Federal Communications Commission	DA 22-20


DA 23-266
Released:  March 30, 2023
Media Bureau Announces Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for Audio Description FNPRM
MB Docket No. 11-43

Comment Deadline:  April 28, 2023
Reply Comment Deadline: May 15, 2023

	On March 16, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (the FNPRM). MB Docket No. 11-43, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 23-20 (rel. March 17, 2023).
 In the FNPRM, the Commission proposes to expand its audio description regulations to ensure that a greater number of individuals who are blind or visually impaired can be connected, informed, and entertained by television programming. Consistent with the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), Pub. L. No. 111-260, § 202(a); 47 U.S.C. § 613(f)(4)(C)(iv).
 the Commission proposes to phase in an additional 10 designated market areas (DMAs) each year until audio description is available in all such market areas. See FNPRM at 1.
 The Commission set deadlines for filing comments and reply comments at 30 and 45 days, respectively, after publication of the FNPRM in the Federal Register. Id.


	By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau announces that the FNPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2023. See Federal Communications Commission, Video Description:  Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, 88 Fed. Reg. 18505 (March 29, 2023).
 Comments must be submitted no later than April 28, 2023. Reply Comments must be submitted no later than May 15, 2023. Comments should follow the filing instructions provided in paragraph 21 of the FNPRM. FNPRM at para. 21.
 The FNPRM is available on the Commission’s website. See https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-20A1.docx (Word), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-20A1.pdf (Acrobat).


	For additional information on this proceeding, contact Diana Sokolow, Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov, of the Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2120.  Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165.  

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