Weigel Broadcasting asks FCC to stop A3SA from gatekeeping ATSC 3.0

[osu1991]

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/108272632722025

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/108272632722025/1

In a letter submitted to FCC today by Weigel Broadcasting, they reveal that the A3SA (a group run by larger TV Station groups) plans to shut down signals and display a message that a TV Station is a risk to watch on certified ATSC 3 NextGen TV tuners for stations that are not certified by and not paying the A3SA to broadcast.

Even if the stations don't want to use DRM, the A3SA is requiring them to be certified by A3SA and broadcast an A3SA signing certificate. This would affect those who do not comply with the A3SA by a certain date they call "High Noon" which Weigel says was going to be June 30, 2025, but has now been moved to a later date TBD.

 

[FTA4PA]

At least Weigel seems to be on the consumer's side.

 

[Peter Parker]

At least Weigel seems to be on the consumer's side.

Weigel is on Weigel's side. It just happens to benefit consumers in this case.

 

[FTA4PA]

Weigel is on Weigel's side. It just happens to benefit consumers in this case.

Maybe so but I'll take it because nobody else wants to benefit the consumer in this mess.

 

[Corrado]

I'm sure Weigel realizes how popular their programming is on the various networks they air. The more difficult it becomes to view, the less eyes watching. I applaud their efforts as well as Tyler the Antenna Man and Lon Seidman.

Personally, I have no intention of spending a penny to update equipment to continue watching my over the air free TV channels or use some internet source to authorize to watch OTA. In my market ATSC 1.0 operates perfectly as it is with at least 60 channels to choose from where I live.

 

[osu1991]

Keeps my 5 TiVo's useful as long as ATSC 1 hangs around and the channels have something I'm interested in. Currently that's mainly H&I and Movies! Network.