Federal Communications Commission DA 20-511 Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Pre-Filing Announcement Requirements 2020-2023 Renewal Applications ) ) ) ) ORDER Adopted: May 13, 2020 Released: May 13, 2020 By the Chief, Media Bureau: 1. In this Order, the Media Bureau (Bureau) waives the requirement that broadcast stations scheduled to file an application for renewal of license for the remainder of the 2019-2023 renewal cycle comply with pre-filing announcements, pursuant to sections 73.3580(d)(4)(i) and 73.3580(d)(5)(i)(A) of the Commission’s rules. 47 CFR §§ 73.3580(d)(4)(i), (d)(5)(i)(A). This waiver shall be in effect beginning with those applicants filing radio or television license renewal applications on August 3, 2020, and continuing until new rules eliminating pre-filing announcements take effect. See Amendment of Section 73.3580 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding Public Notice of the Filing of Applications, Second Report and Order, MB Docket Nos. 17-264, 17-105, 05-6, FCC 20-65, paras. 27-29 (rel. May 13, 2020) (Public Notice Second R&O). This Order will alleviate administrative and compliance burdens on broadcast stations, enabling an increase in the broadcast of public service announcements and other coverage relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, until the new rules adopted May 12, 2020, take effect. The Bureau adopted a similar Order on April 9, 2020, applicable to those filing June 1, 2020, renewal applications, at that time referencing the pendency of the proceeding leading to adoption of the Public Notice Second R&O. Pre-Filing Announcement Requirements – June 1, 2020 Renewal Applications, Order, DA 20-398 (MB Apr. 9, 2020) (April Waiver Order). 2. In the April Waiver Order, we stated we would continue to monitor the status of the COVID-19 outbreak to determine whether further relief is warranted. Id. at 1, para. 3. Based on our ongoing monitoring, we have determined that further relief is warranted. While the elimination of pre-filing announcements adopted in the Public Notice Second R&O has not yet taken effect, See id., paras. 27-29; 47 CFR § 73.3580(d)(4)(i) and (d)(5)(i). given the continuing disruptions caused by COVID-19, including the significant loss of advertising revenue and the need to cover breaking news and air public service announcements relating to the pandemic, the Bureau has determined that good cause exists to relieve stations of the burden of scheduling and airing pre-filing announcements of their renewal applications until the new rules go into effect, so such stations may focus on keeping the public informed of developments concerning the COVID-19 outbreak. 3. This Order applies to all broadcast licensees whose licenses expire on December 1, 2020, and thereafter, with renewal applications to be filed by August 3, 2020, and thereafter. Broadcasters should also note that this Order does not apply to required post-filing announcements under sections 73.3580(d)(4) and (d)(5)(i)(B) of the rules, 47 CFR § 73.3580(d)(4)(i), (d)(5)(i)(B). See 47 U.S.C. § 311(a). or to required announcements under the rules adopted in the Public Notice Second R&O when those rules become effective. See generally Public Notice Second R&O at paras. 26-43 and Appendix A. 4. For more information, contact Nazifa Sawez (Nazifa.Sawez@fcc.gov) at (202) 418-7059 or Chris Clark (Christopher.Clark@fcc.gov) at (202) 418-2609 (Audio Division), or David Roberts (David.Roberts@fcc.gov) at (202) 418-1618 (Video Division). 5. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to the authority found in sections 4(i) and 4(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 USC §§ 154(i) and 154(j), and sections 0.61, 0.283, and 1.3 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 0.61, 0.283, and 1.3, this Order IS ADOPTED. 6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to section 1.102(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.102(b)(1), this Order SHALL BE EFFECTIVE upon release. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Michelle M. Carey Chief, Media Bureau 2