Eight Stations Launch NextGen TV In Kansas City

Kansas City television stations today began broadcasting with NextGen TV (also known as ATSC 3.0).

The stations: Hearst Television’s KMBC (ABC) and KCWE (CW), Meredith’s KCTV (CBS) and KSMO (MNT), Scripps’ KSHB (NBC) and KMCI (IND), Nexstar’s WDAF (Fox) and KCPT.

Today’s launch in Kansas City follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the stations. KMCI and KSMO-TV have converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions. The two stations will broadcast their own programming in NextGen TV format, as well as the programming of the other participating stations. All of the programming of all participating stations will continue to be available in the existing DTV format, which can be received on all modern television sets.

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the eight television stations. BitPath is building the nation’s first dedicated broadcast data network to provide innovative new wireless services at a fraction of the cost of cellular systems. Based in Arlington, Va., the BitPath network will launch this year covering dozens of cities, with more launches in 2022.