NAB Presses FCC on ATSC 3.0, Dismisses Encryption Concerns
Concerns about ATSC 3.0 encryption of broadcast signals are “overstated," said NAB in an ex parte filing and presentation to FCC Media Bureau Chief Erin Boone, who is also an aide to Chairman Brendan Carr. In the presentation, NAB urged…
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the FCC to act quickly to require a transition to 3.0. “Viewers can still watch/record programming for free. A3SA [the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority] has adopted encoding rules to ensure this remains the case,” said one slide in the presentation. Concerns about encrypting broadcast TV have been raised in docket 16-142, and recently ATSC 3.0 device maker SiliconDust accused the A3SA of seeking to block independent device manufacturers (see 2507220075). “To the extent that discrete implementation questions remain, those issues can be appropriately and effectively addressed through the rulemaking process and should not be treated as a barrier to initiating the process,” NAB said. “Further delay only deepens regulatory uncertainty, slows manufacturer investment, deprives consumers of the full benefits of ATSC 3.0 and undermines the broadcast industry’s ability to compete in a rapidly evolving video marketplace.” An order from the FCC “is needed now, before content owners make decisions on long-term rights contracts and in time for manufacturers to make decisions about their 2027 product lines,” the filing said.