By a unanimous vote, the FCC launched proceedings in February on proposed rules that would permit television broadcasters to deploy ATSC 3.0 on a voluntary, market-driven basis as long as they continue to offer existing digital ATSC 1.0 signals in simulcast mode. As part of that plan, MVPDs would be required to maintain carriage of ATSC 1.0 signals but would not be required to carry signals in ATSC 3.0 format. In addition to soliciting comment on these rules, the FCC also requested input on (1) the tentative conclusion that an ATSC 3.0 tuner mandate for new television receivers is not needed, (2) the extent, if any, to which ATSC 3.0 transmissions would interfere with existing DTV operations, and (3) whether broadcasters should be required to educate their viewers about ATSC 3.0 deployment.
The REPLY comments are due June 08.
► Voluntary Use. We propose to authorize voluntary use of ATSC 3.0 transmissions and toincorporate by reference the relevant portions of the ATSC 3.0 standard into our rules. We seek comment on which components of the standard should be incorporated into our rules.
► Local Simulcasting. We propose to require “local simulcasting” for stations that choose to deploy Next Gen TV transmissions so that broadcasters will continue to provide their existing ATSC 1.0-based services to their viewers Since ASTC 3.0 appears to be voluntary, it would seem that a station's originating transmitter will remain
1.0, and a lighthouse station will carry all of the market's
3.0. In Buffalo, it would mean that WNYO's transmitter in Cowlesville on RF
would need to be received to pick up all of Buffalo's ATSC 3.0 signals.