Post-Repack: Key Challenges and Solutions

The variety of issues that must be addressed

Author:: Bernard Borghei and Gary Hess
Updated:: Feb 23, 2018
Original:: Jul 7, 2017

Now that the FCC’s broadcast spectrum, or repack, auction has ended, the hard work begins.

The auction presented significant financial opportunities for the many broadcasters who participated, however, there are now a variety of issues that must be addressed. The reality is that we’re currently in the process of essentially rebuilding some of the broadcast industry’s critical infrastructure, and we have 39 months to do it.

Check out the rest of this column at Broadcasting & Cable.

To follow our online coverage, visit our repack silo, www.tvtechnology.com/repack.

Assessing Post-Repack Channel Options promo image

Transmission

It’s a given that there is going to be considerable “channel shuffling” after the upcoming television broadcast spectrum auctions.

Post-Repack: Key Challenges and Solutions promo image

Regulatory and Standards

AT&T is endorsing a regional repack and calling on regulators to get cracking on a plan.

Getting Ready for the Repack promo image

Transmission

After the FCC incentive auction is complete, likely before we transition to ATSC 3.0, many UHF TV stations will have to move to new channels.

NAB Releases Video Highlighting Tower Challenges for Repack promo image

News

The National Association of Broadcasters hasn’t been shy about sharing its thoughts on the impact certain elements of the upcoming spectrum repack could have on stations and viewers and it is continuing do so, this time in a visual medium.

Unanticipated Interference After Repack promo image

Transmission

In my April column (“Auction Over, Now Let’s Assess the Damage”), I wrote about the damage in terms of unanticipated (by the FCC) interference to DTV reception after the repacking of the 600 MHz band.

News

The broadcast team wants a do-over of the TV channel repack plan created by the Federal Communications Commission for the post-TV spectrum incentive auction signal shuffle.

Transmission

The FCC has released the Auction Closing and Channel Reassignment Public Notice and files showing auction results, including stations that gave up their spectrum and those being repacked to another channel.