Sinclair, Cast.Era, SK Telecom, Hyundai Mobis Demo Live, In-Vehicle NextGen Broadcast Automotive Services

Sinclair Broadcast Group said it has completed a live, in-vehicle, demonstration of the practical application of NextGen Broadcast (ATSC 3.0) automotive services.

The demonstration, a shared effort between Sinclair/ONE Media 3.0, Hyundai Mobis, one of the world’s largest automotive parts and services companies, and Cast.Era, a joint venture between Sinclair and SK Telecom, the largest mobile operator in Korea, can be viewed here.

The demo, which took place in Arlington, Va., on Dec. 22, 2022, showcased the synergy between NextGen Broadcast and 5G, highlighting in-vehicle video entertainment with enhanced geo-targeting capabilities, including location based targeted ad insertions. The Wi-Fi gateway functionality of the Mobis product allows a “bring your own device” connected device capability to all seats in the vehicle, Sinclair said.

The live feed was delivered directly to the vehicle, a Hyundai Palisade, through ATSC 3.0-enabled spectrum from Sinclair’s WIAV-CD Washington and SK Telecom’s Media Edge Platform. SK Telecom’s Media Edge Platform “enhances operational efficiency through virtualization of the broadcast air chain and enables easy application of new services like mobile streaming over 5G networks and location-based targeted ads.”

The demonstration was the first collaboration under a recent arrangement between Hyundai Mobis and Sinclair to partner on the development and implementation of NextGen Broadcast-enabled automotive business models in both Korea and the United States. The Arlington collaboration, Sinclair said, expands its “coordination with the Korean market and commitment to bringing enhanced mobile services to the United States.”

Mark Aitken, president of ONE Media 3.0, said: “This achievement demonstrates datacasting as one of the critical designed-in ‘Mobile First’ features of the NextGen Broadcast standard.  As we build out our national wireless IP data distribution network, it is easy to see that the use cases of the automotive sector are centrally aligned with the efficient nature of a broadcast enabled data distribution platform.  This is simply the tip of the iceberg — natural synergy ripe for further development.”

Kevin Gage, CAST.ERA chief operating officer, said: “The one-to-many architecture of ATSC 3.0, paired with 5G, enables the delivery of highly efficient mobile data and entertainment services. We are excited to share a first look for the U.S. of our work with Hyundai Mobis for hybrid ATSC 3.0/5G geo-targeted, in-vehicle usage, furthering our commitment to enhancing mobile services.”

Lee Dong-kee, SK Telecom VP and head of cloud MEC technology office, said: “With the successful demonstration of in-vehicle ATSC 3.0 mobile broadcast, we expect to play a leading role in accelerating the digital transformation of broadcasting systems throughout the globe.”