WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 31, 2020 – America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) commend the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its adoption of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would modernize the Digital Transmission System (DTS) rules to allow for the enhanced uses that the Next Gen TV Single Frequency Networks (SFN) can provide.
This action was requested in a petition for Rulemaking filed jointly by APTS and NAB with the FCC on October 3, 2019.
“America’s Public Television Stations applaud the action taken today by the FCC, a welcome endorsement of changes in the current rules that will allow broadcast television stations to unlock the benefits of Next Gen TV through DTS operations that better serve their viewers while preserving their commitment to localism and avoiding interference issues,” said Patrick Butler, president and CEO of APTS.
“These small changes will improve coverage throughout local public television stations’ service areas and improve their ability to offer robust mobile service. It will also enhance spectrum efficiency by reducing the need for television translators operating on redundant channels. We are grateful to the Commission for helping to ensure that local public television stations can offer enhanced Next Gen TV services to all Americans.”
“NAB applauds the Commission for proposing deployment of single frequency networks allowing broadcasters to better serve viewers while preserving our commitment to localism,” said NAB President & CEO Gordon Smith. “These SFNs could improve service throughout a station’s coverage area and, in particular, near the edge of the coverage area. SFNs could also improve mobile reception and allow more efficient use of broadcast spectrum. FCC staff is to be commended for moving this item quickly, and we look forward to establishment of final rules.”
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About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and civic leadership to the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
Contacts:
Stacey Karp
APTS
202-654-4222
skarp@apts.org
Dennis Wharton
NAB
202-429-5350
dwharton@nab.org