Definition of Markets for Purposes of the Cable Television Broadcast Signal Carriage Rules

In this document, the Commission dismisses petitions for reconsideration of the First Report and Order filed by Blackstar of Ann Arbor, Inc., licensee of WBSX-TV and by Costa de Oro Television, Inc., licensee of KSTV, that ask for special treatment for certain kinds of situations during the transition from ADIs to DMAs. The Commission has found that special relief is not warranted for these stations as they have taken advantage of the market modification process. Also addressed are possible ways to ease the transition for both broadcasters and cable operators, and the viewers they serve, as the Commission moves from an ADI to a DMA-based market structure. The Commission has set forth several procedural and evidentiary mechanisms to ameliorate the impact the change in market definitions may have on cable operators and broadcasters. The principal goal of the measures taken is to reduce, to the maximum extent feasible, cable subscriber confusion, and disruption in viewing patterns, that may arise because of the change. The Commission also improves the functioning of the ad hoc market modification process mandated by the Communications Act. New rules have been implemented encapsulizing the evidence necessary for filing market modification petitions.