WASHINGTON—In a new filing with the Federal Communications Commission, the NAB again urged the agency to adopt policies that would reduce the cost of viewing major sporting events by having them air on broadcast TV. It also blasted the Consumer Technology Association’s defense of streaming platforms that have in recent years acquired many major sports rights.

The NAB made the comments in response to an FCC probe into Sports Broadcasting Practices and Marketplace Developments (MB Docket No. 26-45) that is seeking public comments on a wide variety of issues relating to sports rights and the rising cost of accessing games by consumers.

The inquiry has generated more than 8,600 comments. Those comments are available here.

In its April 13 reply comments, the NAB noted that “the public overwhelmingly agrees with NAB’s views. Commenters of all stripes venerated broadcast media’s consistent, affordable environment for airing live sports programming to all consumers. They also lamented the migration of live sports programming behind paywalled pureplay streaming services. The main contrarian who seems to think higher prices and hard-to-find content are actually good for consumers is the ironically named Consumer Technology Association (CTA). While CTA professes to promote a “consumer-first” mindset, in reality, it only cares about pushing more devices on consumers – even if consumers end up paying thousands of dollars for multiple paywalled pureplay streaming services that make their live sports content harder to find.”

The CTA’s reply comments weren’t immediately available on the FCC website but its original comments stressed the importance of letting the market determine the distribution of sports rights and the FCC’s lack of authority to regulate who airs major sports. The group, which is backed by major consumer electronics companies, also stressed that the rise in popularity of streaming services has also greatly expanded the amount and diversity of sports now available on TV.

“The free market delivers more choices for consumers to view a greater diversity of sports on a wider variety of devices,” the CTA’s March 27 filing argued. “As CTA often states, consumers should choose their own video choices, not a select group of broadcasters and not the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC). The marketplace for sports media shows how a consumer-first mindset that maximizes choice and minimizes the need for government regulatory intervention supports new video services and features that benefit consumers. Americans now view many sports contests that have never been available on traditional broadcast television (or any traditional media platform) on their new smart TV, phone, tablet, or other device. The private marketplace functions to deliver sports fans the content they desire wherever and however they want to view it, and regulatory intervention will not benefit consumers. The Commission also lacks legal authority to regulate the content delivered over online services or their contractual arrangements. There is neither a need nor a legal basis for the FCC to regulate sports programming provided over streaming services.”

In its reply comments, the NAB continued to highlight the benefits of live sports on broadcast TV for fans and leagues alike by arguing that global streaming platforms lock games behind paywalls and create an expensive and confusing viewing experience.

In addition the NAB stressed that live sports support broadcast stations’ ability to provide local content, including news, weather and emergency coverage, by generating crucial revenues and expanding viewership.

In contrast, the shift toward exclusive streaming is driving up costs and confusion for fans, the NAB argued, citing data that a single league or team can now require fans to purchase multiple subscriptions, creating a system that is both expensive and difficult to navigate.

Referring to thousands of comments by sports fans complaining about the cost of streaming sports, the NAB concluded that “the record overwhelmingly supports what NAB explained in our comments: Broadcast TV is the best medium for airing live sports programming. Broadcast TV delivers affordable, accessible, and reliable live sports programming to communities across the country. And live sports programming, in turn, supports the local news and other local programming. By contrast, streaming services impose high costs, create consumer confusion, and diminish access to live sports, and the migration of live sports programming behind paywalled streaming services deprives the public of broadcast TV’s public interest-oriented programming…The Commission should support broadcasters by modernizing the national and local ownership rules and the rules required to complete the ATSC 3.0 transition and take a fresh look at whether the Sports Broadcasting Act is still required.”

The full filing is available here.

The following is an opinion piece from Michael Petricone, SVP, Government & Regulatory Affairs with the Consumer Technology Association:

Broadcasters benefit from one of the largest government giveaways in American history: free, exclusive access to the public airwaves. As Americans increasingly consume content in new ways, it’s time to rethink that approach and consider reallocating the spectrum to serve consumers and the broader economy.

During the first half of the 20th century, radio and television were breakthrough technologies. Spectrum allocated for broadcasting helped connect the country with local news, information, and entertainment in a way that had never been possible before. That access was always a temporary license to serve the public interest, subject to renewal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Today, fewer than 9% of Americans access broadcast TV programming solely using an antenna, with many instead using streaming, mobile, and on-demand platforms to get the same local content. Despite this declining viewership of over-the-air TV, broadcasters still control vast swaths of prime spectrum that could be put to more efficient use.

Now, broadcasters want even more, including looser ownership rules so they can merge, consolidate, and entrench their position. Before Congress hands out new favors, it should look at reclaiming underused broadcast spectrum. We can’t afford to reward inefficient use of public airwaves and shut the door on more efficient uses of spectrum – especially when unlicensed spectrum is so valuable. The limited amount of unlicensed spectrum available today generates $95.8 billion per year in sales to our economy.

Spectrum powers many of the technologies we rely on today, and next-generation advances in AI, advanced manufacturing, precision health, 6G, autonomous mobility, and defense systems will require expanded access to it.

It’s long past time to reset the system. At CES 2026, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested that “if you want to continue broadcasting without the public interest obligation, then let everyone have a fair and free shot at purchasing that spectrum.” He’s right.

An “Incentive Auction 2.0” would allow the federal government to reclaim this spectrum, auction it openly, and let the market allocate it to its highest and best uses, while generating needed government revenue. Policymakers should start asking broadcasters some tough questions and looking for opportunities to put spectrum to its highest value use.

Everyone should compete on equal terms. No more freebies. No more special favors that distort the market and advantage legacy broadcasters over their competitors. If a business model works, it will survive without government protection.

We know this approach works. When the FCC began auctioning spectrum in the 1990s, it sparked one of the greatest waves of investment and innovation in modern history. Wireless networks expanded, smartphones emerged, and the mobile economy took off.

The same holds true for convening another auction of broadcast spectrum, which would boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and help American companies compete against global rivals. As China reallocates spectrum aggressively to strengthen its technological edge, the United States cannot afford to let ours sit idle.

The airwaves belong to the American people. It is time for the FCC to take the spectrum back and allow the market to determine its most efficient use.

What do you think? Drop us a line at tvtechnology@futurenet.com

WASHINGTON—The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) has filed formal comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV that urge the agency to require all new TVs be able to receive 3.0 broadcast signals and reaffirm must-carry provisions for NextGen TV broadcasts.

Tuner requirements and must-carry provisions are also supported by the NAB and major broadcast station groups. But groups representing cable companies and telcos have attacked the must-carry provisions and the Consumer Technology Association has strongly condemned tuner mandates as a measure that would increase the price of TV sets.

In its filing, the NRB stressed that the move to ATSC 3.0 marks one of the most significant technological upgrades for broadcast television in decades, promising improved picture and audio quality, enhanced emergency alerting, and new service capabilities that could deepen local engagement.

NRB told the FCC that it supports the continued deployment of this technology, calling it “the future of broadcasting.”

NRB also came out strongly against filings by NCTA and other telecommunications groups opposing must-carry requirements for 3.0 broadcasts. It urged the FCC to reaffirm the application of must-carry protections to ATSC 3.0. In addition it said the agency needed to establish a tuner requirement and to ensure a fair transition process for mission-driven stations.

“There is no statutory basis for concluding that the congressionally-established must carry rules change when cable television undergoes a technical upgrade,” the NRB argued. In addition, “the FCC does not have the authority to rule that an act of Congress is unconstitutional, especially when the Supreme Court has ruled on the very question raised.”

It also stressed that for many Christian broadcasters, must-carry is essential to sustaining long-term community outreach. Federal law requires cable operators to carry local commercial and noncommercial educational stations, and that obligation does not change simply because of an advancement in transmission technology.

NRB’s comments also noted that ATSC 3.0 is not backward compatible, meaning that viewers without the right equipment would not be able to receive the upgraded signal and argued that without a clear tuner requirement, some households could lose access to programming during the transition process.

Finally, NRB called for a structured and reasonable transition to ATSC 3.0, one that reflects the realities facing smaller, noncommercial, and ministry-focused stations. Too rigid of a transition, it said, may not provide the flexibility smaller stations need in order to comply with FCC requirements in a timely manner.

To this end, NRB encouraged the FCC to adopt a transition timeline that creates a predictable path to end the indefinite simulcasting burden, while providing flexibility for small and low-power stations.

The full NRB filing, which is undated but was announced by the NRB on Feb. 17 is available here.

WASHINGTON—The NAB has filed additional comments with the Federal Communications Commission stressing the urgency of quickly implementing policies that will speed the transition from ATSC 1.0, the current broadcast standard, to ATSC 3.0 aka NextGen TV.

“ATSC 3.0 is the future of free, local broadcasting, and the Commission has a timely opportunity to move the transition from its current, limited implementation phase to a full, nationwide deployment that serves the public interest,” the group noted in a Jan. 20 filing with the agency, which is in the process evaluating policies and rules that might speed up the transition.

“NAB urges the Commission to adopt a date-certain ATSC 1.0 sunset, modernize its receiver standards so consumers can reliably receive authorized broadcast services, ensure continued MVPD carriage of stations’ primary ATSC 3.0 signals and associated program-related features, and reaffirm a stable approach to content protection that supports broadcasters’ ability to secure and deliver the high-value programming viewers expect while preserving longstanding consumer viewing expectations," the NAB argued.

While the agency has signaled that it wants to liberalize some rules in ways that will speed up the transition, it has not taken a position on two of the key issues raised by the NAB filing, namely a cutoff date for ATSC 1.0 broadcast signals and a requirement that all new TV sets be able to receive 3.0 signals.

The most recent comments by the NAB do not mention a specific cutoff date but in the past, the NAB has argued for a 1.0 sunset in 2028 in larger markets and 2030 for the rest of the country in filings with the FCC.

The NAB also argued that setting a clear, date-certain sunset for ATSC 1.0, would enable industry-wide planning that drives down costs, promotes innovation and avoids confusion for viewers. These tuner mandates are, however, opposed by the Consumer Technology Association.

The NAB also pressed the FCC to ensure continued access to free, over-the-air broadcast signals by updating receiver standards and maintaining MVPD carriage of ATSC 3.0 signals and advanced features.

In addition, It weighed in on content security issues that have provoked opposition from some smaller device manufacturers and broadcasters. TV Tech's recent survey of those issues can be found here.

In the filing the NAB said that special broadcast-only privacy rules are unnecessary and counterproductive: “ATSC 3.0 does not create new privacy concerns for viewers who watch broadcast television over the air without an internet connection,” the group argued. “A one-way broadcast signal, with no return path, cannot collect or transmit viewer information. For these viewers, watching ATSC 3.0 is no different from watching ATSC 1.0 from a privacy standpoint.”

It also argued that the transition to 3.0 would not harm EAS systems and that the transition would open up new ways to better utilize spectrum.

“By strengthening broadcasters’ technical capabilities and economic viability, a successful transition to ATSC 3.0 will help ensure the continued availability of these vital services,” the filing said. “More broadly, ATSC 3.0 provides a more efficient use of spectrum, delivering greater value to the American public from this spectrum resource while also enabling the deployment of complementary positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services via the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS).”

More on BPS can be found here. Our full NextGen TV coverage is available here.

The full filing is available here.

LAS VEGAS-–Despite worries about the impact of tariffs and other economic uncertainties, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has released its U.S. Consumer Technology Industry Forecast showing the industry is projected to reach $565 billion in revenue in 2026, growing 3.7% year over year.

The forecast was unveiled in the run-up to the start of CES 2026, where exhibits are open from Jan. 6-9.

The trade group said the outlook underscores the consumer electronics industry’s resilience at a pivotal moment, as companies navigate economic challenges, shifting supply chains and growing pressure on consumer spending.

“Even as tariffs and broader economic pressures intensify, Americans continue to invest in technology that improves productivity, connectivity and quality of life,” CTA Executive Chair and CEO Gary Shapiro said. “But the impact of economic uncertainty is becoming more visible as companies move through pre-tariff inventories and face tougher cost decisions heading into 2026.”

The forecast shows that while overall growth remains steady, the burden of rising costs is falling unevenly across the industry, with smaller companies more likely to face margin pressure or supply-chain disruptions.

Despite challenges, key segments continue to expand, the group reported. Hardware revenues are expected to grow 3.4%, while consumer spending on software and services is projected to rise 4.2%, reaching nearly $194 billion. However, unit shipments are forecast to grow just 0.7% in 2026.

The forecast also noted that consumers are increasingly prioritizing software-driven value, anchoring to subscription services and leveraging flexible financing options, signaling a market increasingly driven by premium features and AI-enabled experiences.

WASHINGTON—Despite the government shutdown, the Federal Communications Commission has passed, with some revisions, a previously announced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that the agency believes will accelerate the nation’s ongoing transition to Next Gen TV aka ATSC 3.0.

Commissioners unanimously approved the NPRM. It continues the agency’s longstanding market-driven, voluntary approach, which tries to remove regulatory obstacles to the transition and provide broadcasters with greater flexibility on how they make the transition.

More specifically, the NPRM would end some simulcasting rules that currently require broadcasters who launch 3.0 broadcasts to also offer 1.0 signals. That would allow broadcasters to make their own decision on when to end ATSC 1.0 transmissions, which in turn could free up bandwidth for new services.

But perhaps most significantly, the NPRM does not require broadcasters to end 1.0 broadcasts on any specific date, something smaller broadcasters and LPTV stations had opposed, and does not mandate 3.0 tuners in new sets, which had been opposed by the electronics industry.

The NAB and larger broadcast groups had argued tuner mandates and a firm sunset was needed jumpstart the transition.

The NPRM also askes for public comment on a long list of questions that the agency wants to consider as it reviews the transition to ATSC 3.0.

The NPRM approved by the Commission contains some questions that Commissioner Anna Gomez asked to be added. Those relate to maintaining access to free over the air broadcasts in all homes and how ATSC 3.0 capable devices might be financed.

In addition, the FCC will seek comment on how to minimize the costs and impact of this transition on all stakeholders, including consumers, manufacturers, MVPDs, and smaller broadcasters.

The NAB applauded the action even though it did not take a position on a firm ATSC 1.0 sunset date or 3.0 tuner mandates.

In a statement NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said “The FCC’s action today is a meaningful step toward realizing the full benefits of NextGen TV, and NAB applauds Chairman Carr and Commissioners Gomez and Trusty for their leadership on this important issue. By moving to eliminate outdated rules, the Commission is clearing the path for broadcasters to better serve viewers with enhanced picture and sound, robust emergency alerts and new interactive features.”

