NEWSReport No. MM 96-19    ACTION IN DOCKET CASE             April 12, 1996
                                     
           FCC IMPLEMENTS AMENDED RENEWAL PROCEDURES UNDER THE
                               TELECOM ACT

The Commission has adopted an Order implementing Section 204(a) of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996 ("Telecom Act").  The Telecom Act adopts new Section 309(k) of the
Communications Act, which eliminates comparative renewal hearings and directs the Commission
to grant a broadcaster's renewal application if statutory renewal standards are met.  This new
procedure effects a major change in the way the Commission processes renewals.  With respect
to broadcast renewal applications filed after May 1, 1995, the statute eliminates comparative
renewals and establishes, instead, a new two-step renewal procedure.  It also codifies specific
standards for the Commission to apply in considering broadcasters' renewal applications.  
Additionally, Section 204(a)(2) of the Telecom Act amends Section 309(d) of the
Communications Act to make the standard for filing petitions to deny conform to the new
statutory renewal standards.  The Commission's rules will be modified to conform to the renewal
procedures and standards adopted in the Telecom Act.  

The Telecom Act does not define the terms contained in the renewal standards embodied in
Section 309(k), and the Commission likewise does not define those terms in this Order.  It is the
Commission's present intent to continue to apply existing policy statements and case law, refining
these as appropriate on a case-by-case basis in interpreting the statutory terms that govern the
new renewal process.  If the Commission determines at some future time that further clarification
of the renewal standards is appropriate, it shall conduct such proceedings as may be warranted. 

Pending comparative renewal proceedings and mutual exclusivities involving applications filed
on or before May 1, 1995, will be concluded pursuant to the current rules, and accordingly, the
Commission will leave intact procedural provisions of the current rules that refer to comparative
renewal proceedings until those pending proceedings and exclusivities are finally resolved.  The
Commission also terminated BC Docket No. 81-742 in which the Commission had been
considering reform of the comparative renewal process.
     
     Action by the Commission April 12, 1996, by Order (FCC 96-172) Chairman Hundt,
Commissioners Quello, Chong and Ness.

                                  - FCC -

     News Media contact: Audrey Spivack at (202) 418-0500.
     Mass Media Bureau contact: Mania K. Baghdadi at (202) 418-2130.