The FCC has set its comment date and reply comment date for GN Docket No. 16-142, the matter authorizing permissive use of the “next generation” broadcast television standard.
Along with a 73-page document came statements from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioners Olivia Trusty and Anna Gómez.
What are the exact dates in the comment window?
It all depends on publication in the Federal Register. Once that takes place, the comment date will be 60 days from the date of such publication. The reply comment date will be 90 days from the date of the publication.
The Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking reiterates some of the key provisions of the plan — both as originally envisioned and what is in place as of today..
First, it shares the NAB’s initial request that the Commission mandate a two-part deadline to complete the full-power 3.0 transition. This would see full-power stations in the top 55 markets (available to about 70% of viewers in the country) be required to transition fully to ATSC 3.0 (i.e., end all ATSC 1.0 broadcasting, including simulcasting) in February 2028, with limited waivers for “smaller,” independent, and noncommercial stations if necessary. Full-power stations in the remaining markets would be required to transition fully to ATSC 3.0 in February 2030.
The NAB contends that “[w]ithout decisive and immediate action, the transition risks stalling” and that “[r]eaching the finish line requires industry-wide coordination and engagement—something individual broadcasters cannot do alone.”
The FCC is moving forward with a market-driven voluntary transition, erasing a firm ATSC 1.0 end date.
NAB also proposes that the Commission impose a mandate on television manufacturers to “ensur[e that] consumers who buy new TVs can continue receiving broadcast programming.” That is most certainly part of the discussions, and has raised concerns from the Consumer Technology Association that it is anti-consumer.
The full document, which includes proposed rules as an appendix, can be viewed here.
“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 innovative ways,” Carr said in a statement. “In addition to providing high-quality video programming formats over the air, ATSC 3.0 will allow broadcasters to deliver more accurate emergency alerts as well as interactive programming features and other offerings, including datacasting services. For television, ATSC 3.0 represents the future of broadcasting.”
