Public Service Announcements.

(1) Proposed range. The suggested range for the number of public service announcements required is from 110 to 150 per week for each station or channel. The suggested breakout by time period follows:
6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m 40 – 60 4:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. 30 – 40 11:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. 40 – 50

(2) Local Emphasis. At least one half of the spots should be locally-produced and directed toward local issues.

(3) Phase In Period. PSA requirements would be phased in with approximately one-third of the PSAs required in the first year of digital transmission, one third in the second year, and all numerical requirements met in the third year.

Public Affairs Programming. While we suggest that broadcasters be required to carry at least two hours of local programming each week, a suggested phase-in period might allow the following:

Year one: Weekly, one-half hour, locally-produced public affairs programming
Year two: Weekly, one hour or two half hours of programming
Year three: Weekly, two hours of public affairs programming

The first one-half hour of programming should be carried between the hours of six p.m. and midnight.

In year two and thereafter, one-half of all public affairs programming should be (a) broadcast between six p.m. and midnight and (b) locally produced and aimed at local community needs and interests.

Free Political Programming. Political programming should not be phased in. Minimum requirements should be met following implementation.