All,
As you probably know, the FCC has opened a NPRM to gain insight on whether
channel 6 licensees should be allowed to provide both ATSC 3.0 and an audio
service compatible with current FM radio receivers. About 13 such stations
have applied for and received STA to operate in this manner.
The NPRM is asking parties, among a number of other questions, whether the FCC
"can or should limit future FM6 operations to only those LPTV channel 6
stations with active FM6 engineering STAs as of the release of the NPRM."
I believe the resounding voice of the LPTV community should be that ALL current
and future channel 6 licensees should be allowed to provide this service.
There are two reasons why this is my opinion:
1) Allowing future channel 6 LPTV this capability will allow stations to
provide a new layer of localism in FM radio. And because of the proliferation
of FM receivers in vehicles, there is a much more robust business model
associated with an ATSC 3.0 station + FM 87.7 station. A station can begin
with a more solid business foundation by providing an FM signal while the
industry and consumers begin to flesh out the business models for ATSC 3.0.
2) This would likely bring ATSC 3.0 signals to more rural and underserved
areas, something the FCC should be squarely behind. In addition to providing
more localized television channels, these hybrid stations could also use part
of their bandwidth as translators to bring network signals to rural areas.
Please do your part and post a filing in support of FM6. Unfortunately, while
the FCC has closed initial filings in the matter, replies to current filings
can be submitted until Aug. 1st. I filed my comments in reply and support of a
filing by One Ministries, Inc. by Keith Leitch, who is on this group.
Jon C. Moon
Ridgeline TV
www.ridgelinetv.net <http://www.ridgelinetv.net/>
Streaming online:
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