Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 55166 [2018-24023]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 213 (Friday, November 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 55166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24023]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-XXXX]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees.
    The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be 
subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of 
information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before January 2, 
2019. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find 
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
    Title: Broadcast Incubator Program.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: New information collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; not-for-profit 
institutions; Tribal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 20 respondents; 123 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 to 16 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; annual 
reporting requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for these collections are contained in 47 U.S.C. 
151, 152(a), 154(i), 257, 303, 307-310, and 403.
    Total Annual Burden: 1,179 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $326,700.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: The need for confidentiality 
for this collection of information is not anticipated; however, when 
submitting an incubation proposal (including the underlying contract 
and certified statements), applicants may, upon request, redact 
confidential or proprietary terms.
    Needs and Uses: On August 3, 2018, the Commission released a Report 
and Order (Order), Rules and Policies to Promote New Entry and 
Ownership Diversity in the Broadcasting Services, FCC 18-114, in MB 
Docket No. 17-289, establishing the requirements that will govern the 
incubator program that the Commission previously decided to adopt to 
support the entry of new and diverse voices into the radio broadcast 
industry. The Commission recognized the need for more innovative 
approaches to encourage access to capital, as well as technical, 
operational, and management training for use by new entrants and small 
businesses, that without assistance, would not be able to own broadcast 
stations. The incubator program is designed for small businesses, 
struggling station owners, and new entrants that do not have any other 
means to access the financial assistance and operational support 
necessary for success in the broadcast industry. The goal is the 
pairing of these small aspiring, or struggling, broadcast station 
owners with established broadcasters. These incubation relationships 
will provide new entrants and struggling small broadcasters access to 
the financing, mentoring, and industry connections that are necessary 
for success in the industry, but to date have been unavailable to many. 
In return for successfully incubating a small aspiring, or struggling, 
broadcast station owner as part of the incubator program, an incumbent 
broadcaster will be eligible to receive a waiver of the Commission's 
Local Radio Ownership Rule following the conclusion of a successful 
qualifying incubation relationship. Commission staff will use the 
initial incubator applications, certification statements, contracts, 
and any responses to Commission requests for additional information to 
determine qualifications for participation in the incubator program. 
Commission staff will use the periodic reports to determine whether 
ongoing incubation relationships are proceeding in a manner consistent 
with the parties' initial filings and are likely to result in a 
successful incubation relationship. In the event the parties seek to 
extend the duration of their incubation relationship, the filing of a 
request for such an extension will enable Commission staff to gauge the 
types of problems incubating parties are experiencing. Information 
provided by the parties to the Commission no later than six months 
before the contract termination date will allow Commission staff to 
evaluate which option for station ownership the incubating parties plan 
to pursue at the conclusion of the relationship. Additionally, 
Commission staff will review documentation submitted to seek a reward 
waiver to assess whether the market where the reward waiver is sought 
is a comparable market to where the incubated station was located.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-24023 Filed 11-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P