Pai Circulates FM Translator Draft Order, Teases ATSC 3.0 Application
LAS VEGAS -- FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated draft FM translator rules to the other eighth-floor offices to be voted on at the May 9 commissioners' meeting, he told a crowded auditorium at the NAB Show Tuesday. Pai said long-awaited forms to allow broadcasters to transition to ATSC 3.0 (see 1904100043) will be ready “by the end of Q2” and urged broadcasters to increasingly think of themselves as digital media companies. “You find yourselves in a war for attention with well-funded media giants, internet companies, and telecom companies,” he said. The show had 91,460 attendees, down from 92,912 in 2018.
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The draft incorporates “many of the proposals supported by NAB,” streamlines “interference remediation,” clarifies listener complaint requirements and makes it easier for translators to change channels, Pai said. NAB proposed at least six listener complaints be required, opposed rules that would minimize listener participation in the process, and backed a 90-day deadline for complaints to be resolved (see 1808080030).
Pai's didn't mention the most controversial proposal from the NPRM -- creating a 54 dBU contour outside which full-power stations wouldn't be able to lodge interference complaints against FM translators. Monday, Media Bureau Audio Division Chief Al Shuldiner seemed to imply that the draft item would include a contour of some sort but possibly further out than the original 54 dBu proposal (see 1904090063).
NAB never weighed in on the contour proposal, which is opposed by large station groups such as Beasley and iHeart but supported by smaller broadcasters. The station groups offered a compromise proposal with a 42 dBu corridor that wouldn't function as hard barrier to complaints but instead require a higher threshold of evidence (see 1809060051). The translator item's release in connection with NAB 2019 was expected. “I believe that it’ll make the interference resolution process less frustrating for full-service stations, translators, listeners, everyone,” Pai said.
The proposal to allow interfering translators to easily switch channels with a minor change application is widely supported, broadcasters said. “It has to happen,” said Lonnie Treadaway, national manager of Flinn Broadcasting, in an interview. Flinn owns translators that faced interference complaints as well as full-power stations that were interfered with by translators. Treadaway said some sort of contour is needed to keep translators from being bumped by distant stations.
The FCC is “wrapping up the last IT work” and expects to begin accepting applications for ATSC 3.0 licenses “by the end of the second quarter of this year,” Pai said Tuesday. He made a similar statement in February (see 1902220047). Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey told us Monday the application process will be ready “hopefully before” June. Broadcasters cited the delay in availability of the application process as a potential stumbling block for rollout of the new standard (see 1902260046).
Applications for the FCC's radio incubator program will be available “later this spring,” Pai said. He urged possible incubators and incubatees to seek each other out here.
The expected order on kidvid is likely to come up for vote "in the coming months," Pai said. It isn't expected to be part of the May meeting agenda (see 1904030031). Pai also indicated an order on broadcaster public notice requirements is in the works.
Digital technology has completely transformed the media market, Pai said. Broadcasters should embrace opportunities in streaming, e-sports and in-vehicle entertainment while retaining their dedication to localism, Pai said. His framing of broadcasters as competing with tech and MVPD companies ran counter to statements by DOJ officials at other NAB Show events (see 1904090080 and 1904080066).
Pai's exhortations to embrace diversification are correct, said Houghton Community Broadcasting General Manager Jeff Harju. Advertising buyers are increasingly looking to advertise across multiple mediums, and radio stations need to be able to provide customers with options both online and on-air, he said.