Gray Lobbies Media Bureau on Significantly Viewed Rules

A “diverse coalition of broadcasters” supports Gray Television’s proposal to modify the FCC’s significantly viewed rules, said Gray in a meeting May 11 with Media Bureau Chief Holly Saurer and Media Bureau staff, according to an ex parte filing in docket 20-73. Gray proposed in 2020 that the FCC relax the requirements for a broadcaster to prove its content is significantly viewed to allow the submission of signal reach data in lieu of Nielsen viewership numbers (see 2106100060). “The FCC’s process to modify the significantly viewed list, or to waive the significantly viewed rules, is outdated and burdensome for broadcasters and FCC staff, which reduces local service in small markets and short markets,” Gray said.