The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to establish a clear, industry-wide transition plan for the full deployment of Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0).
The proposal outlines a two-phased transition while modernizing regulatory requirements to support consumer access and innovation.
“Next Gen TV is already transforming the viewing experience, delivering superior picture quality, immersive audio, interactive features, hyper-localized programming and cutting-edge public safety capabilities, all while keeping local television free and accessible,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
“Broadcasters have invested significantly in this transition, but outdated regulations threaten to stall progress. A clear transition plan will ensure every American benefits from the full potential of Next Gen TV while also allowing broadcasters to remain competitive in a media marketplace where Big Tech operates unchecked.”
Under the plan, stations in the top 55 markets, covering 70% of the US population, would transition by February 2028, with all remaining full-power and Class A stations following in or before February 2030. The petition also calls for updates to FCC rules to ensure television reception devices support Next Gen TV, maintain existing MVPD carriage obligations and eliminate regulatory hurdles that could slow adoption.
Next Gen TV is already available in more than 80 markets, reaching 75% of U.S. households. The transition will enable broadcasters to offer enhanced picture and sound quality, interactive applications and hyper-localized programming. It will also allow broadcasters to deploy new datacasting capabilities that will benefit consumers across a range of industries through more efficient data delivery.
Additionally, nationwide deployment will further the promise offered by the Broadcast Positioning System™(BPS) to serve as a resilient, complimentary service to GPS. NAB’s petition underscores the need for regulatory certainty to drive further investment in Next Gen TV and ensure a smooth transition for consumers.
