Audio Video News

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on a proposal announced last year that would allow TV broadcasters to use the “next generation” ATSC 3.0 transmission standard on a voluntary, market-driven basis.

ATSC 3.0 has the potential to greatly improve broadcast signal reception on mobile devices and television receivers without outdoor antennas, according to the FCC. The commission said the standard is also intended to enable broadcasters to offer enhanced features, including a 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) picture and immersive audio, more localized programming content, an advanced emergency alert system capable of waking up sleeping devices to warn consumers of imminent emergencies, improved accessibility options, and interactive services.

A coalition of broadcast and consumer electronics industry representatives petitioned the Commission to allow the use of the new standard. The upgraded technology is intended to merge the capabilities of over-the-air broadcasting with the broadband viewing and information delivery methods of the Internet using the same 6 MHz channels presently allocated for digital television (DTV).

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), issued on February 23, proposes and seeks comment on rules that will allow broadcasters the flexibility to deploy ATSC 3.0-based transmissions while minimizing the impact on—and costs to—consumers and industry stakeholders. Among other things, the notice proposes:

• To authorize voluntary use of ATSC 3.0 transmissions and to incorporate the relevant portions of the new standard into the Commission’s rules. The NPRM tentatively concludes that a Next Gen TV tuner mandate for new television receivers is not necessary at this time.

• To require “local simulcasting” for stations that choose to deploy Next Gen TV so broadcasters can continue to provide DTV service using the current ATSC 1.0 standard at the same time that they offer ATSC 3.0. This approach will minimize disruption to consumers by ensuring that they will still be able to use their existing TV sets, which have only current-generation DTV and analog tuners.

• To require that multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) continue carrying broadcasters’ DTV signals, using ATSC 1.0, but not to require them to carry ATSC 3.0 signals during the period when broadcasters are voluntarily implementing ATSC 3.0 service. The NPRM also asks about issues related to the voluntary carriage of ATSC 3.0 signals through retransmission consent.
  

The proposal asks for comment on whether Next Gen TV transmissions will raise any interference concerns for existing DTV operations or for any other services or devices that operate in the TV bands or in adjacent bands.

The proposal tentatively concludes that television stations offering ATSC 3.0 should be subject to the public interest obligations that currently apply to television broadcasters and asks for comment on whether broadcasters should be required to provide on-air notifications to educate consumers about Next Gen TV service deployment and ATSC 1.0 simulcasting.

For a summary of the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s (ATSC) current work and thoughts on the ATSC 3.0 standard, see ”ATSC 3.0: Where We Stand” at atsc.org.