“NextGen TV is already on the air in more than 80 markets, and today’s vote signals important momentum,” LeGeyt added. “Broadcasters remain committed to delivering trusted local journalism, vital information and innovative new services for viewers across America, regardless of geographic or economic status. NAB looks forward to working with the Commission and industry partners to complete this transition.”

The FCC’s NPRM, which emphasized a voluntary, market-driven approach, was also welcomed by the Consumer Technology Association, which represents over 1,200 tech companies. The CTA has consistently opposed proposals by the NAB and broadcasters to mandate a fixed date for the end of ATSC 1.0 broadcasts and a mandate for 3.0 tuners in new sets.

“Thank you to the FCC for taking another step toward a fully voluntary transition to Nextgen TV. Americans should be able to choose the features they want in their TVs,” said Gary Shapiro, CEO and vice chair, CTA in a statement. “Innovation thrives when consumers - not the government - pick the technology that works best for them.”

The CTA also stressed that it plans to continue to oppose any government mandate requiring TVs to include ATSC 3.0 tuners.

The Consumer Technology Association told the Federal Communications Commission last week that it believes the current Emergency Alert System is highly effective and, if expanded, could create more problems than it solves.

The association’s comments were in response to an NPRM issued by the commission last month in which it said it would explore whether fundamental changes to the Emergency Alert System—which provides emergency alerts to the public via radio, television, satellite and cable systems, and Wireless Emergency Alerts—which provide emergency alerts to supported mobile devices—would make them more effective, efficient, and better able to serve the public’s needs

The CTA told the commission that while it appreciated its efforts towards reassessing the state of emergency alerting in the U.S., adding more regulations to current rules would be expensive and time-consuming.

“Expanding EAS and WEA beyond the media and devices they reach now would require overcoming resource-intensive and complicated technical hurdles, while duplicating the alerting that the public already receives,” the CTA said in its filing. “Because the public safety community has expressed concern with alert fatigue, avoiding unintended consequences also requires the careful evaluation of any new requirements and guidelines.”

With nearly all Americans (98% as of 2024) owning a cellphone, CTA said the current system works well.

“The integration of wireless phones into consumers’ lives means that the shift in behavior from traditional television and radio to online media and connected devices does not frustrate the alerting ‘systems’ objectives of widespread public notification about emergencies,” the association told the FCC.

The CTA added that “most Americans receive emergency and public safety information through WEA to mobile devices, not terrestrial radio or broadcast television.”

When a combined WEA-EAS test was conducted in October 2023, the association conducted a survey to determine how Americans received the emergency alerts, and found that approximately 245 million U.S. adults (95%) received or heard the emergency alert via their phone. Specifically, 92% of U.S. adults (approximately 237 million) indicated they received the alert through their smartphone.

“The results of this survey illustrate the ubiquity of cellphones and smartphones and the effectiveness of the WEA system in reaching device users,” the CTA said.

Even when watching TV or listening to the radio, consumers usually have their mobile devices close by, CTA added.

“Consistent with CTA’s 2023 nationwide test survey findings, other data also indicate that most people watch television while engaging with a second screen such as a phone or tablet,” CTA said. “Thus, even if a person streams television content or other forms of entertainment not capable of receiving EAS, WEA could still successfully notify the individual of an emergency using a nearby cellphone or cellular-connected/paired wearable.”

Although the CTA all but dismissed broadcast alerts as obsolete, it did admit that because the current EAS model is built on broadcast-based architecture, adding new rules would cause technical barriers because most OTT services stream content on-demand and not live.

“Over-the-top (OTT) streaming and other internet services are different in fundamental ways from broadcast technologies, creating challenges to the technical feasibility of using such services to transmit EAS alerts," CTA said. "Many OTT services cannot broadcast real-time content, limiting their ability to transmit real-time alerts, or only allowing them to do so on a limited basis.

“These OTT services are more accurately described as on-demand file services with content on the edge of networks or in content delivery networks,” the CTA added. “Such services are not designed to broadcast real-time or near-real-time content like EAS alerts,“ the consumer electronics trade group continued. “Effectively transmitting internet alerts would also require gathering, analyzing, targeting and parsing location information beyond the current EAS capabilities. Many streaming services and internet-connected devices do not have or are not designed to transmit content based on location in the way that EAS alerts require. EAS participants and relay stations directly transmit to a specific geographic area based on the location of the participants and relevant stations, such as the relevant state or locality. Many internet-connected devices, in contrast, do not readily identify their location beyond country or world region.”

The fragmented nature of viewing SVOD services on multiple devices is another technical hurdle, CTA said.

“Multiple users on the same account in more than one location can often use a streaming service simultaneously, complicating the targeting of local and state alerts,” the association said. “Using a service in multiple, disparate locations presents a challenge to the precise location targeting of the vast majority of alerts, such as during hurricanes and other weather events.”

Unlike broadcast, which uses standards such as ATSC 1.0 or 3.0 that ensure compatibility, streaming devices do not, CTA said, adding another technical burden.

“Ensuring interoperability among the different streaming technologies and EAS is another obstacle to technical feasibility,” CTA said. “Streaming companies do not have a 'core technology' to use to transmit EAS alerts, unlike traditional ATSC 1.0 broadcasting or the Advanced Emergency Alert in ATSC 3.0. The large variety of internet-capable end-user devices provides an additional challenge for ensuring compatibility with a uniform format for EAS transmissions.”

The association suggested that the FCC may have bitten off more than it could chew in the current notice of proposed rulemaking.

“Given the high-level nature of the inquiries in the NPRM, CTA anticipates that a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would be appropriate to allow industry and other stakeholders to evaluate and comment on any specific new requirements and identify implementation challenges,” the association said. “If the Commission develops new proposals, CTA urges the Commission to refrain from proposing any user interface or equipment mandates, which risk both exceeding the FCC’s legal authority and stifling innovation by locking in regulator-dictated design choices. In addition, any new rules should provide a sufficient implementation period, as well as provide for waivers, including class waivers, where appropriate.”

WASHINGTON—Fifty state broadcasters associations, as well as groups representing stations in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, have passed a resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission to set a clear industry-wide transition plan to the full deployment of NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0.

The NAB has been pushing a plan for the FCC to approve a February 2028 sunset for the top 55 markets and the remaining stations to make the transition by February 2030.

Most major broadcasters, such as Sinclair, support the cutoff dates while some LPTV groups and other broadcasters, like Weigel Broadcasting, have opposed it. TV set manufacturers and the CTA have also opposed proposals that would mandate 3.0 tuners in all TV sets.

The resolution supported a firm cutoff but did not make any mention of a specific date.

The resolution stressed that broadcasters have worked hard to deploy NextGen TV broadcasts in markets reaching 75% of the population and that new standard offers a number of benefits for consumers, local news and national security. The resolution also argued that those benefits can’t be fully realized under the current deployment requirement to air 1.0 broadcasts alongside the 3.0 broadcasts.

“Continued reliance on spectrum-sharing agreements and regulatory and market uncertainties limit the full deployment of Next Gen TV on a voluntary basis alone,” the resolution said.

“Whereas without a date-certain for a Next Gen TV transition, the transition itself—and the significant improvements ATSC 3.0 makes for broadcasters and viewers alike—could be at risk,” the resolution stated, “be it resolved this 31st day of July, 2025, by the broadcaster associations named below, representing all 50 States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, that we support the Federal Communications Commission establishing a clear, industry-wide date-certain transition plan for the full deployment of Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0) as well as a sunset date for ATSC 1.0.”

The full resolution can be found here.

In response to regulatory filings and posts by the Consumer Technology Association opposing a government mandate for NextGen TV tuners and a firm shutoff date for existing broadcast signals, Jerald Fritz, a former ONE Media Technology executive and a broadcaster for more than 50 years, is defending the need for new FCC regulations to speed the transition to NextGen TV broadcasts.

In an article sent to TV Tech, Fritz argues the CTA members and broadcasters should be aligned in supporting the move to NextGen TV and that the CTA’s current arguments against mandates fall apart when seen in a wider, more nuanced context.

The CTA’s current position opposing those mandates “needs some context since the argument over ‘mandates’ is much more nuanced than [CTA CEO Gary Shapiro] portrays,” writes Fritz, a principal at Communications Policy Consulting and who has held multiple staff positions at the FCC, including chief of staff to Chairman Mark Fowler during the Reagan Administration. “In fact, Gary and his CTA members ought to be in lock step with broadcasters in fully realizing the benefits to consumers AND his constituents.”

“Gary understands nuance,” Fritz noted. “He’s been running CTA for almost 35 years and has that excellent legal and Capitol Hill background … And he knows about overregulation—the very situation that has locked broadcasters into the untenable position they are in today.”

In his efforts to describe a more nuanced view of the debate, Fritz stressed that broadcasters and set manufacturers have long operated under government mandates for “rigid standards on both the transmission and reception side” dating back to the period just before World War II. “It needs to be noted that, while Gary stresses over his philosophical opposition to mandates, CTA has been for decades and continues to operate under them as we speak.”

Unfortunately, while technology has been rapidly changing, with mobile phones, personal computers and other devices changing how consumers access content, there has been “until recently 0% change to the mandated TV transmission standard,” Fritz added. ”No mobile applications to watch TV in a car or commuter train. No significant enhancements to picture or sound quality. No hyper-localized or personalized programming, advertising or emergency alerts. And no ability to provide consumers and businesses with an extraordinarily robust one-to-many data platform.”

ATSC 3.0 addresses those issues with many new features, but the current FCC rules governing its implementation create a kind of “a Rube Goldberg implementation plan” that has “the sad effect of requiring all broadcasters to continue to use the old standard in parallel with the new one,” Fritz complained.

This means there are few incentives for “Gary’s CTA companies or TV consumers to implement the new standard if there’s only limited immediate upside,” Fritz wrote. “This hamstrings stations and CTA members from fully realizing the extraordinary capabilities of the NextGen TV standard.”

“This crazy implementation regime is equivalent to saying to Gary’s constituents that no new 5G or 6G phone can be sold until every existing 3G user can use the new tech,” Fritz argued.

This background provides an important context for Shapiro’s other criticisms that broadcasters haven’t heavily invested in or marketed 3.0 broadcasts and that consumers haven’t embraced the technology, Fritz added. “To the contrary, with both hands tied behind their backs broadcasters have deployed the NextGen TV standard to more than ¾ of the U.S. population, and CTA member companies are including the tech in millions of TV sets.”

The current rules also make it nearly impossible for broadcasters to showcase the real advantages of 3.0 broadcast, Fritz argued.

“Fully 88% of the broadcast channel capacity structured to deliver NextGen TV services is stuck behind this nonsensical regulatory wall,” Fritz said. “And there’s the nuance. CTA’s constituent companies should be clamoring to provide products capturing these new services. It means new products to develop and sell. It means new markets to exploit. It means profits. Broadcasters and CTA members are already locked behind an iron curtain wall of government regulations. Let’s free the markets. The government has already approved the standard. Now it needs to ensure that all parties are using it for the benefit of all. To paraphrase President Reagan, ‘Mr. Shapiro, help tear down this wall!’ ”

WASINGTON—In the wake of recent meetings where the National Association of Broadcasters and Pearl TV pushed the Federal Communications Commission for ATSC 3.0 tuner mandates, Gary Shapiro, the CEO and vice chair of the Consumer Technology Association, is aggressively pushing back on claims that consumer tech manufacturers have a conflict of interest in their opposition to new regulations that might speed the transition to NextGen TV.

“Last week, Pearl TV called CTA out by name and made the outlandish claim that we are driven by a ‘conflict of interest’ in opposing a forced transition to ATSC 3.0,” Shapiro wrote in a LinkedIn post. “They claim that smart TVs are now a competitive threat to broadcasting. I can honestly say that not once have I heard any CTA member raise this as a reason to oppose a mandate. We oppose mandates because they hurt American consumers by forcing them to buy something they don’t want … Our position is based on the importance of choice and the miracle of the marketplace—something broadcasters happily ignore as they squat on valuable spectrum they were loaned for free.”

“Irony alert: the very broadcasters crying ‘conflict’ are the ones lobbying the government to mandate a technology that could directly enrich them,” Shapiro added. “Let’s be clear: CTA supports innovation—not mandates. We’ve always opposed government forcing tech into products. But this is the NAB playbook: if consumers aren’t choosing your tech organically, demand the government make them. This isn’t new. Broadcasters have spent years begging the government to prop up their declining business— FM radio in phones, AM radio in cars. Declining demand isn’t market failure requiring government intervention— it’s the marketplace of consumers choosing better options.”

The big problem with the stalled ATSC 3.0 transition, Shapiro added, is that “broadcasters haven’t bothered to sell ATSC 3.0. Their half-hearted deployment of mostly redundant content is not luring consumers to value ATSC 3.0 … Where’s the marketing blitz? How much prime time advertising have they done on ATSC 3.0? What killer apps have they consistently deployed? What is the compelling reason for consumers to care?”

“The future of TV should be decided by consumers, not lobbyists,” he concluded. “If the broadcasters want ATSC 3.0 to succeed, they should stop wasting money on expensive lobbying campaigns for mandates and start creating content and services consumers value. Maybe the government should mandate more productive use of broadcaster spectrum so our nation can reduce the deficit move into the future.”

As previously reported, the broadcasters backing Pearl TV complained during a recent meeting with FCC staffers that TV-set manufacturers are “incentivized” to oppose ATSC 3.0 tuners because their FAST channels compete with broadcasters for ads and audiences.

Similar arguments were raised during a July 14 meeting with NAB and FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty. “NAB also addressed the disingenuous and blatantly anticompetitive objections registered by certain players in the ecosystem that are clearly threatened by a competitive free video service available to consumers throughout the nation,” according to a letter from the NAB describing the meeting.

WASHINGTON—NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt met this week with Federal Communications Commission member Olivia Trusty and FCC staffers to urge that the agency move quickly to enact a “long-overdue reform" of the Commission’s broadcast ownership restrictions and pass rules to help the broadcast industry speed the transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.

In a July 16 letter to the FCC, Rick Kaplan, chief legal officer and executive vice president legal and regulatory affairs at the National Association of Broadcasters, disclosed that on July 14, LeGeyt and Kaplan met with Trusty. her chief of staff and senior counsel, Krista Senell, and her acting legal advisor, Jessica Kinsey, on behalf of the broadcaster trade group.

“Our conversation focused on two urgent and interrelated issues vital to the continued vitality of local broadcasting: (1) the need for long-overdue reform of the Commission’s broadcast-only ownership restrictions; and (2) the critical role the FCC must play in completing a nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0,” Kaplan wrote in the letter.

