Preamble The Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance (ATBA) recognizes that the future of Low Power Television (LPTV) lies in its adaptability and commitment to serving local communities through innovative means. The ATBA aligns its policies to emphasize reducing regulatory barriers, fostering private investment, and ensuring LPTV remains a vital tool for rural and underserved areas. The evolving regulatory landscape and advances in broadcasting technology provide an opportunity for LPTV stations to achieve permanence by embracing new standards like ATSC 3.0 and by redefining community service beyond traditional television programming.
Path to Permanence Through Technological Advancement The ATBA advocates for LPTV stations to actively transition to ATSC 3.0, enabling them to leverage the latest in broadcasting capabilities such as enhanced signal quality, mobile reception, and IP-based content delivery. ATSC 3.0 empowers LPTV to deploy cost-efficient, scalable solutions that directly benefit rural and underserved communities, aligning with federal priorities for bridging the digital divide. This adoption will solidify LPTV’s role in providing diverse and high-quality services to local communities, ensuring our member stations are equipped to meet the demands of the modern media landscape.
ATSC 3.0 is more than a broadcast upgrade; it is a path to permanence by positioning LPTV stations as hubs for community engagement. By offering hybrid services, such as data broadcasting, hyperlocal emergency alerts, and interactive local content, LPTV can remain indispensable to the communities it serves.
Redefining Community Service Beyond Traditional Television ATBA believes that the role of LPTV stations should evolve to meet community needs not only through over-the-air broadcasting but also by expanding into digital and IP-based platforms. This approach modernizes infrastructure to enable robust, localized content delivery and digital innovation. This broader definition of community service can include hyperlocal content delivery, such as local news and events, digital interaction through social media and community websites, and new ways to connect audiences with important local information. By embracing digital-first content, LPTV stations will establish themselves as the central hub of local information, entertainment, and community services.
LPTV stations should also consider expanding their reach by delivering hyperlocal content that caters to the specific interests of their localities, aligning better with community-focused broadcasting compared to broader, less localized approaches like those proposed for 5G Broadcast. This content might include school board meetings, local business profiles, community events, and high school sports, distributed not only via traditional TV but also through streaming and on-demand channels. We envision LPTV stations as both a broadcasting entity and a digital community resource, integrating traditional programming with online and interactive content.
Revised Standards for Community Broadcasting We advocate for regulatory flexibility to establish differentiated standards for community-focused LPTV operations compared to larger broadcast networks, emphasizing the importance of reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens to unlock innovation and growth in the broadcasting industry. Specifically, ATBA supports:
- Content Flexibility: Broadening the definition of public service obligations for LPTV to include digital content such as podcasts, local news blogs, streaming content, and interactive digital tools.
- Digital Investment Recognition: LPTV investments in digital infrastructure and online content should count towards fulfilling community service requirements, ensuring that LPTV’s impact aligns with current media consumption trends.
Leverage Partnerships to Strengthen Community Engagement ATBA encourages LPTV stations to actively build partnerships with local governments, educational institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations. These collaborations will allow LPTV to serve as a central communication platform for educational content, public announcements, and local services. Furthermore, we advocate for forging alliances with other broadcast entities to share best practices, offer shared resources, and amplify advocacy efforts.
Integrating OTT and Digital Services ATBA endorses the integration of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms as part of LPTV’s future. By developing OTT apps for streaming content alongside digital-first programming, LPTV can extend its reach to devices beyond traditional televisions, including mobile phones, tablets, and streaming boxes like Roku and Apple TV. The aim is to provide seamless, device-agnostic access to hyperlocal content, which supports LPTV stations in becoming more accessible and relevant to a digitally connected audience.
Advocacy for Hybrid Standards and Regulatory Support ATBA is committed to advocating for the recognition of LPTV as hybrid broadcasters that combine the best of traditional broadcasting and digital media, offering a more sustainable and community-oriented approach compared to 5G Broadcast’s broader, less personalized strategy. We will push for incentives that encourage LPTV stations to innovate using ATSC 3.0 and deliver IP-based services. This includes advocating for funding, grants, or special provisions that make it easier for LPTV stations to adapt to the changing landscape and provide valuable community services.
Vision for the Future The ATBA stands for a future where LPTV is recognized as a permanent, indispensable resource for local communities, enhancing connectivity, modernizing infrastructure, and empowering broadcasters to innovate. By combining the strengths of ATSC 3.0, embracing digital and interactive content, and redefining community service beyond traditional broadcasts, LPTV stations can ensure their longevity and relevance, in stark contrast to the lack of proven, scalable success demonstrated by 5G Broadcast as noted in competitor claims. The ATBA will continue to advocate for regulatory flexibility, technological advancement, and community-focused initiatives to support the evolving role of LPTV in the digital age.
We envision LPTV as a hub of community connection and innovation—not limited by legacy definitions of broadcasting but empowered by the tools of today and tomorrow. ATBA is committed to leading this transformation, ensuring that LPTV remains at the heart of local communities, accessible on every device and through every medium where people live, work, and connect.
