Sinclair really, REALLY wants DRM

Andyross

telcodad

The latest from Sinclair:

Sinclair Asks The FCC To End Free OTA TV on ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Unless You Upgrade to ATSC 3.0 & End Ownership Caps
By Luke Bouma, Cord Cutters News - April 6, 2026
https://cordcuttersnews.com/sinclair-asks-the-fcc-to-end-free-ota-tv-on-abc-cbs-fox-nbc-unless-you-upgrade-to-atsc-3-0-end-ownership-caps/

…. Sinclair recommends several policy changes.

First, the FCC should eliminate outdated caps on station ownership, allowing larger broadcast groups to compete more effectively for sports rights and invest in technological upgrades.

Second, the commission should establish a firm timeline for completing the transition to ATSC 3.0, the next-generation broadcast standard. With this, Sinclair wants to have a firm date when it can shut down its current ATSC 1.0 broadcasts. This would mean customers who use an antenna will need to upgrade by buying an ATSC 3.0 device or a new TV with support for it. …

Donut417

telcodad if they want DRM they should fork over a few billion for the spectrum they use, like the cellular companies. Then they can have DRM to their heart’s content.

egeezer

telcodad eliminate outdated caps on station ownership, allowing larger broadcast groups to compete more effectively for sports rights and invest in technological upgrades.

Markets with many players are more likely than with fewer players, as there will be more innovation and price competition. Having fewer companies in an industry by buying out competitors reduces the number of companies and resulting competition and innovation. Nothing in today’s ownership environment stops Sinclair from competing or innovating.

Jbob

Unless Congress recognizes that the spectrum broadcast TV uses is Public and controls this better I fear OTA TV will not be a thing much longer. I refuse to pay a provider for broadcast TV when I can pull it in for FREE over the air. The is FULLY on Congress at this point…..or the voter.