Coalition Of Conservative Groups Challenges Nab S Push For Atsc 3 0

A coalition of 13 conservative organizations has filed formal opposition with the Federal Communications Commission against the National Association of Broadcasters‘ petition to mandate adoption of ATSC 3.0 technology, arguing that market forces should... The July 10 filing, led by Americans for Tax Reform and including groups such as Digital Liberty, the Innovation Economy Alliance and Citizens Against Government Waste, contends that the current voluntary adoption approach has... “More than three out of every four Americans have access to ATSC 3.0,” the coalition states in their letter to the FCC. “It is available in more than 80 markets in parallel to ATSC 1.0 technology delivering digital television.” The opposition represents the latest salvo in an escalating debate over the future of Next Generation Television technology. Former FCC commissioner criticizes proposed NextGen TV mandates

The cable industry, led by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), is pushing back against a proposal by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to mandate a nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0, also... In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday, NCTA argued that the proposed mandate would impose significant costs on consumers and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) while offering little benefit due... ATSC 3.0 promises enhanced picture and sound quality, interactive applications, and hyper-localized content, such as targeted advertising and programming. Since the FCC authorized a voluntary transition in 2017, over 80 markets have adopted ATSC 3.0 while maintaining ATSC 1.0 broadcasts to ensure compatibility. However, the NAB’s February petition urges the FCC to accelerate the process, requiring stations in the top 55 markets—covering roughly 70% of the U.S. population—to fully transition by February 2028, with remaining stations following by 2030.

The NAB also seeks mandates for ATSC 3.0 tuners in TVs by 2028 and updates to MVPD carriage rules. NCTA’s filing sharply criticized the proposal, calling it “heavy-handed government intervention” unwarranted in today’s competitive video marketplace. The group highlighted the slow pace of the voluntary transition, noting that only 138 of the 1,767 full-power U.S. stations currently broadcast in ATSC 3.0, according to RabbitEars data. Additionally, only 4.5% of TVs in U.S. households are equipped to receive ATSC 3.0 signals, reflecting low consumer demand for compatible devices.

“The exciting and innovative services broadcasters promised—superior reception, mobile viewing, enhanced public safety, and interactive content—have been slow to materialize,” NCTA stated. “Consumers have shown little demand for ATSC 3.0 televisions or converter boxes.” The cable industry also raised concerns about the lack of backward compatibility with existing MVPD systems. NCTA members, including major cable operators, would need to invest heavily in new infrastructure to carry ATSC 3.0 signals. One member estimated costs in the tens of millions for new transceivers alone, a burden that could drive up cable service prices at a time when operators are already losing subscribers to streaming platforms. “The broadcast industry chose a non-backward compatible technology,” NCTA argued, asserting that the costs should not be passed on to MVPDs or consumers.

Another day, another reflexive, innovation-blocking FCC filing from the usual suspects – cable lobbyists, legacy advocacy groups and industry players who oppose anything that might strengthen free, over-the-air broadcasting or challenge the dominance of... Their latest attack on ATSC 3.0 – the Next Gen TV broadcast standard already delivering improved video, immersive audio, innovative interactive features, and more – is as predictable as it is tired. Let’s be clear: these groups aren’t protecting the public. They’re protecting their turf. Their familiar talking points are still wrong: Here’s what’s really happening: broadcasters are working to preserve and strengthen free television for everyone, while our competitors are busy finding new ways to extract more money from viewers every month by diverting viewers...

CTA, for one, uses faulty logic to suggest ATSC 3.0 tuners are responsible for an $80 price difference between TVs with Next Gen TV capability and those without, ignoring the fact that those models... For example, many of the TVs that include Next Gen tuners also offer 8K video, higher-end display technologies, high refresh rates and upgraded speakers. The manufacturers who are actively embracing ATSC 3.0 – many of whom are ironically “represented” by CTA – are delivering real value to consumers and helping to modernize free, over-the-air television. We should be celebrating this innovation – not undermining it. To the contrary, innovation is happening and it’s threatening those eager to protect their profits. ATSC 3.0 brings flexible, secure, IP-based broadcasting to viewers without the strings of Big Tech.

The objections about digital rights management (DRM) are driven by fear of losing control, not genuine concern for open ecosystems. We also wonder if NCTA bothered checking with its members before joining a filing arguing that encryption is bad. Six groups said they had different perspectives but ‘one goal’ in urging the regulator to ‘deny NAB’s requests’ When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. WASHINGTON—Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commission staff to detail their opposition to the "Petition for Rulemaking and Future of Television...

“This diverse group of stakeholders represents different aspects of the television marketplace, and each is on record individually opposing NAB’s Petition,” the groups said in a letter to the FCC summarizing the meeting. “Each participating organization has a different perspective, but we all have a common goal. We respectfully urge the Commission to deny NAB’s requests.” In a February filing, the NAB proposed the FCC mandate a two-phase transition deadline. In the first phase of the NAB proposal, full-power stations in the top 55 markets (reaching about 70% of viewers) would be required to transition fully to ATSC 3.0 (i.e., end ATSC 1.0 simulcasting)... In the second phase of the NAB proposal, stations in the remaining markets would be required to transition fully to ATSC 3.0 in February 2030.

