DA 23-775
									Released: August 29, 2023
					
MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 EFFECTIVE DATE FOR 
CERTAIN FM6 LPTV STATION RULES 

MB Docket No. 03-185

	On July 20, 2023, the Commission released a Report and Order in MB Docket No. 03-185 adopting new rules to permit a limited number of 14 low power television stations operating on TV channel 6 (FM6 LPTV stations) to maintain their existing analog FM radio services on an ancillary or supplementary basis subject to specific operational rules and requirements. Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations, MB Docket 03-182, Report and Order, FCC 23-58, para. 72 (July 20, 2023) (Report and Order).
  On August 29, 2023, the Office of the Federal Register published a summary of the Report and Order. Federal Communications Commission, FM6 LPTV Stations, 88 Fed. Reg. 59455 (Aug. 29, 2023). 
  Accordingly, the effective date for the rules adopted in the Report and Order is September 28, 2023, except for those that require approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Id; Federal Communications Commission, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 88 Fed. Reg. 53893 (Aug. 9, 2023).
 including new sections 74.790(o)(9) and 74.790(o)(10) of the Commission’s rules; 47 CFR §§ 74.790(o)(9) and (10).  See Report and Order at para. 52.
 the requirement for FM6 LPTV stations to maintain an online public inspection file; See id. at para. 56; 47 CFR § 74.790(11).
 and the requirement that FM6 LPTV stations notify the Commission of their intent to continue FM6 operations, provide their FM6 operational parameters, and notify the Commission of any changes to their operational parameters. See Report and Order at para. 52.

Until the Commission receives OMB approval on the remaining rules and requirements, FM6 LPTV stations should continue to seek extensions of their current FM6 engineering special temporary authorizations (STAs). FM6 LPTV stations must comply with all rules once effective.  The Media Bureau will issue a subsequent Public Notice relating to compliance with any rules or requirements that require OMB approval prior to their effective date and when FM6 LPTV stations may stop seeking extensions of their current STAs.  
   We also remind Metro TV, Inc., that it has until December 22, 2023 (that is 85 days from the effective date of the Report and Order) for WVOA-LD, Westvale, New York, to commence ATSC 3.0 and FM6 operations by filing an application to convert the station to ATSC 3.0 and a request for engineering STA. Report and Order at para. 28.  WVOA-LD must notify the Media Bureau no more than 10 days after it commences FM6 operations and, upon grant, its STA will be conditioned as set forth in the Report and Order by the Commission.  Id.
  
For further information, contact Shaun Maher, Attorney-Advisor, Media Bureau, Video Division at (202) 418-2324 or shaun.maher@fcc.gov. 
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