Five Stations Launch NextGen TV In Louisville

Five stations serving the Louisville, Ky., television market today began broadcasting with NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0.

Switching on the new transmission standard are Block Communications’ WBKI (CW) and WDRB (Fox), Gray Television’s WAVE (NBC), Tegna’s WHAS (ABC) and Word Broadcasting Network’s WBNA (independent). Kentucky Educational Television’s WKMJ will launch on Sept. 19.

Today’s launch in Louisville follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. WBKI has converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions and will broadcast its own programming, as well as the programming of the other participating stations, in NextGen TV format.

“For nearly 120 years, Block Communications has reflected a diversified media group, bringing news and entertainment to our viewers,” said Dale Woods, vice president of TV broadcasting, at Block Communications. “As broadcast television has fundamentally changed over the last 10 years, our team recognized that the introduction of NextGen TV would do the very same, and our viewers are the biggest benefactors of this innovation. Our excitement about this new standard and the opportunities it presents the business of broadcasting today and in the future has only grown since we joined Pearl TV in this transition.”

All programming of all participating stations will continue to be available in the existing DTV format, which can be received on all modern television sets.

Associated with NextGen TV is the RUN3TV web platform that brings interactive experiences and streaming content to over-the-air viewers. Built by broadcasters for broadcasters, RUN3TV’s web-based platform architecture enables stations to develop, innovate, and differentiate at the application services layer, allowing a consistent viewer experience across all NextGen TV devices. The broadcaster can leverage advanced advertising in live and streaming content, audience insights, and premium content distribution thanks to the new platform.