FCC Shouldn't Apply ATSC 3.0 Simulcast Rules to NCE Stations, Public TV Groups Tell Pai Aide

The FCC should exempt noncommercial educational stations from ATSC 3.0 simulcasting rules, representatives from America’s Public Television Stations, CPB and PBS told an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai Thursday, said a filing posted Friday in docket 16-142. “Without such an exemption, the simulcasting mandate will preclude many public television stations from pursuing a transition to ATSC 3.0 and delivering its many public service benefits to viewers.” Public TV (PTV) stations derive income from viewer donations, and are largely licensed to entities such as universities that have no incentive to leave viewers behind by ceasing to transmit in a standard they can’t receive, the groups said. Simulcasting is “uniquely challenging” for NCEs because the must-carry rules for such stations “are not connected to DMA boundaries,” the filing said of designated market areas. “Regulatory certainty of an exemption will ensure that PTV stations can invest confidently in their futures.”