By: Emily Gomes and Alison Martin
Free, over-the-air television broadcasting stands at a crossroads. Nearly a decade after the industry first proposed transitioning to Next Generation Television (Next Gen TV or ATSC 3.0), we’ve made impressive progress – but the final leap to complete adoption now requires the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decisive and efficient action. Today, NAB filed a petition to get us to the finish line.
The Journey So Far
Since 2016, when major industry organizations including NAB first petitioned the FCC, Next Gen TV has transformed from vision to reality. Today, it reaches over 75% of the U.S. population across more than 80 television markets, all while broadcasters continue to provide ATSC 1.0 service without any additional spectrum.
The results speak for themselves. Since receiving FCC authorization in 2017, Next Gen TV has delivered:
- Stunning improvements in picture quality with higher frame rates and high dynamic range;
- Interactive applications that personalize the over-the-air viewing experience; and
- Groundbreaking tests of a Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) that could serve as a crucial GPS backup.
And the best part is, because it’s over-the-air broadcasting, these new features are delivered for free to viewers. All you need is a Next Gen-capable TV and an antenna. There are no monthly subscription fees.
Why This Moment Is Critical
Despite this progress, the broadcast industry faces what FCC Chairman Brendan Carr calls a “break glass moment.”. As competitive pressures mount from streaming services and other platforms, completing the transition to ATSC 3.0 has become essential for the industry’s future and the public’s benefit. Without immediate, decisive action, we risk missing our window of opportunity to ensure that free, local, over-the-air television remains a strong, high-quality option for consumers.
Completing the transition to ATSC 3.0 requires industry-wide coordination that individual broadcasters cannot achieve alone. The fragmented nature of the industry, due to FCC ownership restrictions, means no single broadcaster can unilaterally shut down ATSC 1.0 while others maintain the older standard in the same market. This regulatory bottleneck strains already limited spectrum resources, delaying the full benefits of ATSC 3.0 for consumers and broadcasters alike.
A Clear Path Forward
The solution lies in establishing a clear transition timeline, similar to the successful analog-to-digital transition. This roadmap would benefit all stakeholders by:
- Enabling broadcasters and retailers to effectively educate consumers and minimize
disruption;
- Providing certainty to consumer electronics manufacturers to encourage the large volume
production of affordable converter devices;
- Allowing pay-TV companies to plan for the transition;
- Allowing stations to plan for newly reclaimed spectrum use; and
- Ensuring a coordinated market-by-market transition that protects viewers.
Proposed Timeline
In our petition to the FCC, NAB is calling for a two-phase transition:
Phase 1: In February 2028, stations in the top 55 markets – representing approximately 70% of the U.S. population – will transition fully to ATSC 3.0. Limited waivers would be available for smaller or noncommercial stations if necessary.
Phase 2: Stations in remaining markets will complete their transition in or before February 2030.
To ensure a successful transition, the FCC must also modernize regulations governing television reception devices to ensure new TVs can receive broadcast programming and that programming is reasonably accessible to consumers. To serve the public interest, broadcasters are required to provide their product for free to consumers. Congress’ vision is thwarted if consumers cannot receive or find that programming.
The Time for Action is Now
Next Gen TV isn’t just a promise for the future – it’s already delivering real benefits today. However, unlocking its full potential requires decisive action from the FCC, just as with previous technological shifts. The television industry stands ready to embrace this future, but we need a clear regulatory framework to complete the journey.
The window of opportunity won’t remain open indefinitely. It’s time to deliver real benefits to American viewers.
