A federal court of appeals last week upheld a jury’s finding that LG Electronics infringed on certain Constellation Designs patents in its NextGen TVs and affirmed the jury’s $1.68 million award for past damages as well as a $6.75 per TV royalty for future set sales.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its ruling April 28 after considering the findings of a jury trial before Judge J. Rodney Gilstrap of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. That court found LG willfully infringed upon certain Constellation Designs patents.

The appeals court affirmed some of the lower court’s findings, vacated others related to “optimization claims” and sent the case back to the original district court to re-evaluate the case with the optimization claims removed or reconsidered under the guidance of the appeals court.

Regarding penalties, the appeals court found LG willfully infringed on Constellation’s patents. Frequently, willful infringement can lead to greater damages, but the appeals court made no such recommendation.

LG Electronics announced it would stop selling televisions with NextGen TV support in September 2023, following its loss of the patent dispute with Constellation Designs. Currently, Sony, Samsung, Hisense, Panasonic, TCL and RCA offer NextGen TVs in the United States. Vendors offering NextGen TV set-top boxes include ZapperBox, ADTH, Zinwell, SiliconDust and GTMedia offer NextGen TV set-top boxes or dongles.

An LG spokesman said the company does not comment on “such legal matters.” As of this writing, Constellation Designs has not responded to a request for comment. Other requests for comment are out but have not yet received a response.

The ATSC 3 Signing Authority said last month that nearly 40 NextGen TV models from Hisense, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and TDL, account for the “vast majority” of the 18.5 million A3SA-enabled TVs sold to date.

“We have to keep in mind that this happens in the C.E. space,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of the Pearl TV business organization representing many of the country’s largest broadcast groups. “That said, the other thing to note is these patents do expire in 2028.”

“From our perspective, the market from the development side of NextGen is moving along,” she said. “We are still continuing to work on the converter box program, and if you look at the overall trend, you can’t blow this out of proportion.”

"When you look at the timing of a Report and Order [advancing the transition from 1.0 to 3.0], there is plenty of time to get devices out there regardless of whatever the outcome is."

The appeals court ruling is available online.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—At its NewFronts presentation, LG Electronics announced a number of new channels that will become part of its streaming lineup on smart TVs.

"Our goal is to make it easier than ever for our millions of LG TV viewers to find standout content and enjoy the shows they love," said Matthew Durgin, vice president, North America Content & Services. "From 'feel good' programming like LG Channels World Pup, to hundreds of hours of sports content, available free, on the biggest screen in the house, we're creating experiences that connect with people in meaningful ways. And we have so much more in store—this is only the beginning. "

The LG described the programming and launch dates for the new channels as follows:

• LG Channels World Pup, which will feature a bracket-style puppy soccer tournament inspired by the international soccer tournament that's equal parts thrilling and absolutely irresistible. Eight national squads, each captained by one of their country's iconic breed (think Boston Terrier for the USA, Chihuahua for Mexico, King Charles Cavalier for England), will lead a roster of 48 rescue puppies through a suspense-filled competition until one team claims the coveted LG Channels World Pup Trophy.
• All Chewed Up Channel is new culinary and lifestyle hub launching March 30, 2026 on LG Channels across North America. The channel will feature a mix of programming, including the flagship series CHEWED UP, which will release new 30-minute episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life. Since 2023, LG has had an exclusive partnership with the fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry. With an expanded partnership, Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life channel now has 66% more original programming with new shows and expanded offseason coverage, streaming 365 days a year. Available on its namesake channel and on-demand, every Fantasy Life episode is original and exclusive to LG Channels.
• EarthDay 365. This April, users can visit LG's Earth Month Collection to find EarthDay 365, the FAST Channel co-founded by Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and our partners at Stingray, celebrating the wonders of our planet.
• Mohr Stories. In partnership with Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) and comedy-focused WITZ Podcast Network, Mohr Stories is now available as a FAST channel, exclusively to FASTon LG Channels — with bi-weekly episodes. The show features interviews with comedians and actors like Jay Leno, Joe Mantegna, Patton Oswalt and George Wallace, along with a range of guests from Flavor Flav to academic and author Michael Eric Dyson, Lakers legend Byron Scott, and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.

