Fritz: Time To Press FCC To Adopt ATSC 3.0

With the Advanced Television Systems Committee making good progress on formulating the ATSC 3.0 next-generation broadcast system, it's time for broadcasters to start thinking about petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to adopt the system as a national standard, says Jerald Fritz of ONE Media, a leading 3.0 proponent. Winning the FCC imprimatur for ATSC 3.0 is the next step, Fritz says. It will permit TV stations to air 3.0 signals, while unleashing manufacturers to build the necessary transmission gear and receivers. If proponents can submit their petition this summer, the FCC may be able to conduct a rulemaking and give its blessing late 2015 or early 2016, Fritz says. That means TV stations could be on the air with the standard sometime in 2017, he adds. Whose names would be on the petition right now is not clear. Fritz says he would expect a broad coalition of broadcasters to sign it, but declines to identify who would be part of it.