Next-Generation Television Broadcasting to Take Center Stage at 2016 NAB Show

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Next-generation broadcast television moves a step closer to reality at the upcoming 2016 NAB Show, when live transmissions originating from the show floor reach prototype receivers designed to demonstrate the myriad new capabilities of ATSC 3.0. Four days of NAB Show exhibits at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) open Monday, April 18.

“The monumental effort underway to standardize ATSC 3.0 is nearing completion, with more than 20 elements of the new standard in play. Hundreds of volunteer experts have been working to develop the world’s first broadcast standard built with an IP (Internet Protocol) backbone, and we’re excited to see the many capabilities of this next-generation broadcasting platform at the upcoming NAB Show,” said ATSC President Mark Richer.

ATSC 3.0 Broadcast Pavilion

Key technologies for broadcasters will be part of the ATSC 3.0 Broadcast Pavilion as a highlight of the Futures Park exhibition in the east end of South Hall, Upper Level. In addition to a live transmission from a small studio in the Futures Park, the Pavilion will feature a variety of new broadcast equipment options from various companies, including signal analyzers, multiplexers, transmission equipment for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, encoders for SFN (Single Frequency Network) transmissions, audio encoders, watermarking software, Interactive TV applications and more.

“ATSC 3.0 has the potential to strengthen broadcasters’ ability to provide a richer and more personalized content experiences for viewers,” said Sam Matheny, Chief Technology Officer, National Association of Broadcasters. “The progress that ATSC has made in developing a new standard has been remarkable, and we look forward to showcasing next-generation TV technology at NAB Show.”

ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience

Among the demonstrations planned for the “ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience,” located near the entrance to the upper level of the LVCC’s South Hall, will be new receiving devices for next-generation television broadcasts, ATSC 3.0 “gateway” receivers that will feed existing tablets and mobile devices with Wi-Fi signals, captivating next-generation TV audio demonstrations, and examples of how ATSC 3.0’s advanced emergency alerting will deliver more information to viewers during times of crisis. Reception of live ATSC 3.0 transmissions originating from the Futures Park will also be displayed.

“Consumer technology companies are poised to sell millions of 4K UHDTV receivers this year, as new capabilities such as HDR begin to populate the most advanced products. Consumers are hungry for new sources of 4K content, and we expect to see several examples of new product capabilities shown for the first time in the ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience display,” said Jeff Joseph, Senior Vice President, Consumer Technology Association.