FCC takes first step toward over-the-air 4K broadcasting

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday took the first step toward the eventual rollout of over-the-air terrestrial 4K television broadcasting in the U.S.

The FCC published a proposed regulation that would allow TV stations to begin broadcasts using the ATSC3.0 format, a newer version of the digital transmission format used today.

ATSC 3.0 uses an IP data stream, so it's much more flexible than current broadcast standards. Using the system, broadcasts can simultaneously send several video streams of varying bandwidths and additional streams of data.

Proponents of the technology say this would enable 4K broadcasting and is a way to rapidly disseminate public safety information, but whether such services will be offered is up to individual broadcasters.

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