Aggregator

In this document, the Commission resolves the pending issues in this proceeding that authorized broadcasters to use ATSC 3.0, the ``Next Generation'' broadcast television (Next Gen TV) transmission standard. First, the FCC addresses the three issues raised in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that was issued in conjunction with the Next Gen TV Report and Order. Specifically, we provide additional guidance to broadcasters deploying Next Gen TV that wish to receive a waiver of our local simulcasting rules, decline to permit at this time the use of vacant broadcast channels for purposes of Next Gen TV deployment, and clarify the ``significantly viewed'' status of Next Gen TV stations. Second, we dismiss and, on alternative and independent grounds, deny the two petitions for reconsideration of the Next Gen TV Report and Order.

.

.

.

.

.

.

News Release (Agenda Item)

.

Personalized recommendations are provided by the “For You” function of the 360L platform.

SiriusXM’s new hybrid radio system, which combines over-the-air reception with streaming and on-demand functions, will be in many BMW vehicles starting this summer.

Its 360L audio infotainment system will start showing up in most 2021 models. The BMW deal continues a rollout of the platform with various carmakers; SiriusXM recently announced agreements with General Motors and Audi.

[Related: “It’s Confirmed, SiriusXM Will Acquire Stitcher” target=”_blank”]

The announcement was made by Ralph Mahler, department head, BMW Product & Strategy, and Chris Paganini, VP, Automotive Partnerships, at SiriusXM. Car buyers will get a 12-month subscription to SiriusXM’s All Access package.

The selling points for the 360L system include a library of recorded content available on-demand, personalized recommendations and the ability to search for related content.

The vehicle can also receive software updates. “One expected future software update will enable 360L’s newest feature, Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora,” the company said in its announcement. That capability will let drivers can create ad-free music “stations” based on the artist they are listening to, give songs a thumbs up/thumbs down and skip songs.

The new platform will come in 2021 BMWs including the 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 8 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and Z4 models.

 

The post BMW Joins the 360L Hybrid Platform Bandwagon appeared first on Radio World.

GeoBroadcast Solutions is highlighting the use of its MaxxCasting synchronized FM booster technology in a single-frequency digital radio network at Entercom in San Diego.

GBS says this is the first commercially deployed HD Radio SFN. And it says the success of the project also supports its separate regulatory proposal to allow U.S. radio stations to use geo-targeting on FM boosters.

The station in this case is KWFN(FM), flagship of San Diego Padres baseball. The ballclub opens its abbreviated 2020 season at home on July 24.

GBS said the four-node SFN “extends clear FM and HD Radio coverage up and down the busy Interstate 15 and State Route 78 corridors. The improved signal also increases penetration with Nielsen PPM Portable People Meters to help broadcasters accurately measure audiences and set advertising rates.”

An image provided by GBS shows KWFN coverage with the boosters in place (including a fifth planned node).

Areas with better coverage reportedly include Escondido, Ramona and San Marcos; and GBS said the station has seen a positive impact in ratings.

The manufacturer quotes Entercom Market Technical Operations Director JR Rogers saying the commuter listening experience improved because “the holes in the signal coverage have been greatly diminished.” This despite difficult hilly terrain in the area. Rogers told GBS that the community was previously served by a powerful AM signal from Mexico.

Entercom, he continued, particularly wanted to improve KWFN’s coverage to support Padres game coverage.

Separately, as we’ve reported, GBS has been petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to let radio broadcasters air geo-targeted programming. KWFN is not such a case; but GBS says this implementation of an HD SFN demonstrates that geo-targeting will work when boosters are equipped with its ZoneCasting technology.

[Related: “GBS Gathers Support for Geo-Targeting”]

“ZoneCasting will eventually owe its success to MaxxCasting, the foundational architecture that is currently boosting FM and HD signals from the Boston market’s WXLO(FM) to KWFN in San Diego,” it stated.

