Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2202 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Promoting Diversification in the Broadcasting Services ) ) ) ) MB Docket No. 07-294 ORDER Adopted: November 15, 2013 Released: November 15, 2013 By the Chief, Media Bureau: 1. All commercial, full-power AM, FM, TV, LPTV, and Class A stations, and entities with attributable interests currently are required to file the biennial ownership report on FCC Form 323, no later than December 2, 2013, using information current as of October 1, 2013 (the “as of date).1 The opening of the 2013 biennial filing window, October 1, 2013, coincided with the government shutdown. As a result of the shutdown, the Commission’s Consolidated Database System (“CDBS”), through which the biennial ownership report is prepare and filed, was inaccessible. CDBS became available again on October 17, 2013 when the government re-opened. 2. On November 6, 2013, the Commission received a request to extend the Form 323 filing deadline to December 20, 2013, to account for the unavailability of CDBS during the government shutdown and to avoid a convergence of filing deadlines on or around December 2, 2013.2 On November 8, 2013, the National Association of Broadcasters (“NAB”) filed comments in support of the Request for Extension of Time, arguing that maintaining a full 60-day window would serve the public interest.3 3. Based on our review of the Request for Extension of Time and NAB’s supportive comments and in recognition of the period that CDBS was not available to filers during the government shutdown, the Bureau hereby extends the filing deadline for the 2013 biennial ownership report until December 20, 2013. We stress that filers are encouraged to submit ownership reports as early as possible and to complete their Form 323 filings well in advance of the extended deadline whenever possible. This extension applies only to the 2013 biennial filing requirement. 4. Filers seeking additional advice on how to complete the form should consult the information contained in the form instructions (available on CDBS and on the Commission’s website at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html) and should review the information on the Bureau’s Form 323 1 Promoting Diversification in the Broadcasting Servs., MB Dkt. No. 07-294, Order, DA No. 13-1710 (MB, rel. Aug. 6, 2013). 2 Request for Extension of Time to File 2013 Biennial Ownership Reports, filed by Melodie Virtue, Garvey Schubert Barer, MB Docket No. 07-294 (Nov. 6, 2013) (“Request for Extension of Time”). 3 Comments in Support of Motion for Extension of Time, filed by NAB, MB Docket No. 07-294 (Nov. 8, 2013). NAB also referenced reports of members experiencing technical issues with CDBS and urged that the Commission consider individual waivers of the deadline if affected parties request them. Id. Any filer experiencing a technical difficulty is urged to contact Commission staff as directed on the Commission’s website well in advance of the December 20, 2013 deadline. See infra ¶ 4. Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2202 2 website, http://www.fcc.gov/form323. Filers are encouraged to review the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) and the list of “The Most Common Form 323 Filing Errors” posted on the Form 323 website, and to check for additional updates to the filing advice posted on the page. For additional advice on completing Form 323, please contact the Bureau via e-mail at Form323@fcc.gov. 5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that pursuant to authority under Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154 and 303(r) and pursuant to authority delegated to the Media Bureau pursuant to Sections 0.204 and 0.283 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.204, 0.283, the filing deadline as described above IS EXTENDED. 6. For further information, please contact Jessica Campbell, Industry Analysis Division at 202- 418-2330. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION William T. Lake Chief, Media Bureau