5628 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 25 / Thursday, February 6, 1997 / Notices

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marcia A. Glauberman, Cable Services

Bureau (202) 416–1184 or Rebecca

Dorch, Office of General Counsel (202)

418–1868.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a

synopsis of the Commission’s 1996

Report in CS Docket No. 96–133, FCC

96–496, adopted December 26, 1996,

and released January 2, 1997. The

complete text of the 1996 Report is

available for inspection and copying

during normal business hours in the

FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919

M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.,

20554, and may also be purchased from

the Commission’s copy contractor,

International Transcription Service

(‘‘ITS, Inc.’’), (202) 857–3800, 2100 M

Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington,

D.C. 20037. In addition, the complete

text of the 1996 Report is available on

the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/

Bureaus/Cable/WWW/csb.html or at

thttp://www.fcc.gov/ogc/articles.html

Synopsis of the 1996 Report

1. In the 1996 Report the Commission

reviews provisions of the

Telecommunications Act of 1996 (‘‘1996

Act’’) that affect competition in markets

for the delivery of video programming.

The Commission reports on information

about cable industry performance and

the status of competitive entry by other

multichannel video programming

distributors (‘‘MVPDs’’). The

Commission also provides information

about structural issues affecting

competition, such as horizontal

concentration, vertical integration and

technological advances. It further

examines potential obstacles to the

emergence of competition and reports

on competitive responses by industry

players that are beginning to face

competition from other MVPDs.

2. In the 1996 Report the Commission

notes that the 1996 Act embodies

Congress’ intent to promote a ‘‘procompetitive national policy framework’’

and eventual deregulation of markets for

the delivery of video programming.

Several of the 1996 Act’s provisions are

intended to remove barriers to

competitive entry in video programming

markets and establish market conditions

that promote the process of competitive

rivalry. Many provisions of the 1996

Act, and the Commission’s actions to

implement them, have the potential for

fostering increased competition in

markets for the delivery of video

programming.

3. At present, however, incumbent

franchised cable systems are still the

primary distributors of multichannel

video programming. Although other

MVPDs continue to increase their share

of subscribers in many local markets for

the delivery of video programming,

these markets generally remain highly

concentrated, and structural conditions

are still in place that could permit the

exercise of market power by incumbent

cable systems. Nationwide, non-cable

MVPDs now serve 11% of total MVPD

subscribers, with cable operators

retaining a share of 89%, down from

91% last year. Notwithstanding this

decrease in cable systems’ share of total

MVPD subscribers, the actual number of

cable subscribers continues to increase.

4. Key Findings:

• Status of competition. It remains

difficult to predict the extent to which

competition from MVPDs using noncable delivery technologies will

constrain cable systems’ ability to

exercise market power in the future. In

a growing but still very limited number

of instances, incumbent cable system

operators face competition from wired

MVPDs offering similar services. In

addition there has been a substantial

increase in subscribership to direct

broadcast satellite (DBS) providers

offering differentiated services.

However, it remains difficult to

determine the extent to which markets

for the delivery of video programming

will be characterized by vigorous rivalry

among many MVPDs offering closely

substitutable services, or instead will be

dominated by a few providers facing

less vigorous rivalry from other MVPDs

offering highly-differentiated or niche

programming services.

• Industry growth. The cable industry

has continued to grow in terms of the

number of subscribers, penetration,

average system channel capacity, the

number of programming services

available, revenues, audience ratings

and expenditures on programming since

the Commission’s previous report in

1995.

• Horizontal concentration.

Nationally, horizontal concentration

among the top cable multiple system

operators (MSOs) has continued to

increase, but still remains within the

moderately concentrated range

according to standard measures of

industry concentration. If all MVPDs are

included for consideration, national

concentration falls just above the

threshold of the moderately

concentrated range. In addition, cable

MSOs, through acquisitions and trades,

continue to increase regional clustering,

which now accounts for service to

approximately 50% of all cable

subscribers.

• Promotion of entry and

competition. Several of the 1996 Act’s

provisions are intended to remove

barriers to entry and to promote

competition in markets for the delivery

of video programming. The Commission

has adopted rules implementing the

provision creating open video systems

and the provision preempting certain

local restrictions on reception devices,

including antennas and dishes for

reception of over-the-air broadcast,

wireless cable and DBS signals.

• Vertical integration. Vertical

integration of national programming

services between cable operators and

programmers declined from last year’s

total of 51% to just 44% this year, due

largely to the sale of Viacom’s cable

system assets. In addition, of the 16

programming services that were

launched since the Commission’s

previous report, 10 are not vertically

integrated. Access to programming

remains one of the critical factors for

successful development of competitive

MVPDs.

• Technological advances.

Technological advances are occurring

that will permit MVPDs to increase both

quantity of service (i.e., an increased

number of channels using the same

amount of bandwidth or spectrum

space) and types of offerings (e.g.,

interactive services). MVPDs continue to

pursue new system architectures,

upgraded facilities, use of increased

bandwidth and deployment of digital

technology.

Ordering Clauses

5. This 1996 Report is issued pursuant

to authority contained in Sections 4(i),

4(j), 403 and 628(g) of the

Communications Act of 1934, as

amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 403

and 548(g).

