Four Stations Launch NextGen TV In Des Moines

Four television stations serving the Des Moines-Ames, Iowa, television market today began broadcasting with NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0.

Switching on the new transmission standard were Hearst Television’s KCCI (CBS), Nexstar Media’s WHO (NBC), Sinclair Broadcast Group’s KDSM (Fox) and Iowa PBS’s KDIN (PBS).

Today’s launch in Des Moines follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. KDSM, which is owned by Sinclair, 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. 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.

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the four television stations. BitPath will make its NavPath and BitPoint precise navigation and positioning services available at no charge to Iowa’s first responders.

Antenna viewers without NextGen TV sets can simply rescan their TV sets to ensure uninterrupted service. Rescan instructions are available at fcc.gov/rescan. Cable and satellite subscribers do not need to take any action.