The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved updated guidelines designed to expedite the national broadcast television shift to NextGen TV. These new rules eliminate mandatory simulcasting requirements, empowering local broadcasters with increased autonomy in managing their conversion timelines.
“America’s television broadcasters are in the midst of an ongoing transition,” stated Chairman Brendan Carr during the commission meeting. “They’re shifting to a new broadcasting standard known as ATSC 3.0 that can deliver significant benefits to consumers across the country.” The FCC voted in favor of a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, aiming to "support and accelerate the nation’s ongoing voluntary market-based broadcast television transition to NextGen TV," according to FCC Secretary Marlene Dortch.
Carr highlighted the local aspect of the transition, emphasizing that “local broadcasters have unique insights into what works best in their communities, and the proposed rules we adopt today will put more power and flexibility into the hands of those broadcasters, giving them greater freedom to meet those local community needs.”
The measure, supported by all three commissioners, represents a shift in the FCC’s regulatory strategy. Current regulations mandate that broadcasters transitioning to ATSC 3.0 maintain their existing ATSC 1.0 signals through partnerships with other local stations, due to technical limitations preventing simultaneous transmission from a single facility.
“First and foremost, this item takes the next step to allow broadcasters who would like to transition to have the opportunity to serve their communities in new and innovative ways,” Carr explained. “After all, in addition to providing high-quality video programming, ATSC 3.0 will allow broadcasters to deliver more accurate emergency alerts, as well as interactive programming features and other offerings, including data casting services.”
Commissioner Anna Gomez remarked, “Television is moving to an IP-based format that supports features and functionalities that will allow broadcasters to compete more effectively with digital platforms, both on content and economics. I strongly support this evolution and the continued competitive viability of local broadcasters.” She also acknowledged, “There are some very complicated questions that this current transition raises. First and foremost is the issue of timing.”
Commissioner Olivia Trusty also acknowledged both the promise and challenges of the transition. “While NextGen TV has already demonstrated its potential, it has also surfaced new technological, marketplace, and regulatory challenges,” she said. “This item does not avoid those challenges. It addresses them directly.” Trusty stressed the importance of maintaining focus on the public interest throughout the transition. “As we move forward, we must stay focused on advancing the public interest in both the specific details and the broader regulatory picture,” Trusty said.
The adopted notice seeks to eliminate regulatory obstacles deemed unnecessary by the commission. “For television, 3.0 represents the future of broadcasting,” Carr stated. “Today’s action takes steps to support and accelerate the nation’s ongoing market-based transition to NextGen TV, to remove unnecessary regulatory obstacles, and to give broadcasters flexibility to determine how best to serve their local communities.” Unlike previous transitions with specific deadlines, the FCC is adopting a voluntary approach.
The commission stated that "with viewers watching content anytime, anywhere, ATSC 3.0 provides broadcasters with an opportunity to look for new ways to offer quality programming and improve the outlook for stations across the country.”
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) CEO Curtis LeGeyt stated: “The FCC’s action today is a meaningful step toward realizing the full benefits of NextGen TV, and NAB applauds Chairman Carr and Commissioners Gomez and Trusty for their leadership on this important issue." Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) said, “Thank you to the FCC for taking another step toward a fully voluntary transition to NextGen TV,”