ROAD TO ATSC 3.0: Broadcasters Commit to 2020 Rollout

Posted on November 1, 2018 in ATSC News

Expanded Launch Provides ‘Groundbreaking Opportunities’

Next Gen TV powered by ATSC 3.0 will be broadly launched by individual broadcasters beginning in 2020, concurrent with the anticipated introduction of consumer TV products equipped to receive ATSC 3.0.  Announcing their collaborative effort and support for the widespread introduction of ATSC 3.0 at the NAB New York show were top executives from Fox Television Stations, NBC Owned Stations Group, Nexstar Media Group, Pearl TV, Spectrum Co., TEGNA Inc., Telemundo Owned Stations Group and Univision.

“A big challenge was whether the big owners of valuable spectrum could work together, commit resources, and stick to the game plan. Done, done and done,” said Jack Abernethy, Chief Executive Officer at FOX Television Stations.

In this industry-wide effort for Next Gen TV deployment, the parties will work collaboratively to offer both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0, while significantly expanding the footprint of next-generation ATSC 3.0 broadcasts.  Other commercial and public TV broadcasters interested in Next Gen TV service also are expected to join this effort.

The joint announcement emphasized how the expanded launch of ATSC 3.0 “provides groundbreaking opportunities for TV broadcasters interested in offering new features and serving new markets. “ Deployment of ATSC 3.0 will provide information and entertainment to ATSC 3.0-equipped television receivers, to automobiles, and to other digital and mobile consumer devices, the broadcasters said.

“Pearl TV’s 300 local broadcasters, along with our network partners, are working together to deliver a national Next Gen TV service by the end of 2020,” according to Dave Lougee, President and CEO of TEGNA, Inc., one of the Pearl TV broadcast group members. 

Perry Sook, President and CEO of Nexstar Media Group, said the more than 350 SpectrumCo stations participating and additional new members in the pipeline bring “immense scale and depth to the collaborative industry-wide rollout of ATSC 3.0.”

“As one of the largest TV spectrum holders in the US, we are eager to bring an enhanced audio and video experience to our audience, as well as new services and capabilities to our advertising partners,” said Vince Sadusky, Chief Executive Officer at Univision. 

According to Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, the new standard “will transform the way we deliver content to our audiences — including viewers who are consuming information in multiple languages and screens — and help us to better connect advertisers with the audiences they want to reach on any platform.”

“ATSC 3.0 is something that as an industry we have to do,” she concluded.

Posted in ATSC News