It is Ordered that the Secretary shall

send copies of this 1996 Report to the

appropriate committees and

subcommittees of the United States

House of Representatives and the

United States Senate.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97–2907 Filed 2–5–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meeting

* * * * *

FEDERAL REGISTER NUMBER: 97–02490.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DATE & TIME:

Thursday, February 6, 1997, 10:00 a.m.,

meeting open to the public.

This Meeting Will Not Convene Until 12:00

Noon

* * * * *
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 25 / Thursday, February 6, 1997 / Notices 5629

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 11, 1997

at 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: 999 E Street, N.W., Washington,

D.C.

STATUS: This meeting will be closed to

the public.

ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED:

Compliance matters pursuant to 2 U.S.C.

§ 437g.

Audits conducted pursuant to 2 U.S.C.

§ 437g, § 438(b), and Title 26, U.S.C.

Matters concerning participation in civil

actions or proceedings or arbitration.

Internal personnel rules and procedures or

matters affecting a particular employee.

Federal Election Commission.

Sunshine Act Notices for Meetings of

February 11 and 13, 1997.

DATE & TIME: Thursday, February 13,

1997 at 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: 999 E Street, N.W., Washington,

D.C. (Ninth Floor).

STATUS: This meeting will be open to the

public.

ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED:

Correction and Approval of Minutes.

Final Rules Implementing the Debt

Collection Improvement Act of 1996.

Administrative Matters.

PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION:

Mr. Ron Harris, Press Officer,

Telephone: (202) 219–4155.

Mary W. Dove,

Administrative Assistant.

[FR Doc. 97–3057 Filed 2–4–97; 10:30 am]

BILLING CODE 6715–01–M

FEDERAL EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT AGENCY

[FEMA–1155–DR]

California; Amendment to Notice of a

Major Disaster Declaration

AGENCY: Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice amends the notice

of a major disaster for the State of

California (FEMA–1155–DR), dated

January 4, 1997, and related

determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 24, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Magda Ruiz, Response and Recovery

Directorate, Federal Emergency

Management Agency, Washington, DC

20472, (202) 646–3260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice

of a major disaster for the State of

California is hereby amended to include

the following areas among those areas

determined to have been adversely

affected by the catastrophe declared a

major disaster by the President in his

declaration of January 4, 1997:

The counties of Alameda and San

Francisco for Individual Assistance, Public

Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.516, Disaster Assistance)

Lacy E. Suiter,

Executive Associate Director, Response and

Recovery Directorate.

[FR Doc. 97–2972 Filed 2–5–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–02–P

[FEMA–1154–DR]

Idaho; Amendment to Notice of a Major

Disaster Declaration

AGENCY: Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice amends the notice

of a major disaster for the State of Idaho

(FEMA–1154–DR), dated January 4,

1997, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 22, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Magda Ruiz, Response and Recovery

Directorate, Federal Emergency

Management Agency, Washington, DC

20472, (202) 646–3260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice

of a major disaster for the State of Idaho

is hereby amended to include the

following area among those areas

determined to have been adversely

affected by the catastrophe declared a

major disaster by the President in his

declaration of January 4, 1997:

Owyhee County for Hazard Mitigation

assistance and Public Assistance (Categories

A through G). Federal assistance to replace

trees is not eligible.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.516, Disaster Assistance)

Lacy E. Suiter,

Executive Associate Director, Response and

Recovery Directorate.

[FR Doc. 97–2973 Filed 2–5–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–02–P

[FEMA–1154–DR]

Idaho; Amendment to Notice of a Major

Disaster Declaration

AGENCY: Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice amends the notice

of a major disaster for the State of Idaho,

(FEMA–1154–DR), dated January 4,

1997, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 22, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Magda Ruiz, Response and Recovery

Directorate, Federal Emergency

Management Agency, Washington, DC

20472, (202) 646–3260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice

of a major disaster for the State of Idaho,

is hereby amended to include the

following areas among those areas

determined to have been adversely

affected by the catastrophe declared a

major disaster by the President in his

declaration of January 4, 1997:

The counties of Kootenai and Benewah for

Individual Assistance and debris removal

and emergency protective measures

(Categories A and B) under the Public

Assistance program.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.516, Disaster Assistance)

Lacy E. Suiter,

Executive Associate Director, Response and

Recovery Directorate.

[FR Doc. 97–2974 Filed 2–5–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–02–P

[FEMA–1154–DR]

Idaho; Amendment to Notice of a Major

Disaster Declaration

AGENCY: Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice amends the notice

of a major disaster for the State of Idaho,

(FEMA–1154–DR), dated January 4,

1997, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 22, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Magda Ruiz, Response and Recovery

Directorate, Federal Emergency

Management Agency, Washington, DC

20472, (202) 646–3260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice

of a major disaster for the State of Idaho,

is hereby amended to include the

following areas among those areas

determined to have been adversely

affected by the catastrophe declared a

major disaster by the President in his

declaration of January 4, 1997:

The Counties of Adams, Bonner, Boundary,

Clearwater, Elmore, Latah, Nez Perce,

Payette, Shoshone, Valley, and Washington

for Hazard Mitigation Assistance and

Categories C, D, E, F, and G under the Public

Assistance program. Federal assistance to

replace trees is not eligible. (These counties

have already been designated for Individual

Assistance and Categories A and B under the

Public Assistance program.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.516, Disaster Assistance)

Lacy E. Suiter,

Executive Associate Director, Response and

Recovery Directorate.

[FR Doc. 97–2975 Filed 2–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–02–P