WASHINGTON—Channel Master has begun shipping the new Zinwell NextGen TV receiver, adding the latest option for members of the public wishing to benefit from many of the features of ATSC 3.0 while continuing to use their existing televisions.

Pearl TV, a business organization consisting of eight television station groups backing NextGen TV, expects the receiver to join the ranks of around 100 NextGen TV products expected to be available in 2024.

“Congratulations to Channel Master and their decision to offer the Zinwell NextGen TV Box, one of a new class of upgrade accessory receivers that will help consumers tune in to the future. Now that NextGen TV is reaching three out of four TV viewers across America, the timing is perfect to introduce new affordable upgrade accessory receivers like the Zinwell NextGen TV Box,” said Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle.

“Broadcasters are delighted to see another viewing option available for consumers who’d like to upgrade, without having to buy an entirely new TV set. The Zinwell receiver is one of a new class of upgrade receivers that delivers exceptional video and audio performance to extend the life of existing TV sets and give consumers with an antenna a front-row seat to NextGen TV.”

The Zinwell receiver complements OTA antennas sold by Channel Master and other consumer antenna vendors. It includes an on-screen guide and comes with a universal remote that can be programmed to control a TV and/or a sound bar audio system. 

The Zinwell ZAT-600B is certified to carry the NextGen TV logo. It is A3SA-security-verified to operate without needing an internet connection for tuning channels with protected broadcast content.

Channel Master is now shipping the Zinwell Model ZAT-600B receiver from its website for $149. 

CHANDLER, Ariz.—Channel Master, a manufacturer of over-the-air TV products, has announced it has entered into an exclusive, strategic agreement with TiVo to offer its DVR technology for OTA antenna users.

As part of the partnership, Channel Master will begin providing the 500GB TiVo Edge DVR this summer. TiVo’s Edge device is designed for antennas and will have the same functions and features of its 2TB predecessor, including voice control, recommendations across live and streaming content, 4K UHD, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR.

“One of the first things cord cutters discover is that they really need a DVR for the TV antenna in order to have the traditional viewing experience that they had with cable, and TiVo DVRs provide a premium solution for that need,” said Mike Lynch, chief strategy officer at Channel Master.

Lynch says that in addition to recording live TV, the Edge can integrate major streaming services, including Netflix, YouTube and Hulu into its interface.

For more information, visit www.channelmaster.com.  

PHOENIX—Channel Master is rolling out Stream+, a media player that integrates streaming services and games with live broadcast TV and includes an on-screen channel guide with DVR capability to pause, rewind and record live TV.

The Stream+ system runs on the AndroidTV platform, has dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, integrated voice search, 4K and HDR viewing technology, quad-core CPU for advanced gaming, two built-in ATSC 1.0 tuners with a MicroSD storage option for DVR, and USB 3.0 for personal use and future options. Consumers are able to add streaming services and games from the Google Play store to combine with free local broadcast channels provided through a connected TV antenna within a single graphical user interface and a single HDMI connection to the TV. Stream+ also includes advanced Google features, such as built-in Chromecast and integration with Google Home.

The Live Channels app automatically installs during the Stream+ setup process to add over-the-air broadcast TV channels into a graphical guide; installing a MicroSD storage card activates the Live Channels DVR setup process. Dual internal TV tuners enable users to record one live program while watching another, or record two live programs simultaneously while watching a recorded program or using a streaming service.

Channel Master is accepting pre-orders now for an introductory price of $99. The Stream+ is expected to be in stock in mid-January 2018; an official retail price will be announced then.

PHOENIX—Nobody likes doing their taxes, but Channel Master hopes to make April 15 a little better this year, designating the annual Tax Day as Free Antenna Day. The provider of alternative TV systems has announced it will give away individual units of its FLATenna, an indoor omni-directional TV antenna capable of receiving signals from up to 35 miles, as well as provide free shipping.

Channel Master FLATenna

Starting at 8 a.m. PST on April 15, customers can visit the Channel Master website to get a free antenna. There is a limit of one per customer and the offer is good while supplies last. To learn more about the offer, the company has set up a Free Antenna Day page.

“Our purpose is to help promote awareness of free broadcast television,” said Shelly O’Connell, director of marketing communications for Channel Master. “Many Americans either don’t know what a TV antenna is or don’t realize the value that it provides. It’s a matter of education and we think celebrating Tax Day with some free antennas would be a fun way to help deliver the message.”