DA 18-736
July 17, 2018

Next Gen TV Rules Receive OMB Approval
Media Bureau Will Announce in Future Notice When Ready to Accept Next Gen TV License Applications
GN Docket No. 16-142

By this Public Notice, we announce that the Next Gen TV local simulcasting rules Authorizing Permissive Use of the “Next Generation” Broadcast Television Standard, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 32 FCC Rcd 9930 (2017) (Next Gen TV Report and Order).  The document is available on the Commission’s website at https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-158A1.pdf.  The document is also available electronically via the Commission’s Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) website at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ (by FCC document number, FCC 17-158) or via the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) website at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/ (by docket number, GN Docket No. 16-142).  
 are now in effect.  On November 20, 2017, the Commission released the Next Gen TV Report and Order.  The Next Gen TV Report and Order authorizes television broadcasters to use the “Next Generation” broadcast television transmission standard on a voluntary, market-driven basis.  These rules became effective on February 2, 2018, except for the rule sections 73.3801, 73.6029, and 74.782 which require approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) because they contain information collection requirements. Next Gen TV Report and Order, Final Rules, 83 Fed. Reg. 4998 (Feb. 2, 2018).
  The Commission submitted these information collection requirements to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under 47 U.S.C. § 3507(d) and we announce that OMB has approved these collections. See Notice of Office of Management and Budget Action for OMB Control No. 3060-1254 (approved July 2, 2018)
  In the Next Gen TV Report and Order, the Commission stated that these rules will become effective after the Commission publishes a notice in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the relevant effective date. Next Gen TV Report and Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 9996-97, ¶ 142-43.
  The Commission has published this notice in the Federal Register announcing July 17, 2018, as the effective date of the rules. See 83 Fed. Reg. 33144; https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/07/17/2018-15156/authorizing-permissive-use-of-the-next-generation-broadcast-television-standard 


The Media Bureau is in the process of making changes to its Licensing and Management System (LMS) to accommodate Next Gen TV license applications and completion of such changes is expected in the beginning of 2019.  Accordingly, the Bureau is not yet accepting applications for Next Gen TV licenses. The Bureau will continue to consider requests to commence ATSC 3.0 market trials and product development under our experimental licensing rules.  See e.g., Application for Experimental Special Temporary Authority filed by Unimas Partnership of Phoenix, licensee of KFPH-CD, Phoenix, AZ, File No. 0000048791 (granted Mar. 29, 2018); 47 CFR Part 5, Subparts D and H.  Stations may seek experimental authority by filing an Application for Experimental Special Temporary Authority in LMS.  Absent a waiver, stations seeking experimental authority must demonstrate that they satisfy all requirements contained in the Commission’s rules and Next Gen TV Report and Order.  Stations that receive an experimental authorization will ultimately need to apply for permanent modification of their license once the Bureau is ready to accept such applications.
  The Bureau will issue a public notice announcing when it will start accepting applications for Next Gen TV licenses.

For additional information, contact Evan Baranoff, Evan.Baranoff@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, at (202) 418-2120.  Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise at (202) 418-8165.  TTY: (202) 418-7172 or (888) 835-5322.

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