During the meeting, the NAB officials “emphasized the pressing need for the Commission to modernize both the local radio and television ownership rules and the national TV ownership cap,” the letter said. “These regulatory frameworks were designed for an era that simply no longer exists. Today’s broadcasters face unprecedented competition from national and global digital platforms that are unconstrained by local service obligations, structural limits, or public interest requirements. Without the ability to operate at meaningful scale, local broadcasters struggle to make the investments necessary to serve their communities with trusted local journalism, emergency information, and culturally relevant content. Each day that passes without reform further disadvantages broadcasters—and ultimately the American public—in a land of unconstrained non-broadcast media giants.”

The FCC has issued a Public Notice seeking comments on its ownership rules; comments on that issue are due in August.

In terms of ATSC 3.0, which has been a topic of several recent meetings by both proponents and opponents of the NAB’s plans for the transition, the NAB highlighted ongoing efforts by broadcasters to invest in the new technology while emphasizing that FCC action on ATSC 1.0 sunset and other issues is essential.

“The transition, however, cannot be sustained indefinitely and demands regulatory clarity. Broadcasters need prompt Commission action on pending technical and policy matters, including a clear path forward to complete the transition as set forth in NAB’s petition earlier this year,” the letter noted. “NAB also addressed the disingenuous and blatantly anticompetitive objections registered by certain players in the ecosystem that are clearly threatened by a competitive free video service available to consumers throughout the nation.”

In a recent meeting with the FCC, the Pearl TV consortium of broadcast station owners took a similar tack, arguing that Consumer Technology Association members and TV manufacturers had a conflict of interest in opposing a speedy transition to 3.0 broadcasts. Pearl TV representatives complained that TV set manufacturers are ‘incentivized’ to oppose ATSC 3.0 tuners because their FAST channels compete with broadcasters for ads and audiences and that they were trying to “stifle” broadcast innovation.

Kaplan’s letter to the FCC stressed: “The stakes are high. Local broadcasters are striving to secure a future that is free, local, innovative and resilient. But doing so requires timely, forward-looking action from the Commission. NAB respectfully urges the FCC to move expeditiously on the local and national broadcast ownership and ATSC 3.0 dockets to ensure that broadcasting remains a competitive and meaningful part of the American media landscape.”

The CTA, which represents major consumer technology providers, has opposed both the NAB’s proposals for a mandatory shutdown of ATSC 1.0 signals beginning in 2028 and a requirement that new TV sets have 3.0-capable tuners, saying the transition should be voluntary and that tuner mandates would raise the cost of sets for many buyers who are not interested in getting over-the-air broadcasts.

The CTA, along with groups representing LPTV broadcasters and pay TV operators, met with the FCC in late June to oppose tuner mandates and other aspects of the NAB proposals for the transition.

The full NAB letter is available here.

WASHINGTON—In a meeting with staffers at the Federal Communications Commission, the Pearl TV consortium of broadcast station groups urged the Commission push forward with a variety of measures to speed up the transition to NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0 by establishing a cutoff date for the current broadcast standard and mandating 3.0 tuners in TV sets.

During the July 10 meeting with Erin Boone, Maria Mullarkey, Evan Morris, Evan Baranoff, Mark Colombo, and Lyle Elder in the Media Bureau of the FCC, Pearl TV argued that setting a “date certain for the end of the transition was necessary in order to trigger the manufacture and sale” of devices needed for the transition.

While broadcasters laid out their efforts to invest in the new broadcast standard and work with consumer electronics firms to bring more ATSC 3.0-capable devices into the market, they also attacked efforts by pay TV groups and consumer tech manufacturers to oppose a mandatory transition.

CTA members who own FAST streaming channels that compete with broadcasters for ads and audiences are “incentivized to stifle broadcast innovation,” Pearl TV representatives argued.

“The recent efforts by NCTA, CTA and its members, and others to oppose Commission action on the transition to ATSC 3.0" illustrate that conflict, lawyers for Pearl TV complained in a letter to the FCC describing the meeting. “While it is obvious that the cable industry for decades has long opposed any efforts by the broadcast industry to compete with their owned content and distribution system and to be required to pay fair compensation for content they sell, it may be less obvious to the Commission that CTA members also compete against broadcasters for viewers and advertising dollars. In short, they are no longer just in the equipment business but through their FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television), they currently compete with broadcasters. TV manufacturers that own FAST channels today are competing with broadcasters for advertisers and viewers; consequently, it is not surprising that they too are incentivized to stifle broadcast innovation.”

During the meeting, Pearl TV also presented slides providing an update on the status of ATSC 3.0. That update noted that 76% of U.S. households can now receive NextGen TV, or 96 million households (258 million viewers) in 73 of the Top 100 TV markets. As part of the deployments, more than 600 "services" have been launched across all 76 deployed markets, with an average of 7 channels per market.

It also noted that various versions of HDR are available via 3.0 broadcasts in 69 million to 84 million homes.

Pearl reported that a cumulative total of 15 million televisions have been distributed and that the CTA forecasts that an extra 5 million units will be shipped by 2025 while stressing that a cutoff date is needed to encourage more devices.

The full letter, along with the slides, is available here.

The National Association of Broadcasters is hitting back at critics who oppose its proposal to phase out the current ATSC 1.0 DTV over-the-air standard and transition to ATSC 3.0 (aka NextGen TV).

In February, the NAB filed a petition with the FCC to phase out ATSC 1.0 in two phases: In 2028, the top 55 DMAs (designated market areas) would be allowed to shut down 1.0, with the rest of U.S. DMAs doing so by 2030. The association said the current transitory phase, in which one station in a market hosts other stations also broadcasting 3.0, is preventing TV stations from taking full advantage of 3.0, which combines traditional radio frequency broadcast with internet protocol, allowing broadcasters to transmit higher resolution video, multichannel audio, advanced alerting and interactive advertising and programming.

In a blog post, NAB Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President Rick Kaplan criticized comments made by representatives of the Consumer Technology Association and NCTA—The Internet & Television Association during a meeting with FCC officials last month. ACA Connects, the American Television Alliance (ATVA), and the LPTV Broadcasters Association also attended that meeting, but Kaplan’s remarks were aimed squarely at CTA and NCTA. A summary of the meeting was filed with the FCC.

'Another Day, Another Reflexing Innovation-Blocking FCC Filing'
During the meeting, the CTA reiterated its longstanding position that the transition to ATSC 3.0 should remain voluntary and “a mandatory transition to ATSC 3.0 would harm consumers by imposing costs for consumers, stifle innovation, and levy unneeded regulations.”

Kaplan denigrated the group’s criticisms as “another day, another reflexive, innovation-blocking FCC filing from the usual suspects—cable lobbyists, legacy advocacy groups and industry players who oppose anything that might strengthen free, over-the-air broadcasting or challenge the dominance of their own outdated business models. Their latest attack on ATSC 3.0—the NextGen TV broadcast standard already delivering improved video, immersive audio, innovative interactive features and more—is as predictable as it is tired.”

“Let’s be clear,” Kaplan added, “these groups aren’t protecting the public, they’re protecting their turf.”

In response to the groups’ criticisms that phasing out 1.0 would be too costly for consumers, Kaplan noted that while broadcasters are working to strengthen free over-the-air TV, “our competitors are busy finding new ways to extract more money from viewers every month by diverting viewers to paid streaming services and apps they monetize.”

He accused CTA of using “faulty logic” when estimating the $80 price difference between TVs with NextGen TV capability and those without. Kaplan said such a claim ignores the fact “that those models often include other premium features that drive up the cost.

“For example, many of the TVs that include NextGen tuners also offer 8K video, higher-end display technologies, high refresh rates and upgraded speakers,” Kaplan said. “The manufacturers who are actively embracing ATSC 3.0—many of whom are ironically ‘represented’ by CTA—are delivering real value to consumers and helping to modernize free, over-the-air television. We should be celebrating this innovation—not undermining it.”

He also noted the irony in NCTA’s criticism that forcing consumers to adopt 3.0 would stifle innovation, adding that 3.0 allows broadcasters to innovate without the influence of “Big Tech.”

'What Are They Afraid Of?'
Kaplan also said cable TV shouldn’t be afraid that a mandated end to 1.0 would harm them and that they should support innovation that could help cable companies in turn, as long as they want to spend the money.

“Pay-TV providers built their empires reselling broadcast television,” he said. “Now they don’t want to invest in updates to stay current? Or are they afraid that a stronger over-the-air platform might allow more viewers to drop the costly monthly cable bill? As we know all too well, these companies simply do not want to pay for anything, whether its broadcasters’ signals, spectrum it uses to compete with licensed users or—as everyone knows—actual customer service.”

The broadcast industry is also among the most-efficient spectrum users, Kaplan said, adding that using spectrum for services other than traditional over-the-air TV should be welcomed.

He also addressed concerns from the LPTV Broadcasters Association, which also had representatives at the FCC meeting, noting that the NAB’s filing proposes that LPTV stations be exempted in the mandated transition. He also added that the NAB “has asked the FCC to allow non-commercial educational broadcasters more time to transition if needed. The answer isn’t to stall the entire industry. It’s to provide targeted support, not blanket inaction.”

He added: “It’s also rich for massive pay-TV companies to suddenly be advocating on behalf of small broadcasters. The irony here is not lost on anyone.”

Kaplan accused NCTA and CTA of being “yesterday’s gatekeepers” who are not working in the public interest. “Let’s stop pretending this ragtag opposition speaks for the public,” he concluded. “It’s not clear that NCTA or CTA know what the public interest is … the future is here.”

WASHINGTON—Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commission staff to detail their opposition to the "Petition for Rulemaking and Future of Television Initiative Report" filed by National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) regarding the transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.

“This diverse group of stakeholders represents different aspects of the television marketplace, and each is on record individually opposing NAB’s Petition,” the groups said in a letter to the FCC summarizing the meeting. “Each participating organization has a different perspective, but we all have a common goal. We respectfully urge the Commission to deny NAB’s requests.”

In a February filing, the NAB proposed the FCC mandate a two-phase transition deadline. In the first phase of the NAB proposal, full-power stations in the top 55 markets (reaching about 70% of viewers) would be required to transition fully to ATSC 3.0 (i.e., end ATSC 1.0 simulcasting) in February 2028, with limited waivers for smaller and noncommercial stations if necessary. In the second phase of the NAB proposal, stations in the remaining markets would be required to transition fully to ATSC 3.0 in February 2030. The NAB is also asking that ATSC 3.0 tuners be mandated in all new TV sets.

The full NAB filing can be found here.

In April the FCC's Media Bureau issued a request for public comment on the transition and the NAB’s proposal.

In a July 1 letter to the FCC, representatives of the Consumer Technology Association, Public Knowledge, NCTA—The Internet & Television Association, ACA Connects, the American Television Alliance (ATVA), and the LPTV Broadcasters Association said that they met on June 27 with the offices of Chair Brendan Carr, Commissioner Anna Gomez and the Media Bureau.

During the meeting, the CTA reiterated its longstanding position that the transition to ATSC 3.0 should remain voluntary and that "a mandatory transition to ATSC 3.0 would harm consumers by imposing costs for consumers, stifle innovation, and levy unneeded regulations.

"If broadcasters are concerned about market demand for ATSC 3.0 tuners, they need to do their part in consumer education and promotion rather than seeking a technology mandate,” the CTA said in opposition to the NAB’s proposal that ATSC 3.0 tuners be required in new U.S. TV sets. “Given the data from multiple sources that shows a small percentage of households solely rely on OTA broadcast for their video content, it would be harmful to consumers to mandate that all televisions include an ATSC 3.0 tuner because of the increased manufacturing cost to implement for all a feature that only some want.”

During the meeting, the NCTA underscored that the FCC “should maintain a market-based approach to ATSC 3.0, particularly given that NAB’s proposal would impose new regulations and substantial and unjustifiable costs on MVPDs in the absence of any clear consumer demand for ATSC 3.0 signals,” the letter to the FCC noted. “None of NCTA’s cable operator members are able to carry ATSC 3.0 signals without first making costly changes to their networks—one NCTA member estimates that purchasing and installing new ATSC 3.0 transceivers alone will likely cost tens of millions of dollars and take a substantial amount of time. The inevitable result would be to drive up the cost of cable service at a time when cable operators are already losing customers.”

During the meeting, the LPTV Broadcasters Association expressed support for authorization to transmit using all current broadcast standards, including ATSC 1.0, ATSC 3.0, and 5G Broadcast.

“LPTVBA strongly opposes a mandatory transition for LPTV and Class A facilities to adopt ATSC 3.0, a standard that is not delivering as promised after 15 years of development,” the letter said. “LPTVBA strongly supports LPTV and Class A stations having the option to broadcast in any approved standard or new standard that is the highest and best use in the public interest in a broadcaster’s community. If a transition to ATSC 3.0 is mandated, then the Federal Government or Full Power Broadcasters must absorb the cost of the transition for LPTV and Class A stations as the cost is beyond the realities of most stations which are small businesses. LPTVBA strongly supports a required broadcast stream and use of the spectrum for new and innovative First Responder solutions and emergency alerts for LPTV and Class A stations.”

The full text of the letter, with the groups’ arguments against the NAB petition, is available here.

WASHINGTON—The Consumer Technology Association has continued its opposition to mandates requiring that NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 tuners be included in new TV sets, saying in an FCC filing that such rules would raise prices and stifle innovation at a time when only a “small sliver of consumers … still use over-the-air reception.”

“There is no basis whatsoever for heavy-handed and risky government intervention to justify a regulatory mandate when the marketplace is working," the CTA argued in its filing. “Doing so would impose real costs for consumers, stifle innovation and levy unneeded regulations contrary to this Administration’s goals without a guarantee that consumers will tune into more broadcast video.”

In February, CTA CEO and vice chair Gary Shapiro came out against a National Association of Broadcasters petition to the FCC proposing that the agency require 3.0 tuners in new TV sets as part of a larger push to speed the transition to NextGen TV.

“The National Association of Broadcasters is at it again—first pushing to mandate FM chips in phones, then misleading policymakers about AM radio and now forcing NextGen TV onto every consumer and manufacturer,” Shapiro said in late February. “This is a product that costs more and consumers have not embraced. This will impose a large percentage increase in costs at a time when the TV set has proved to be the rare deflationary product.”

In its May 7 filing , the CTA stressed its longstanding support for a voluntary NextGen TV transition, noting that it joined with NAB, America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) and the AWARN Alliance to submit a 2016 petition requesting that the FCC authorize voluntary use of the Next Generation TV transmission standard.

While it continues to support “market-driven innovation and consumer choice,” the CTA said it "opposes government mandates that increase costs and limit competition and choice in technology design.”

