Broadcasters Hypocritical on ATSC 3.0, Says American Cable Association

Broadcasters are willing to allow the transition to ATSC 3.0 to cause service losses, but in every other context treat broadcast service losses as unacceptable, the American Cable Association told the FCC in a letter posted Thursday in docket 16-142. “The Commission should prevent service loss caused by the ATSC 3.0 transition for the same reasons that broadcasters say the Commission should prevent service loss in other contexts,” ACA said, pointing to NAB arguments in proceedings on the post-incentive auction repacking and vacant channels that disruptions to service will hurt localism. Not simulcasting during the 3.0 transition will create similar disruptions, but broadcasters have asked the FCC not to require simulcasting, ACA said. Without a simulcast in 1.0, broadcast customers without 3.0 compatible equipment will be unable to receive a broadcast signal, and MVPDs that retransmit a broadcaster’s signal would also be affected, ACA said. “If ‘too bad’ is an unacceptable response to potential service losses caused by the repack or white spaces, it is surely an unacceptable response to potential service losses caused by a broadcaster’s voluntary transition to a new transmission standard.” Broadcasters "have asked the FCC for permission to voluntarily upgrade their facilities, at their own expense, to improve their service and offer viewers a better experience,” an NAB spokesman emailed. “ACA continues to try to sidetrack this innovative proposal to stifle competition.”