Broadcasting Company Weigel Resists Plans to Shut Down Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)
In a move to safeguard broadcast quality and consumer access, Weigel Broadcasting Co. has expressed concerns about the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)’s roadmap for the transition from the current ATSC 1.0 standard to the next-generation ATSC 3.0.
During a meeting with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in July 2025, Weigel voiced their reservations about the NAB’s plan. The primary concern revolves around the need to retain certain protections for consumers and broadcast quality.
Weigel advocates for maintaining the "substantially similar" requirement for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. This requirement ensures that the content and quality of broadcasts delivered via ATSC 3.0 remain comparable to those on the existing ATSC 1.0 platform. By doing so, it prevents quality degradation or significant content alteration during the transition.
Additionally, Weigel calls for the continuation of the mandate that receivers include ATSC 1.0 tuners. This measure ensures that consumers will not lose access to current broadcasts during the transition period.
These proposed guardrails aim to protect broadcast signal integrity and safeguard consumer access, recognising the challenges such as limited consumer adoption of ATSC 3.0 tuners and the slow voluntary transition process.
Weigel also expressed opposition to the idea of a "flash cut" from the ATSC 1.0 format to the ATSC 3.0 format, fearing that it could leave viewers behind. The company believes that the Commission should not adopt the NAB’s "flash cut" proposal.
Moreover, Weigel has not seen consumer demand for broadcasting using the ATSC 3.0 standard. The company is concerned that ATSC 3.0 may make free television services expensive and complicated, contradicting the essence of broadcasting which thrives on being free and simple.
Weigel has filed detailed arguments opposing the NAB’s plans for the ATSC 3.0 transition with the FCC. The company met separately with the Chairman Carr's office, the Media Bureau, Commissioner Gomez's office, and Commissioner Trusty's office to discuss these concerns.
The transition to ATSC 3.0 has raised concerns for some broadcasters and LPTV owners, as well as for consumers, particularly those in rural areas. The Commission is urged to establish guardrails to ensure that ATSC 3.0 is used to improve broadcasting, including a minimum portion of the broadcast signal for broadcasting, reasonable limitations on Digital Rights Management (DRM) within the broadcast portion of the ATSC 3.0 signal, and ensuring the broadcast portion can be received as it is today in ATSC 1.0.
As the FCC considers the NAB’s roadmap for the transition from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0, Weigel's cautious approach emphasises the importance of not compromising broadcast signal quality or consumer access in the shift to next-generation TV broadcasting standards.
- Weigel Broadcasting Co. has expressed concerns to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)’s plan for the transition from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0, voicing reservations particularly about consumer protections and broadcast quality.
- One of Weigel's main concerns is the need to retain the "substantially similar" requirement for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, to prevent degradation or significant alteration of content during the transition.
- Weigel also calls for the continuation of the mandate that receivers include ATSC 1.0 tuners, to ensure consumers don’t lose access to current broadcasts during the transition period.
- The company opposes the idea of a "flash cut" from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0, fearing that it could leave viewers behind, and has expressed this concern to the FCC.
- Weigel has not seen consumer demand for broadcasting using the ATSC 3.0 standard and is concerned that it may make free television services expensive and complicated.
- The company has filed detailed arguments with the FCC, following separate meetings with the Chairman's office, the Media Bureau, Commissioner Gomez's office, and Commissioner Trusty's office to discuss these concerns.
- As the FCC considers the NAB’s roadmap for the transition, Weigel's cautious approach emphasizes the importance of not compromising broadcast signal quality or consumer access in the shift to next-generation TV broadcasting standards.
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