Radio Broadcast Services; Television Program Practices

This Report and Order repeals the Commission's Rules regarding the Prime Time Access Rule. The Commission had invited comments in a rulemaking proceeding to assess the legal and policy justifications, in light of current economic and technological conditions, for the Prime Time Access Rule and to consider the continued need for the rule in its current form. Based on the comments received from interested parties, including economic and empirical analyses of the effects of repealing or retaining the rule, the Commission concludes that the public interest warrants the repeal of PTAR. In repealing the rule, the Commission believes a one-year transition period is appropriate to provide parties time to adjust their programming strategies and business arrangements.