations are small entities. broadcast stations, and thus, to make
This category of Wired Telecommunications
Carriers is defined in part as follows: ‘‘This industry 16. We note, however, that in and keep records of such notification.
comprises establishments primarily engaged in assessing whether a business concern 20. Other Compliance Requirements.
operating and/or providing access to transmission The joint proposal adopted in the Sixth
facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or
qualifies as ‘‘small’’ under the above
lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, definition, business (control) Report and Order:
sound, and video using wired telecommunications affiliations 36 must be included. Because • Requires ‘‘[a] cable system utilizing
networks. Transmission facilities may be based on the HD carriage exemption on June 12,
a single technology or a combination of 29 Id. 2015 that does not qualify for the HD
technologies. Establishments in this industry use
the wired telecommunications network facilities
30 U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 NAICS Definitions, carriage exemption on or after June 13,
‘‘515120 Television Broadcasting,’’ at http:// 2015 [to] come into compliance [with
that they operate to provide a variety of services,
www.census.gov./cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch.
such as wired telephony services, including VoIP 31 13 CFR 121.201; 2012 NAICS code 515120.
the HD carriage requirement] by
services; wired (cable) audio and video December 12, 2016. A cable system that
32 U.S. Census Bureau, Table No. EC0751SSSZ4,
programming distribution; and wired broadband
Internet services.’’ U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 NAICS Information: Subject Series—Establishment and becomes ineligible for the HD carriage
Definitions, ‘‘517110 Wired Telecommunications Firm Size: Receipts Size of Firms for the United exemption after December 12, 2016
Carriers,’’ at http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/ States: 2007 (515120), http://factfinder2.census.gov/ would be expected to come into
naics/naicsrch. faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ4&prodType=table.
compliance promptly.’’
27 13 CFR 121.201; 2012 NAICS code 517110.
33 See Broadcast Station Totals as of June 30, • Requires that ‘‘[b]eginning
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28 U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census.
See U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder, 2014, Press Release (MB rel. July 9, 2014) December 12, 2016, a system utilizing
‘‘Information: Subject Series—Estab and Firm Size: (Broadcast Station Totals) at https://apps.fcc.gov/ the HD carriage exemption shall no
edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-328096A1.pdf.
Employment Size of Establishments for the United
34 See Broadcast Station Totals, supra.
longer be eligible to use it once the
States: 2007—2007 Economic Census,’’ NAICS code system offers any programming in HD.’’
35 See generally 5 U.S.C. 601(4), (6).
517110, Table EC0751SSSZ5; available at http://
factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/ 36 ‘‘[Business concerns] are affiliates of each other
pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_ when one concern controls or has the power to or has the power to control both.’’ 13 CFR
51SSSZ5&prodType=table. control the other or a third party or parties controls 21.103(a)(1).
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![35858 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 120 / Tuesday, June 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
5. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant B. Paperwork Reduction Act this Sixth Report and Order in CS
Economic Impact on Small Entities, and 24. This Sixth Report and Order Docket No. 98–120, including the Final
Significant Alternatives Considered contains new information collection Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis, to
21. The RFA requires an agency to requirements subject to the Paperwork the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
describe any significant alternatives that Reduction Act of 1995. It will be Small Business Administration.
it has considered in reaching its submitted to the Office of Management Federal Communications Commission.
proposed approach, which may include and Budget (OMB) for review under Marlene H. Dortch,
the following four alternatives (among Section 3507(d) of the PRA. OMB, the Secretary.
others): (1) The establishment of general public, and other Federal [FR Doc. 2015–15251 Filed 6–22–15; 8:45 am]
differing compliance or reporting agencies are invited to comment on the
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
requirements or timetables that take into new or modified information collection
account the resources available to small requirements contained in this
entities; (2) the clarification, proceeding. In addition, pursuant to the
consolidation, or simplification of Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
compliance or reporting requirements 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. National Highway Traffic Safety
under the rule for small entities; (3) the 3506(c)(4), we previously sought Administration
use of performance, rather than design, specific comment on how the
standards; and (4) an exemption from Commission might further reduce the 49 CFR Part 572
coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, information collection burden for small
for small entities.37 We seek comment business concerns with fewer than 25 [Docket No. NHTSA–2011–0175]
on the applicability of any of these employees. RIN 2127–AJ49
alternatives to affected small entities.
