Audio Description: Preliminary Nonbroadcast Network Rankings, 88075 [2023-27954]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2023 / Notices processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@ ferc.gov. Dated: December 13, 2023. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2023–27883 Filed 12–19–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [MB Docket No. 11–43; DA 23–1119; FRS 190156] Audio Description: Preliminary Nonbroadcast Network Rankings Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: FCC announces the top national nonbroadcast network rankings from the 2022–2023 ratings year, and gives networks the opportunity to seek exemption from the July 1, 2024 update to the Commission’s audio description requirements. SUMMARY: Exemption requests are due January 19, 2024. ADDRESSES: Filings should be submitted electronically in MB Docket No. 11–43 by accessing the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting filings. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact Diana Sokolow (202–418–0588; Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Media Bureau’s Public Notice, DA 23–1119, released on November 30, 2023. The full text of this public notice will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat via ECFS. Alternative formats are available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or calling the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), 1–844–4–FCC–ASL (1–844–432–2275) (videophone). ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 DATES: Synopsis The Commission’s audio description rules require multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) systems that serve 50,000 or more VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:02 Dec 19, 2023 Jkt 262001 subscribers to provide 87.5 hours of audio description 1 per calendar quarter on channels carrying each of the top five national nonbroadcast networks.2 The top five national nonbroadcast networks are defined by an average of the national audience share during prime time among nonbroadcast networks that reach 50 percent or more of MVPD households and have at least 50 hours per quarter of prime time programming that is not live or near-live or otherwise exempt under the audio description rules. In accordance with the Commission’s rules, the list of top five nonbroadcast networks is updated at three year intervals to account for changes in ratings, and the fourth triennial update will occur on July 1, 2024, based on the 2022 to 2023 ratings year.3 According to data provided by the Nielsen Company, for the purposes of our requirements, the top ten nonbroadcast networks for the 2022 to 2023 ratings year are: Fox News Channel, ESPN, MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark, TLC, TNT, TBS, Discovery, and History. If a program network believes it should be excluded from the list of top five networks covered by the audio description requirements because it does not air at least 50 hours per quarter of prime time programming that is not live or near-live or is otherwise exempt, it must seek an exemption no later than 30 days after publication of this Public Notice in the Federal Register. The Media Bureau will promptly evaluate requests for exemption and will provide notice of any resulting revisions to the list. Federal Communications Commission. Thomas Horan, Chief of Staff, Media Bureau. [FR Doc. 2023–27954 Filed 12–19–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P 1 Audio description makes video programming accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired through ‘‘[t]he insertion of audio narrated descriptions of a television program’s key visual elements into natural pauses between the program’s dialogue.’’ 47 CFR 79.3(a)(3). 2 The rule requires that 50 hours per calendar quarter be provided in prime time or during children’s programming, while the additional 37.5 hours may be provided at any time between 6 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. local time. 3 The nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio description requirements are TLC, HGTV, Hallmark, History, and TBS. We note that the Media Bureau granted TBS a limited waiver of section 79.3(b)(4) of the audio description rules for the triennial period beginning on July 1, 2021 and ending on June 30, 2024. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 88075 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0609; FR ID 190753] Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number. DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before February 20, 2024. 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 to PRA@ fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418–2918. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 3060–0609. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 88075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27954]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[MB Docket No. 11-43; DA 23-1119; FRS 190156]


Audio Description: Preliminary Nonbroadcast Network Rankings

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FCC announces the top national nonbroadcast network rankings 
from the 2022-2023 ratings year, and gives networks the opportunity to 
seek exemption from the July 1, 2024 update to the Commission's audio 
description requirements.

DATES: Exemption requests are due January 19, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Filings should be submitted electronically in MB Docket No. 
11-43 by accessing the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System 
(ECFS) at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Filers should follow the 
instructions provided on the website for submitting filings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact Diana 
Sokolow (202-418-0588; [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Media Bureau's 
Public Notice, DA 23-1119, released on November 30, 2023. The full text 
of this public notice will be available electronically in ASCII, 
Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat via ECFS. Alternative formats are 
available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, 
electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to [email protected] 
or calling the Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 
(202) 418-0530 (voice), 1-844-4-FCC-ASL (1-844-432-2275) (videophone).

Synopsis

    The Commission's audio description rules require multichannel video 
programming distributor (MVPD) systems that serve 50,000 or more 
subscribers to provide 87.5 hours of audio description \1\ per calendar 
quarter on channels carrying each of the top five national nonbroadcast 
networks.\2\ The top five national nonbroadcast networks are defined by 
an average of the national audience share during prime time among 
nonbroadcast networks that reach 50 percent or more of MVPD households 
and have at least 50 hours per quarter of prime time programming that 
is not live or near-live or otherwise exempt under the audio 
description rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Audio description makes video programming accessible to 
individuals who are blind or visually impaired through ``[t]he 
insertion of audio narrated descriptions of a television program's 
key visual elements into natural pauses between the program's 
dialogue.'' 47 CFR 79.3(a)(3).
    \2\ The rule requires that 50 hours per calendar quarter be 
provided in prime time or during children's programming, while the 
additional 37.5 hours may be provided at any time between 6 a.m. and 
11:59 p.m. local time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with the Commission's rules, the list of top five 
nonbroadcast networks is updated at three year intervals to account for 
changes in ratings, and the fourth triennial update will occur on July 
1, 2024, based on the 2022 to 2023 ratings year.\3\ According to data 
provided by the Nielsen Company, for the purposes of our requirements, 
the top ten nonbroadcast networks for the 2022 to 2023 ratings year 
are: Fox News Channel, ESPN, MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark, TLC, TNT, TBS, 
Discovery, and History.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio 
description requirements are TLC, HGTV, Hallmark, History, and TBS. 
We note that the Media Bureau granted TBS a limited waiver of 
section 79.3(b)(4) of the audio description rules for the triennial 
period beginning on July 1, 2021 and ending on June 30, 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If a program network believes it should be excluded from the list 
of top five networks covered by the audio description requirements 
because it does not air at least 50 hours per quarter of prime time 
programming that is not live or near-live or is otherwise exempt, it 
must seek an exemption no later than 30 days after publication of this 
Public Notice in the Federal Register. The Media Bureau will promptly 
evaluate requests for exemption and will provide notice of any 
resulting revisions to the list.

Federal Communications Commission.
Thomas Horan,
Chief of Staff, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2023-27954 Filed 12-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.