Broadcasters Seek More Time To Comment in 'Totality of Circumstances' NPRM

Already busy with spectrum auction issues, broadcast groups are asking for a two-month extension on comment deadlines in a NPRM on possible changes to the "totality of circumstances" test for good-faith retransmission consent negotiations. "The requested extension would materially assist broadcasters in their auction preparation and in meeting the FCC's strict deadline for auction participation," ABC Television Affiliates Association, CBS Television Network Affiliates Association, FBC Television Affiliates Association, NAB and NBC Television Affiliates said in motion posted Friday in docket 15-216. "The Associations and our members ... will be unable to participate fully in this retransmission consent proceeding and provide a comprehensive record to the Commission under the current comment deadlines given the FCC's recently set overlapping deadlines for the approaching spectrum incentive auction," they said. Comments now are due Dec. 1 with responses due Dec. 31; the broadcasters said they would prefer Feb. 1 and March 2 deadlines.