The FCC Will Allow ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC TV Stations Decide When Switch to ATSC 3.0
digitalaudiorock writes:
As a very long time user of MythTV and free OTA ATSC 1.0 TV, reading this one did not make my day:
CordCutters published news of a recent FCC decision to allow broadcasters flexibility on switching to ATSC 3.0 technology:
In a major shift for American television viewers, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided against setting a hard deadline to end the old digital TV system that powers most broadcasts and cable services today. [...] The agency, now headed by Brendan Carr, had initially pushed for a quicker switch to the advanced ATSC 3.0 technology, known as NextGen TV. But after hearing concerns from consumer groups, cable companies, and satellite providers, the FCC is choosing a more flexible, voluntary approach to make the change easier for everyone involved.
According to the new proposal this would "tentatively conclude that television stations should be allowed to choose when to stop broadcasting in 1.0 and start broadcasting exclusively in 3.0."
To understand this, it's helpful to step back and explain the basics. For over 15 years, U.S. TV stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs)-think cable giants like Comcast or satellite services like DirecTV and DISH-have relied on ATSC 1.0. This is the standard digital TV technology that replaced fuzzy analog signals in 2009, delivering clearer pictures and more channels. It's the "original" digital TV, or what some call the "OG" of modern broadcasting. ATSC 1.0 works universally across free over-the-air antennas, cable boxes, and satellite dishes, reaching nearly every household without special upgrades.
NextGen TV, built on ATSC 3.0, promises even better features: sharper 4K video, interactive apps, and stronger signals that can cut through buildings or bad weather. It's like upgrading from a reliable old smartphone to one with a bigger screen and faster apps. The transition started voluntarily during the Biden administration, with a handful of cities testing it out. But since Trump's return in January 2025-about nine and a half months ago-the push intensified. FCC leaders wanted a nationwide shutdown of ATSC 1.0 by a set date to speed things up, arguing it would modernize broadcasting and free up airwaves for new uses.
This aggressive stance hit a wall of opposition. Consumer advocates, led by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and its president Gary Shapiro, warned that forcing the change too fast could leave millions of viewers in the dark. Older TVs and set-top boxes might stop working, forcing families to buy new equipment they can't afford. Cable and satellite lobbies echoed these fears, pointing out the massive costs of rewiring their networks to carry the new signals. For context, imagine every home suddenly needing a software update or new hardware just to watch local news-disruptive and expensive, especially for low-income or rural households.
The FCC's latest move, outlined in a document called the Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), listens to these voices. Instead of a mandatory cutoff, the agency proposes keeping the transition market-driven and optional. Broadcasters- the TV stations that send out signals-would get to decide when, or even if, they fully drop ATSC 1.0. Many are already "simulcasting," meaning they beam both the old and new signals at the same time, like offering two radio stations on one frequency. The FCC wants to ease rules around this, removing red tape that currently limits how long stations can keep the old signal running. This builds on policies from the Democratic-led FCC, extending the grace period without a strict timeline.
The plan also calls for ways to cut costs and smooth the ride for all players. For consumers, that could mean subsidies or incentives to upgrade TVs or antennas without breaking the bank. Manufacturers might get breaks on producing hybrid devices that handle both standards. Smaller broadcasters in rural areas, who often operate on tight budgets, would benefit from fewer mandates. And MVPDs could phase in NextGen support at their own pace, avoiding a sudden overhaul that might raise monthly bills.
But the FCC isn't stopping at flexibility-it's opening the floor for public input on trickier issues. One big question: Should new TVs sold in stores be required to receive ATSC 3.0 signals right out of the box? This echoes a famous FCC rule from the 1960s, when regulators under Chairman Newton Minow mandated UHF tuners in TVs. That move helped spark the growth of companies like Sinclair Inc., now a leading cheerleader for NextGen TV. Yet today, the CTA and others are pushing back hard, saying it could hike prices for basic sets and slow sales.
This compromise feels like a win for balance. Proponents of NextGen, like Sinclair, get regulatory green lights to experiment and expand. Critics, including the cable industry, avoid the chaos of a rushed shutdown. For everyday viewers, it means no panic-buying of new gear tomorrow. The transition, which began quietly years ago at events like a 2019 FCC symposium, can now evolve naturally. Back then, questions about integrating NextGen into cable systems lingered unanswered by groups like Pearl TV or the ATSC standards body. Today's proposal nods to those gaps, seeking fresh input.
Reflecting on history adds irony. A quarter-century ago, ATSC 1.0 was hailed as revolutionary, even as early tech from firms like Sinclair hinted at what 3.0 could become. Now, with costs in mind, the FCC is ensuring the next leap doesn't repeat past disruptions. As comments roll in over the coming months, this could shape TV for the next generation-literally. For now, Americans can keep flipping channels without fear of a digital cliff.
Hardware requirements aside, ATSC 3.0 will have DRM which, as I understand it, will make recording impossible. I know there are far worse things going on in Washington now, but wow this sucks.
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