Broadcaster Weigel Challenges Plans for Shutting Down ATSC Transmission
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has proposed to phase out ATSC signals by 2028 and 2030, but Weigel Broadcasting Co. and other broadcasters and Low Power Television (LPTV) owners have reservations about this plan.
In a series of meetings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Weigel Broadcasting Co.'s representatives expressed opposition to the NAB's plan to "flash cut" from the ATSC 1.0 format to the ATSC 3.0 format and sunset ATSC signals.
Weigel's main concerns revolve around the proposed "flash cut" dates, which the NAB has suggested would occur in February 2028 for the top 55 markets and February 2030 for the rest. Weigel strongly opposes these abrupt cutoff dates and urges the FCC to implement safeguards to protect both broadcast signal quality and consumer interests during the transition.
In a letter describing the meetings, Weigel expressed three main reservations to the NAB's plan:
- ATSC 3.0 may make a free service expensive and a simple service complicated, potentially harming consumers, particularly those in rural areas.
- Weigel proposes guardrails to ensure that ATSC 3.0 is used to improve broadcasting, including a minimum portion of the broadcast signal for broadcasting, ensuring the broadcast portion can be received as in ATSC 1.0, and reasonable limitations on Digital Rights Management (DRM) within the broadcast portion of the ATSC 3.0 signal.
- Consumer protection must be a priority, especially considering there is no coupon or subsidy program for consumers to upgrade equipment, unlike the analog-to-digital transition.
Weigel suggests that a flash cut should not leave viewers behind and recommends that the Commission condition any transition to ATSC 3.0 with benchmarks for market penetration comparable to those used in the 2009 DTV transition.
More filings on the issue can be found at the specified location.
[1] Weigel Broadcasting Co. filings with the FCC ([link to filings]) [4] Weigel Broadcasting Co. meetings with the FCC ([link to meeting records])
- Weigel Broadcasting Co.'s representatives have indicated opposition to the National Association of Broadcasters' (NAB) plan to "flash cut" from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0, expressing concern about the proposed cutoff dates.
- One of Weigel's main concerns is that ATSC 3.0 may make a free service expensive and a simple service complicated, potentially harming consumers, particularly those in rural areas.
- The company proposes guardrails to ensure that ATSC 3.0 is used to improve broadcasting, including maintaining a minimum portion of the broadcast signal for broadcasting that can be received as in ATSC 1.0, and reasonable limitations on Digital Rights Management (DRM) within the broadcast portion of the ATSC 3.0 signal.
- Consumer protection is a priority for Weigel, and the company has suggested a flash cut should not leave viewers behind, conditioning any transition to ATSC 3.0 with benchmarks for market penetration similar to those used in the 2009 DTV transition.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can find more filings on the issue from Weigel Broadcasting Co. at the specified location, as well as records from meetings between the company and the FCC.
