Univision Joins Sinclair-Nexstar 3.0 Group

Univision Local Media has joined with Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media group in a new consortium to promote spectrum aggregation, innovation and monetization and enhance their abilities to compete in the wireless data transmission sector.

The consortium has agreed to collaborate on a non-exclusive basis and “continues to welcome the inclusion of other television broadcasting entities,” it said Thursday. Together, Nexstar, Sinclair and Univision reach approximately 90% of the country. 

The consortium, which was jointly announced by Nexstar and Sinclair in March, will promote innovation and develop and explore products and services associated with the next-gen TV standard ATSC 3.0 and possible monetization opportunities from the new transmission system such as spectrum utilization, virtual MVPD platforms, multicast channels, automotive applications, single frequency networks and wireless data applications, among others.

Perry A. Sook, Nexstar chairman-president-CEO, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Univision to the consortium to advance the industry’s benefits from the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard.  Univision shares our enthusiasm for the new technology which will allow our industry to continue to thrive in today’s multi-platform world.  Their unparalleled reach to Hispanic America makes them a significant addition to the consortium and our collaborative efforts to advance the promotion of spectrum utilization, innovation and monetization, will enable us to bring its groundbreaking benefits to broadcasters, viewers and advertisers.”

Chris Ripley, Sinclair president-CEO, added: “We are excited to add Univision to the consortium and achieve near complete coverage of the country.  Univision’s addition to this partnership brings Spanish language broadcasters into the mix which will be able to benefit from the many 3.0 products and services that are on the horizon.”

John Eck, Univision EVP-chief local media officer, said: “We are encouraged by the leadership that Nexstar and Sinclair have shown in advancing the new ATSC 3.0 standard for our industry,” said. “We look forward to partnering with them to identify new content and distribution opportunities that maximize the value of our broadcast spectrum and provide meaningful benefit to consumers and advertisers.”