FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Roy Blunt United States Senate 260 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Blunt: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letters expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more ofthe weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission's rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose ofthis is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part ofthe Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Roy Blunt By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation ofthe Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. Sincerely'/ A ( . - -1/(~~---·~eeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF T HE CHAIRMAN The Honorable William Lacy Clay U.S. House of Representatives 2418 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Clay: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission' s March 31 , 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more ofthe weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission's rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose ofthis is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are · using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules . I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements . Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable William Lacy Clay By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver U.S . House ofRepresentatives 2335 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cleaver: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more of the weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission's rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose of this is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. r~f;?~ Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Sam Graves U.S. House of Representatives 1415 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Graves: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more of the weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission' s rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose of this is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Sam Graves By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Vicky Hartzler U.S. House ofRepresentatives 1 023 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Hartzler: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31 , 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more of the weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules . Historically, the Commission' s rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose ofthis is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Vicky Hartzler By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Billy Long U.S. House ofRepresentatives 1541 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Long: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more of the weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission's rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose of this is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Billy Long By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission' s rules. I hope this information is helpful. :;y~~ Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Blaine Luetkemeyer U.S. House of Representatives 2440 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Luetkemeyer: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more of the weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission's rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose of this is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 201 0 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review ofbroadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Blaine Luetkemeyer By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CoMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Jason Smith U.S. House of Representatives 2230 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Smith: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more of the weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review ofthe broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission' s rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose of this is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 2010 when the Commission sought additional comment as part ofthe Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Jason Smith By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. '" Sincere:, j ~ L-­ .-tbt-11 Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CH AI RM AN The Honorable Ann Wagner U.S. House ofRepresentatives 435 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Wagner: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing concerns regarding the recent Commission action to attribute certain Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) between television stations. I appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarification about the Commission's March 31, 2014 decision to attribute TV JSAs where one station sells 15% or more ofthe weekly advertising time on behalf of another station in the same market. The Commission is taking a comprehensive review of the broadcast ownership rules as part of our recently adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that started the 2014 Quadrennial Review. Even in light of the pending proceeding, it is important that the Commission continues to enforce its existing rules. Historically, the Commission's rules have prohibited one television broadcaster from owning more than one station in small and medium­ size markets. The purpose of this is to foster competition, localism, and a diversity of voices in the public interest. There has been a growing concern over the last decade that TV stations are using JSAs as a way to circumvent our local TV ownership restrictions, by influencing the core operating functions of the other station in a market where joint ownership would not be allowed under the rules. Stations have been on notice since 2004 when the Commission first started a proceeding proposing to attribute these types of TV agreements. Since the start, the industry has participated in the proceeding, including in 201 0 when the Commission sought additional comment as part of the Quadrennial Review of broadcast ownership rules. I do recognize that there could be some exceptions where an attributable JSA could be in the public interest, which is why the Commission adopted an expedited waiver process as part of its Order. I believe that this process will better protect competition and diversity than would merely grandfathering existing agreements. Additionally, while some that believe attribution of JSAs will hurt diversity of ownership and programming, dozens of minority groups, scholars, and public interest organizations have publicly supported the Commission action. Such agreements stifle competition and can have the effect of eliminating opportunities for minority or women-owned entities. Page 2-The Honorable Ann Wagner By moving decisions on broadcast ownership into the open, we will enable the public and the Commission to consider more fully and appropriately the public interest issues raised by the implementation of the Commission's rules. I hope this information is helpful. Tom Wheeler