The Future of Television

Posted on June 3, 2015 in ATSC News

Not since the ATSC Digital Television Standard (A/53) was adopted by the FCC in late 1996 has there been so much attention focused on the development work for advanced television.

In a very short time, we’ve gone from conceptual discussions about ATSC 3.0 to outlines to detailed specifications as we draft the various elements that will comprise ATSC 3.0. My guest commentary in TV Technology explains why moving to ATSC 3.0 is so important. In short, the future of broadcasting industry depends on the capabilities and flexibility that ATSC 3.0 will bring.

The reality of this substantive and important change is resonating with broadcasters to insure that those who transmit bits over-the-air are not left behind by the march of technology. Indeed, the development and transition to an ATSC 3.0 system means that broadcasters will soon offer a high-speed, high-volume IP (Internet Protocol) wireless delivery system to tens of millions of homes.

Our mid-May ATSC 3.0 Boot Camp and Broadcast Television Conference drew hundreds of members and participants to Washington, and the result is widely covered in the media reporting on the comings and goings of the media industry. You’ll find reports about the Boot Camp and in the “Future of TV” Super Panel in this month’s edition of THE STANDARD.

One of the highlights of our annual Broadcast TV Conference is the opportunity to recognize an outstanding contributor with the Bernard J. Lechner Award. While we lost Bernie in 2014, I know he would be very pleased to see Sony’s Luke Fay recognized with the Lechner Award for his contributions to our organization.

And a tip o’ the hat (or beak) to Pearl TV’s Anne Schelle to whom I presented the “ATSC Rubber Chicken Award” at the May meeting. Anne exemplifies the type of hands-on leader that gets things done, and the ATSC is made better by her organization’s deep involvement as both a new ATSC member and as an integral player in the ATSC 3.0 standards setting process. And, she can take a joke.

The ATSC is squarely focused on spending the rest of this year moving the various elements to Candidate Standard status, so that equipment can be built and further refinements incorporated as ATSC 3.0 technologies are finalized and each layer of the system is standardized.

Audio proponents will soon be demonstrating their systems for evaluation at an event near Atlanta next month. Later in July, the ATSC Board will also hold its annual strategic planning retreat, also in The Big Peach.

If we keep up this momentum, ATSC 3.0 will be in great shape. Things are moving at just the right speed. As always, we appreciate the contributions of our members who are devoting their exceptional expertise to develop the next-generation broadcast TV system of tomorrow.

Mark Richer

ATSC President

Posted in ATSC News