Series Of El Paso Stations Begin Broadcasting With NextGen TV

A series of television stations serving the El Paso market in Texas have begun broadcasting with NextGen TV, a new digital broadcast technology. The launch includes KVIA-TV (ABC), KDBC-TV (CBS), KTSM-TV (NBC), KFOX-TV (FOX) and KTDO (Telemundo).

Based on the same fundamental technology as the internet and digital apps, NextGen TV can support a wide range of features that are currently in development, per a press release. Broadcasters can reach viewers with advanced emergency alerts with NextGen TV; it also features “stunning video with brilliant color, sharper images and deeper contrast to create a more life-like experience,” the release noted.

“NextGen TV adds a new dimension to TV viewing, with vibrant video and new Voice+ dialogue enhancement that brings voices to the foreground,” the release continued. “Movie theater-quality sound lets viewers hear every voice clearly and keeps volume consistent across channels. NextGen TV can also be enhanced with Internet content to enable viewers to get the most out of live sports, live news, and live events in real-time, without looking away from TV screens.”

Powered by ATSC 3.0, NextGen TV is touted as “the most significant broadcast technology upgrade in history.” Features available on NextGen TV will vary by device and station as broadcasters roll out service across the country.

The launch in El Paso follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. KFOX-TV, which is owned by Sinclair, has converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions. KFOX-TV 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 five television stations.

From New York to Honolulu and from Miami to Seattle, NextGen TV service is already on the air in more than 70 cities across the country, per the release, and will reach 75% coverage in 2024. El Paso viewers can learn more about NextGen TV by visiting www.WatchNextGenTV.com, which offers a guide listing cities currently carrying the service, as well as links to available NextGen TV set models.

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.