Federal Communications Commission	DA 20-1289



DA 21-352
Released:  March 25, 2021

MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES EFFECTIVE DATE OF NEW BROADCAST INTERNET RULES
Effective Date of Modified Section 73.624 and Other Rules is March 25, 2021
MB Docket No. 20-145

On December 10, 2020, the Commission released a Report and Order in its proceeding to encourage the provision of new and innovative Broadcast Internet services enabled by ATSC 3.0 — the “Next Generation” broadcast television standard often referred to as Next Gen TV — that can complement the nation’s 5G wireless networks. Promoting Broadcast Internet Innovation through ATSC 3.0, MB Docket No. 20-145, Report and Order, FCC 20-181, 35 FCC Rcd 14492 (2020) (R&O).
  The rule revisions clarify and update the regulatory landscape in order to foster the efficient and robust use of broadcast spectrum capacity for the provision of Broadcast Internet services consistent with statutory directives.  The R&O revised section 73.624 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 73.624.
 and made other changes. Specifically, the R&O determines that the five percent services fee will be based on broadcaster revenue, not the revenue earned by an unaffiliated spectrum lessee, and that certain facility improvements made or financed by third parties will not be treated as feeable revenue.  The item also reinterprets 47 CFR § 73.621 to allow NCEs to provide a wider range of services that align with their core mission, and clarifies that when an NCE television station provides “donor exclusive” ancillary and supplementary services that are nominal in value in return for contributions to the licensee, we will not treat such contributions as “subscription fees” under section 336 of the 1996 Act or section 73.621 of our rules.

 
	By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau announces that notice of the effective date for the rule changes adopted in the R&O was published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2021, Promoting Broadcast Internet Innovation through ATSC 3.0, 86 Fed. Reg. 10847 (Feb. 23, 2021).  
 announcing that the effective date is March 25, 2021. Id. at 10847.


For additional information on this proceeding, contact Lyle Elder, Lyle.Elder@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division.  Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165. 
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