AUSTIN, Texas—Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced lawsuits against Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL Technology Group Corp., accusing them of secretly recording what Texans watch in their homes.

Hisense and TCL are both based in China, which Paxton’s office says raises serious concerns about consumer data harvesting. The situation is exacerbated by China’s National Security Law, which allows its government to collect data on U.S. consumers.

At issue is the use of Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology, which Paxton alleges unlawfully collects personal data. ACR software can capture screenshots of a user’s TV display every 500 milliseconds, monitor viewing in real time and transmit that information to the company without the knowledge or consent of viewers, the AG’s office said.

Consumer electronics companies can then sell the consumer data ACR collects to target ads across platforms for a profit. The attorney general alleges that the practice puts sensitive consumer information, such as passwords and bank information, at risk.

“Companies, especially those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, have no business illegally recording Americans’ devices inside their own homes,” said Paxton. “This conduct is invasive, deceptive and unlawful. The fundamental right to privacy will be protected in Texas because owning a television does not mean surrendering your personal information to Big Tech or foreign adversaries.”

The lawsuits against Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL are available online.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—In a move that highlights the growing competition between broadcasters and CTV platforms for local advertising, LG Ad Solutions has announced new partnerships with CCR Media and AdImpact that it claims will establish “the industry’s most robust local television dataset spanning all 210 U.S. markets.”

LG said the combination of CCR Media’s local channel infrastructure, AdImpact’s comprehensive ad catalog and LG’s deterministic ACR signals creates a unified 360-degree view of the TV landscape. That provides scalable, locally driven insights to what people are watching, what ads they are seeing, and how they are responding, providing unprecedented and unmatched insights, LG said.

“We’re building one of the most comprehensive local CTV data ecosystems in the market, one that connects what’s airing, what’s being advertised, and how audiences engage across every U.S. market,” said Serge Matta, president, Global Ad Sales, LG Ad Solutions. “This partnership ensures that we can deliver ads that are relevant to viewers while helping brands avoid wasted spend in markets that don’t matter to their business. This data empowers advertisers to plan, measure, and optimize with a level of geographic precision that simply wasn’t possible before.”

The collaboration, now live, connects what’s airing, what’s being advertised, and how audiences engage across all 210 U.S. markets—capturing 1,200-plus local channels, 10 million hours of content and more than 350,000 ad creatives each year, LG said. That delivers a comprehensive local view of linear and streaming behavior, the company said, enabling more personalized, relevant and measurable advertising.

​​This level of granularity unlocks entirely new applications across categories, LG said. In automotive, for example, advertisers can filter down to spend, frequency, impressions, vehicle size and even model year—giving them pinpoint visibility into competitor activity and category saturation, LG said.

For political advertisers, the data set surfaces everything from party affiliation and election cycle to the tone of the ad and the audience segments it targets, enabling more precise planning and rapid response in a highly dynamic environment.

“At CCR Media, we’ve always focused on helping TV platforms and others capture ‘Media that Matters,’” Mark Bonham, CCR Media chief growth officer, said. “With LG Ad Solutions expanding across all 210 U.S. markets and reaching the entire 340 million U.S. audience, they will now have access to unmatched and actionable local TV data. This partnership gives their clients a clear edge in insights, targeting and reach.”

STUTTGART, Germany—3 Screen Solutions (3SS) has announced that the Canadian multiservice operator Telus has launched its Telus TV+ entertainment platform on Samsung and LG smart TVs.

These service expansions follow on from the April 2025 rollout of Fire TV devices and are the latest fruits of the ongoing successful Telus-3SS collaboration that began with the Telus TV+ launch on Android STB in 2023.

