Broadcast industry group Pearl TV accuses Consumer Technology Association members of attempting to stifle innovation within the broadcast sector, in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission.
In a recent development, the Pearl TV consortium, along with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), has urged for a mandatory transition to NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0), a new broadcast standard that promises enhanced viewing experiences. However, consumer tech manufacturers and pay TV groups have expressed their opposition to this move.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), a trade group representing tech manufacturers, argues that a mandatory transition would force manufacturers to incorporate ATSC 3.0 tuners into TVs, increasing the cost by an average of $157 per set. Many consumers may not yet want or need ATSC 3.0 technology, they contend.
Pay TV operators and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), including cable and satellite providers, argue that they currently lack the infrastructure or ability to pass through the benefits of ATSC 3.0 to consumers, and mandatory adoption would require expensive network upgrades.
Industry groups also express concern that broadcasters may use the transition to ATSC 3.0 to repurpose spectrum for "non-broadcast services", potentially raising legal and regulatory issues and focusing on new revenue streams that do not directly benefit traditional TV viewers.
The cable industry, in particular, has long opposed any efforts by the broadcast industry to compete with their owned content and distribution system and to be required to pay fair compensation for content they sell.
Pearl TV representatives have accused pay TV groups and consumer tech manufacturers of opposing a mandatory transition to ATSC 3.0. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Pearl TV's lawyers described a meeting and complained about the efforts by NCTA, CTA, and its members to oppose the Commission action on the transition to ATSC 3.0. The meeting was attended by Erin Boone, Maria Mullarkey, Evan Morris, Evan Baranoff, Mark Colombo, and Lyle Elder.
Despite these opposition, broadcasters are investing in the new broadcast standard and working with consumer electronics firms to bring more ATSC 3.0-capable devices into the market. Currently, 76% of U.S. households can now receive NextGen TV, amounting to 96 million households (258 million viewers) in 73 of the Top 100 TV markets. Various versions of HDR are available via 3.0 broadcasts in 69 million to 84 million homes. A cumulative total of 15 million televisions have been distributed for NextGen TV.
The debate between broadcasters and consumer tech manufacturers and pay TV groups highlights tensions over cost, regulatory policy, spectrum use, and the pace of technology adoption. The NAB accuses these groups of protecting their own business interests instead of serving the public interest and blocking innovation.
The FCC was urged by Pearl TV to push forward with measures for the transition to NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0), emphasizing the need for a cutoff date to encourage more devices for the transition to NextGen TV. The full letter, along with the slides, is available for viewing.
[1] https://www.nab.org/news-articles/2021/cta-cta-members-oppose-mandatory-atsc-3-0-transition [2] https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/cta-says-mandatory-atsc-3-0-transition-would-cost-consumers-157-per-tv-set [3] https://www.multichannel.com/news/broadcast/cta-cta-claims-broadcasters-will-use-atsc-3-0-to-repurpose-spectrum/628193 [4] https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/cta-broadcasters-spectrum-reallocation-could-raise-legal-regulatory-issues/171726
- The broadcast industry, under the banner of the Pearl TV consortium and NAB, is advocating for a mandatory transition to NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0), aiming to enhance television viewing experiences.
- Consumer tech manufacturers, represented by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), object to this move, arguing it would force them to include ATSC 3.0 tuners in TVs, causing an average cost increase of $157 per set.
- Pay TV operators and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) likewise oppose the move, citing the absence of infrastructure to pass ATSC 3.0 benefits to consumers and requirements for costly network upgrades.
- Industry groups have raised concerns that broadcasters may use the transition to repurpose spectrum for "non-broadcast services," potentially leading to legal and regulatory issues and focusing on new revenue streams that don't directly benefit traditional TV viewers.
- While these debates are ongoing, broadcasters are investing in the new broadcast standard, collaborating with consumer electronics firms to bring more ATSC 3.0-capable devices to the market, and some 76% of U.S. households now have access to NextGen TV.
- The NAB has accused these opposing groups of prioritizing their own business interests over public interest and hindering innovation, while the FCC has been urged to push forward with ATSC 3.0 transition measures, including a cutoff date to encourage more devices for the transition.
