Closed Captioning of Video Programming

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 25, 26, 73, 76 and 100

[MM Docket No. 95-176; DA 97-568]

Closed Captioning of Video Programming

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of reply comment period.

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SUMMARY: This Order extends the period for the public to file reply

comments in this rulemaking from March 24, 1997 until March 31, 1997.

This action will allow the public to more adequately reply to comments

previously filed in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(``NPRM'') seeking comment on proposed rules for the closed captioning

of video programming.

DATES: Reply comments are now due on or before March 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Glauberman, John Adams or

Alexis Johns, Cable Services Bureau, (202) 418-7200, TTY (202) 418-

7172.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By this Order, we extend the time period for

filing reply comments in this docket until March 31, 1997. Section 305

of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (``1996 Act'') added a new

Section 713, Video Programming Accessibility, to the Communications Act

of 1934, as amended (``Communications Act''). Section 713 requires the

Commission to prescribe, by August 8, 1997, rules and implementation

schedules for the closed captioning of video programming. On January 9,

1997, the Commission adopted a NPRM, summarized at 62 FR 4959 (February

3, 1997), in this docket, seeking comment on proposed rules,

implementation schedules and exemptions as authorized by Congress in

Section 713. The NPRM established March 24, 1997, as the deadline for

filing reply comments.

This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4(i),

303(r) and 713 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.

154(i), 303(r) and 613.

Federal Communications Commission

Meredith J. Jones,

Chief, Cable Services Bureau.

[FR Doc. 97-7321 Filed 3-21-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P