The NAB is also asking that ATSC 3.0 tuners be mandated in all new TV sets. Conservative groups and the Consumer Technology Association argued in reply comments filed by Friday’s deadline that a mandatory transition to ATSC 3.0, as NAB proposed, would fly in the face of FCC Chairman Brendan... In its own comments, NAB argued that a mandate is necessary for broadcast competition, saying it's no different from the DTV transition. Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today! “At a moment when Chairman Carr and the FCC seek to slash regulatory red tape, the NAB proposal would encumber one of the most dynamic sectors of America’s economy in more red tape,” said...

NAB’s plan “imposes a heavy-handed regulatory scheme that conflicts with the Trump Administration and FCC’s laudable commitment to deregulation, competition, and market innovation,” said the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. Digital Liberty pointed out that NAB’s call to force a transition runs exactly counter to its arguments for ownership deregulation. "Granting the petition would only impose on other market actors the same type of outdated, needless regulation that afflicts the broadcast industry at present, a regulatory capture play that no agency of the federal... Let’s call this what it is: An assault on consumer freedom.” The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has taken a significant step toward ensuring a smooth transition to ATSC 3.0 by filing a petition urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a clear timeline... This move aims to address the growing uncertainty surrounding the transition process and provide broadcasters—particularly Low Power Television (LPTV) stations—with the guidance they need to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV, is a transformative technology that enhances over-the-air broadcasting with improved video quality, immersive audio, better signal reception, and interactive features. The standard also allows for advanced emergency alerting and datacasting capabilities, which could revolutionize how broadcasters engage with their audiences. For LPTV stations, the adoption of ATSC 3.0 presents both challenges and opportunities. While the new standard promises better service and monetization potential, the lack of a definitive transition timeline has left many stations hesitant to invest in upgrades. The NAB’s petition seeks to eliminate this uncertainty by pushing for a structured, well-defined migration plan. The NAB’s petition highlights several critical areas that require immediate regulatory attention:

A Firm Transition Deadline: NAB is requesting the FCC set a clear deadline for the industry-wide adoption of ATSC 3.0, ensuring that broadcasters have a predictable roadmap. OTI, along with Public Knowledge, Consumer Reports, and other public interest groups, oppose the National Association of Broadcaster’s (NABO) proposal to mandate a nationwide transition to a new digital over-the-air TV standard (ATSC 3.0)—thereby... NAB’s plan is deeply flawed and prioritizes broadcaster profits and control at the expense of the public interest. The Commission must not authorize this under the guise of modernization. The public interest cannot be served by creating technological barriers to reception of free broadcast signals. Historically, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) broadcast priorities have included the universality, affordability, and openness of access to over-the-air content.

Any mandatory transition to a new standard must preserve these values. It must ensure universal and equitable access to service; strong and enforceable public interest obligations; affordable and interoperable reception equipment; non-discriminatory access to devices and content; robust privacy protections; and the safeguarding of fair... Unless these concerns are addressed, we urge the Commission to reject the NAB petition. The proposal by NAB to mandate a nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0 by 2030 imposes significant and unjustifiable burdens on American consumers. While broadcasters stand to benefit from expanded commercial opportunities—including targeted advertising, datacasting, and retransmission fees—consumers are asked to absorb the costs of new equipment, navigate technical complexities, and potentially lose access to free over-the-air... This cost-shifting is neither equitable nor consistent with the Commission’s longstanding obligation to ensure universal, affordable access to essential communications services.

It also marks a shift in policy from the previous analog-to-digital broadcast transition, where Congress, in the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, made a subsidy available to every household to cover... For millions of Americans—particularly those in low-income households, rural communities, tribal areas, or elder populations—broadcast television remains a primary or exclusive source of news, educational content, emergency alerts, and entertainment. These communities are least likely to upgrade their hardware frequently and are disproportionately affected by costs associated with new tuners, incompatible televisions, or internet-enabled features. These issues are compounded by the pervasive and inappropriate incorporation of Digital Rights Management (DRM) into the ATSC 3.0 standard, which fundamentally contradicts the Commission’s mandate to promote access, localism, and diversity. To that end, while the NAB’s petition should be denied, the FCC should condition any eventual transition on the implementation of a robust consumer protection plan, including: The National Association of Broadcasters responded sharply to industry opposition against its ATSC 3.0 transition petition, accusing cable companies and consumer electronics groups of “protecting their turf” rather than serving the public interest.

In a July 7 blog post, NAB Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan dismissed objections raised by six industry groups during a recent Federal Communications Commission meeting as “reflexive, innovation-blocking” efforts from “the usual suspects.”... Six industry groups tell FCC to reject NAB’s ATSC 3.0 transition plan NAB’s petition requests a two-phase timeline requiring full-power stations in the top 55 markets to end ATSC 1.0 simulcasting by February 2028, with remaining markets following by February 2030. The proposal also seeks mandatory ATSC 3.0 tuners in new television sets. Kaplan challenged the coalition’s cost arguments, particularly CTA’s analysis showing ATSC 3.0-capable televisions cost an average of $157 more than ATSC 1.0-only models. Save this article for later!

Login or create a Free Member Profile to bookmark it. A coalition of six industry groups representing consumer electronics, pay TV operators and broadcasters formally opposed the National Association of Broadcasters’ petition for a mandatory transition to ATSC 3.0 during a June 27 meeting... This article was originally posted on newscaststudio.com

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