NextGen TV Debuts On 6 Grand Rapids Stations

Six television stations in Grand Rapids, Mich. — Nexstar’s WOTV (ABC), WOOD (NBC), WXSP-CD (MNT) and WOLP (MNT); Sinclair’s WWMT (CBS); and Scripps’ WXMI (Fox) — on Thursday became the latest in the nation to begin broadcasting with NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0.

Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet, digital applications, and other web services, NextGen TV can support a wide range of features currently in development, such as immersive audio and video (up to 4K), broadcasting to mobile devices, personalized viewing tools, and advanced emergency alerts providing rich media instead of simple text messages.

NextGen TV also allows full integration with 5G and other broadband-delivered Internet content. It will also offer new and improved ways for broadcasters to reach viewers with advanced emergency alerts.

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the six stations, which become charter members of the BitPath data broadcasting network, which will launch later this year.

All of the stations have worked together to ensure that current programming remains available to all viewers, regardless of whether their television service is provided over-the air or by a cable or satellite company. Antenna viewers can simply rescan their TV sets to ensure full service.