Industry Opposition To Atsc 3 0 Mandate Requested By Nab

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.

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.

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 An alliance of consumer advocates and television industry players are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject a proposal that would mandate the adoption of the new ATSC 3.0 "Next Generation" broadcast television... In a letter presented to the FCC this week, organizations including the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Public Knowledge, NCTA, The Internet & Television Association, ACA Connects America’s Communications Association, American Television Alliance (ATVA) and...

Here's the full letter, outlining their collective concerns and detailed arguments: Marlene H. Dortch, Esq.SecretaryFederal Communications Commission45 L Street NEWashington, DC 20554 Re: Authorizing Permissive Use of the “Next Generation” Broadcast Television Standard – GN Docket No. 16-142 On Friday, June 27, representatives of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Public Knowledge, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, ACA Connects – America’s Communications Association (ACA Connects), American Television Alliance (ATVA), and LPTV...

A full list of participants in the meeting is attached. 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.

We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to reject the National Association of Broadcaster’s petition to force competitors to use their preferred technology. While broadcasters operate under the strain of onerous regulation dating from the Second World War, new mandates on other technologies are not the solution. NAB petitioned the Commission to mandate the adoption of Next Generation Television (Next Gen TV) with Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards, despite widespread adoption already. Next Gen TV is already operating on ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0 technologies available for broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributers (cable and satellite) should they choose to use it. And they have chosen. More than three out of every four Americans have access to ATSC 3.0.

It is available in more than 80 markets in parallel to ATSC 1.0 technology delivering digital television. The argument that this is even a problem demanding the Commission’s intervention is flimsy given this fact. By any reasonable standard, this is a success. Under the Commission’s original 2017 report and order authorizing ATSC 3.0, broadcasters are allowed use the new standard on a “voluntary, market-driven basis.” The Commission should maintain its voluntary, market-driven adoption policy that has... NAB effectively asks the FCC to do their job for them by mandating ATSC adoption in the remaining markets to reach the untapped 25 percent or so of the population. In what is unfortunately a tale as old as time, they would rather use the government to limit genuine competition by forcing their competitors to adopt their standards, ironically in the name of “competition,”...

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 with... The stakeholders, including the Consumer Technology Association, Public Knowledge, NCTA, ACA Connects, American Television Alliance and LPTV Broadcasters Association, detailed their objections to NAB’s February petition in a July 1 letter to the FCC. The petition requests a two-phase transition deadline that would require 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 Consumer Technology Association reiterated its position that the transition to ATSC 3.0 should remain voluntary, arguing that “a mandatory transition to ATSC 3.0 would harm consumers by imposing real costs for consumers, stifling... Brian Markwalter, CTA’s senior vice president of research and standards, and Rachel Nemeth, senior director of regulatory affairs, represented the organization at the meeting.

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