PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 13-2185 Released: November 14, 2013 MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT DEADLINES FOR THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING CONSIDERING THE ELMINATION OF THE UHF DISCOUNT MB DOCKET NO. 13-236 Comment Deadline: December 16, 2013 Reply Comment Deadline: January 13, 2014 On September 26, 2013, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Amendment of Section 73.3555(e) of the Commission’s Rules, National Television Multiple Ownership Rule (“NPRM”).1 In the NPRM, the Commission seeks comment on its tentative conclusion to eliminate the UHF discount, which appears to be obsolete due to the transition of full-power television stations to digital broadcasting in June 2009. The NPRM also seeks comment on the Commission’s grandfathering proposal in the event that the UHF discount is eliminated, as well as on whether a VHF discount should be adopted as it appears that VHF channels may be technically inferior to UHF channels for digital television.2 The Commission set deadlines for filing comments and reply comments at 30 and 60 days, respectively, after publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register.3 By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau announces that the NPRM was published in the Federal Register today, November 14, 2013.4 Comments must be submitted no later than December 16, 2013. Reply Comments must be submitted no later than January 13, 2014. Commenters should follow the filing instructions provided in paragraph 28 of the NPRM.5 The NPRM is also available on the Commission’s website.6 1 Amendment of Section 73.3555(e) of the Commission’s Rules, National Television Multiple Ownership Rule, MB Docket No. 13-236, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 13-123 (rel. Sept. 26, 2013) (“NPRM”). 2 Id. at 2, ¶ 2. 3 Id. at 1. 4 Amendment of Section 73.3555(e) of the Commission’s Rules, National Television Multiple Ownership Rule, 78 Fed. Reg. 68384 (Nov. 14, 2013). 5 NPRM at 11, ¶ 28. 6 FCC, FCC Proposes the Elimination of the UHF Discount, http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes- elimination-uhf-discount (visited Nov. 14, 2013). 2For additional information on this proceeding, please contact Brendan Holland of the Media Bureau, Industry Analysis Division, Brendan.Holland@fcc.gov, (202) 418-2757, or Johanna Thomas of the Media Bureau, Industry Analysis Division, Johanna.Thomas@fcc.gov, (202) 418-7551. - FCC -