OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMiSSION WASHINGTON December 19, 2017 The Honorable Tony Cárdenas U.S. House of Representatives 1510 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cárdenas: Thank you for your letter regarding the Media Ownership Reconsideration Order. In addressing the petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's 2016 Media Ownership Order, the Commission followed its normal process. Specifically, each petition for reconsideration was put out for public comment, and the Commission received comments supporting and opposing these petitions. As a result, any suggestion that the Commission's handling of these petitions was procedurally infirm is wholly without merit. Turning to the merits of the Commission's decision to modify the Local Television Ownership Rule, the Reconsideration Order eliminated the requirement that at least eight independently owned television stations must remain in a market following the combination of two television stations in that market. As explained in the Reconsideration Order, this "eight- voices test" was not supported by any evidence in the record or economic literature. Moreover, eliminating this requirement will allow broadcasters, particularly in small and mid-sized markets, to realize the benefits of common ownership and better serve their local communities. The Order also modified the prohibition against common ownership of two top-four rated stations in a local market. Specifically, it added an option for applicants to seek case-by-case review of a particular transaction in order to account for circumstances in which strict application of the Top-Four Prohibition may be unwarranted. This hybrid approach allows the Commission to ensure that application of the Top-Four prohibition is appropriate in a particular case and, importantly, does not relieve the Commission from its obligation to ensure that grant of an application proposing a top-four combination serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. (1 Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION / WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN December 19, 2017 The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke U.S. House of Representatives 2058 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Clarke: Thank you for your letter regarding the Media Ownership Reconsideration Order. In addressing the petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's 2016 Media Ownership Order, the Commission followed its normal process. Specifically, each petition for reconsideration was put out for public comment, and the Commission received comments supporting and opposing these petitions. As a result, any suggestion that the Commission's handling of these petitions was procedurally infirm is wholly without merit. Turning to the merits of the Commission's decision to modify the Local Television Ownership Rule, the Reconsideration Order eliminated the requirement that at least eight independently owned television stations must remain in a market following the combination of two television stations in that market. As explained in the Reconsideration Order, this "eight- voices test" was not supported by any evidence in the record or economic literature. Moreover, eliminating this requirement will allow broadcasters, particularly in small and mid-sized markets, to realize the benefits of common ownership and better serve their local communities. The Order also modified the prohibition against common ownership of two top-four rated stations in a local market, Specifically, it added an option for applicants to seek case-by-case review of a particular transaction in order to account for circumstances in which strict application of the Top-Four Prohibition may be unwarranted. This hybrid approach allows the Commission to ensure that application of the Top-Four prohibition is appropriate in a particular case and, importantly, does not relieve the Commission from its obligation to ensure that grant of an application proposing a top-four combination serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. /1 Sincerely, I, /Lh' ' a OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON December 19, 2017 The Honorable Diana DeGette TJ.S. House of Representatives 2368 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman DeGette: Thank you for your letter regarding the Media Ownership Reconsideration Order. In addressing the petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's 2016 Media Ownership Order, the Commission followed its normal process. Specifically, each petition for reconsideration was put out for public comment, and the Commission received comments supporting and opposing these petitions. As a result, any suggestion that the Commission's handling of these petitions was procedurally infirm is wholly without merit. Turning to the merits of the Commission's decision to modify the Local Television Ownership Rule, the Reconsideration Order eliminated the requirement that at least eight independently owned television stations must remain in a market following the combination of two television stations in that market. As explained in the Reconsideration Order, this "eight- voices test" was not supported by any evidence in the record or economic literature. Moreover, eliminating this requirement will allow broadcasters, particularly in small and mid-sized markets, to realize the benefits of common ownership and better serve their local communities. The Order also modified the prohibition against common ownership of two top-four rated stations in a local market. Specifically, it added an option for applicants to seek case-by-case review of a particular transaction in order to account for circumstances in which strict application of the Top-Four Prohibition may be unwarranted. This hybrid approach allows the Commission to ensure that application of the Top-Four prohibition is appropriate in a particular case and, importantly, does not relieve the Commission from its obligation to ensure that grant of an application proposing a top-four combination serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity pursuant to Section 3 10(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v.v; Ajit V. Pai OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON December 19, 2017 The Honorable Debbie Dingell U.S. House of Representatives 116 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Dingell: Thank you for your letter regarding the Media Ownership Reconsideration Order. In addressing the petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's 2016 Media Ownership Order, the Commission followed its normal process. Specifically, each petition for reconsideration was put out for public comment, and the Commission received comments supporting and opposing these petitions. As a result, any suggestion that the Commission's handling of these petitions was procedurally infirm is wholly without merit. Turning to the merits of the Commission's decision to modify the Local Television Ownership Rule, the Reconsideration Order eliminated the requirement that at least eight independently owned television stations must remain in a market following the combination of two television stations in that market. As explained in the Reconsideration Order, this "eight- voices test" was not supported by any evidence in the record or economic literature. Moreover, eliminating this requirement will allow broadcasters, particularly in small and mid-sized markets, to realize the benefits of common ownership and better serve their local communities. The Order also modified the prohibition against common ownership of two top-four rated stations in a local market. Specifically, it added an option for applicants to seek case-by-case review of a particular transaction in order to account for circumstances in which strict application of the Top-Four Prohibition may be unwarranted. This hybrid approach allows the Commission to ensure that application of the Top-Four prohibition is appropriate in a particular case and, importantly, does not relieve the Commission from its obligation to ensure that grant of an application proposing a top-four combination serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. aA OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON December 19, 2017 The Honorable Mike Doyle U.S. House of Representatives 239 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Doyle: Thank you for your letter regarding the Media Ownership Reconsideration Order. In addressing the petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's 2016 Media Ownership Order, the Commission followed its normal process. Specifically, each petition for reconsideration was put out for public comment, and the Commission received comments supporting and opposing these petitions. As a result, any suggestion that the Commission's handling of these petitions was procedurally infirm is wholly without merit. Turning to the merits of the Commission's decision to modify the Local Television Ownership Rule, the Reconsideration Order eliminated the requirement that at least eight independently owned television stations must remain in a market following the combination of two television stations in that market. As explained in the Reconsideration Order, this "eight- voices test" was not supported by any evidence in the record or economic literature. Moreover, eliminating this requirement will allow broadcasters, particularly in small and mid-sized markets, to realize the benefits of common ownership and better serve their local communities. The Order also modified the prohibition against common ownership of two top-four rated stations in a local market. Specifically, it added an option for applicants to seek case-by-case review of a particular transaction in order to account for circumstances in which strict application of the Top-Four Prohibition may be unwarranted. This hybrid approach allows the Commission to ensure that application of the Top-Four prohibition is appropriate in a particular case and, importantly, does not relieve the Commission from its obligation to ensure that grant of an application proposing a top-four combination serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity pursuant to Section 3 10(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, (j Ajit V. Pai O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e E l i o t L . E n g e l U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 4 6 2 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n E n g e l : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s " e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . O F F r c E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e J o s e p h P . K e n n e d y U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 4 3 4 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n K e n n e d y : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s ' e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a l T a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . A S i n c e r e l y , L J rA j i t V . P a i O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e B e n R a y L u j á n U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 2 3 1 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n L u j á n : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s ' e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e J e r r y M c N e r n e y U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 2 6 5 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n M c N e r n e y : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s " e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C o M M i s s i o N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e B o b b y L . R u s h U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 1 8 8 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n R u s h : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s " e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . A j i t V P a i S i n c e r e l y , O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e J a n S c h a k o w s k y U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 3 6 7 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n S c h a k o w s k y : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s " e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . o S i n c e r e l y , ' /V . A j i t V . P a i O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e P a u l T o n k o U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 4 6 3 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n T o n k o : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s " e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 T h e H o n o r a b l e P e t e r W e l c h U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 3 0 3 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n W e l c h : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r r e g a r d i n g t h e M e d i a O w n e r s h i p R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r . I n a d d r e s s i n g t h e p e t i t i o n s f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e F C C ' s 2 0 1 6 M e d i a O w n e r s h i p O r d e r , t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o l l o w e d i t s n o r m a l p r o c e s s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , e a c h p e t i t i o n f o r r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n w a s p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n r e c e i v e d c o m m e n t s s u p p o r t i n g a n d o p p o s i n g t h e s e p e t i t i o n s . A s a r e s u l t , a n y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e s e p e t i t i o n s w a s p r o c e d u r a l l y i n f i r m i s w h o l l y w i t h o u t m e r i t . T u r n i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s d e c i s i o n t o m o d i f y t h e L o c a l T e l e v i s i o n O w n e r s h i p R u l e , t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r e l i m i n a t e d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t a t l e a s t e i g h t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s m u s t r e m a i n i n a m a r k e t f o l l o w i n g t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t w o t e l e v i s i o n s t a t i o n s i n t h a t m a r k e t . A s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n O r d e r , t h i s ' e i g h t - v o i c e s t e s t " w a s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y a n y e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d o r e c o n o m i c l i t e r a t u r e . M o r e o v e r , e l i m i n a t i n g t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l a l l o w b r o a d c a s t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n s m a l l a n d m i d - s i z e d m a r k e t s , t o r e a l i z e t h e b e n e f i t s o f c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p a n d b e t t e r s e r v e t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e O r d e r a l s o m o d i f i e d t h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t c o m m o n o w n e r s h i p o f t w o t o p - f o u r r a t e d s t a t i o n s i n a l o c a l m a r k e t . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t a d d e d a n o p t i o n f o r a p p l i c a n t s t o s e e k c a s e - b y - c a s e r e v i e w o f a p a r t i c u l a r t r a n s a c t i o n i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r P r o h i b i t i o n m a y b e u n w a r r a n t e d . T h i s h y b r i d a p p r o a c h a l l o w s t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e T o p - F o u r p r o h i b i t i o n i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e a n d , i m p o r t a n t l y , d o e s n o t r e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n f r o m i t s o b l i g a t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t g r a n t o f a n a p p l i c a t i o n p r o p o s i n g a t o p - f o u r c o m b i n a t i o n s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t , c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d n e c e s s i t y p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 3 1 0 ( d ) o f t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A c t o f 1 9 3 4 , a s a m e n d e d . I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s m a t t e r . P l e a s e l e t m e k n o w i f I c a n b e o f a n y f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e . S i n c e r e l y , A j i t V . P a i