NAB Seeks Clarity on ATSC 3.0 Simulcasting Rules, Speedy Action on DTS

NAB wants the FCC to clarify that among broadcasters working together to host one another’s signals during the ATSC 3.0 transition, “the licensee who originated the programming, rather than the licensee whose facilities are being used to distribute the programming, is responsible for the programming,” said a petition for declaratory ruling and petition for rulemaking posted in docket 16-142 Monday. The FCC should make clear that “its existing regulatory framework for the hosting of simulcast primary programming streams also applies to simulcast multicast streams,” NAB said. NAB also pushed the agency to act expeditiously on a pending NPRM on distributed transmission systems, said an ex parte filing posted Monday in the same docket on a call Thursday with Media Bureau staff. “Certainty regarding this additional flexibility will help broadcasters finalize plans for additional ATSC 3.0 deployments in the coming year,” the filing said.