83 FR 33144 - Authorizing Permissive Use of the “Next Generation” Broadcast Television Standard

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 137 (July 17, 2018)

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection requirements associated with FCC 17-158. This document is consistent with the Commission's Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33144-33146]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15156]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 73 and 74

[GN Docket No. 16-142; FCC 17-158]


Authorizing Permissive Use of the ``Next Generation'' Broadcast 
Television Standard

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, 
the information collection requirements associated with FCC 17-158. 
This

[[Page 33145]]

document is consistent with the Commission's Report and Order, which 
stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal 
Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

DATES: The additions of 47 CFR 73.3801, 73.6029, and 74.782 as 
published at 83 FR 4998, February 2, 2018, are effective as of July 17, 
2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evan Baranoff, Policy Division, Media 
Bureau, at 202-418-7142, or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document announces that, on July 2, 
2018, OMB approved the information collection requirements contained in 
Sec. Sec.  73.3801, 73.6029, and 74.782 of the Commission's rules. The 
OMB Control Number is 3060-1254. The Commission publishes this document 
as an announcement of the effective date of these rules. If you have 
any comments on the burden estimates listed below, or how the 
Commission can improve the collections and reduce any burdens caused 
thereby, please contact Cathy Williams, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 1-C823, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. 
Please include the OMB Control Number, 3060-1254, in your 
correspondence. The Commission will also accept your comments via email 
at [email protected]. To request materials in accessible formats for people 
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio 
format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 
(TTY).

Synopsis

    As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507), the FCC is notifying the public that it received final OMB 
approval on July 2, 2018, for the information collection requirements 
contained in Sec. Sec.  73.3801, 73.6029, and 74.782 of the 
Commission's rules. Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or 
sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a current, valid 
OMB Control Number.
    No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply 
with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number.
    The foregoing notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
    The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents 
are as follows:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1254.
    OMB Approval Date: July 2, 2018.
    OMB Expiration Date: July 31, 2021.
    Title: Next Gen TV/ATSC 3.0 Local Simulcasting Rules; 47 CFR 
73.3801 (full-power TV), 73.6029 (Class A TV), and 74.782 (low-power 
TV) and FCC Form 2100 (Next Gen TV License Application)
    Form Number: FCC Form 2100 (Next Gen TV License Application)
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, state, local, 
or tribal government and not for profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,130 respondents; 4,760 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.017-8 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; 
Recordkeeping requirement; Third party disclosure.
    Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 
Sections 1, 4, 7, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 316, 319, 325(b), 336, 338, 
399b, 403, 614, and 615 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 
47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 157, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 316, 319, 325(b), 
336, 338, 399b, 403, 534, and 535.
    Total Annual Burden: 3,504 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $130,500.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality with this collection.
    Needs and Uses: On November 20, 2017, the Commission released a 
Report and Order (Order), FCC 17-158, in GN Docket No. 16-142, 
authorizing television broadcasters to use the ``Next Generation'' 
broadcast television (Next Gen TV) transmission standard, also called 
``ATSC 3.0'' or ``3.0,'' on a voluntary, market-driven basis. This 
authorization is subject to broadcasters continuing to deliver current-
generation digital television (DTV) service, using the ATSC 1.0 
transmission standard, also called ``ATSC 1.0'' or ``1.0,'' to their 
viewers. The requirement to continue to provide ATSC 1.0 service is 
called ``local simulcasting.'' The local simulcasting rules (47 CFR 
73.3801 (full-power TV), 73.6029 (Class A TV), and 74.782 (low-power 
TV),) contain the following information collection requirements which 
require OMB approval.
    License Application to FCC/FCC Form 2100 (Reporting Requirement; 47 
CFR 73.3801(f), 73.6029(f), and 74.782(g)): A broadcaster must file an 
application (FCC Form 2100) with the Commission, and receive Commission 
approval, before: (i) Moving its ATSC 1.0 signal to the facilities of a 
host station, moving that signal from the facilities of an existing 
host station to the facilities of a different host station, or 
discontinuing an ATSC 1.0 guest signal; (ii) commencing the airing of 
an ATSC 3.0 signal on the facilities of a host station (that has 
already converted to ATSC 3.0 operation), moving its ATSC 3.0 signal to 
the facilities of a different host station, or discontinuing an ATSC 
3.0 guest signal; or (iii) converting its existing station to transmit 
an ATSC 3.0 signal or converting the station from ATSC 3.0 back to ATSC 
1.0 transmissions. As directed by the Commission, the Media Bureau will 
be amending FCC Form 2100 and the relevant schedules (Schedules B, D & 
F) (See Schedule B--Full Power License to cover application (OMB 
control number 3060-0837); Schedule D--LPTV/Translator License to cover 
application (OMB control number 3060-0017); and Schedule F--Class A 
License to cover application (OMB control number 3060-0928)) as 
necessary to implement the Next Gen TV licensing process and collect 
the required information (detailed below). The form will be revised to 
establish the streamlined ``one-step'' licensing process for Next Gen 
TV applicants, including adding the above listed purposes (i-iii) to 
the form. FCC staff will use the license application to determine 
compliance with FCC rules and to determine whether the public interest 
would be served by grant of the application for a Next Gen TV station 
license.
    Next Gen TV Broadcaster On-Air Notices to Consumers (Third-Party 
Disclosure Requirement; 47 CFR 73.3801(g), 73.6029(g), and 74.782(h)): 
Commercial and noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcast TV stations 
that relocate their ATSC 1.0 signals (e.g., moving to a host station's 
facility, subsequently moving to a different host, or returning to its 
original facility) are required to air daily Public Service 
Announcements (PSAs) or crawls every day for 30 days prior to the date 
that the stations will terminate ATSC 1.0 operations on their existing 
facilities. Stations that transition directly to ATSC 3.0 will be 
required to air daily PSAs or crawls every day for 30 days prior to the 
date that the stations will terminate ATSC 1.0 operations. Broadcaster 
on-air notices to consumers will be used to inform consumers if 
stations they watch will be changing channels and

[[Page 33146]]

encouraged to rescan their receivers for new channel assignments.
    Next Gen TV Broadcaster Written Notices to MVPDs (Third-Party 
Disclosure Requirement; 47 CFR 73.3801(h), 73.6029(h), and 74.782(i)): 
Next Gen TV stations relocating their ATSC 1.0 signals (e.g., moving to 
a temporary host station's facilities, subsequently moving to a 
different host, or returning to its original facility) must provide 
notice to MVPDs that: (i) No longer will be required to carry the 
station's ATSC 1.0 signal due to the relocation; or (ii) carry and will 
continue to be obligated to carry the station's ATSC 1.0 signal from 
the new location. Broadcaster notices to multichannel video programming 
distributors (MVPDs) will be used to notify MVPDs that carry a Next Gen 
TV broadcast station about channel changes and facility information.
    Local Simulcasting Agreements (Recordkeeping Requirement; 47 CFR 
73.3801(e), 73.6029(e), and 74.782(f)): Broadcasters must maintain a 
written copy of any local simulcasting agreement and provide it to the 
Commission upon request. FCC staff will review the local simulcasting 
agreement (when applicable) to determine compliance with FCC rules and 
to determine whether the public interest would be served by grant of 
the application for a Next Gen TV station license.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-15156 Filed 7-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P