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                            Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of                )
                                )
Advanced Television Systems     )
and Their Impact upon the       ) MM Docket No. 87-268
Existing Television Broadcast   )
Service                         )
                                 

       ORDER PERMITTING THE FILING OF COMBINED PETITIONS

Released:  June 5, 1997


By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology:

     1.  On April 3, 1997, the Commission adopted two decisions in this proceeding:  the Fifth
Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87-268, FCC 97-116 and the Sixth Report and Order in MM
Docket No. 87-268, FCC 97-115.  The Fifth Report and Order established service rules for digital
television (DTV); the Sixth Report and Order established a DTV Table of Allotments, rules for the
initial DTV allotments; procedures for assigning for DTV channels, and plans for spectrum recovery.

     2.  On May 29, 1997, the Association for Maximum Service Television, Inc. (MSTV)
submitted a motion seeking permission to file a single petition for reconsideration of the Fifth and
Sixth Reports and Orders that would exceed the 25-page limitation set forth in Section 1.429(d) of
the Commission's rules, 47 CFR  1.429(d).  MSTV states that as evidenced by the numerous
passages in the decisions that refer back to the separate decisions, the Commission's decisions with
respect to many DTV service rule and allotment/assignment issues are interrelated and cannot be
meaningfully assessed in isolation.  It therefore submits that one petition addressing both the Fifth
and Sixth Reports and Orders will provide an efficient means of responding to these decisions and
also provide the Commission with the most studied and accurate response and information possible. 
It further states that a thoughtful discussion in a single document of both DTV service rule and
allotment/assignment issues will necessitate exceeding the 25-page limitation.

     3.  We recognize MSTV's position that many of the issues addressed in the Fifth and Sixth
Reports and Orders are interrelated and that it may be more efficient for parties to respond to these
decisions in a single, consolidated petition for reconsideration.  In this case, a single filing could
eliminate the need for duplicative pleadings, reduce the burden on responding parties and conserve
Commission resources.  Thus, we find that there is good cause for granting MSTV's motion for
permission to file a single petition that addresses both decisions.  Although we do not routinely grant
extensions of the page limits for pleadings filed with the Commission, (see 47 CFR  1.48(b) we find
that, given the number and complexity of the issues addressed in the Fifth and Sixth Reports and
Orders, it is reasonable and appropriate to allow a single petition for reconsideration addressing both
decisions to exceed the 25 page limit set forth in Section 1.429(d).  We also believe that a limit of
50 pages is appropriate for such consolidated filings.  Accordingly, we are allowing all interested
parties to submit consolidated petitions for rule making of the Fifth and Sixth Reports and Ordersand are increasing the page limit for such petitions to 50 pages.  Parties preparing to submit petitions
for reconsideration of either or both of these decisions are also advised that they may submit filings
addressing only one of these decisions or may submit separate filings addressing both decisions
individually, in accordance with the standard procedures for petitions for rule making.  Filings that
address only one decision will continue to be limited to 25 pages.

     4.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  154(i) and 303(r), and Sections 0.31, 0.241,
1.3, and 1.429 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR  0.31, 0.241, 1.3, and 1.429, that the motion
of the Association for Maximum Service Television, Inc. that we permit the filing of consolidated
petitions for reconsideration of the Fifth Report and Order and the Sixth Report and Order in MM
Docket No. 87-268 and extend the page limit for such consolidated petitions IS GRANTED, as
indicated above.


                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION






                         Richard M. Smith
                         Chief
                         Office of Engineering and Technology