ATSC PRESIDENT EMERITUS MARK RICHER NAMED ‘GIANT OF BROADCASTING’

Posted on November 18, 2019 in Press Releases

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2019 – Mark Richer, the long-time ATSC President who retired earlier this year, has been named to the “Giants of Broadcasting,” the Library of American Broadcasting’s honor roll of industry luminaries who have defined the past, present and future of broadcasting.

In his humble acceptance remarks, Richer reflected on his career (as highlighted in the gala journal) and thanked his family and his industry colleagues. They included ATSC members and the board of directors, as well as previous ATSC-related Giants of Broadcasting: the late Dr. Joseph Flaherty of CBS, Dr. Woo Paik of General Instrument and later LG Electronics, and former FCC Chairman Richard E. Wiley, considered the “Father of HDTV.”

Emcee Juju Chang, Co-Anchor of ABC News Nightline, introduced Richer, stating: “The capstone of his career is the new ATSC 3.0 Next Gen TV standard developed under his leadership.  It marries broadcast and broadband for the first time – and truly represents the future of television. Poised to rollout in the U.S. during 2020 and beyond, this incredible new standard is a fitting legacy for this Giant of Broadcasting.”

“ATSC 3.0,” said Richer, “is the culmination of a six-year standards development effort to rethink over-the-air broadcast television service in the Internet age… Development of technical standards is truly a team sport. ATSC 3.0 is the result of a collaborative effort of hundreds of talented individuals and innovative companies from around the world.”

In addition to Mark Richer, the 2019 Giants are: award-winning journalist Connie Chung, CBS Television Stations President Peter Dunn, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, Urban One CEO Alfred C. Liggins III, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, Patrick Communications Founder and Managing Partner Larry Patrick, CW Television Network President Mark Pedowitz, and Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott.

Madeleine Noland, who succeeded Richer as ATSC President, applauded her friend and colleague for his lifetime of achievements, “especially his ATSC leadership through two major sea changes in broadcast television technology,” adding: “Even before today, Mark already was a Giant in our book. On behalf of Mark’s entire ATSC family, congratulations!”

The annual Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts event recognizes distinguished individuals who have for the past century been the creators, innovators, journalists, leaders, performers, and producers that have brought the electronic arts to the prominence they occupy in the United States and the world today, and who have set the stage for the future.

The 2019 class of the best in broadcasting and electronic arts joined the honor roll in New York’s Gotham Hall on Nov. 14. The Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts supports the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation and is produced by the International Radio and Television Society Foundation. 

-30-

About ATSC: The Advanced Television Systems Committee is defining the future of television with ATSC 3.0 next-generation broadcast standards.  Founded in 1983, the ATSC is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. The ATSC’s 130-plus member organizations represent the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite and semiconductor industries.  atscnextgentv.vp77wsn4-liquidwebsites.com.

ATSC Media Contact:
Dave Arland
1-317-701-0084
Dave@ArlandCom.com

Posted in Press Releases