The NAB proposal for mandating the inclusion of both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 tuners on all new TV broadcast receivers would “remove manufacturer and consumer choice” and “represents NAB’s unilateral reversal from the joint CTA, NAB, APTS, and AWARN Alliance position, which correctly observed that ‘[a]doption of a tuner mandate would be counterproductive and unnecessary.’ ”

A “voluntary transition to ATSC 3.0 for both broadcasters and manufacturers is important because it recognizes the importance of consumer choice and the role of a functioning marketplace," the filing stressed. "Today, consumers are watching video programming from many sources and on many types of devices. The Commission should not mandate tuners, especially when doing so would be principally targeted at the small sliver of consumers that still use over-the-air reception even as the mandate would impose costs more broadly across the entire video programming market. A tuner mandate does not ensure a successful transition to ATSC 3.0; high-value content driving consumer demand and adoption does.”

It also stressed that “it is premature to impose a mandate because manufacturers are meeting marketplace demand for ATSC 3.0 tuners without regulatory intervention."

In terms of the market, the CTA stressed, “Broadcast television is one of many video platforms available to consumers and, increasingly, consumers are choosing to watch video on multiple platforms and devices.“

More specifically, the filing cites CTA’s research showing that nearly all U.S. adults have access to multiple devices in the home that provide them with video content. “These devices include TVs (77%) and smartphones (80%) as well as tablets, laptops, PCs and portable gaming devices … An astonishing 94% of adults indicated that they watched video content on a consumer device in the past three months … Among the devices and services available to consumers are myriad devices with over- the-air broadcast tuners, but over-the-air broadcast television is only a small percentage of consumers’ video programming diet," the filing said.

"According to Horowitz Research, consumers subscribe to MVPDs (44% of homes), SVODs (81% of homes), and vMVPDs (23% of homes) in addition to viewing free streaming services (70% of homes)," the CTA noted. "Further, the latest data, according to Horowitz Research, indicates that homes with TV antennas dropped to 19% in 2025, and CTA found fewer than 10% of Americans rely exclusively on antennas for television viewing.”

It also argued that the marketplace is working in providing ATSC 3.0 to consumers, with more than 14 milliion NextGen TV-capable sets having been purchased, according to CTA.

CTA’s research has also found that, "on a voluntary, market- driven basis, the majority of TVs shipped in the United States in 2028 will be ATSC 3.0 enabled."

Mandating 3.0 tuners will also increase prices. “CTA staff recently conducted a search for 55-inch, 4K resolution, ‘mini-LED QLED’ TVs from one nationwide retailer,” the filing reported. “The search resulted in eight models, five of which had ATSC 1.0 tuners and three with ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 tuners. Among these televisions, the average price of those with only ATSC 1.0 tuners was $676, while the average price of televisions with ATSC 3.0 support was $833.”

Concluded CTA: “The bottom line is that regulatory intervention to mandate broadcast reception capabilities in consumer devices remains unnecessary and counterproductive. Significantly, government mandates for technologies will increase consumer prices by requiring all devices to include tuner technology regardless of consumer need or intended use (and for which only some consumers may be interested). “

The filing also “vigorously opposes any design mandates, especially with respect to a device’s user interface, as NAB suggests. First and foremost, the Commission lacks the statutory authority to exert wide-ranging authority over devices’ interfaces or over how consumers interact with devices to select what content to watch. This would be the kind of anticompetitive regulation the administration is trying to identify and remove from the federal government’s books.”

The president of the Consumer Technology Association is criticizing a proposal from the National Association of Broadcasters to have the FCC mandate that TV sets sold in the U.S. support ATSC 3.0 (aka “NextGen TV”).

In a petition submitted to the FCC this week, NAB is asking the commission to sunset the current U.S. DTV standard—ATSC 1.0 by 2030, paving the way for further adoption of NextGen TV, which is now available within reach of 75% of U.S. households. As part of the proposal the association is asking the commission to mandate the inclusion of tuners that support over the air reception of NextGen TV.

Unlike the first transition to DTV 25 years ago, the transition to 3.0 is voluntary in scope. Like the DTV transition though, the same organization, (then called the “Consumer Electronics Association”), vehemently opposed a mandate, which was eventually approved by Congress. Congress also created a program to provide discounts on low-cost analog-to-digital converters. The campaign was successful enough that the June 2009 analog shutoff registered fewer consumer complaints than feared.

Currently, certain TV sets from Sony, Samsung, TCL, Panasonic, RCA and Hisense and a small but growing variety of dongles and boxes from companies like Atlanta DTH support NextGen TV.

Pearl TV, an advocacy group for ATSC 3.0, estimated that more than 14 million NextGen TV capable devices will have shipped by the end of 2024. The Consumer Technology Association estimates that 120 million NextGen TV sets were sold by 2024. The ATSC says that more than 100 NextGen TV-capable products will be available to consumers in 2025.

CTA President Gary Shapiro, who led the opposition to the mandate the first time around, issued the following statement on Linkedin:

“The National Association of Broadcasters is at it again—first pushing to mandate FM chips in phones, then misleading policymakers about AM radio, and now forcing NEXTGEN TV onto every consumer and manufacturer. This is a product that costs more and consumers have not embraced. This will impose a large percentage increase in costs at a time when the TV set has proved to be the rare deflationary product.

The simple fact is fewer than 10% of Americans rely on antennas for TV viewing. These proposed mandates only add unnecessary costs at a time when affordability is top of mind for American families.

Rather than innovating, broadcasters are lobbying for regulations to prop up their failing business model. It’s also a stark reminder of why they should not be allowed to consolidate and control markets. If their technology had real value, they wouldn’t need government mandates to sustain it.

This administration has made cutting red tape a priority, yet here in 2025, broadcasters are pushing for new regulation to benefit themselves at the expense of competition and consumer choice. What’s next—a mandate for 3D TVs? Instead of working to modernize their industry, NAB is doubling down on outdated policies that stifle innovation.

The Consumer Technology Association remains focused on delivering real value and choice to consumers, not propping up failing business models through regulation.

Broadcasters would be better off paying musicians the royalties they deserve and spend less energy and time trying to restrict technology companies who are better at supporting our economy, innovation, and jobs and reaching consumers on a targeted basis with advertising."

NOTE: In 2017, CTA and NAB jointly opposed an ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV tuner mandate emphasizing that any transition should be voluntary, calling it “counterproductive and unnecessary.”

LAS VEGAS—With the annual CES tech trade show underway, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) projects record retail revenues as the U.S. consumer technology industry grows 3.2% over 2024 to $537 billion in 2025.

This signals growth in consumer spending on tech products and services, according to CTA’s U.S. Consumer Technology One-Year Industry Forecast. But the CTA has also updated its “How Proposed Trump Tariffs Increase Prices for Consumer Technology Products” report to indicate that tariffs on technology products could lead to a $90 billion to $143 billion decline in U.S. consumer purchasing power.

[Also Read: More TV Tech Coverage of News From CES]

According to the CTA, purchases of laptops and tablets could decline by as much as 68%, consumption of gaming consoles could fall off by as much as 58% and consumption of smartphones could drop by up to 37%.

“The tech sector is America’s economic engine, driving global innovation and job creation,” CTA CEO Gary Shapiro said. “Our positive forecast reflects the industry’s strength, but proposed tariffs threaten the deflationary power of tech in the global economy. Tariffs are a tax on American businesses and consumers. We urge the incoming administration and Congress to prioritize an Innovation Agenda that fosters growth.”

LAS VEGAS—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has released its final attendance data for CES 2024 that showed a 15% growth in the number of senior-level executives attending the show compared to the previous year and record participation by startups. 

Overall the third-party audit reported that the show 138,739 participants from across the globe converged in Las Vegas and a record 1442 companies exhibited on the show's startup floor, Eureka Park.

"Our annual show audit proves CES is where business gets done," said Gary Shapiro, CEO, CTA. "Executives and business decision makers see the value in face-to-face meetings and access to global media, which only a show like CES can provide. Nothing can replace these moments of serendipity."

Additional attendance numbers include:

• 56,432 (40%) international attendees, representing 161 countries, regions and territories
• 4312 registered exhibitors, a more than 10% increase year over year
• 5355 members of the media
• 302 of the Fortune Global 500 companies represented
• 191 government guests from across the globe participated in CTA's Leaders in Technology program

"We were thrilled not just to welcome more than 138,000 people to CES 2024, but to back up those numbers with an independent audit," said Kinsey Fabrizio, president, CTA. "Transparency is part of our ethos as an association, and it is a best practice for the events industry as exhibitors and attendees evaluate value and impact. By every measure, CES provides an unparalleled experience."

ARLINGTON, Va.—As technologists gather in Las Vegas for CES2024, the Consumer Technology Association is projecting that retail revenues for the U.S. consumer technology industry will grow modestly by 2.8% in 2024 to $512 billion (up $14 billion from 2023). 

The CTA is also predicting that consumers will spend $14 billion (up 6% over 2023) on audio streaming services and $48 billion (up 4%) on video streaming in 2024.

“Despite inflation in most sectors of the U.S. economy, it’s noteworthy that consumer tech products like TVs, smartphones, and gaming hardware are being bought at lower prices by consumers,” said Richard Kowalski, senior director of business intelligence at CTA. “Technology by nature is deflationary as innovation leads industries to find newer, more efficient ways to compete. Looking ahead to 2024, I expect developments in artificial intelligence will accelerate growth for consumer and enterprise technology companies as they become more efficient and find more ways to meet consumer needs.”

In its new projections for 2024, the CTA highlighted a number of trends. 

• The Year of the Megabundle: Content providers will increase their promotion of “service bundles” to draw more consumer interest. Megabundles have the potential to offer consumers discounted rates on their favorite services while also simplifying their payment process.
• Streaming Up: Consumers will spend $14 billion (up 6% over 2023) on audio streaming services and $48 billion (up 4%) on video streaming in 2024.
• Believe the AI Hype: Over 230 million smartphones and PCs shipping to the U.S. this year will tap the powers of generative AI through mobile apps, browsers and on-device software. AI is being deployed in mobility safety systems, fitness tracking apps on smartwatches and picture quality improvements on televisions.
• Gaming Hardware Boom: Product refreshes in tablets, augmented and virtual reality headsets and gaming (Major brand console refresh in 2024/2025) will boost gaming revenues in 2024. Gaming will also be amplified by 12% growth in subscription services (growing to $3.5 billion in 2024). Generative artificial intelligence is expected to improve the gaming experience while also helping developers bring games to market faster.
• Devices and Services Go Hand-in-Hand: Services continue to be an essential part of product purchase, as seen through growth in the services segment. CTA estimates that 25% of all consumer spending on tech was for various software and subscription services in 2019. In just 5 years to 2024, CTA projects the same services to be just under one-third of all consumer spending.

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that the upcoming CES 2024 will include U.S. Senators, FCC Commissioners and other senior government officials discussing a host of policies during the tech confab in Las Vegas between Jan. 9-12. 

“We are thrilled to welcome a very impressive and influential group of government officials to CES 2024,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “We look forward to these conversations about how the tech industry can work together with key government officials to ensure that innovation continues to thrive in the United States.”   

On Friday, January 12, the CES program will feature U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) discussing the status of and outlook for key legislation affecting technology companies and American consumers. 

In addition, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Anna Gomez, and FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter will participate in the “Conversation with a Commissioner” session, a series of one-on-one conversations, beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 10:20 a.m. PST. 

Another panel with federal officials will occur on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 10:20 a.m. PST. It will feature Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Paul Rosen, Assistant Secretary for Investment Security at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

Other federal officials scheduled to discuss tech policy at CES 2024 include: 

• Laurie Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
• Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 
• Dimitri Kusnezov, Under Secretary for Science and Technology, U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
• Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) 

These speakers join more than 160 international, federal, state and local government officials and staff who will participate in the Leaders in Technology Program and attend the Innovation Policy Summit (IPS) at CES, which convenes top innovators and policymakers to discuss the future of policy around a range of pressing technology issues, including privacy, health innovation, trade policy, competition, artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles, and more.  

As CES 2024 is a major international event with over a third of participants coming from outside the United States and more than 150 countries represented, international policy will again be a point of significant focus. 

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2024 will take place in Las Vegas on Jan. 9-12 with Media Days taking place Jan. 7-8. 

LAS VEGAS—CES 2023 ended with total attendance topping 115,000 industry professionals, making it the largest audited global tech event since early 2020, the Consumer Electronics Association (CTA) reported. 

The organizers also reported that the event attracted more than 3,200 exhibitors, including 1000 startups.  

CES will return to Las Vegas, January 9-12, 2024.

"CES 2023 was the great reconnection and rocked by every measure - from attendance to the keynote stage to press conferences and product debuts on the exhibit floor – showing the entire world that in-person events are BACK!" said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. "The innovation unveiled this week will drive economic growth and change in meaningful ways to improve our lives and create a better future for the next generation."

Other key numbers from the event included:

• Nearly 2.2 million net square feet of exhibits (70% larger than CES 2022).
• 3200+ exhibitors, including 1000 new exhibitors.
• Over 115,000 attendees (pre-audit figures).
• Over 40,000 international attendees from more than 140 countries (pre-audit figures).
• 4800 global media from 69 number of countries (pre-audit figures).
• 60% of Fortune 500 companies represented.

The Consumer Technology Association says it expects more than 100,000 people to attend the 2023 International Consumer Electronics Show, Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas, more than double the number of approximately 45,000 who attended the Covid-abbreviated 2022 event. That show marked a 73% decline from the 2020 event when 171,000 attended in one of the last large trade shows to take place before the onset of the pandemic.

In a virtual press conference today, CTA President/CEO Gary Shapiro discussed the trends and major themes of the upcoming show with fellow CTA colleagues John Kelley, VP, CES & Acting Show Director and Kinsey Fabrizio, SVP, Membership & Sales.

Of the buzz in advance of the show, “the momentum is absolutely huge. I've never ever seen anything like this,” Shapiro said. “Now we're looking at hitting about 100,000 [attendees] and from every indication we're on track to get there.”

50% Bigger Show Floor
More than 2,200 exhibitors are expected at the event, slightly down from the 2,300 at the 2022 show; in 2020, more than 4,400 exhibitors were at CES, which takes place in the Las Vegas Convention Center and various Vegas hotels. More than 1,000 of this year’s exhibitors are new, according to Fabrizio. 

“The show right now is 50% bigger than CES 2022,” she said. “We are at 2 million net square feet of exhibit space and we're continuing to grow.”

As for themes at the show, expect many of the same from recent years, including Health, Auto and Metaverse, Fabrizio said, adding that a new product category tied to Web 3 is being added this year. 

"[Web 3] will encompass technologies from the metaverse digital assets and blockchain, and it will be throughout the show floor and conference programming,” she said. “You'll see it show up with shared immersive and virtual experiences as well as the hardware associated with these categories.”

