FCC updates of low-power FM technical rules and noncommercial educational and LPFM window procedures took effect Oct. 30, said two public notices (see here and here) in Monday’s Daily Digest. The technical rule changes, approved in April, increased flexibility for transmitter siting and antenna type (see 2004220065). The license rules, OK'd in December, updated the application process and procedures for resolving mutually exclusive applications (see 1912110057).

The Pearl TV-led consumer-facing website WatchNextGenTV.com went live Friday to promote ATSC 3.0 technology and services to the public (see 2010260022). “The future of television has arrived,” trumpets the site. “Immerse yourself in stunning video with brilliant color, sharper images and deeper contrast that will make you feel like you’re really there.” The site lists 11 TV markets where 3.0 service is “on the air,” with 11 more “coming in 2020.” It lists 75 markets where 3.0 services are “coming in 2021.” A link to the Sony page features eight TV models with 3.0 functionality, including four derivative models sold exclusively through Costco.

The remainder of the FCC’s changes to the broadcast public notice rules took effect Friday, said a public notice the same day. The non-paperwork-reduction act portions of the rule took effect in July (see Ref:2006170062]). The changes allow broadcasters to satisfy notice requirements with online announcements instead of newspaper ads. Broadcasters with pending applications should follow the notice rules in effect when the FCC accepted their application for filing, so applications accepted before Friday should be announced in accordance with the prior rules, the PN said.

The FCC Media Bureau will lift freezes on full-power TV rulemaking petitions that have mostly been in place since 2004, said a public notice Thursday. The freezes -- originally enacted for the DTV transition and extended because of the incentive auction -- will be lifted 15 days after the Federal Register publishes the rule change, the PN said. A freeze on filing new low-power TV and TV translator applications will remain in place, the PN said. “Licensed and permitted LPTV/translator stations are still being displaced as a result of modifications by full service stations as they technically adjust to their new repacked channel locations,” the PN said. The freezes that will be lifted apply to channel change and community of license petitions, petitions seeking new DTV allotments and service area modifications.

Broadcasters participating in the Pearl TV-led ATSC 3.0 Phoenix model market added a single-frequency network there, they announced Wednesday. This will “enhance reception for viewers and broaden the reach of broadcasters transmitting to NEXTGEN TV sets,” they said. An SFN “makes use of multiple strategically placed transmitters placed on the air within the coverage area on the same channel and carrying the same services,” said Pearl engineer David Folsom. “This increases the signal level available for over-the-air viewing and decreases the viewer's need for a more complex receiving antenna, while enabling future use of mobility services to NEXTGEN TV-equipped devices as found in automobiles.” E.W. Scripps' KASW (CW) is the SFN host station, with sharing agreements to carry the 3.0 simulcast of its KNXV-TV (ABC) and of KSAZ-TV (Fox) and KUTP (Fox Xtra); all these outlets are licensed to Phoenix, per FCC records.

The FCC is seeking comment on proposed rules to require that broadcasters disclose when content is sponsored or provided by foreign governments, said an NPRM voted on Oct. 16 and released Monday (see 2009150059). Commissioner Mike O’Rielly concurred in part and approved in part and didn’t issue a statement. The other commissioners voted to approve. “We take this action in the midst of known attacks on our political processes by foreign governments and their representatives,” said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. “This is about basic transparency and it frankly shouldn’t have taken us so long,” said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. None of the FCC Republicans issued a statement. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., has repeatedly written Chairman Ajit Pai calling for disclosure rules. The NPRM would require disclosures if a foreign governmental entity -- as defined by Foreign Agents Registration Act -- pays a station to air material, or provides content free. The NPRM proposed requiring standardized disclosure language and applying requirements similar to those used for sponsored political ads, including a public file requirement.

Verance can address risks of fingerprint-based dynamic advertising insertion (DAI) technologies marring subscription VOD viewing, said the company. With DAI technologies “baked” into smart TVs, SVOD services and TV makers worry about the risk of “ads or measurement functions meant for broadcast being mistakenly placed into the streams” of over-the-top video services, it said. “We believe this will create a path forward for the subscription VOD and ad-supported broadcast worlds to co-exist,” said CEO Nil Shah Thursday.

The FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment scheduled a virtual symposium Nov. 6 on how small and diverse broadcasters can gain access to capital, said a public notice in Friday’s Daily Digest. Hosted by the ACDDE’s Access to Capital working group and the Media Bureau, the event will include broadcasters and lenders discussing financing options and the minority tax certificate. It will also include a presentation from Nielsen and an update on pending legislation to increase broadcast ownership diversity, the PN said.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed (in Pacer, docket 20-2315) a Dish Network interlocutory appeal Thursday in a retransmission consent fight with Cox (see 2009080002). It followed an unopposed Cox motion to dismiss in which it cited a U.S. District Court dismissing claims against Cox and Dish for not filing an amended complaint. Dish filed a second amended complaint last week (in Pacer, docket 20-cv-00570) in U.S. District Court in Chicago against Terrier Media.

Changes loosening restrictions on commonly owned radio stations in the same market duplicating programming take effect Thursday, says that day's Federal Register. The rules were approved in August on a 3-2 vote (see 2008060072).