In a landmark show of unity, broadcast associations from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have jointly adopted a resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a clear, industry-wide “date-certain” transition plan for the full deployment of Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0)—including a formal sunset of ATSC 1.0.
The resolution highlights the significant progress broadcasters have already made: more than 80 U.S. markets are now transmitting ATSC 3.0 signals, reaching over 75% of the population. More than 14 million Next Gen TV-capable devices are already in the hands of consumers, underscoring the market’s readiness.
“Without a date-certain for a Next Gen TV transition, the transition itself—and the significant improvements ATSC 3.0 makes for broadcasters and viewers alike—could be at risk,” the resolution states.
Why It Matters:
ATSC 3.0 enables broadcasters to deliver superior picture and audio quality, interactive features, and IP-based transmission that mirrors the flexibility of OTT platforms. It also provides enhanced emergency alerting, including:
- Multilingual alerts
- Geo-targeted messages
- Sign language support
- Rich media delivery for emergencies
Additionally, the transition would unlock new capabilities such as the Broadcast Positioning System™ (BPS™)—a terrestrial backup to GPS critical for national security and infrastructure resiliency.
Regulatory Call to Action
The signatories assert that while the voluntary transition has made strides, regulatory uncertainty and spectrum-sharing limitations are slowing progress. They are calling on the FCC to:
- Declare a firm transition deadline for ATSC 3.0
- Sunset the outdated ATSC 1.0 standard
- Modernize rules to support full-featured IP-based broadcasting
What This Means for LPTV
While the resolution primarily references full-power television, the Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance (ATBA) recognizes the cascading impact this decision will have across the broadcast landscape, including Low Power Television (LPTV). We continue to advocate for:
- Flexible pathways for LPTV to adopt ATSC 3.0
- Preservation of spectrum access
- Equitable treatment in regulatory transition planning
“This is a pivotal moment for broadcast television,” said ATBA Executive Director Lee Miller. “As full-power stations move forward, we must ensure that LPTV is not left behind—but fully integrated into the Next Gen TV future.”
The ATBA will remain actively engaged with policymakers, technology leaders, and industry stakeholders to ensure the voice of LPTV broadcasters is heard as this historic transition accelerates.
