FCC Proposes Ditching Old TV Signals for Next-Gen Glory
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC is proposing to make it easier for TV stations to switch to the new Next Gen TV standard (ATSC 3.0) by removing the rule that forces them to broadcast both old and new signals at the same time. This change helps stations save money and speed up the upgrade, benefiting viewers with better picture and sound. TV stations and viewers should get ready to comment by early 2026 as this transition moves forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
End Mandatory 1.0 Simulcast
The FCC tentatively proposes to eliminate the rule that forces TV stations to simulcast their ATSC 1.0 signal when they move to ATSC 3.0. The agency notes Next Gen TV has been launched in more than 90 markets covering over 70% of the U.S. population; ending simulcasting would let stations stop 1.0 broadcasts and devote full capacity to 3.0, but some viewers without 3.0-capable receivers could lose access to over-the-air TV.
Drop 'Substantially Similar' Rule
The FCC proposes to eliminate the "substantially similar" requirement immediately upon Federal Register publication, which currently requires that a station's ATSC 1.0 simulcast be generally the same as its ATSC 3.0 primary stream. Removing this rule would let broadcasters place different programming on 1.0 and 3.0 signals, enabling new services on 3.0 but potentially making some programs available only to viewers with 3.0 receivers.
Faster Approvals — Drop 95% Rule
The FCC proposes to eliminate the 95% coverage threshold for expedited processing and instead afford expedited processing to all applicants that satisfy DMA and community-of-license (COL) coverage requirements. Under current guidance, applicants qualifying for expedited processing are generally processed within about 15 business days versus about 60 business days for others.
Allow MPEG‑4 on 1.0 Multicast Streams
The FCC proposes permitting simulcasting stations, upon notice to the Commission, to encode 1.0 multicast streams using MPEG-4 (incorporating ATSC A/72), which is more efficient than MPEG-2 and can preserve more channels or higher quality. The FCC also notes some older televisions may not be able to display MPEG-4-encoded 1.0 streams, so some viewers could lose access.
Possible 3.0 Tuner Requirement for TVs
The FCC seeks comment on whether to require that all TV broadcast receivers include ATSC 3.0 tuners (amending section 15.117), as urged by the National Association of Broadcasters under the All Channel Receiver Act. NAB also suggested removing the ATSC 1.0 tuner requirement after the date when full-power and Class A broadcasters cease ATSC 1.0 transmissions.
Comment on DRM and MVPD Carriage Rules
The FCC seeks comment on whether to allow encryption/DRM of ATSC 3.0 signals and whether MVPD (cable/satellite) carriage rules, including must-carry and the "good quality signal" standard, need updating to address 3.0 distribution and retransmission. NAB and other stakeholders raised these carriage and encryption issues in filings and reports.
Children's TV Coverage Requirement Reduced
The FCC proposes to change children's television multicast coverage rules so full-power stations only need to meet community-of-license (COL) coverage rather than a 95% population coverage threshold, and to allow Class A stations to air children's programming on multicast streams if their host complies with coverage rules. This relaxes the 95% coverage standard for children's multicast programming.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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