The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has voiced strong opposition to a proposal by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) that would mandate the inclusion of ATSC 3.0, or NextGen TV, tuners in all new television sets. In a May 7 filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the CTA cautioned that such a mandate would lead to higher consumer costs, hinder industry innovation, and undermine the voluntary framework established for the ATSC 3.0 transition.
The CTA, representing numerous technology manufacturers and a co-founder of the Advanced Television Systems Committee, reiterated its commitment to the ATSC 3.0 standard. They advocate for its continued development as a voluntary upgrade, achieved through collaboration with broadcasters. The organization argued that a regulatory mandate would prove counterproductive and contradict previous joint commitments made in a 2016 petition by CTA, NAB, America’s Public Television Stations, and the AWARN Alliance.
The CTA emphasized the current success of the television market without government intervention. Manufacturers are already voluntarily producing over 14 million ATSC 3.0-capable TVs, with six manufacturers currently offering such sets. The CTA projects that most TVs shipped within the U.S. in 2028 will support ATSC 3.0. Their filing included research showing that only around 19% of households use TV antennas, and fewer than 10% rely solely on them. A price comparison revealed that ATSC 3.0 TVs cost significantly more – averaging $833 compared to $676 for ATSC 1.0-only models.
Furthermore, the CTA opposed design regulations proposed by NAB concerning remote controls or user interfaces that prioritize broadcast services. They asserted that the FCC lacks the statutory authority for such mandates and warned of potential interference with market-driven user interface innovation. While acknowledging the accessibility improvements offered by ATSC 3.0 (multiple audio streams, enhanced closed captioning), the CTA stated that these features should not be subject to regulatory requirements.
The CTA concluded by urging the FCC to uphold the voluntary nature of the NextGen TV transition and refrain from mandates that would place undue burdens on consumers and manufacturers. The proposal was characterized as inconsistent with recent executive orders promoting deregulation, and the CTA warned against government intervention before broadcasters can demonstrate substantial nationwide consumer demand for ATSC 3.0 services.