And although the show is no longer dominated by its traditional focus on consumer electronics for entertainment, the sector did get a shout out from the executives. “Another area of the show floor that is a staple for me at CES—and I hope for all of you—is Central Hall,” Fabrizio said. “Here is where you can find our biggest exhibitors featuring the latest and greatest in TV technology and home entertainment.”  

New Attractions
Other highlights include a live stream from the International Space Station, a first for the event, as well as a focus on how technology can impact human rights, according to Shapiro.

“We're partnering with the United Nations affiliate, the World Academy of Art and Science to show how technology can support human securities, or as we usually call them ‘human rights,’” he said. “It's like the right to health care, the right to clean air, the right to clean water, the right to food… and you'll see these themes and others on the shop floor and in many of the keynotes.”

Another new feature at the show will be CTA’s “2023 Global Innovation Scorecard,” which ranks countries into categories, based on innovation prowess. The top countries on the scorecard will be recognized during the opening keynote. “Many ambassadors and ministers from top performing countries will be with me on the opening keynote stage,” Shapiro said.

When asked what was the fastest growing tech category at the 2023 show, transportation technology was among those that topped the list. 

“Vehicle tech is really growing rapidly. CES is going to be the largest auto tech show in North America,” Fabrizio said. “And it's not just cars—it also includes marine tech, agriculture, tech and EV tools. So that's a big category for us.”

Click here to register for CES. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) annual survey of tech related purchases during the holidays finds that content will be big this year, with streaming services and video game tech are among the top tech gifts people plan to give this season. 

Portable audio products, smartphones and health and wellness tech are among this year’s most sought-after tech. 

“The rising popularity of video streaming services as a holiday gift shows how diverse the tech we share has become in recent years,” said Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of research at CTA. “Common gifts like watches, toys and vehicle accessories are increasingly tech-centric. As technology becomes more present in our daily lives, the list of tech gifts consumers give will continue to grow.” 

The new CTA research noted that video streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix have created a competitive market for easy-to-access video content and that more than 200 music, video and gaming streaming services are available to users. About 192 million U.S. adults (75%) plan to purchase at least one content-related product this holiday season.  

Interactive and immersive gaming experiences are driving a spike in the U.S. gaming market.  Staples like Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5, plus immersive AR/VR gaming realms like the HTC VIVE Pro and Meta’s Quest Pro, are increasingly popular.  

Nearly half of all U.S. adults surveyed (47%, up from 41% in 2021) plan to gift video streaming services. More than a third plan to gift gaming streaming services (37%). 

Overall, a record-breaking 78% (nearly 199 million) of U.S. adult shoppers will purchase tech products and services as gifts this holiday season. The number of U.S. adults purchasing tech as a holiday gift rose by three percentage points from 2021. These include: 

• 61 million gifting headphones/ear buds: Headphones and ear buds ranked first on the list of most sought-after holiday gifts for U.S. adult shoppers. 
• 59 million gifting streaming/downloading services: Streaming services deliver increasingly diverse content and holiday shoppers have a wider choice of subscriptions than ever.  
• 54 million gifting mobile device cases: Growth in the protective casing industry is driven by the popularity and affordability of mobile devices. 
• 50 million gifting smartphones: Smartphone makers keep innovating and advancing, giving early adopters a reason to seek out the latest updates and new functions.  
• 46 million gifting video game consoles: Video game consoles jumped from the seventh most popular tech gift in 2021 to the fifth most popular this holiday season.  
• The pandemic drove awareness of health and wellness products for the home, and sales of products like Apple Watch, Fitbit and Oura Ring show the rising popularity of smart, wearable tech for health-conscious gift givers. About 122 million (44%) of holiday shoppers plan to gift a health and wellness tech product this year.   

LONDON—No sooner than broadcasters began transmitting HD programming in earnest, it felt as if equipment manufacturers began trumpeting the benefits of 8K – 16 times the resolution of HD.

Although that’s a bit of an exaggeration, Japan’s NHK, who started the R&D work on their Super Hi-Vision system in 1995, first screened 8K video in 2005, only one year after the launch of the first HD channel in Europe. For several years a decade ago, the network demo-ed SHV on giant displays in specially-designed stands at the NAB Show and IBC.

The first public showcase of the technology was a collaboration between NHK and the BBC to transmit the opening ceremony and selected events from the London 2012 Summer Olympics to giant screens in Broadcasting House in London, Pacific Quay in Glasgow, and the National Media Museum in Bradford.

Responses to the presentation were very positive with audience members remarking on the sense of intimacy created through seeing the athletes at that size and level of detail. More than one person remarked that being close enough to read the emotion on the faces of the participants made what is usually the most boring part of the ceremony—the entrance of the athletes—into the most moving part of the entire event.

The Current State
Ten years on, where does 8K sit in the media landscape?

Firstly, it now shares the acronym UHD (Ultra High Definition) with 4K. Its approach to dynamic range has been given its own acronym HDR (High Dynamic Range) and is also applied to HD, 4K, and still photography.

It has its own industry body—the 8K Association, who have defined basic specs for what an 8K TV should offer, including: 7,680 x 4,320 pixel resolution; input frame rates of 24p, 30p, 60p; more than 600 nits peak brightness; HEVC support; and HDMI 2.1.

When the 2012 London Olympic project was undertaken, there were only three 8K cameras in the entire world. Now there are good 8K cameras available for under $7,000, and 8K TVs for under $2,000; even smartphones now boast 8K capabilities.

There have been a few 8K projects in the broadcasting world, mostly focussed on sports production, but adoption has not been huge.

In early 2020, BT Sport and Samsung screened the UK’s first public live 8K sports broadcast, with a presentation of a match between Arsenal and Olympiacos which was made available in 8K to select fans inside Arsenal’s Emirates stadium. 

This was followed by a transmission of a Premiership Rugby match sent live in 8K to selected homes. The game was produced entirely remotely allowing BT Sport to explore OB and production workflows for future live 8K broadcasts.

NHK launched BS8K, an 8K satellite television service in 2018 and produced about 200 hours of 8K video during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

As a Broadcast Format
The challenge facing proponents of 8K is consumer adoption. Market research firm Omdia anticipates that just 2.7 million households worldwide are expected to have an 8K TV by the end of 2026. According to the firm, shipments of 8K TVs only accounted for 0.15% of all TV shipments in 2021. The CTA forecasts 479,000 8K-capable TV sets in the US by 2023—out of an overall market of 38 million sets—that’s a market penetration of only 1.26%.

The logistics of transmission are a significant obstacle to 8K becoming a broadcast format. The HEVC 8K codec used for the Tokyo Olympics required a bitrate of 85 Mpbs.  Advances in the efficiency of the coding algorithm allowed a bitrate of 40 Mbps for an 8K trial at the 2019 French Open.

Putting these numbers in perspective: the transmission bitrate of terrestrial broadcast HD channels averages around 6 Mbps—from as low as 1.1 and bursting up to 11.0 Mbps. To deliver equivalent quality for a 4K broadcast, a bitrate of 9 Mbps is needed. 8K requires a significant leap up to 48 Mbps, which is 8 Mbps greater than the entire bitrate available in the UK’s HD multiplex, which currently carries 9 HD and two SD channels. 

In a world in which over-the-air bandwidth is scarce and the subject of intense competition for access, it is turning out to be difficult to create a business case that justifies replacing 11 channels with one to service only 1.26% of the market.

In Production
Although the uptake of 8K as a consumer format has been slow, the technology has been making inroads as a production tool. 

Panasonic sells what it calls an 8K “Region of Interest” camera that can be configured to output 4 HD video feeds that can be panned, tilted, and zoomed via software. The system allows up to eight of the cameras to be linked in a single integrated system, effectively creating 32 virtual HD camera positions.

8K LED walls are starting to replace the use of green screens in feature productions like Disney’s “The Mandalorian.” This approach allows the actors to actually see and interact with the CGI environment in real time. This approach can be simpler to light than green screen sets, easier and more flexible to shoot, and can lead to cost savings.

In the Future
In a futuristic twist, the first 8K console game for the PS5 has been released, but only the console’s processor can see it in that resolution. 

Shin’en’s “Touryst” was released for the PS5 in an 8K version last year, however PS5 doesn’t currently support 8K output for games, and has to render it internally at 8K and then downscale the output to 4K. Sony has promised to enable 8K output in a future update, but has not named a date for that to happen.

Seventeen years after its first appearance, the jury is still out on 8K as a consumer format. It could end up being a non-starter like 3DTV, or it might follow the path of other repurposed consumer products like Betamax and MiniDisc as a useful production tool.  As William Gibson wrote, “the street finds its own uses for things.”  

ARLINGTON, Va.—CTA says it expects CES 2023 will likely be the largest in-person, audited business event to take place in the United States since early 2020. The show footprint is on track to grow more than 40% larger (in terms of floor space) than CES 2022, with more than 1,300 exhibitors confirmed. The event takes place in Las Vegas, Jan. 5-8.

Since it takes place so early in the year, CES is among the only industry trade shows that managed to only miss one year—2021—for its annual in-person show, which, up until 2020 had easily logged more than 100,000 international attendees annually. While the 2021 event was a virtual one, the 2022 gathering returned to an in-person format, attracting about 40,000, with 2,300 exhibitors.

CTA President/CEO said “people are excited to head back to Las Vegas for CES 2023, and it will rock. 

"We are optimistic we can hit our attendance goal of 100,000, which would make it the largest independently-audited post-pandemic tech event. This year's show will feature keynotes from tech visionaries and the opportunity to see and touch the tech that's shaking up industries and changing our lives for the better."

"Global brands including Abbott, Amazon, AMD, Google, John Deere, LG, Qualcomm, Roku, Samsung, Sony, Stellantis, Verizon. They and many others are committed to CES to launch new products and display cutting-edge technologies," said Kinsey Fabrizio, CTA Senior Vice President Membership and CES Sales.

"The robust conference program shows momentum beyond the show floor at CES," said John T. Kelley, Vice President and Acting Show Director for CES. "Hundreds of sessions with industry leaders will highlight advancements in transportation and mobility, digital health, metaverse and sustainability. And new at this year's show: sessions focused on the creator economy, including NFTs, and Web3."

The CES 2023 digital experience will offer access to more than 75 conference sessions and keynotes, digital activations, and a network of CES exhibitors, media and attendees. Digital registration opens later this year.

Key show themes include:

• Transportation and Mobility
• Digital Health
• Web3/Metaverse
• Sustainability
• Human Security for All

Eurofins Digital Testing (EDT), in partnership with the Consumer Technology Association and National Association of Broadcasters, has announced the release of the NEXTGEN TV logo certification test suite v 2022-1.0—the first major release for the new model year applicable to ATSC 3.0 compliant receivers starting July 1, 2022. 

Primarily aimed at devices entering the market in 2023, but can be used for certification from today, this release adds:

• More than 80 new tests, bringing the total to 348
• Improved coverage of domains such as MMT, Audio, ESG, AEA, watermark and content recovery, Multi-period, Multi-PLP, IMSC1 IT1 Captions, App lifecycle, Rating, Signal signing, A/344 APIs
• An extended range of feature tags allowing manufacturers to configure the NEXTGEN Certification statement (according to their receivers’ abilities and compliance requirements)
• Continued alignment of certification test suite to A/300 specification
• Improvements to CTA NEXTGEN TV Test Repository Portal search filtering to include Domain and Required Features
• Support for embedded device browser Web Media API Snapshot (WMAS:2019) tests

The release has been built through an industry collaboration funded by CTA, NAB and Eurofins Digital Testing, with contributions from broadcasters, technology vendors and manufacturers to ensure streams are representative of real deployments, interoperable across devices and equipment and compliant to the latest ATSC 3.0 Specifications.

The recent NEXTGEN TV conference in Detroit demonstrated the fast pace of adoption in the United States with many new markets coming online in 2022 and CES 2022 had previously hinted at a number of new receiver vendors preparing devices for the market.   

“NEXTGEN TV sales are growing at an amazing rate,” said Brian Markwalter, SVP of Research and Standards at CTA. “CTA expects 4.5 million NEXTGEN TVs to ship in the U.S. this year, all of which have passed the logo certification test suite. Release of test suite version 2022-1.0 is an important milestone as these standards allow the industry to follow the same playbook and work together to accelerate innovation. We look forward to this next generation of entertainment.”

“This updated test suite is a critical tool in assuring that important services and features afforded by ATSC 3.0 are compatible with NEXTGEN TV receivers,” said NAB Executive Vice President of Technology and Chief Technology Officer Sam Matheny. “We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with CTA and receiver manufacturers in developing and appropriately identifying televisions capable of delivering this unique next generation viewing experience to consumers, and we look forward to expanding testing to cover additional advanced services and features to come. Together with our consumer electronics partners, broadcasters are committed to ushering in a new era of television through the ATSC 3.0 standard.”

Bob Campbell, EDT, said “With Jamaica already announcing adoption of ATSC 3.0 and needing low-cost devices to facilitate their digital switchover transformation by 2023, and other markets signalling interest in the technology, the next 12 months are set to be a significant year globally for ATSC 3.0.

The NEXTGEN TV logo is essential to maximizing devices sales in the market, demonstrating compliance to the standards and giving consumers confidence in their product.” 

The 2021 Suites will sunset Sept. 30, 2022.

EDT is also releasing Arreios for ATSC v1.8, its automated test harness for ATSC 3.0 conformance supporting both the NEXTGEN TV logo test suite and A3SA Signal Security and DRM test suite. This sees new features such as: 

• Support for generating configurable A/300 Certification Statements
• Required feature tags now displayed on the Plan screen alongside each test.
• Filtered test plans to only display relevant test cases based on test case required and configured device features
• Ability to add remarks or comments for each test case for inclusion in the generated test report
• Simplified view for test cases that have associated open Redmine issues
• Support for test cases that need video over HDMI rather than, or in addition to, RF e.g content recovery scenarios
• Support for test cases with a customised test duration timeout
• Support for WMAS:2019 tests.

DETROIT—The session was titled “ATSC 3.0: Television, Automotive and More” June 9 at the Advanced Television System Committee’s NextGen Broadcast Conference, but few could have predicted the “more” would include exchanges between Consumer Technology Association CEO and president Gary Shapiro and NAB CEO and president Curtis LeGeyt that at times were quite pointed and at others downright confrontational.

Moderated by Digital Tech Consulting (DTC) founder and president Myra Moore, the conversation between both association leaders started off, as might be expected for a conference looking at the NextGen TV standard, on topics like the role of local broadcasters, what motivates CE manufacturers to adopt anything new, the 3.0 build out, how the NextGen TV rollout compares to DTV/HDTV rollout and the availability of NextGen TV sets.

The interaction between Shapiro, who was in person at the event, and LeGeyt, who joined by Zoom, took an unexpected turn when Moore asked the association leaders about how the organizations are working together to promote NextGen TV to consumers.