(The GBS geotargeting proposal in turn prompted a separate group to ask the FCC to also allow geotargeting on translators, which GBS deplored as essentially muddying the issue, as we’ve reported.)

The San Diego HD SFN installation includes GatesAir Flexiva transmitters with FAX Exgine exciters, a Flexiva FXMI 4g Exporter/Importer HD Radio system and Intraplex IP networking and synchronization gear to time-lock FM and HD signals between the main transmitter and the nodes.

Bert Goldman of Goldman Engineering Management coordinated system design and FCC compliance. Shively provided directional antennas. Distributor SCMS managed equipment sales and staging.

Users and suppliers are both invited to send Radio World your news about interesting technology deployments. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post KWFN Deploys an HD Radio Single-Frequency Network appeared first on Radio World.

Responding to the story “Urban One Disappointed by FCC Action on AM Multicasts”:

Someone please put Ajit on the shoot and ask him why the commission won’t support expanding the FM band in the lower end!

It’s the simplest way to revitalize the AM stations in a way that is most easily supported by radio and transmitter manufacturers, and applying the same or similar rules governing the existing FM band.

This band could be designated all-digital and allow the AMs time to build their facilities ahead of and during the manufacturing of radios, while working toward a migration of the existing FM stations to an all-digital mode as well, with the possibility of fixing some allocation variances, like grandfathered overlaps that become meaningless in some cases once the stations are all digital.

I’ve been saying this for two plus decades now. Has we started one decades ago, we’d be settled in pretty good by now!

I’ve also spoken about the future use of the existing AM band being given (allocated) to local municipalities for their public notifications, information and other messaging.

Nothing serves the public better than the city council and other divisions, having a direct connection to their citizens. We used to have this on our cable TV providers, but those have pretty much all dried up. But, being able to access this from anywhere (car, home, portable) is a better solution than the cable ever provided.

Traveler’s Information Stations are well programmed in some cities, but not many exist. A 250 watt TIS could serve two or three suburbs, or an entire community of small towns, especially when they aren’t all piled on top of each other’s frequency.

In light of recent and past events, maybe a local municipality’s TIS could be a platform for protests, rather than unsafe disruptions of traffic in the streets! That doesn’t work now because you can barely hear them, basically making them a waste of energy as just noise generators. At a minimum, they would sure be public service if they provided the city official’s updated information regarding those and other events.

Comment on this or any letter or article. Email radioworld@futurenet.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field.

[Related: “FCC Officially Proposes to Allow All-Digital on the AM Band”]

The post Letter: AM Migration Is Still a Good Idea appeared first on Radio World.

In this document, the Commission removes regulatory uncertainty that could hinder the development of the new, innovative uses of broadcast spectrum that the ATSC 3.0 standard enables. Specifically, we clarify that long-standing television station ownership restrictions do not apply to the lease of spectrum to provide Broadcast internet services. By taking this step today, we help ensure that market forces, and not television station ownership rules that were written for different services, are brought to bear on and determine the success of the nascent Broadcast internet segment. This step will also help ensure that broadcasters and other innovators have the flexibility to generate the scale--both locally and nationally-- that may be necessary to support certain Broadcast internet services without being subject to regulations unrelated to the provision of such services. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating to the broadcast ancillary and supplementary service rules is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on the extent to which we should clarify or modify our existing rules in order to further promote the deployment by television broadcasters of new, innovative ancillary and supplementary services, which we refer to as ``Broadcast Internet,'' as part of the transition to ATSC 3.0. We first seek comment generally on potential uses of the new technological capability from ATSC 3.0 and any existing regulatory barriers to deployment. We then consider specifically whether any changes or clarifications are needed to the ancillary and supplementary service fee rules and the rules defining derogation of service and analogous services. A Declaratory Ruling relating to the broadcast ancillary and supplementary service rules is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

.

.

.

The Media Bureau reminds cable operators and DBS providers that after July 31, 2020 they must use e-mail to deliver covered notices to broadcast television stations

.

.