SUMMARY AS OF:
7/17/2001--Introduced.
Broadcast Ownership for the 21st Century Act - Directs the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to modify current cross-ownership limitations by
eliminating provisions limiting the granting or renewal of an AM or FM radio or
television broadcast license to any party on the basis of the ownership,
operation, or control of a daily newspaper. Bars the FCC from prohibiting or
limiting a person or entity from holding any form of ownership or other interest
in a broadcasting station and a cable system serving the same community.
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that, in calculating the
national audience reach limitations, UHF stations shall be attributed with no
more than 50 percent of the television households in their market.
Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to direct the FCC to modify its
rules for multiple ownership of TV broadcast stations to increase to 45
(currently 35) percent the national audience reach limitations for TV stations
owned by the same entity or person.
Directs the FCC to revise its rules for local television multiple ownership
to allow a person to own, operate, or control two TV stations in the same market
area if the grade B contours of such station: (1) do not overlap; or (2) do
overlap and at least six independent broadcast or cable television voices would
remain in the area after transfer of the license of the stations in question.