“First of all, I think we're working tremendously well together, across, you know, numerous different aspects of this,” said LeGeyt. After mentioning recently reading an Op-Ed co-written by former NAB CEO and president Gordon Smith and Shapiro on the 10-year anniversary of the DTV transition and remarking on how it underscored the importance of “collaboration and consensus” between the CE and TV broadcast industries to achieve a shared goal, LeGeyt expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the CE industry and CTA members on NextGen TV.

“…[B]eing on the same page, talking about how do we promote this collectively… the consumer value proposition…in the living room, in the phone and in all of these use cases—where your members are effectively going to be… the consumers’ entryway to the benefits, I think the sky’s the limit here,” said LeGeyt. 

Shapiro, however, expressed there’s a limit. “I agree with everything you’ve said till this point, except that it’s a wonderful collaboration, because I’ve got to be honest with you, it’s tough to collaborate with someone when you’re investing a lot of your resources fighting ideas that they’re pushing forth to policymakers…,” said Shapiro.

The CTA head cited NAB efforts to put a tax “on all devices” using FCC-regulated spectrum. “Who wants their Wi-Fi taxed? Who wants all these equipment taxes? That's not something that makes us very happy when you're out there all the time talking about big tech and how horrible technology is, and trying to push that agenda in Washington,” said Shapiro.

Shapiro also objected to the NAB’s support for taxpayer money to pay journalists, a proposal he characterized as going “to the heart of the First Amendment and where government should be.” NAB is “pushing a lot of ideas which have nothing to do with expanding the industry and more to do with fighting other industries that you somehow feel are against you,” he said.

Other items on Shapiro’s list of grievances included “fighting the music industry” for free performance rights, attacks on technology innovation, including a proposal to prevent a company with more than $100 million from acquiring another company. “Why is it that this past week, you've had `The Washington Post,' far left liberal, and `The Wall Street Journal,' far-right conservative, agreeing that these proposals are absolutely wrong for business?” he asked.

“Well, Gary, listen,” said LeGeyt. “I couldn’t disagree more. First off, as it relates to any advocacy we're doing around technology, it relates to the largest tech companies—Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon. [L]et's be very honest, [they] are impeding competition and pushing out many of your members who can't compete with them.”

The NAB chief noted that the market dominance of those big tech companies puts them in an information gatekeeper role and that their “market power has finally found a way into breaking down the business model for locally focused journalism. That’s not a broadcast-specific issue.” 

“[W]e’re not focused on… doing anything to technology and innovation in this country; where we are focused is on for companies that have absolutely outsized market power,” said LeGeyt, who suggested the two meet in Washington to discuss “how we [NAB] can finetune our messaging around that to make that clear.”

However, “there is no future of this business model [broadcasting] in which four companies…have an outsized impact on our ability to reach our audiences as those audiences migrate to digital and are turning around and using our own content against us in a local ad marketplace that they dominate as a result of that monopoly power,” said LeGeyt.

Moore tried to pull the conversation back to 3.0, but Shapiro continued. “This is not just an attack on four big companies,” he said. This is an attack on the tech industry saying you don't have a right to develop a platform and make it successful.”

LeGeyt called Shapiro’s description of NAB’s advocacy and proposals a complete mischaracterization of “our anti-trust agenda as it relates to… these broader anti-trust initiatives.”

“Look, there are a lot of proposals out there right now. NAB supports the overarching effort to rein in these tech companies,” he said.

Addressing collaboration between NAB and CTA on NextGen TV promotion, LeGeyt said he was “going to push back.”

“As the head of the CTA trade association, you may not feel like the partnership has been good,” said LeGeyt. “But I can tell you from our members’ perspective, we are grateful for the partnership that we’ve had with your industry as it relates to receiver standards [and] as it relates to joint promotion in the markets where the deployment has happened. And as it relates to broadcast education, consumer education… in this early stage—we are grateful for the work to date, and I need your members to know that."

In reply, Shapiro noted that ATSC is a “wonderful mechanism composed of super-competent people” who came together and agreed on a goal for NextGen TV. “I think that’s great, but when you asked about the partnership between the industries and organizations and how this would be promoted, it’s tough to promote it when someone has a knife, and they keep trying to stab you.”

LAS VEGAS—The CES 2022 wrapped last week on January 7 with a notable drop in attendance and exhibitors as the organizers reported the show attracted more than 40,000 in person attendees and 2,300+ exhibitors. 

These figures marked a significant decline from the pre-pandemic 2020 show, which had 171,268 attendees and 4419 exhibiting companies.

The organizers noted that the 40,000 plus in person attendees included 1,800 global media, across 11 indoor and outdoor venues and that 30% of attendees traveled from outside the U.S. – representing 119 countries.

“Innovation came to life this week at CES 2022 – with technologies that will reshape industries and provide solutions to pressing worldwide issues from healthcare to agriculture, sustainability and beyond,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owner and producer of CES. “The CES show floor buzzed with the joy of human interaction and a five-sense innovation experience with products that will redefine our future and change our world for the better.” 

The CTA also announced that CES will return to Las Vegas January 5-8, 2023.

In other highlights, the CTA noted that: 

• More than 800 startups from 19 countries were featured in Eureka Park, the startup hub for CES 2022, including the SkyDrive air taxi; ScenTronix with its EveryHuman algorithmic perfumery and Orbisk, an AI-powered fully automated food waste monitoring system. The Venetian Expo also featured a first-time European Pavilion highlighting the latest tech advancements from Europe, the CTA said.
• Prevalent throughout the show was artificial intelligence, making products and technologies smarter, more efficient and customizable, advancing nearly every major industry from agriculture to healthcare, automotive, manufacturing and entertainment. Companies included John Deere, featuring the first fully autonomous tractor, and Beyond Honeycomb, with an AI-enabled robot to prep and cook customizable meals. 
• Vehicle technology was front and center at the show, with more than 190 automotive companies exhibiting, with companies including BMW, Hyundai, Indy Autonomous Challenge, Stellantis and VinFast, Vietnam’s first automaker.  
• The latest in telemedicine, connected health devices and improved health features on wearables were highlights, allowing consumers to take better control of their own health with exhibitors such as Abbott, Essence and Baracoda Daily Healthtech.  

Those who were unable to attend CES in person can access the show digitally through January 31, the organizers said. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Consumer Technology Association predicted this week at CES 2022 that the U.S. consumer technology industry is projected to generate a record $505 billion in revenue in 2022, a 2.8% bounce over 2021, which was up 9.6% from 2020. 

CTA's twice-yearly U.S. Consumer Technology One-Year Industry Forecast reflects U.S. manufacturer shipments for more than 100 consumer tech products and related software and services. It includes areas such as software and streaming subscriptions not covered by The NDP Group’s much lower estimates for U.S. consumer tech sales also issued this week. 

“The consumer technology industry has shown impressive resilience in the face of supply chain challenges that are affecting almost every sector of the economy,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “The pandemic gave people more time to explore new tech that made their lives healthier, safer and more convenient. We anticipate another year of growth for our industry based on the enormous demand we see from consumers for tech products and services.”

One particularly bright spot is digital and streaming media. The CTA noted that U.S. households will continue to purchase more content through online delivery platforms, with total spending on streaming services and software is expected to reach $130 billion in 2022, up 6% over 2021.

More specifically, an ever-expanding universe of video streaming services, each with their own exclusive TV shows and movies, will boost spending on video streaming services to $47 billion in 2022, up 7% over 2021, the CTA said.

Audio streaming services that offer music, audio books and podcasts will see consumers spend $12.9 billion in 2022, up 15% over last year.

Consumer spending on gaming software, including downloads, game streaming services and in-game purchases, will rise 5% to $53.6 billion this year.

The CTA also predicted that the video game industry is poised to have yet another year of revenue growth. Shipment revenues for home gaming consoles rose dramatically from nearly $4.4 billion in 2020 to nearly $6.1 billion in 2021, an impressive 40% growth year-over-year driven largely by demand for next-generation consoles and more time spent at home amid the pandemic. CTA projects relatively modest gains in 2022, with home gaming consoles reaching nearly $6.5 billion, a 6% increase from 2021. 

Growing interest in the metaverse will contribute to a spike in demand for virtual reality eyewear, with shipment revenues rising from $774 million to nearly $1.3 billion, a 66% increase.

The CTA is predicting that smartphone shipments will hit 154.1 million units ($74.7 billion in shipment revenues) in 2022, marking 3% growth from 2021 (149.6 million). 

The growth is driven by the increasing availability of 5G, as 5G handsets will make up 73% of smartphone shipments ($61.37 billion in revenues) in the coming year, the CTA said. The introduction of foldable phones also represents a new option for consumers that will help drive demand.

The CTA is predicting that automotive technology sales will rebound in 2022 as the economy begins to see early signs of recovery in chip supplies. Factory-installed automotive tech is projected to reach $16 billion in shipment revenues this year, an impressive 7% increase from 2021 ($14.9 billion). Demand for automotive tech is increasing as auto manufacturers produce more and continue to develop advanced driver assistance systems that make vehicles more efficient and safer, the CTA said. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced new health protocols for CES 2022 in Las Vegas and is reporting that it will offer complimentary COVID-19 rapid testing kits. 

This additional measure builds upon the previously announced requirement that all in-person attendees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Upon arriving at designated badge pick up locations, CES attendees will be provided with Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test kits. Each BinaxNOW Self Test kit contains two tests, which can be used twice while attending the show. 

The CTA noted that the test is easy to use, requires only a shallow nasal swab, takes 15 minutes and can be done from the convenience of a hotel room. It strongly encourages all participants to test for COVID-19 before they leave home and within 24 hours before entering a show venue.

“CES is a global event, and we continue to see strong momentum with new exhibitors signing up every day,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “In August, we announced that every CES attendee must be fully vaccinated. CES will also provide complimentary COVID-19 rapid tests, onsite at badge pickup locations, as an additional step to protect the health and safety of all our attendees, exhibitors and staff.”

The organizers also reported that CES 2022, which returns to Las Vegas Jan. 5-8, 2022, has attracted more than 2100 exhibitors, including brands like Abbott, Amazon, AMD, Autograph, Damon, Goodyear, Hisense, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, LG Electronics, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Revival Health, Samsung Electronics, Sierra Space, Sony, Waymo and more. 

The updated list of health protocols planned for CES 2022 is: 

• Testing – All CES attendees MUST be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The organizers also request that attendees test for COVID-19 within the 24 hours period prior to entering a CES venue.
• CES will provide complimentary PCR testing for non-US based attendees who require testing prior to their return flight home.
• Vaccination Requirement – CES attendees MUST show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend CES. Detailed information on the proof of COVID-19 vaccination process can be found here.
• Attendees must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO). A list of approved vaccines can be found here. 
• U.S. based attendees are encouraged to use the CLEAR complimentary mobile app and Health Pass feature to expedite vaccine validation.
• Non-U.S. based attendees, as well as U.S. based attendees who may be unable to use CLEAR, will need to provide their proof of vaccination at designated locations on-site.
• Mask Requirement – Masks are required for large indoor events in the State of Nevada.

CES attendees will be required to wear masks as follows:

• In exhibit booths and indoor exhibit facilities.
• In conference and keynote rooms.
• CES shuttle buses and any CES transportation services.
• Safety ambassadors will be walking the exhibit floor to offer masks to those who may need one.

Additional health protocols include: 

• Venues – Enhanced ventilation systems and cleaning protocols in CES venues.
• Conference programming and meeting rooms – Set to enable social distancing.
• Show floor design and flow – Wider aisles and one-way traffic flows in certain areas.
• Food and beverage – Sanitizing stations and guidance on attendee best practices.

Detailed information for all CES 2022 health protocols can be found here. Those unable to travel to Las Vegas will be able to access CES digitally.

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)  has announced that in the last 10 days, 200 additional companies have signed up to exhibit and an additional 10,000 attendees have registered to attend  CES 2022 in person in Las Vegas on January 5-8, 2022.

Cenntro Automotive, HTC, Micron, NVIDIA, and TikTok are among the latest companies to announce their participation showcasing cutting-edge technologies and product launches.

“The excitement continues to build as we get closer to the moment where the world’s most influential technology innovators meet in person with customers, media, investors and policymakers,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “We are thrilled to now welcome over 1900 exhibitors from all over the world to show how tech is improving our lives and transforming industries.”

More than 2400 members of the media, have also registered to attend CES in person and plan to interact with brands like Amazon, AMD, Boston Consulting, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, LG Electronics, Magna, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Razer, Samsung Electronics, Scosche, Sierra Space, Sony and more, the CTA said. 

A full exhibitor directory and floorplans can be accessed at CES.tech.

CES 2022 will feature new categories including Food Tech, Space Tech and NFTs. The automotive sector is tracking for record growth and has over 200 exhibitors, a 30 percent increase over CES 2020. Several new companies will be there including TuSimple, who will showcase its self-driving semi-truck, and VinFast, a first-time Vietnamese car manufacturer.

CES also reported that the show has attracted 1900+ exhibitors, 2400+ members of the media, 195 Fortune Global 500 Companies, 77 Interbrand 100 Companies, and 66 top 100 retailers in Twice’s 2020 Top Retailers list.   

It also noted that 55% of registered attendees are senior-level and that 160 countries represented. 

The organizers also stressed that safety, security and health are a priority at CES and that they will continue to monitor and evaluate the health situation. Additional safety protocols may be announced closer to the show, they said. 

CES was early in announcing attendees must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the FDA or World Health Organization (WHO). Those who may be unable to travel to Las Vegas, will be able to access CES digitally. Registration for digital only access opens Dec. 9. The latest CES health protocols information can be found on CES.tech.  

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2022 will convene the tech industry in person and digitally, Jan. 5-8, 2022, with Media Days  taking place Jan. 3-4, 2022.

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has released new Black Friday Week-focused research showing that 66% (two in three) of U.S. adults started their holiday shopping this year prior to November, signaling people are bargain hunting earlier than usual in the face of potential supply chain disruptions. 

Just 34% (nearly one-third) of shoppers reported having not started their holiday shopping yet. The survey showed that 73% (nearly 3 in 4) are either unaffected or more likely to purchase tech this year following the pandemic.  

The CTA reported that brick-and-mortar stores remain the preferred channel for tech shopping during Thanksgiving week (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday), with 95% of consumers reporting they plan to do their shopping directly in a store. 

However, 93% plan to shop online, meaning most consumers will do a mix of online and in-person shopping this year. Overall, 95% of Thanksgiving week shoppers plan to use some type of technology to assist with their shopping. 

