*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 20866.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 02- 2079 August 26, 2002 MEDIA BUREAU ACTION MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD IN AT& T- COMCAST PROCEEDING MB DOCKET NO. 02- 70 Beginning on February 28, 2002, 1 the Commission received applications (collectively, the “Application”) requesting consent to transfer to AT& T Comcast Corporation (“ AT& T Comcast”), control of (1) licenses and authorizations held by Comcast Corporation (“ Comcast”) and (2) licenses and authorizations held by AT& T Corp. (“ AT& T”) associated with the operation of their respective cable systems. 2 The Application stated that, prior to the closing of the proposed merger, AT& T would either divest its interest in Time Warner Entertainment, L. P. (“ TWE”) or insulate the interest in a manner consistent with the Commission’s attribution rules. 3 On August 8, 2002, the Applicants proposed a means of insulating and ultimately divesting the TWE interest (the “TWE Proposal”). We issued a Public Notice requesting comment on the TWE Proposal by no later than August 30, 2002. 4 To accommodate the pleading cycle, we stopped the clock on the 180- day review period that governs this proceeding. 5 We stated that, at the close of the pleading cycle, we would re- start the clock unless intervening events dictated otherwise. On August 21, 2002, the Applicants announced that they have reached an agreement with AOL Time Warner, Inc. to restructure the TWE partnership (“ August 21 Agreement”). 6 The Media Bureau has 1 On February 28, 2002, the Applicants filed a Public Interest Statement and associated applications for consent to the transfer of control of certain licenses and authorizations. On various subsequent dates, up to and including March 26, 2002, the Applicants filed additional, related transfer of control applications, re- filed certain applications, and filed supplemental information or amendments to the applications to make them acceptable for filing. 2 The Application was filed pursuant to Sections 214 and 310( d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. 3 Public Interest Statement at 4, 19, 53- 64. 4 See Media Bureau Seeks Comment on Proposed Insulation and Divestiture of AT& T’s Interest in Time Warner Entertainment, LP, Public Notice, DA 02- 1987 (rel. Aug. 9, 2002). 5 The Commission has committed to expeditiously review proposed transactions by establishing an aggressive 180-day review period. 6 AT& T Corp. and Comcast Corporation, AOL Time Warner, AT& T and Comcast Agree to Restructure Time Warner Entertainment Partnership (press release), August 21, 2002. 1 2 requested additional information from the Applicants concerning the August 21 Agreement. We will extend the comment period established in our August 9, 2002 Public Notice to permit interested parties to comment on the additional information we have requested. Upon receipt of the requested information, we will release a further Public Notice establishing a new comment deadline of 10 days from the date of that Public Notice. To accommodate this extension, the clock will remain stopped on the 180- day review period that governs this proceeding until the close of the comment period. Alternate formats of this public notice (computer diskette, large print, audio recording, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418- 7426 voice, (202) 418- 7365 TTY, or e- mail at bmillin@ fcc. gov. The media contacts for this proceeding are Margo Domon Davenport, (202) 418- 2949, and Michelle Russo, (202) 418- 2358. The Media Bureau Contact is Roger Holberg, (202) 418- 2134. - FCC - 2