Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. of Cal. v. Federal Communications Commission
Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. of Cal. v. Federal Communications Commission
Opinion of the Court
In March 1950, intervenor Poole applied for a permit to construct Station KBIG at Avalon, Santa Catalina Island,
In December 1952, more than six months after Poole had commenced operation of KBIG under the program test authority, CBS requested the Commission to designate the Poole license application for hearing. It charged that by reason of KBIG’s interference with its normally protected contour, its license had been modified in violation of § 316 (a) of the Federal Communications Act, which bars modification without affording an opportunity for hearing.
The Commission found that a prima facie showing of an overlap with KMPC’s 25 mv/m contour had been made, and, accordingly, ordered a hearing on the license application in accordance with § 319(e)
The Commission did not, however, grant CBS’s request for relief which would have been comparable to what courts might allow upon a motion for a preliminary injunction. It refused to order either revocation or suspension of KBIG’s program test authority or reduction of its power. It rested this part of its action on the fact that KBIG was constructed in accordance with a construction permit duly granted upon notice to and without objection from the complaining stations, and on the failure of these stations to allege such economic injury as would warrant the immediate relief requested. Challenging only this last-mentioned portion of the Commission’s action, and being uncertain whether our review thereof is authorized by § 402(a) or (b) of the Federal Communications Act,
It is clear from our decision in Radio Station WOW v. Federal Communications Comm.
On the merits of this review, CBS relies heavily on § 316(a), which bars modification of a license without a prior hearing. It argues, in substance, that this section (1) operates throughout the licensing process to preclude the Commission from authorizing operations that will result in objectionable interference to an existing station licensee, and (2) requires the Commission to halt operations that have been authorized whenever they cause such interference.
We think the licensing scheme contemplated by the Federal Communications Act supports no such broad claim for the effect of § 316(a). That section bars issuance of a construction permit without a prior hearing where operation thereunder will result in objectionable interference to an existing station licensee.
upon the considerations of policy ex7 pressed in § 316(a), the Commission may, as it did here, determine that a hearing is warranted upon the showing made. And any Commission determination adverse to CBS’s claims in that hearing will, of course, be subject to judicial review.
We think it plain, however, that the fact that a hearing is ordered does not carry with it the corollary that interlocutory relief will follow. Pending
Appeal dismissed in No. 11881;
Order affirmed in No. 11882.
. The license was held in the name of Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. of California, appellant-petitioner here, hereafter referred to as “CBS.”
. 66 Stat. 718 (1952), 47 U.S.C.A. § 316(a), provides in pertinent part: “Any station license or construction permit may be modified by the Commission * * * if in the judgment of the Commission such action will promote the public interest, convenience, and necessity, or the provisions of this Act * * * will be more fully complied with. No such order of modification shall become final until the holder of the license or permit shall have been notified in writing of the proposed action and the grounds and reasons therefor, and shall have been given reasonable opportunity, in no event less than thirty days, to show cause by public hearing, if requested, why such order of modification should not issue * *
. 66 Stat. 718 (1952), 47 U.S.C.A. § 319 (c), provides in pertinent part: “Upon the completion of any station for the construction or continued construction of which a permit has been granted, and upon it being made to appear to the Commission that all the terms, conditions, and obligations set forth in the application and permit have been fully met, and that no cause or circumstance arising or first coming to the knowledge of the Commission since the granting of the permit would, in the judgment of the Commission, make the operation of such station against the public interest, the Commission shall issue a license to the lawful holder of said permit for the operation of said station. * * * ”
. 48 Stat. 1093 (1934), 47 U.S.C. § 402 (a) (1946), as amended, 68 Stat. 718 (1952), 47 U.S.C.A. § 402(a); 48 Stat. 1093 (1934), as amended, 66 Stat. 718 (1952), 47 U.S.C.A. § 402(b).
. KMPC sought neither review on its own nor intervention herein.
. 1950, 87 U.S.App.D.C. 226, 184 F.2d 257.
. The scope of the review under these provisions is the same. They involve somewhat different procedures for review not significant here.
. Federal Communications Comm. v. National Broadcasting Co., 1943, 319 U.S. 239, 63 S.Ct. 1035, 87 L.Ed. 1374; L. B. Wilson, Inc. v. Federal Communications Comm., 1948, 83 U.S.App.D.C. 176, 180-186, 170 F.2d 793, 798-803.
. Cf. American Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communications Comm., 1951, 89 U.S. App.D.C. 298, 191 F.2d 492.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. OF CAL. v. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (Poole, Intervenor) COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. OF CAL. v. UNITED STATES
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published