A Strong Start to 2026: Innovation, Standards, and the Future of Broadcasting

As we begin an exciting new year, I’m delighted to share highlights from ATSC’s presence at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Once again, ATSC stood at the center of next-generation television discussions, demonstrating our standards’ ability to elevate free, local, and connected broadcasting for consumers and broadcasters alike.

Our booth in the newly renovated Central Hall Grand Lobby was a vibrant hub of activity throughout the show. We welcomed attendees from across the industry to explore the expanding ecosystem of ATSC 3.0 receivers, including new home solutions from ADTH, SiliconDust, ZapperBox, and prototypes of low-cost, simple converter boxes slated for 2026 introduction by Pearl TV. These solutions join a growing roster of NEXTGEN TV models now available from multiple television manufacturers.

The buzz at our kiosks was palpable. Televes USA showcased advanced reception and distribution technologies that empower reliable ATSC 3.0 delivery in homes, multi-dwelling units, and commercial environments. Mirakulo’s AstroTV NEXT demonstration highlighted how dynamic ad insertion, immersive audio, and advanced video compression converge to deliver richer, broadcast-broadband experiences. And SiliconDust’s spotlight on the HDGrandSlam multi-dwelling DVR and its new AVSend CDN + Encoder for Broadcast-Enabled Streaming Television (BEST) services underscored the expanding service possibilities for broadcasters leveraging NEXTGEN TV.

One of the major highlights of CES 2026 was how artificial intelligence and “physical AI” took center stage throughout the show across virtually every category of technology — from autonomous robots and intelligent appliances to next-generation chips and immersive computing platforms — signaling an industry shift toward embedding smart capabilities into real-world products and experiences. This thematic surge of AI-driven innovation not only captivated attendees’ attention on the main stages but also influenced conversations in adjacent technology ecosystems, including broadcasting and content delivery.

In this issue of The Standard, be sure to read our Standards Column, where we unpack recent progress in ATSC’s technical work and how these developments align with real-world deployment trends. The deep technical underpinnings of ATSC standards remain essential as we collectively build toward a robust multimedia future.

Looking ahead, ATSC stakeholders are keenly following the FCC’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proceedings in the U.S. Industry engagement in these discussions will be critical in shaping policies that support innovation, competition, and the continued growth of NEXTGEN TV deployments across markets.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Las Vegas and to all of our members contributing to this exciting chapter in broadcast evolution.

Madeleine Noland
President, ATSC