The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced a campaign it calls “The Future of TV,” a digital vision that sees TV delivered via over-the-air spectrum, to devices like the mobile TV we discussed recently. The key here is “over-the-air.” The NAB sees the future as primarily broadcast driven. Writes John Eggerton in B&C:
“The ad and Web site are being launched as the FCC is collecting input on how best to free up broadcast spectrum for wireless by reclaiming some from broadcasters via give-backs, channel sharing and more. For broadcasters giving up spectrum, it could be problematic to try to deliver on that NAB promise of 3D and HD given the bandwidth requirements.”
The NAB has always pushed the idea that over-the-air broadcasting is the way to go. Sometimes, that’s not so good. We attended many NAB conferences where the keynote downright mocked the Web. And there is their idea to have Congress mandate that every mobile device in America be equipped with a FM receiver so that people can get emergency alerts. (If that’s the case, why not AM?)
“The Future of TV” makes some overtures in the right direction, and that’s good to see. As ever, we encourage them to advocate for an assortment of ways TV can be delivered.