“To compensate for potential supply chain challenges, shoppers and retailers alike [are] pulling their shopping and deals forward in the season,” said Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of market research at the Consumer Technology Association. “The increased popularity of tech shopping this Thanksgiving season demonstrates that it has become a gift of practicality. Following the pandemic, people have found more value in items that keep us on the go and connected. Non-physical content such as gifting streaming video, audio, gaming and fitness services are very popular among holiday shoppers, particularly as potential product delays affect holiday shopping this year.” 

The report also revealed the most popular overall product categories for Thanksgiving week shopping this year, with clothing (89%) narrowly edging out tech products and services (86%) as the top selection.

In terms of the type of tech consumers are favoring, 81% plan to buy physical tech products and accessories and 54% plan to purchase streaming content.  

Top planned purchases were: 

• Clothing and accessories – 89% 
• Technology products/accessories and streaming/download services – 86% 
• Gift cards or gift certificates – 83% 
• Personal care or beauty products – 78%  
• Toys – 69% 
• Home décor or furnishings – 62% 
• Digital media including physical video games and DVDs – 60% 
• Physical media including books – 59%  
• Jewelry – 56% 
• Appliances – 45% 

The CTA recently released a holiday shopping trends report showing spending on tech products and services during the 2021 holiday season (October-December) is projected to reach $142.5 billion – a 0.5% increase from 2020. 

This report presents the findings of an online survey conducted by Engine, a collaborative research partner, among a total sample of 2024 U.S. adults between October 29 and 31, 2021. After data collection was completed, the dataset was weighted by six variables to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population age 18 and older: age, sex, geographic region, race and education. The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/- 2.18%. Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data.  

NEW YORK—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that Jong-Hee (JH) Han, president of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, will deliver the pre-show keynote address at CES 2022. 

Han’s keynote address will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 6:30 PM in the Venetian’s Palazzo Ballroom in Las Vegas, NV.

Samsung’s keynote for CES 2022 will present the company’s vision for ‘Age of Togetherness’ meaning that technology needs to exist together with people and for the planet. The keynote will be a call to action to mitigate climate change and the company will show how everyone can do their part in building a sustainable planet. It will also present how customized and connected experiences will enrich people's lives. The pre-show keynote will set the stage for CES 2022 as it convenes the tech industry, both in person and digitally.

“Since early 2020, people have changed how they live, work and play,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “Technology is solving people’s problems and connecting us to each other. More innovation has accelerated. Samsung is an incredibly innovative company and we look forward to hearing Mr. Han’s vision of a greener world reimagined through technology.”

Han is the president and head of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics since 2017. Prior to his current role, Mr. Han served a four-year term as the Business’s Head of R&D. Since joining Samsung in 1988, he has been a prolific figure in the development of a wide range of market-leading products, including Micro LED, QLED, Lifestyle TVs, Smart Signage, Cinema LED and gaming monitors. Mr. Han has played a pivotal role in taking Samsung’s TV business to its unrivalled position in the global TV market and maintaining it for fifteen consecutive years since 2006.

Mr. Han joins previously announced keynoters, including GM’s Mary Barra; T-Mobile’s Mike Sievert; Abbott’s Robert Ford; Rethink Impact’s Jenny Abramson; Softbank Opportunity Fund’s Stacy Brown-Philpot; and Material Impact’s Carmichael Roberts. The CES featured speakers page will be updated as additional speakers are announced.

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2022 will convene the tech industry in person and digitally, Jan. 5-8, 2022, with Media Days taking place Jan. 3-4, 2022. 

Visit CES.tech for all CES 2022 updates, including health protocols, registration details and the media page for all press resources. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—A new study from the Consumer Technology Association is projecting that tech sales in the 2021 holiday season (October-December) will hit $142.5 billion, a very slight 0.5% increase from 2020.

An all-time high of 191.3 million U.S. adults plan to purchase technology as a gift this holiday season. On average, respondents indicate they plan to spend an estimated $541 on technology gifts. Like years past, the most popular recipient of technology products this holiday season is consumers themselves (41%), followed closely by one’s spouse (37%).

The 28th Annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report, which could have important implications for the health of the TV ad market in the fourth quarter, found that 83% of U.S. adults are unaffected by or more likely to purchase tech due to the pandemic. In addition, 44% said their tech purchasing would not be affected by the pandemic, up 4 percentage points from 2020. 

Those results indicate consumers remain enthusiastic about tech a year after the pandemic provided many consumers with more time to try out new products and services, the CTA said.

Smartphones have once again topped consumers’ list for tech gifts they most want to receive this year. Wearable devices jumped from fifth most popular in 2020 to third this season, largely driven by increased interest in real-time health monitoring technology. Overall, the top five tech products U.S. adults would like to receive as gifts were:

• Smartphones
• Laptop/Notebook Computers
• Wearable Devices
• Televisions 
• Tied: Video Game Consoles and Tablets/E-Readers

“The surge in consumer spending on tech is being fueled by the ongoing value people find in these products and services, even amid a pandemic,” said Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of market research for CTA. “The pandemic gave people more time and incentive to discover the many ways technology can improve their lives – from more entertainment options, connection to friends and family, remote working tools and so much more. A notable change from recent years is retailers continuing to pull forward and capture sales earlier in the holiday season – particularly in the wake of recent and ongoing supply chain challenges many consumers are actively watching.”

With smartphone replacement rates reaching four-plus years (reported in CTA’s Mobile and Wireless 5-Year Forecast report), smartphone interest during this holiday season is expected to be strong, with 48% of holiday tech shoppers expecting to purchase one as a gift (up from 41% in 2019). 5G phones are at the top of the smartphone buying list, with 62% of overall holiday smartphone buyers expecting to purchase one with 5G capabilities and 29% planning to buy a foldable phone. 

Interest in home video game consoles is up to 45% this holiday season from 33% in 2019. Additionally, 71% indicate they plan to purchase at least one content-related product this season, such as a gaming, video, fitness, or audio streaming services.

“Accessorizing” or expanding in-home workspaces and computing capabilities will persist into this holiday season, showcased by interest in such products as printers (29% planing purchases), desktop computers (27%) and computer monitors (25%). 

The report presents the findings of an online survey conducted by Engine, a collaborative research partner, among a total sample of 2008 U.S. adults between September 9 and 13, 2021. The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/- 2.2%.

CES 2022 will feature a research trends preview presented by CTA’s research team on Monday, January third prior to CES in Las Vegas. 

WASHINGTON D.C.—In an October 21 filing with the FCC, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has urged the FCC to “continue to reform and modernize its fee structure to bring it into full compliance with the Commission’s statutory mandate” and “expand the base of payors to include broadband providers and Big Tech companies that plainly benefit from Commission activities.”  

In a separate October 21 filing, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has opposed those proposals, saying that requiring “unlicensed spectrum users” to “pay regulatory fees is contrary to the Commission’s longstanding approach under Section 9 of the Communications Act” and that the change would be “impossible to implement,” “undermine innovation” and be “counterproductive.” 

The CTA also stressed that its members are already paying fees to the FCC. 

NAB said that the FCC should ensure that the Commission's costs reflect the benefits received by the payors of regulatory fees from Commission activities and expand the base of payors to include broadband providers and Big Tech companies that plainly benefit from Commission activities.

Noting that “the D.C. Circuit has interpreted this statutory mandate to require the Commission to assess fees that take into account ‘benefits provided to the payor of the fee by the Commission’s activities,’” the NAB filing complained that the “Commission routinely violates this statutory requirement by basing its fee schedule solely on the number of direct full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) in the four `core’ bureaus of the Commission. The result of this methodology is a fee schedule that reflects only the work performed, and the benefits provided, by a mere quarter of the Commission’s operations. The Commission’s approach is unlawful and unconstitutional because, among other things, it forces broadcasters and others to subsidize Commission activities which substantially benefit other regulatory fee payors or other entities that currently contribute nothing to the Commission’s funding in violation of the law and general federal fee policy.”

To address that problem, the NAB urged the FCC to “fundamentally reassess its proportional allocations of indirect Commission costs to determine whether such allocations align with the actual amount of work performed by the noncore bureaus and offices on behalf of regulatory fee payors” and that “the Commission should perform the analysis necessary to add a fee category for broadband service providers or exempt broadcasters from paying for any broadband costs.”

The filing also argued that “the Commission cannot lawfully turn a blind eye to the fact that Big Tech – companies such as Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon – take up significant Commission resources under the banner of `unlicensed spectrum,' yet pay no associated regulatory fees as a result.”

Calling the FCC’s failure to reform it’s fee structure a “gross inaccuracy and frankly, laziness,” the NAB complained that “as a result of this flawed methodology, each year broadcasters are responsible for nearly 20% of the costs associated with noncore bureaus and offices including the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, the Office of Engineering and Technology, the Office of Economics and Analytics, the Office of the Inspector General and the Enforcement Bureau, without any consideration for what amount of the work performed by these offices and bureaus actually relates to the broadcast or any other industry.”

“As NAB has highlighted previously,” the NAB said, “the current regulatory fee system is unfair and unsustainable in part because broadcasters subsidize the costs to the Commission of supporting deep-pocketed technology companies’ business models through proceedings which reduce the ability of licensed broadcasters to serve viewers and listeners.”  

In a October 21 filing, the Consumer Technology Association opposed those proposals, saying requiring “unlicensed spectrum users” to “pay regulatory fees is contrary to the Commission’s longstanding approach under Section 9 of the Communications Act and adopting it would overturn years of Commission precedent. It also would raise serious administrability concerns, be impossible to implement in a non-arbitrary manner, and have significant implications for regulatory fees in contexts beyond unlicensed spectrum. Further, NAB’s proposal would undermine the enormous innovation made possible by the Commission’s long-running and successful approach to unlicensed spectrum. Finally, NAB’s proposal overlooks that companies using unlicensed spectrum already defray Commission costs in important ways. The Commission should not adopt this unprecedented, counter-productive proposal.”

The CTA filing is available here. 

The NAB filing is here. 

LAS VEGAS—The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has decided that all attendees of the CES 2022 convention in January must be vaccinated.

In a blog post announcing the decision, Gary Shapiro, president/CEO of the CTA also said that the organizers plan to announce more protocols to keep attendees safe from the ongoing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and that they are considering “proof of a positive antibody test as a requirement.”

Shapiro noted that the decision to cancel the show in 2020 as a live in-person event was a painful one that forced the CTA to lay off employees and hurt the Las Vegas economy but was necessary because vaccines were not available. 

Today vaccines are available but “as vaccines are making their way around the world, so is a new threat – the Delta variant,” he wrote. 

In response to that, “we will require all attendees to be fully vaccinated,” he wrote. “We are also assessing proof of a positive antibody test as a requirement and will share more details on this later. Importantly, we will continue to follow state and local guidelines and recommendations by the CDC and will announce additional protocols as we get closer to the show.”

“We all play a role in stopping the spread – requiring proof of vaccination for CES 2022 is one way we can take responsibility on our part,” noted Shapiro.

He added later in the blog that “we know our decision to require vaccines—and potentially positive antibody tests—may not be popular for some, but for many others it will allow them to know they can experience CES once again—and get back to business as usual.” 

ARLINGTON, Va.—Retail sales revenue for the tech industry in the U.S. will reach a record-breaking $487 billion in 2021, a 7.5% pop from 2020, thanks to “unprecedented consumer demand,” according to a new report by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

The report also predicts that NextGen TVs that are capable of receiving ATSC 3.0 broadcasts will see shipments increase nearly sixfold to 2.1 million units. That will produce retail revenue of $3.9 billion, up 425%. 

This year will also be another record breaking year for streaming video, which will grow by 15% to $43 billion in 2021. 

“The pandemic strengthened consumers’ relationship with technology forever,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “From working to learning, staying connected with loved ones and taking care of our health, tech played a crucial role in improving our lives. Tech has proved time and again that innovation makes our country resilient in the face of crises. Even though the U.S. still deals with supply chain shortages, labor gaps, vaccination rollouts and looming inflation, tech will help us keep pushing forward.” 

The report finds that overall TV shipments will hit 45 million units, lower than 2020’s record volume of more than 47 million, but revenue will increase by 5% ($24 billion). 

More than three-quarters of TVs shipped this year will be 4K UHD. 

With a majority of content consumption still happening indoors, consumer enthusiasm for large screen TVs is growing, the report noted. LCD TVs with screen sizes 70-inches and up will reach 4.3 million in shipments, earning $4.4 billion, and 8K Ultra HD sets, which will see shipments climb to 2.6 million units in 2021, are expected to earn $5.7 billion (a 371% increase).

Following a record year for gaming services in 2020 – a 25% increase in revenue – 2021 will see a slight decline to $48 billion, down 2% over last year. 

After racking up more than $5 billion in revenue in 2020, gaming consoles will see continued growth in 2021 as combined home and portable console shipments reach 19 million units (up 6%), accounting for $6 billion in revenue (up 18%). 

In terms of mobile, 5G smartphones will see exponential growth, with more than 106 million 5G smartphones are expected to ship in 2021 (a 530% jump from 2020), generating $61 billion in revenue (a 404% increase). Overall shipments of smartphones will increase 10% to 154 million units, earning $73 billion in revenue, up 15%. 

With many Americans still working from home, CTA expects the record year-over-year growth trend of 2020 to continue in 2021. Shipments for laptops will reach 76 million units (up 9%), earning $45 billion in revenue (up 11%). 

The report also predicts that Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) hardware will return to growth in 2021 following a pause in 2020 caused by widespread disruption to the global supply chains. VR shipments will reach 2.7 million units (up 30%). Total revenues for the VR and AR hardware shipments will cross more than a billion dollars (a 34% increase).

Wireless earphones such as Apple Airpods and Samsung Galaxy Buds continue to see strong growth in 2021, with 88 million units expected to ship, a 27% jump from last year, representing $8.7 billion in revenue (8% increase).

With growing demand for smart speakers and home robots, CTA projects that more than 100 million smart home devices will ship in 2021 (up 11%), while holding flat on revenue, with $15 billion.

As music, audio books and podcast listening continues to gain momentum, CTA predicts earnings will reach $10 billion (up 18%).

CTA's twice-yearly “U.S. Consumer Technology One-Year Industry Forecast” reflects U.S. manufacturer shipments for more than 100 consumer tech products and related software and services. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—CES 2022 is officially heading back to Las Vegas, as the Consumer Technology Association said that the annual conference will resume as an in-person event after an all-digital CES 2021. There will also be a digital component to the conference, which is slated for Jan. 5-8, 2022.

CES, like many conferences over the last year, was forced to conduct an all-digital event because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now that vaccine rollouts are well underway, in-person events are beginning to be scheduled once again. The 2021 NAB Show is another major industry conference that plans to return as an in-person event, also in Las Vegas.

“We’re thrilled to return to Las Vegas—home to CES for more than 40 years—and look forward to seeing many new and returning faces,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA. “Hundreds of executives have told us how much they need CES to meet new and existing customers, find partners, reach media and discover innovation.”

