FCC approves ATSC 3.0 standard

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to allow broadcasters to voluntarily use the new technology, dubbed ATSC 3.0.

FCC voted today to authorize the ATSC 3.0 next-generation TV broadcasting standard, Sinclair and subsidiary OneMedia confirmed plans to go nationwide with the standard.

Sinclair has long been a vocal supporter of ATSC 3.0 and has invested heavily in developing and testing the standard. As such, David Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair, issued a particularly celebratory statement:

“As we have pressed for 20 years, broadcasters and consumers alike deserve the best innovations available. We finally have that ability and are ready to lead an industry in deployment, service offerings, enhancements and business development. We are ‘off the plateau’ and ready to climb the next mountain along with our broadcast brethren, manufacturers, programmers and new business partners, looking down on wondrous new opportunities. There should only be upside for all concerned—including most importantly, the Public!”

Sinclair President and CEO Chris Ripley joined in, praising the FCC for authorizing the standard.

“Chairman Pai’s leadership to craft rules that are flexible and nonintrusive is to be applauded. The Staff has done an excellent and thorough analysis in record time, and we appreciate its great efforts to think through ramifications and permit the market to flourish with minimal constraints. Now is the real test for the industry to make good on technology’s promise. We have our work cut out for us and we are up to the task,” said Ripley in a statement.