NEXTGEN TV

WMTW, WGME, WPFO and WMEA-WCBB are now broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 technology.

The new product using ATSC 3.0 “introduces personalization, hyper-localization and enhanced content capabilities to broadcast TV. Digital features advance viewer experience and enable increased engagement, advertising and measurement opportunities.” It’s now available on select NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations and is being showcased at this week’s NAB Show.

ROXi’s FastStream technology allows local TV news organizations to create interactive versions of their broadcast TV news where viewers can pause, play and skip news segments instantly without need to download an app. The new format is designed to make broadcast TV compelling and attractive to younger consumers and build demand for NextGen TV devices.

With NextGen TV broadcasts now within reach of more than 240 million Americans and sales of televisions and upgrade accessory devices expected to top 5 million units this year (according to the Consumer Technology Association), local TV broadcasters transmitting in NextGen TV are ramping up to support High Dynamic Range (HDR) video and immersive audio as an “always on” viewer benefit.

ONE Media’s Jerald Fritz: NextGen broadcasting provides new essential tools for broadcasters to serve their viewers as well as generate new revenue streams. We need to fast track the effort to bring that to the market.

Stations try out consumer apps in an effort to build momentum for ATSC 3.0 in local markets.

AWARN’s John Lawson: The ATSC 3.0 transition is stalled. A new public-private partnership could jump start it.

Sinclair Broadcast Group said its television stations will be carrying Tennis Channel’s T2 network on virtual channels available using the NextGen broadcast standard. T2, aimed at younger adult viewers,  will be available free, over the air in 43 markets where Sinclair stations are broadcast using ATSC 3.0 technology.

Sinclair will provide hosting at no cost to the public television stations that will also have the option to pass through programming in high dynamic range.

WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WGN and WGBO are now broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 technology.

A December 2023 report from Parks Associates revealed a couple of somewhat surprising research findings: 20% of U.S. internet households own a TV antenna, and 12% of those that don’t plan to buy one in six months.

Organizers expect a larger turnout of attendees and exhibitors to CES in Las Vegas next week, where generative AI, IP delivery and new developments in NextGen TV are likely to draw broadcasters’ focus.

In this repeat of the Talking TV episode from March 17, John Hane, president and CEO of BitPath, shares an update on how far along the ATSC 3.0 consortium is toward building a national network that will support leasing data services and get cash registers finally ringing for broadcasters. A full transcript of the conversation is included.

Three stations serving the New York City metropolitan area, WPIX (CW), WABC-TV (ABC) and WXTV-DT (Univision), have begun broadcasting in the format.

Top executives from Tubi, Tegna, Sinclair, Cisco and Lawo told a TVNewsCheck webinar Tuesday that hybrid technology architectures and business models would be a major dynamic in 2024, along with an expanding and promising use of generative AI that also compels great caution. To watch the video of the full webinar, click here.

WPLG and WSVN launch a second stick, bringing enhanced video and audio, interactive applications and upgradable technology to their free, over-the-air services.

As broadcasters continue to deploy ATSC 3.0, the current reach of 70% was achieved with the launch of NextGen TV in New York earlier this month with the WNET Group. That figure will jump to 75% with the anticipated launch of 3.0 in the nation’s third largest market, Chicago in early 2024.

WCBS, WLIW, WMBQ, WNBC, WNET and WNJU are now available in ATSC 3.0 technology in the country’s No. 1 market.

ATSC President Madeleine Noland: Many companies have already linked arms to develop the ATSC 3.0 standard; establish content security; launch next-generation broadcasting reaching most of the U.S. and South Korea plus major cities in Jamaica; bring to retail millions of receivers; and now introduce affordable devices for those who choose to upgrade.

Earlier this month, LG, one of the biggest sellers of TVs, announced that it will stop making TVs with the new ATSC 3.0 NextGen TVs OTA tuners included. This comes as earlier this year, LG lost a patient case from a company claiming to hold patents over some of the technology included in ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV.

WUCW, KSTP, WCCO, KMSP and KARE are now broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 technology.

Broadcasters will host an event on Aug. 22 at the University of Minnesota to mark the launch of NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.

KYW, WPSG, WPVI, WCAU, WTXF and WUVP are now broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 technology.

To boost consumer awareness of ATSC 3.0 capabilities, the NextGen Video Information Systems Alliance wants the industry to create a demo channel.

Armstrong Williams: “The FCC should recognize that broadcasters make significant capital investments when adopting new technologies and prioritize promoting broadcast innovations with the goal of both improving service to the public and the competitive viability of free-to-the-home broadcasting.”

WSBT, WNDU, WSJV, WNIT and WHME are now broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 technology in South Bend, Ind.

As ATSC marked its 40^th anniversary at last week’s conference, conversations resoundingly turned to alternative uses for the NextGen TV spectrum including datacasting and PNT applications.