Telus TV+ offers aggregated viewing across live TV and streaming, with a flagship Stream+ tier that includes Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, as well as over 50 free ad supported streaming (FAST) channels delivered in partnership with Amagi.

Telus now serves over 1.3 million households with its linear and streaming solutions.

Built on the 3SS 3Ready platform, Telus TV+ delivers a consistent, personalized experience across multiple devices ensure high viewer engagement. Through earlier work on Android TV Operator Tier set-top boxes, Telus and 3SS have already introduced Netflix integration with a pre-app discovery lane, letting users browse Netflix titles directly from the home screen.

“Our expansion now to Fire TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs demonstrates the continued flexibility and scalability of the 3Ready platform,” said Tim Fell, vice president, network technology and services development operations at Telus. “With Telus TV+, we’re setting a new benchmark for super-aggregated ‑entertainment. 3SS continues to be a key partner on that journey, accelerating and simplifying the delivery of our BYOD strategy.”

"We believe that with Telus TV+ we’re crafting a new-age entertainment platform that represents a benchmark in what can be achieved with super-aggregated content, and we couldn’t have chosen a better partner than 3SS to accompany us on this journey," Fell added.

“Telus is one of the most innovative telcos in the world. Through its commitment to delivering exceptional choice and standout services, Telus continues to offer a highly engaging TV platform that helps defend against cord-cutting,” said Kai-Christian Borchers, managing director at 3SS. “We’re proud to support the expansion of Telus TV+ with 3Ready across more devices and to help provide an outstanding viewing experience for Telus customers.”

Roku continues to lead the connected TV device market, with a 37% share globally and 37% share of the U.S. market in Q2 2025 according to Pixalate.

The data in the study is notable because it highlights the importance of various operating systems and platforms for app developers, advertisers and others operating in the CTV ecosystem.

During Q2 2025 Poku's market share far exceeded the nearest rival, Amazon at 17% globally and Amazon 17% in the U.S. but Roku’s share did decline slightly from a 38% share globally in Q1. It had a similar slight decline 38% share in the U.S. in Q1.

Pixalate ranks the leading CTV devices by their share of quarterly programmatic advertising delivered to various devices.

Globally, Roku 37% market share in Q2 2025 was followed by Amazon (17%), Samsung (12%), Apple (11%) and LG (7%).

In the U.S., Roku’s 37% market share in Q2 2025 was followed by Amazon (17%), Samsung (12%), Apple (12%), LG (7%), Vizio (4%), Xiami (2%), TCL (2%) and Sony (1%).

More data on other regions can be found here.

IRVINE, Calif.—Viant Technology said it will integrate its demand-side platform (DSP) with LG Ad Solutions in a move that the companies said will accelerate addressable advertising in the connected TV ecosystem.

As a result of the integration, LG’s premium smart-TV inventory—some 45 million connected devices across the U.S.—is now fully addressable via the Viant DSP, the companies reported. This will allow advertisers to engage with streaming audiences with greater precision, scale and transparency.

“Identity is the backbone of effective advertising in a fragmented ecosystem,” said Kelly McMahon, senior vice president of global operations, LG Ad Solutions. “By integrating the Viant Household ID into our platform, we’re empowering buyers to scale Viant-driven audiences across the LG Smart TV environment—unlocking greater precision, reach, and performance while keeping privacy at the core.”

This integration is part of Viant’s Direct Access program, which aims to strengthen connections between advertisers and the world’s leading CTV platforms. Together, LG Ad Solutions and Viant said they are expanding addressable capabilities in CTV while unlocking new benefits for advertisers in these ways:

• Precision Targeting with Data Match: Viant’s identity solutions enable large-scale addressable reach and precise audience targeting, frequency control, and attribution through a powerful data match.
• Direct-to-Glass Access to LG Smart TVs: Advertisers can now programmatically reach LG’s premium global CTV inventory via Viant’s DSP.
• Content-Level Contextual Targeting: With Viant’s acquisition of IRIS.TV, advertisers gain content-level contextual targeting on LG Ads, to access standardized classification via IRIS_ID for greater relevance and transparency.
• Boosted Performance and ROI: This integration unifies premium CTV supply, identity resolution and contextual intelligence to reduce waste, improve efficiency and maximize campaign ROI.

