FCC Seeks Feedback on Retransmission Consent Rules

WASHINGTON: This just in from the FCC: “Fourteen entities filed a petition for rulemaking on March 9, 2010... requesting that the commission amend and supplement its retransmission consent rules. The petition argues that the commission’s current retransmission consent rules do not account for changes in the video programming distribution market, and it proposes reforms including dispute resolution mechanisms and mandatory interim carriage. We seek comment on this petition.”

Comments are due April 19. Replies are due May 4.

It will be a “permit but disclose” proceeding with regard to ex parte rules, and given the 14 petitioners, the FCC waives the requirements to send hard copies of comments to all.

Filings must reference MB Docket No. 10-71 and can be made via the commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), the federal government’s eRulemaking portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. Comments e-mailed to the commission that do not adhere to the ECFS form will not be considered part of the record. This comprises inclusion of the filer’s full name, mailing address, docket number MB No. 10-71. E-mail filing instructions are available at ecfs@fcc.gov with the phrase “get form” in the body of the message. A sample form and instructions will be sent in response.

Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight mail, which might be delayed. All filings must be addressed to the Commission Secretary Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW
Rm. TW-A325
Washington, DC 20554
All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. The filing hours are 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Commercial overnight mail--other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail--must be sent to
9300 East Hampton Dr.
Capitol Heights, MD 20743.

One copy of each filing must be sent to
Diana Sokolow
Media Bureau, Room 4-A734
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
or diana.sokolow@fcc.gov.