FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
ovember 10, 20 II
,JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Charles F. Bass
U.S. House of Representatives
2350 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 205 I5
Dear Congressman Bass:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Commis ion's No/ice ofProposed Rulemoking
to consider possible amendments to its rules governing retransmission consent negotiations
between television broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs).
appreciate your support of the Commission's action in this important matter. Your letter has
been placed in the record ofthe proceeding and your views will be carefully considered.
As you note, there have been significant changes in the video programming marketplace
since the retransmission consent regime was adopted by Congress in 1992. Our goal in the
proceeding is to take a fresh look and update and clarify our rules within the scope ofthe current
statutory framework. We requested specific information regarding the concerns raised by small
MVPDs, such as those in New Hampshire. and will carefully evaluate the record before us.
The public comment period in the proceeding closed on June 27, 2011. The Bureau is
conducting its review and will make recommendations for the full Commission. We intend to
complete our review expeditiously.
If I can bc of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
.~-_...-- .
Julius Genachowski
445 121H STREET S.w. WASHINGTON. DC. 20554 • 202-418-1000