“This integration with LG Ad Solutions demonstrates how OEM data and identity-first technology can transform CTV advertising,” said Tom Wolfe, senior vice president of business development at Viant. “Together, we’re empowering advertisers to reach the right audiences, in the right context, with precision and scale that reflects the streaming era.”

More information is available here.

Zeam Media’s hyperlocal streaming platform Zeam has announced a new distribution deal with LG that will bring the streaming service to LG smart TVs and devices.

As a result of the deal, viewers with LG devices can now access hundreds of local stations and creator-driven shows via the Zeam app, including live local news, original series, and hyperlocal content from across the country.

Jack Perry, CEO of Zeam Media, explained that “this launch furthers Zeam’s mission to connect broadcasters, creators, and viewers on the screens people watch most. Zeam on LG marks a major step in broadening distribution for our platform, and highlights our commitment to democratizing access to media – whether from a small-town broadcaster or an emerging content creator.”

Zeam currently features streams from hundreds of local stations and has partnerships with such top local broadcast groups as CBS, Gray Media, News Press & Gazette, Morgan Murphy, and others.

For more on Zeam and the platform, visit Zeam.com.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Spectrum, Charter Communications’ operating brand, has announced that the Spectrum TV App is now available on LG and Vizio smart TVs.

With the Spectrum TV App on LG and Vizio smart TVs, customers can access their full lineup of cable channels and thousands of on-demand shows and movies. They can also take advantage of Spectrum’s Cloud DVR service.

The Spectrum TV App is also available on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Kindle Fire, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox, Xumo Stream Box and Xumo TV.

“We are meeting our customers where they are, making it easier than ever for them to enjoy their favorite content," Spectrum Senior Vice President of Video Elena Ritchie said. "The Spectrum TV App brings additional value and convenience to our services and, by adding the app to popular platforms like LG and Vizio TVs, we are providing our customers with even more flexibility."

To start using the Spectrum TV App on Vizio smart TVs, customers can launch the app directly from the home screen. On LG sets, customers must download the app from the app store.

In announcing the launch, Charter cited Comscore data showing the Spectrum TV App is the most-viewed streaming service in the U.S. on an hours-per-household basis.

For more information about the Spectrum TV App, its features and compatible devices, click here.

NEW YORK—NBCUniversal and LG Electronics (LG) have announced a deal that will make a wide variety of content available from NBCU on LG smart TVs and add e-commerce experiences to some of that content.

As part of the agreement, 40 new FAST channels will launch in March on LG Channels. In addition, NBCUniversal will enable consumers to shop directly from some of that content in the U.S. on LG smart TVs.

The two companies said that NBC News NOW, TODAY All Day, Dateline 24/7, and SNL Vault FAST channels have already launched.

An extensive collection of film and TV series spanning decades including “Little House on the Prairie," “Murder, She Wrote” and "Saved by the Bell,” plus cinema classics from Universal Pictures and genre-based action, crime and monster movies coming soon.

These upcoming launches include past seasons of popular series from “Million Dollar Listing,” “The Real Housewives” and “Top Chef” along with Spanish-language news and entertainment from Telemundo. Additionally, local news, true-crime and sports programming will join the LG Channels lineup.

“We’re excited to deepen our partnership with NBCUniversal and bring even more premium content to LG Channels,” said Matthew Durgin, vice president of LG content and services at LG Electronics USA. “With the addition of NBCUniversal’s renowned programming, we’re enhancing the LG Channels experience and furthering our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers.”

“Following our recent deal with LG for the hit series Suits, we are thrilled to expand upon our relationship with them through the launch of these FAST channels,” said Bruce Casino, executive vice president of sales and distribution – U.S., NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution. “Now, LG Channels viewers will have access to the very best of NBCUniversal’s unrivaled content library. Whether it’s hugely popular classics like Little House on the Prairie, iconic comedies like Will & Grace, or legendary films from Universal Pictures, there’s truly something for everyone.”

