On August 3, 2018, the Commission
released a Report and Order (Order), Rules and Policies to Promote
New Entry and Ownership Diversity in the Broadcasting Services, FCC
18-114, in MB Docket No. 18-289, establishing the requirements that
will govern the incubator program that the Commission previously
decided to adopt to support the entry of new and diverse voices
into the radio broadcast industry. The Commission recognized the
need for more innovative approaches to encourage access to capital,
as well as technical, operational, and management training for use
by new entrants and small businesses, that without assistance,
would not be able to own broadcast stations. The incubator program
is designed for small businesses, struggling station owners, and
new entrants that do not have any other means to access the
financial assistance and operational support necessary for success
in the broadcast industry. The goal is the pairing of these small
aspiring, or struggling, broadcast station owners with established
broadcasters. These incubation relationships will provide new
entrants and struggling small broadcasters access to the financing,
mentoring, and industry connections that are necessary for success
in the industry, but to date have been unavailable to many. In
return for successfully incubating a small aspiring, or struggling,
broadcast station owner as part of the incubator program, an
incumbent broadcaster will be eligible to receive a waiver of the
Local Radio Ownership Rule following the conclusion of a successful
qualifying incubation relationship.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.