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Future of ATSC 3.0 Appears Promising in April

Three notable advancements signal a shift towards NextGen TV and accompanying services, indicating growing popularity and adoption.

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3 min read
Advancements evidence a shift towards NextGen TV and supplementary features, hinting at an upward...
Advancements evidence a shift towards NextGen TV and supplementary features, hinting at an upward trend.

Future of ATSC 3.0 Appears Promising in April

In April, proponents of ATSC 3.0, a next-gen TV broadcast standard, received not one, not two, but three pieces of welcome news. Here's a rundown of these exciting developments and the challenges that lie ahead.

In a potential game-changer, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed a petition for rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This petition asks the FCC to halt ATSC 1.0 transmission in the top 55 markets by February 2028 and in remaining markets two years later. Broadcasters supporting the standard are eager to shut off or seriously curtail the legacy digital TV service to fully realize ATSC 3.0's benefits. But, this move has sparked objections from various stakeholders.

During the bustling 2025 NAB Show, concerns were raised about the manufacturing capacity and tower rigging crews needed to meet the proposed deadlines. However, assurances were given that these issues wouldn’t be problematic. The most significant opposition is expected from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), low-power TV broadcasters, and Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs). Their concerns revolve around the costs of making necessary broadcast and cable TV infrastructure changes and the potential for consumers to be forced into a non-backwards-compatible transition.

Despite these looming concerns, it's hard to deny the progress being made by ATSC 3.0. For instance, EdgeBeam Wireless—a joint venture of E.W. Scripps, Gray Media, Nexstar Media Group, and Sinclair—appears to be making strides. Executives from the four station groups reported that EdgeBeam's leadership and sales team will soon be in place, and the joint venture is on track to secure its first datacasting customer before the end of the year.

The Broadcast Positioning System (BPS)—a potential backup for satellite-based GPS—has also been making waves. NAB and major broadcasters, such as Sinclair, have reported successful BPS tests, with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) taking notice of the successes. At the Public Media Venture Group's TechConnect 2025 conference, attendees even got a glimpse of a working BPS demo.

While these developments are promising, the road ahead isn't without hurdles. The FCC is investigating a GPS complement/backup, and any of these three advancements could still be derailed by objections from various stakeholders. However, it's getting increasingly difficult to imagine a future without NextGen TV's benefits for viewers, broadcasters, businesses, and even the government.

As this drama unfolds, experts warn that consumers and smaller broadcasters must not be sacrificed for the sake of progress. It's crucial to ensure that any transition is voluntary, does not impose significant costs on consumers, and respects consumer privacy and competition. The goal is to create a more efficient broadcasting system without compromising the interests of everyday viewers and smaller broadcasters.

  1. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt ATSC 1.0 transmission.
  2. The assurances given at the 2025 NAB Show were aimed at addressing concerns about manufacturing capacity and tower rigging crews.
  3. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), low-power TV broadcasters, and Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) are among those voicing concerns about the costs of infrastructure changes and potential non-backwards-compatible transitions.
  4. EdgeBeam Wireless, a joint venture of E.W. Scripps, Gray Media, Nexstar Media Group, and Sinclair, appears to be making strides towards securing its first datacasting customer.
  5. The Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) has been successfully tested by NAB and major broadcasters like Sinclair, potentially serving as a backup for satellite-based GPS.
  6. The FCC is investigating a GPS complement/backup, and any of these advancements could be affected by objections from various stakeholders.
  7. As NextGen TV brings benefits to viewers, broadcasters, businesses, and the government, experts are advocating for a transition that respects consumer privacy, competition, and avoids imposing significant costs on consumers.
  8. Beyond the ATSC 3.0 standard, digital technology in media, such as video streaming, IP transmission, and sports broadcasting, is also evolving rapidly.
  9. The finance sector could play a significant role in facilitating the infrastructure development needed for the implementation of NextGen TV and other digital media technologies.

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