How broadcasters are navigating the satellite transition with AWS

For decades, C-band satellite has been the backbone of primary distribution of live linear content to distribution partners and affiliates in the United States.

The frequency range offered rain-fade resistance, continental reach from a single transponder, and a cost model that scaled to thousands of receive locations. For national networks, regional affiliates, and cable headends alike, C-band simply worked.

However, C-band options are rapidly shrinking to make space for next-generation wireless technology. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auctioned 280 MHz of C-band spectrum (3.7–3.98 GHz), forcing satellite providers to compress operations into the upper portion of the band.

Now, that spectrum is about to disappear as well because the FCC voted to auction 160 MHz of upper C-band (3.98–4.14 GHz) in July 2027, effectively eliminating C-band as a viable option for broadcasters.