NAB 2016: Wheeler: ATSC Petition Out for Comment By End of April

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler says he planned to put broadcasters' ATSC 3.0 petition out for public comment by the end of April and will put out the spectrum auction band plan and clearing targets by the end of the month as well. Those were the lead lines from an interview with Marci Burdick, National Association of Broadcasters executive committee member and former TV board chair, at the NAB convention.

The pledge on the ATSC petition drew applause and Burdick's response was that was "great news." Broadcasters have asked the FCC to allow them to roll out the advanced transmission standard voluntarily on a market-by-market basis, saying that Chairman Wheeler and the FCC needed to move with dispatch on the proposal. Chairman Wheeler said the key to the FCC's vacant channel decision is what happens with the band clearing plan. He said there could be an "inconvenient" outcome, but that would be determined by how much spectrum is being used. He said that question will be answered in realities rather than hypotheticals. Asked if that meant the FCC would wait until the repacking is done, Chairman Wheeler said no, but that it would depend on what the aftermarket would look like. Burdick said the overhang worry is about LPTV stations and translators, which have helped diversify industry voices. Chairman Wheeler said he heard her point but that it would be the same issue with ATSC 3.0.