NAB Proposes Provisions of Possible ATSC 3.0 Simulcasting Requirement
If the FCC requires simulcasting of stations transitioning to ATSC 3.0, that rule shouldn’t require identical content on both stations and should have a three-year time limit, NAB said in a Wednesday meeting with Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey and…
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other staff, said an ex parte filing posted Monday in docket 16-142. NAB has consistently argued against any sort of simulcasting requirement. The association laid out what provisions it would like to see in such a rule, including allowances to let stations demonstrate the capabilities of the new standard for consumers still viewing in 1.0. The FCC should permit stations to “from time to time, transmit programming intended to highlight features and capabilities not available using ATSC 1.0 without transmitting substantially similar content on another station,” the group said. It wants the agency to except localized emergency warnings and allow the simulcasting station to air alternative content to “address, for example, breaking news, features or content that cannot be transmitted using ATSC 1.0.” Broadcasters should be able to get waivers of a simulcast requirement if they can’t find a simulcast partner, NAB said. “Rural markets should not be shut out of innovation solely because they do not have enough broadcast stations to participate in partnership arrangements.” NAB also proposed that the FCC allow broadcasters to rely on both components of the 3.0 physical layer, A/321 and A/322, and that it not require use of A/322 for other services that use 3.0. NAB asked the FCC not to mandate consumer education efforts for the 3.0 move and said it doesn’t object to allowing low-power stations to transition to 3.0 without simulcasting.