Anticipating FCC authorization of the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard on Thursday, the consortium of leading station groups is planning to set up experimental 3.0 station next spring to explore service enhancement and business opportunities. The project will also include creatng a “lighthouse” station to continue regular digital service to existing sets. Joining Pearl (Cox Media, E.W. Scripps, Graham, Hearst, Meredith, Nexstar, Raycom and Tegna) in the effort will be Fox, NBCUniversal and Univision.

With the inclusion of Meredith’s KPHO and KTVK in Phoenix and KMOV in St. Louis, the national service providing local news via app has grown to 141 stations in 99 markets covering 48 of the top 50 markets and 80% of the U.S. population. Meredith says more of its stations could come on board in the coming months.

Dan Wilson, current ND of Scripps’ WPTV West Palm, Fla., has been tapped by Meredith’s Phoenix duopoly of KPHO (CBS)-KTVK (ind.) to head news operations.

It was expected to happen the minute Meredith merged KPHO and KTVK together in Phoenix. Sources report that firings are happening  now at independent KTVK.

The former KTVK Phoenix news director takes the reins March 9 at the Scripps ABC-Azteca duopoly in Denver. He previously worked at KMGH as managing editor from 1989 to 1996.