22. The HD carriage exemption, as C. Congressional Review Act
Hybrid III 10-Year-Old Child Test
modified in the Sixth Report and Order, 25. The Commission will send a copy Dummy; Corrections; Incorporation by
provides continued regulatory relief to of this Sixth Report and Order in a Reference
operators of certain small cable systems, report to be sent to Congress and the
i.e., those that (i) serve 1,500 or fewer Government Accountability Office, AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
subscribers and are not affiliated with a pursuant to the Congressional Review Safety Administration (NHTSA),
cable operator serving more than two Act.40 Department of Transportation (DOT).
percent of all MVPD subscribers; or (ii) ACTION: Technical amendments.
D. Additional Information
have an activated channel capacity of
552 MHz or less. Although some eligible 26. For more information, contact SUMMARY: NHTSA published a
cable systems will no longer qualify for Raelynn Remy, Raelynn.Remy@fcc.gov, document in the Federal Register on
the exemption as a result of the Sixth Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202) February 27, 2012 (77 FR 11651),
Report and Order, the joint proposal 418–2936. establishing specifications and
adopted in the order gives such systems qualification requirements for a Hybrid
V. Ordering Clauses
until December 12, 2016 to come into III 10-year-old child size test dummy.
compliance with the HD carriage 27. Accordingly, it is ordered that, The regulatory text adopted by that
requirement. We note that the pursuant to the authority found in document contained errors, as did some
modifications made to the exemption in sections 4, 303, 614, and 615 of the of the drawings of the test dummy and
the Sixth Report and Order were an Communications Act of 1934, as other materials incorporated by
outgrowth of discussions between ACA amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 534, and reference pertaining to the test dummy.
and NAB and thus reflect the interests 535, this Sixth Report and Order is This document corrects those errors by
of both small cable operators and adopted and will become effective July revising regulatory text and
broadcasters (including small 23, 2015, except that the requirement incorporating by reference a corrected
broadcasters), respectively. The HD described in paragraph III.4.b of the drawing package. We have also made
carriage exemption has a positive Supplementary Information, which conforming changes to the parts list and
economic impact on any cable system contains new or modified information users’ manual for the dummy, which
operator that takes advantage of the collection requirements subject to the this document also incorporates by
exemption, and imposes no significant Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, reference.
burdens on small television stations. Public Law 104–13, will not become
DATES: Effective date: June 23, 2015. The
effective until the Federal
6. Report to Congress Communications Commission publishes incorporation by reference of the
a notice in the Federal Register publications listed in this document has
23. The Commission will send a copy been approved by the Director of the
of this Sixth Report and Order, announcing OMB approval and the
effective date of that rule. Federal Register as of June 23, 2015.
including this FRFA, in a report to be
28. It is further ordered that, pursuant FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
sent to Congress pursuant to the
SBREFA.38 In addition, the Commission to the Congressional Review Act, 5 Peter Martin, NHTSA Office of
will send a copy of this Sixth Report U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A), the Commission will Crashworthiness Standards, 1200 New
and Order, including the FRFA, to the send a copy of this Sixth Report and Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. Order in CS Docket No. 98–120 in a 20590, telephone (202) 366–5668, fax
A copy of this Sixth Report and Order report to Congress and the Government (202) 493–2990, or Deirdre Fujita,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
and the FRFA (or summaries thereof) Accountability Office. NHTSA Office of Chief Counsel, 1200
also will be published in the Federal 29. It is further ordered that the New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
Register.39 Commission’s Consumer and DC 20590, telephone (202) 366–2992,
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference fax (202) 366–3820.
37 5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)–(c)(4). Information Center, will send a copy of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
38 See id. 801(a)(1)(A). This document corrects 49 CFR part
39 See id. 604(b). 40 See 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). 572, ‘‘Anthropomorphic Test Devices,’’
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Document Created: 2018-02-22 11:15:36
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 11:15:36
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule. | |
| Dates | Effective July 23, 2015, except for the requirement described in paragraph III.4.b of the Supplementary Information. That paragraph contains information collection requirements that have not been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of that paragraph. | |
| Contact | Raelynn Remy, [email protected], Federal Communications Commission, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2936. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 35854 |
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