Federal Communications Commission FCC 18-34 STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI Re: Streamlined Reauthorization Procedures for Assigned or Transferred Television Satellite Stations, MB Docket No. 18-63; Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, MB Docket No. 17-105 In 1991, Terminator 2 was released. That same year, the FCC revised its standards for television satellite stations. These are full-power terrestrial broadcast stations that generally retransmit some or all of the programming of another television station (known as the parent station). Among other things, the FCC required applicants seeking to transfer or assign a parent/satellite station combination to show that the conditions originally warranting satellite status still applied. However, public input on our media modernization initiative suggests that the current reauthorization process is lengthy, expensive, and burdensome. It can dissuade potential purchasers from buying satellite stations, which usually are in rural and economically depressed areas and in need of investment. So today, like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2, we propose to say to it: “Hasta la vista, baby.” Specifically, we suggest streamlining the process for demonstrating that a satellite station remains eligible for satellite status when it’s assigned or transferred in combination with its previously-approved parent station. The basic point is this: If nothing material has changed, we don’t need or want additional paperwork. Our aim is to reduce burdens on station owners while still ensuring that the Commission can determine whether reauthorization serves the public interest. I’d like to thank the dedicated staff who worked on this Notice: from the Media Bureau, Ben Arden (who traveled all the way back from Rwanda just to present this item!), Michelle Carey, Brendan Holland, Julie Salovaara, and Sarah Whitesell, and from the Office of General Counsel, Dave Konczal and Royce Sherlock. Should the record warrant, it’s safe to say: They’ll be back.