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 17-1088 Released: November 7, 2017 MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF RESTRICTED USE FRN REGISTRATION FOR USE ON FORMS 323 AND 323-E The 2017 biennial Form 323 and Form 323-E broadcast ownership report filing window will open on December 1, 2017, and all reports must be filed by the extended deadline of March 2, 2018. 1 During this window, licensees of commercial AM, FM, TV, Class A, and Low Power Television (LPTV) stations and entities with attributable interests in such stations are required to file biennial ownership reports on Form 323. Licensees of noncommercial educational (NCE) AM, FM, or TV broadcast stations and entities with attributable interests in those stations will be required to file biennial ownership reports on the Form 323-E. 2 For the first time, filers will be able to use the Commission’s new Restricted Use FCC Registration Number (RUFRN), a personal identifier that may be reported for individuals with attributable interests in broadcast stations. 3 In preparation for the opening of the filing window, users may now register for and obtain an RUFRN via the Commission’s Registration System (CORES). 4 As a reminder, an RUFRN may be reported only for individual attributable interest holders—not entities—on Forms 323 and 323-E. Additionally, the RUFRN cannot be used on any other Commission filings or to access other Commission systems. Filers may review the Commission’s earlier 323 and 323- E Order for additional background on the RUFRN. 5 For assistance in obtaining an RUFRN, please 1 Promoting Diversification of Ownership in the Broadcasting Services et al., Order, 32 FCC Rcd 6720 (MB 2017). 2 47 CFR §§ 73.3615(a)-(f). 3 Promoting Diversification of Ownership in the Broadcasting Services et al., Report and Order, Second Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd 398, 399, para. 3 (2016) (323 and 323-E Order). Individuals have the option of reporting a standard CORES FRN, an RUFRN, or a Special Use FRN on the biennial and non- biennial versions of Forms 323 and 323-E, provided that such usage complies with the requirements set forth in the Commission’s 323 and 323-E Order and the subsequent Order on Reconsideration, Promoting Diversification of Ownership in the Broadcasting Services, Order on Reconsideration, 32 FCC Rcd 3440 (2017) (Order on Reconsideration). For example, Form 323 filers are permitted to report a Special Use FRN for an individual only if they have first used reasonable and good-faith efforts to obtain the information needed to report a standard CORES FRN or an RUFRN, but were unable to obtain the necessary information. 323 and 323-E Order, 31 FCC Rcd 428- 29, paras. 56-58. Noncommercial filers on Form 323-E have greater flexibility to use a Special Use FRN for individual attributable interest holders, but are required to report a standard CORES FRN or an RUFRN in lieu of a Special Use FRN in certain circumstances. Order on Reconsideration, 32 FCC Rcd at 3443, 3347, paras. 7, 13. In particular, if an individual with an attributable interest in an NCE broadcast station has already obtained a standard CORES FRN or an RUFRN, filers are not permitted to report a Special Use FRN for that individual. Id. at 3447, para. 13. 4 Users can access CORES at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do. To obtain an RUFRN, users must submit the individual’s full name, residential address, date of birth, and last four digits of the individual’s Social Security Number. 323 and 323-E Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 415, para. 33. 5 See generally 323 and 323-E Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 389-429, paras. 1-59 (adopting and explaining the permissible uses of the RUFRN). 2contact the CORES Help Desk at (877) 480-3201. For all other questions, please e-mail the Biennial 323/323-E Team at form323@fcc.gov. For additional information, please contact Jessica L. Campbell of the Bureau’s Industry Analysis Division at (202) 418-3609 or send an e-mail to form323@fcc.gov. -FCC-