Fight Over Next Gen TV Transition Heats Up

Earlier this year, NAB proposed a plan to mandate a hard date for the transition to Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0).  The FCC put the proposal out for comment, and it immediately drew opposition from the usual entities.  NAB’s plan would involve two phases.  TV stations in the top 55 markets would transition by February 2028, and TV stations in the remaining markets would transition by February 2030. 

Representatives from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), National Cable Telecommunications Association, LPTV representatives, and a few “public interest” groups all opposed the plan.   We have heard all these arguments before when we transitioned from analog to digital services in 2009.  Bottom line, a successful transition to ATSC 3.0 is critical for the survival of local television stations.  

Last week, NAB General Counsel Rick Kaplan published a succinct response to the ATSC critics.  Because of its importance, we are publishing the entire text of his blog.

“Another day, another reflexive, innovation-blocking FCC filing from the usual suspects – cable lobbyists, legacy advocacy groups and industry players who oppose anything that might strengthen free, over-the-air broadcasting or challenge the dominance of their own outdated business models. Their latest attack on ATSC 3.0 – the Next Gen TV broadcast standard already delivering improved video, immersive audio, innovative interactive features, and more – is as predictable as it is tired. 

Let’s be clear: these groups aren’t protecting the public. They’re protecting their turf. 

Their familiar talking points are still wrong: 

1. “This will cost consumers too much.” 

Here’s what’s really happening: broadcasters are working to preserve and strengthen free television for everyone, while our competitors are busy finding new ways to extract more money from viewers every month by diverting viewers to paid streaming services and apps they monetize. CTA, for one, uses faulty logic to suggest ATSC 3.0 tuners are responsible for an $80 price difference between TVs with Next Gen TV capability and those without, ignoring the fact that those models often include other premium features that drive up the cost. For example, many of the TVs that include Next Gen tuners also offer 8K video, higher-end display technologies, high refresh rates, and upgraded speakers. The manufacturers who are actively embracing ATSC 3.0 – many of whom are ironically “represented” by CTA – are delivering real value to consumers and helping to modernize free, over-the-air television. We should be celebrating this innovation, not undermining it. 

2. “Innovation will suffer.” 

To the contrary, innovation is happening, and it’s threatening those eager to protect their profits. ATSC 3.0 brings flexible, secure, IP-based broadcasting to viewers without the strings of Big Tech. The objections about digital rights management (DRM) are driven by fear of losing control, not genuine concern for open ecosystems. We also wonder if NCTA bothered to check with its members before joining a filing arguing that encryption is bad. 

3. “Cable companies will suffer.” 

Welcome to the 21st century. Pay-TV providers built their empires reselling broadcast television. Now they don’t want to invest in updates to stay current? Or are they afraid that a stronger over-the-air platform might allow more viewers to drop the costly monthly cable bill? As we know all too well, these companies simply do not want to pay for anything, whether it’s broadcasters’ signals, the spectrum it uses to compete with licensed users or – as everyone knows – actual customer service. 

4. “Broadcasters will use the spectrum for other services.” 

Exactly. And thank goodness. 

Broadcasting is the only industry that has consistently done more with less spectrum, down from channels 2–69 before the DTV transition to channels 2–36 today, while also down-sizing our spectrum footprint in the 2 GHz, 3.7-4.2 GHz, 6 GHz, and 12 GHz bands. Contrast this with every other industry – including cable and CTA’s members – where they are routinely begging that the Federal Communications Commission grant them access to more spectrum. 

Using what’s left to deliver public safety, datacasting, and educational services is a public good, not a scandal. 

5. “Small broadcasters can’t afford this.” 

Some smaller broadcasters need help, and we support that. That’s why NAB is not asking the FCC to require LPTV stations to upgrade and, in fact, has asked the FCC to allow non-commercial educational broadcasters more time to transition if needed. The answer isn’t to stall the entire industry. It’s to provide targeted support, not blanket inaction.  

It’s also rich for massive pay-TV companies to suddenly be advocating on behalf of small broadcasters. The irony here is not lost on anyone. 

The Bottom Line 

Let’s stop pretending this rag-tag opposition speaks for the public. It’s not clear that NCTA or CTA know what the public interest is. Millions of television viewers are already enjoying the benefits of Next Gen TV. The people who actually produce and deliver local, free, over-the-air content – broadcasters — are united in support of completing the transition. It’s the only way to ensure broadcast TV remains available to everyone and resilient in a world of fast-moving tech and rising costs. 

The future is here. Let’s finish the transition and stop letting yesterday’s gatekeepers block tomorrow’s platform.” 

You can access Rick Kaplan's blog here.