Broadcasting's Voice at Every Level
ATBA advocates for the full broadcast ecosystem — across federal regulators, state governments, local communities, and consumer contexts — supporting operators serving today’s audiences while helping build pathways to the next generation of broadcasting.
Our Role
Advancing Broadcast at Every Level
ATBA represents LPTV, Class A, and full-power broadcasters wherever the decisions affecting their operations are made. That means active engagement at the federal level with the FCC and Congress, at the state and regional level as spectrum and broadband policy evolves, at the local level where stations serve their communities, and in conversations about how broadcast serves today’s consumers.
We bring a unified operator voice — grounded in real-world station experience — to proceedings, negotiations, and forums where outcomes are shaped. Our advocacy is not reactive. We work to influence decisions before they become mandates.
Federal
FCC proceedings, Congressional engagement, and national policy on spectrum, operations, and industry sustainability.
State & Regional
State legislative and regulatory engagement on broadcasting, telecommunications, and broadband access policy.
Local & Community
Supporting stations as pillars of local news, emergency information, and community service at the market level.
Consumer
Advocating for free, over-the-air broadcast access as a critical public resource for all Americans, including underserved communities.
Federal Policy Focus Areas
Advocacy Arena 01
Federal
Engaging the FCC, Congress, and federal agencies on spectrum, licensing, operations, and the policy frameworks that govern the broadcast industry nationally.
- Spectrum policy, auction frameworks, and LPTV/Class A protections
- FCC rulemaking proceedings and regulatory filings
- Congressional engagement on broadcast legislation
- ATSC 3.0 transition rules and NextGen TV policy
- Retransmission consent, must-carry, and sustainability
Advocacy Arena 02
State & Regional
Working with state legislatures, public utility commissions, and regional bodies on the telecommunications and media policy issues that affect station operations at the state level.
- State broadband and telecommunications legislation
- Regional spectrum coordination and interference issues
- State emergency alerting requirements and partnerships
- Public utility and cable franchise board engagement
- Regional coalition building across station groups
Advocacy Arena 03
Local & Community
Supporting broadcasters as essential local institutions — advocating for policies that protect local programming, emergency communications, and community service at the market level.
- Local news preservation and public interest obligations
- Emergency Alert System access and local activation
- Community benefit frameworks for LPTV and Class A stations
- Local ownership incentives and transfer protections
- Market-level interference and operational coordination
Advocacy Arena 04
Consumer
Advancing the case for free, over-the-air broadcasting as an irreplaceable public resource — and advocating for consumer protections that ensure broadcast access for all Americans.
- Over-the-air access and antenna rights for consumers
- NextGen TV receiver and device standards advocacy
- Broadcast access for underserved and rural communities
- Consumer education on free TV and ATSC 3.0 benefits
- Competitive fairness between broadcast and streaming
How ATBA Advocacy Works
From monitoring the docket to reporting back to members, ATBA's advocacy process ensures operator voices are heard before decisions are made — not after.
Monitor & Identify
Track proceedings, legislation, and industry developments across all four advocacy arenas. Flag issues that require ATBA engagement before windows close.
Develop Positions
Draw on member input and expert counsel to build clear, practical positions grounded in how policy decisions translate to real operational and business impact.
Engage & Advocate
File formal comments, meet with decision-makers, build coalitions, and participate in industry forums — at the federal, state, local, and consumer level.
Report to Members
Communicate outcomes, decisions, and compliance implications back to the membership — and identify next steps and opportunities for continued engagement.
Why It Matters
A Unified Operator Voice Where Outcomes Are Shaped
ATBA has been at the table — before the FCC, on Capitol Hill, and in state capitals — for more than three decades. Membership means your operations are represented by an organization that understands the broadcast ecosystem from the inside.
LPTV Spectrum Protections in Next Auction Framework
Advocating for meaningful secondary-use protections that prevent displacement of operating LPTV and Class A stations in future auction proceedings.
State Broadband Legislation & Broadcaster Access
Monitoring state-level broadband bills to ensure broadcast stations are not inadvertently disadvantaged in spectrum sharing or infrastructure frameworks.
ATSC 3.0 Transition Rules for Low-Power Stations
Ensuring LPTV and Class A operators have a viable, affordable pathway to NextGen TV adoption with flexible timelines and no stranded-asset exposure.
Emergency Alert System Local Activation Capabilities
Working to ensure LPTV and Class A stations can fully participate in and originate emergency alerts at the local market level under evolving EAS rules.
Must-Carry Protections & Retransmission Reauthorization
Participating in the policy conversation around must-carry rights for Class A stations and retransmission consent frameworks that reflect today’s distribution landscape.
OTA Access & NextGen TV Receiver Standards
Advocating for device standards and consumer education frameworks that protect over-the-air access as ATSC 3.0 deployment expands across markets.