CTA says that about 1,000 companies have already committed to CES 2022, among which are Amazon, Google, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and more. CES staples like Eureka Park, highlighting startups from around the world, are once again expected to be part of the conference.

CES 2022 will still be available for digital audiences. The CES Anchor Desk will return after its debut in CES 2021 and be on-site in Las Vegas to connect the digital audience with exhibitors, conference sessions, keynotes and product announcements. New content will be added once CES departs Las Vegas, CTA says.

CTA will continue to review guidelines for coronavirus safety measures from the CDC, state and local guidelines for CES 2022. Plans will be updated as needed, with updates being shared to audiences.

CES 2022 will run from Jan. 5-8, 2022. Media Days will take place from Jan. 3-4.

For more information, visit the CES website. 

LUXEMBOURG—Eurofins Digital Testing has developed an updated test for the Consumer Technology Association’s NextGen TV Logo program. The update, scheduled for release by the end of Q2 2021, will be applicable to 2022 model receivers, Eurofins said.

“The test suite for the NextGen TV logo program assures confidence that ATSC 3.0 transmissions and receivers will work together properly. ATSC 3.0 technology has unparalleled flexibility and receiver manufacturers need to know that their products will respond appropriately to the wide variety of services that broadcasters may transmit,” said NAB CTO Sam Matheny.

“This new, expanded set of tests for 2022 products will increase confidence from broadcasters to provide more services, from TV set manufacturers to implement more features, and from consumers to look for products with the NextGen TV logo.”

CTA, NAB and Eurofins collaborated on development of the test suite. First launched in 2019, the suite has evolved to include more than 250 tests covering NextGen TV requirements, including ATSC 3.0 physical layer, signaling and ROUTE/DASH, AC-4 audio, 4K HEVC video and other 3.0 features.

CTA research forecasts U.S. TV shipments with NextGen TV capabilities will increase by 500% from 2021 to 2022. 2024 shipments are expected to reach 12 million units. 

“The NextGen TV Test Suite, developed in partnership with Eurofins and NAB, is key to the logo program and its message to consumers. We encourage all manufacturers of NextGen TV-capable products to contact CTA for more information on our logo-use and product-certification program,” said Brian Markwalter, CTA senior vice president, technology and standards. 

Eurofins Digital Testing operates an independent test lab for ATSC 3.0 technologies and is an ISO accredited lab for ATSC 3.0 RF testing. Its Arreios for ATSC 3.0 Test Tool is available to manufacturers opting to test for ATSC 3.0 conformance of devices in house, Eurofins said.

Eurofins also supplies the test suite used to verify compliance with ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (provider of service security and DRM licenses for ATSC broadcast services) specifications.

More information is available on the Eurofins website. 

WASHINGTON—Set-top boxes will soon be saving even more energy than in recent years thanks to an extension of an agreement between the Consumer Technology Association and the NCTA—The Internet & Television Association (NCTA).

The “Voluntary Agreement for Ongoing Improvement to the Energy Efficiency of Set-Top Boxes” agreement, which was initially signed in 2012, has been extended through 2025. As part of the agreement, new and stronger energy-efficient commitments will be put in place starting in 2019.

At the end of 2019, CTA reports that the agreement has saved consumers $7 billion in energy costs and avoided 39 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. By the end of these extended terms, it is projected that the total energy uses by set-top boxes in the U.S. will be only a third of the energy used by set-top boxes in 2012.

This latest extension of the agreement places emphasis on IP set-top boxes. The maximum power levels for IP non-DVR set-top boxes will be cut by an average of 43% from 2021 levels, per CTA. The Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, estimates the new set-top boxes that will be rolled out in 2023 will use around 20% less energy, what it calls “great incremental progress.”

“The ongoing incremental energy efficiency improvements by the pay-TV industry and set-top box manufacturers translate to a very satisfying trifecta—reduced energy use, avoided carbon emissions and lower customer utility bills,” said Noah Horowitz, senior scientist at NRDC. “Going forward, we anticipate many customers will be able to get rid of their set-top boxes entirely and access content directly through an app installed on their TV, which will lead to even greater savings.”

Multichannel pay-TV providers, manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates are signatories of the agreement. This includes AT&T/DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, Dish, Verizon, Cox, Altice, Frontier, CommScope, Technicolor, NRDC and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. CableLabs also aids with research and developing the energy efficiency strategies.

“The phenomenal progress we’ve seen in energy and cost reduction due to this voluntary agreement is a testament to what can be accomplished through private sector initiative and collaboration,” said Doug Johnson, vice president of technology policy, CTA. “We applaud the signatory companies for their commitments and engineering accomplishments, the energy efficiency advocates for their contributions and oversight, and the policymaking community for giving us the time and space to develop, launch and expand this agreement.”

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association has released retail sales revenue projections for the tech industry in 2021. How will the TV market follow the record-setting 2020?

As detailed in its twice-yearly “U.S. Consumer Technology One-Year Industry Forecast,” CTA expects the demand for TVs—which saw a record number of TV shipments—to remain high heading into 2021. While TV shipments are expected to drop by 8%, per CTA estimates, that would still come to about 43 million units, which would be the second-highest volume on record; revenues, meanwhile, would decline just 1% to $22 billion.

Some areas of growth for TV in 2021 are likely to include sets over 70 inches (3.3 million units, up 6%) and 8K UHD TVs (1.7 million units, up 300%), according to CTA.

Related to the TV market, streaming and software spending is projected to continue its meteoric rise. After growing 31% in 2020 over 2019, a record $112 billion is expected to be spent on streaming and software (11% growth).

Overall, the technology industry is projected to reach $461 billion in 2021, which would represent a 4.3% increase year-over-year.

“Tech demand in the first several months of 2021 will look a lot like the last few months of 2020,” said Rick Kowalski, director of industry analysis and business intelligence, CTA. “Streaming services, 5G connectivity and digital health devices will push consumer tech forward in the year ahead as innovative technologies prove their resilience during challenging times. The industry’s ability to meet societal needs in a variety of circumstances will bring growth in 2021 as the world emerges from the pandemic.”

For more information, visit www.CTA.tech/forecasts.  

WASHINGTON—The Consumer Technology Association has announced the 2021 model year test suite specifications for NextGen TV, a comprehensive collection of tests that manufacturers are required to use in order to use the NEXTGEN TV logo.

More than 135 tests covering 150 unique requirements for audio, video, captions, interactivity, service changes and other attributes of ATSC 3.0 make up the suite, CTA said. The logo may only be used with products and services that meet the 3.0 standard.

“The new test suite is the force behind the NEXTGEN TV logo and is an important step for manufacturers to ensure that consumers can easily tell which devices offer the upgrades and interactivity of NextGen TV,” said Brian Markwalter, senior vice president of research and standards. 

CTA also announced the name Voice + (pronounced “voice plus”) has been selected for enhanced dialog licensed NextGen TV products. Manufacturers may begin using the name with their 2021 models, the association said.

Manufacturers wishing to participate in the logo licensing program and certification testing are asked to direct inquiries to Catrina Akers.

More information is available on the CTA website.  

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association has announced that Microsoft will serve as the technology partner for CES 2021, which for the first time will be an all-digital event. This will include solutions, support and the underlying cloud technologies needed for bringing CES 2021 content to virtual attendees.

The CES conference brings together the global tech community, sharing information on the latest technology development, new products and industry leaders’ insights. Microsoft is providing its Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Power Platform systems to support the conference’s exhibitor showcases, media events, programming, networking events and more, per CTA.

Gary Shapiro, CTA president and CEO, said they selected Microsoft for its “technical expertise, global scale and experience in creating compelling digital event [sic].”

The all-digital CES 2021 is scheduled to take place from Jan. 11-14, 2021. Registration will open on Dec. 1. For more information, visit www.ces.tech.  

ARLINGTON, Va.—The growth of streaming over the course of the pandemic, and before, has been reported on a number of occasions, but a new report from the Consumer Technology Association indicates that for the first time more people are paying for a streaming service than they are for traditional pay-TV.

In its report, “Content in the COVID-19 Era: Current Realities and Future Opportunities,” CTA looked at the impact of the pandemic on consumer entertainment, as well as video gaming content consumption behaviors.

According to CTA’s report, 71% of U.S. consumers are using a paid streaming service, while 58% are using a traditional pay-TV service. In 2020, paid and free streaming services have grown by 19 and 15 percentage points, respectively. Conversely, pay-TV services from cable, satellite or fiber providers have dropped 15 percentage points since 2018. In addition, one-quarter of consumers added at least one paid streaming service within the past few months.

Even with the shift to streaming platforms, the TV remains the primary source of entertainment, according to nine out of 10 consumers (92%). The report also finds that 60% of video content viewing time takes place in front of TV screens; the rest is on smartphones, computers and tablets.

Additional data from the report showed that 65% of U.S. adults watch content more often since COVID-19 began, and that three in 10 consumers rented at least one new movie released directly to streaming, while more than half plan to do so over the next six months.

“With more time at home, the pandemic has accelerated several trends in media, entertainment and gaming,” said Sayon Deb, manager, Market Research, CTA. “Consumers are watching more content and watching longer, as new innovations in format and delivery draw in millions of first-time users. New digital activities such as virtual concerts, live streaming and shared viewing on social platforms are also resonating with consumers.”

For more information, visit www.cta.tech.  

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association has announced that CES 2021 will take place as an all-digital experience rather than be held in Las Vegas, meaning that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry will continue into the early parts of 2021.

“Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it’s just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA. “Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic—and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way. By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences.”

CTA bills the new format as an immersive experience that will allow attendees to discover the latest technology, bringing the global event to people’s homes and offices.

There was some initial hope that CES 2021 would be able to conduct its usual in-person gathering in Las Vegas, but as COVID-19 continues to linger in the U.S. and other places around the world, CTA is following in the footsteps of NAB, IBC and other major conferences to go virtual.

CTA says that it plans to return to Las Vegas for CES 2022, where it will combine the best elements of a physical and digital show.

Shapiro offered more detail on the decision to take CES 2021 virtual in a LinkedIn post.

CES 2021 will take place from Jan. 6-9. For more information, visit www.ces.tech. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—CES 2021 has every intention to take place under the neon lights of Las Vegas once again, according to an announcement from the Consumer Technology Association.

While CTA plans to hold its annual tech event in-person at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it acknowledges the considerations that all involved will make as to whether to attend because of the coronavirus pandemic. As such, CTA has announced a number of show plans both for programming and general operations.

CES 2021 is expected to have a wider digital reach, including more livestreamed content, as well as other digital and virtual opportunities, per CTA. Exhibitors will also be able to share their products and demonstrations both physically and digitally.

On the safety side, CTA said it is working with the Las Vegas community, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitation Authority and hotel venues as they develop and implement their re-opening plans. CTA says it is also collaborating with event industry associations to develop best practices, as well as following the recommendations of public health experts and standards set by the federal, state and local governments.

A slew of safety details were included in CTA’s announcement, including:

“These measures are just a sampling of what we plan for CES 2021,” the announcement reads. “The meetings world is developing and implementing best practices, and we will assess and evaluate the latest solutions in the coming months. We will continue to work with our venues in Las Vegas, update our plans and share them with you.”

Industry conferences scheduled for 2020 have already had to alter their plans because of COVID-19. The NAB Show in Las Vegas was cancelled and instead went virtual. IBC 2020 also cancelled its physical show in Amsterdam and plans to go virtual.

CES 2021 is scheduled to take place Jan. 6-9, 2021. More information is available on CTA’s website. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Consumer Technology Association has officially put its support behind the FCC’s proposal that would allow for great use of TV white spaces (TVWS) by unlicensed white space devices, increasing broadband services in rural and underserved areas, it says.

The FCC submitted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on expanding the use of TVWS, which is portions of the broadcast TV band not actively used by TV stations, back in February; it was passed unanimously by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the FCC commissioners.

Politicians and organizations like the NAB have said that they support the effort, at the very least in most of its details.

CTA argues that the current coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for this proposal, specifically how “every household needs access to affordable broadband to connect to work, education, entertainment and life-saving technologies.”

“We applaud adoption of the NPRM and urge the commission to adopt the proposals therein—which reflect consensus between the unlicensed and broadcast communities,” CTA said.

The entire CTA letter is available on its website. 

ARLINGTON, Va.—Video streaming services are among the few technology business sectors expected to see a rise in 2020, according to a recent report from the Consumer Technology Association, as the coronavirus pandemic impacts the economy.

In CTA’s most recent Weekly CTA Tech Use report, video streaming services were the most popular service among survey respondents, with 55% of households saying they are using one or more. In the four weeks that CTA has done a weekly report, it has been at or above 55% for three (52% in week three).

With this increased interest in streaming, CTA has revised its initial projections for video streaming revenue in 2020, estimating that consumers will now spend between $24-25 billion on streaming services. That would represent a 29-35% increase from 2019.

Projections for other technologies are not so sunny. Even though new TVs are available with 8K UHD and OLED technology, 2020 sales of new TVs are expected to fall to between 34-37 million, which would lead to an 8-14% decline year-over-year. Smartphones and laptops are also expected to see decreased sales.

PLUS: Can Netflix Sustain Record Subscriber Numbers Post-Coronavirus?

“The financial health of the consumer and their willingness to spend presents the biggest swing factor to the tech industry outlook,” says Steve Koenig, vice president, research, CTA. “While downside risks are in the majority right now, there are bright spots—and sales of some tech devices and services may perform better than expected.”

For more information, visit www.cta.tech.  

ARLINGTON, Va.—People at home spent less time streaming live TV between April 3-5 than they did during the previous period covered by CTA’s weekly “Tech Use and Purchase Tracker: COVID-19 Impact” report. Streaming of media overall, however, was up.

In the second weekly report from CTA, the percentage of U.S. households that streamed live TV dropped from 25% to 22%. Streaming or downloading of all media—videos, music, gaming—was up to 70% this week compared to 66% last week, but it did so without a huge bump in streaming video, which only raised one percentage point from 55% in the first week to 56% in week two.

The report does not offer any statistics on traditional television viewing numbers during this time when most families and individuals are at home.

Also seeing a decline week-to-week was the purchasing of new TVs. After new TV purchases were reported by 14% of CTA’s respondents in week one, that number fell to 11% in this most recent study.

One technology that more Americans took up in this latest report was the use of video conferencing technology, which rose from 12% to 19% week-over-week, as CTA Director of Research Lesley Rohrbaugh said that “Americans are getting creative as they use tech devices and services to stay connected during the COVID-19 crisis.”

For more information, read the “Weekly CTA Tech Use and Purchase Tracker: COVID-19 Impact” report.