Quick & Nimble: Three Questions for ATSC Member Belo Corp.

Posted on March 1, 2012 in ATSC News

As answered by Craig Harper, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

What is Belo’s primary business? 

“This year is Belo’s 170^th anniversary, and we are the oldest continuously operating company in the state of Texas, when Texas was a sovereign nation!  Belo began as a newspaper company, and then got into radio very early in 1922 and into TV in 1948.  Today, Belo has sold other assets and owns 20 TV stations throughout the USA, along with their associated websites.  We’re now a “pure play” TV company.  Our stations are known for their excellence in journalism, with a particular strength in local news.  We’re number one in almost every single one of our markets where we have a news department.”

Why do you belong to ATSC?

“Originally, we joined with the momentum behind the Mobile/Handheld standards setting process.  It became clear to many broadcasters that this was becoming a standard and that decisions were being made.  We wanted to make sure there was strong input from broadcasters.   We now have eight stations on-air now with a Dyle Mobile TV signal.

“I think it’s really important for leaders of technology in our industry to be involved.  I don’t think you can work in a silo.  You have to be involved and have a complete understanding.

“I’d always heard of ATSC, of course, and the digital TV standard.  But Belo was not involved as a member back when the digital TV standard was adopted.  I wish that we had joined 20 years ago, quite honestly.  What I like about ATSC is that it’s a member-driven organization.  It’s not dominated by any one particular industry.  Broadcasting’s votes are just as important as those of device manufacturers or software companies.  I like that we are playing a role.  If you are just blind or silent to how the technology is developed, then you have no voice in what going into a particular standard.  But being involved with ATSC insures that we have a voice.  Of course, you do have to play an active role.”

How will “ATSC 2.0” and “ATSC 3.0” affect the broadcasting business?

“I think that it will impact it greatly.  In our industry right now there’s a lot of conversation about our future and how we use technology.  How do we keep up with technology?  The days of having a standard and using it for 40 years are over.  We must be dynamic and nimble.  And while it sounds like ATSC 3.0 might be a long way away, it could be quicker than what we think.  As an industry, we’ve not been accustomed to moving as quickly as we must move going forward.  With the spectrum challenges in Washington to ‘over the top’ signals to ‘cord-cutting’ by viewers, we have to anticipate the needs of our viewers.  When you create local news content with weather and details about their lives that they cannot get anywhere else, you have to be just as quick and nimble as everyone out there.”

Posted in ATSC News