Six Mobile-Pensacola Stations Roll Out ATSC 3.0

Six Mobile, Ala.-Pensacola, Fla., stations — WEAR (ABC), WKRG (CBS), WPMI (NBC), WFNA (CW), WFGX (MNT) and WJTC (IND) — have begun broadcasting with NextGen TV or ATSC 3.0.

Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet, digital applications and other web services, NextGen TV can support a wide range of features currently in development, such as immersive audio and video (up to 4K), broadcasting to mobile devices, personalized viewing tools, and advanced emergency alerts providing rich media instead of simple text messages.

NextGen TV also allows full integration with 5G and other broadband-delivered Internet content.

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the six television stations. The participating stations have cooperated to ensure that current programming remains available to all viewers, regardless of whether their television service is provided over-the air or by a cable or satellite company.

WJTC and WPMI are owned by Deerfield Media; WFNA and WKRG are Nexstar Broadcasting stations; while WEAR and WFGX are owned by Sinclair Media Group.