Looking ahead, the two companies also announced that LG TV users with pay-TV subscriptions will be able to watch some of their favorite current NBCUniversal content on linear, including Bravo’s highly successful “Below Deck” franchise.

These users will also be able to shop directly within the LG experience on-screen with plans to offer additional content.

Using NBCU Checkout and LG’s ‘webOS pay’ feature, viewers will be able to utilize their LG remote to easily explore different products inspired by the content and easily make a purchase through their mobile device or directly on their TV.

The two companies reported that the joint effort leverages LG’s Emmy-award-winning webOS smart TV platform and NBCUniversal’s ad technologies. It aims to redefine how viewers engage with content and commerce through shoppable experiences, ad innovations, and purchasing technology.

Since launching its commerce business, NBCUniversal reported that it has seen incredible demand and impact for brands of all sizes.

Adding shopping experiences within the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) and commerce spaces, also builds on NBCUniversal and LG Electronics’ long-standing sponsorship deals.

NBCU described the full list of channels that will be launching on LG as follows:

• Alfred Hitchcock Presents: This Emmy-winning anthology series created by Alfred Hitchcock features pulse-pounding mysteries and delightfully twisted endings. Enjoy these star-studded classics from the beloved "Master of Suspense" himself!
• American Ninja Warrior: Catch up on American Ninja Warrior, where athletes take on a tough obstacle course in an epic physical competition.
• Bad Girls Club: Watch as seven outrageously bold, brazenly misbehaved women attempt to transform their reckless ways. Can they change – or will chaos rule?
• NBC Comedy Vault: For non-stop laugh-out-loud moments from iconic series “Will & Grace,” look no further than the NBC Comedy Vault channel!
• Little House on the Prairie: Set in the late 1800’s, the Ingalls family pack up their belongings and venture out west in search for new life in the new land. Starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert, watch this family of five adjust to their new home in Plum Creek, on the plains of Minnesota.
• Murder, She Wrote: Join mystery writer Jessica Fletcher (played by legend Angela Lansbury), as she solves crimes in this Emmy®-winning drama.
• Saved By The Bell: Share the inventive schemes and mischievous dreams of these tight-knit friend groups. Watch them grow from Bayside High in “Saved By The Bell” to after graduation in “The College Years.”
• Universal Action: Buckle up and hold on tight! Helicopters, fast cars, and fight scenes are packed into this channel. Here you’ll find riveting shows that are sure to get your heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, such as “Magnum P.I.,” “Knight Rider,” “The A-Team” and many others.
• Universal Crime: Mystery, suspense, and action culminate in these notable drama series. From the scene of the crime to the courtroom, follow along with some of your favorite stars as they fight for justice to be served. Series include: “Columbo,” “Kojak,” “The Rockford Files” and more.
• Universal Monsters: Blood-sucking vampires, stitched-together monsters, and howling werewolves! From iconic monster movies to modern classics, these films are guaranteed to give you goosebumps, which include titles such as “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” “The Wolf Man” and more.
• Universal Movies: Immerse yourself in the magic of cinema, from laugh-out-loud comedies and inspiring dramas to thrilling adventures – all on the Universal Movies channel.
• Bravo Vault: From “Shahs of Sunset” to “Flipping Out,” Bravo Vault immerses you in all the high-sheen content and drama you love with our rotating content library.
• E! Keeping Up: Catch up and "keep up" with the Kardashians, plus popular spin-off series like Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami.
• Million Dollar Listing Vault: Bravo's Million Dollar Listing vault has the best of luxury real estate, with all the deals and drama! Watch every season now!
• Oxygen True Crime Archives: Oxygen True Crime Archives is your home for deep dives into infamous cases and binge-watching original series. True crime, all day, every day.
• Real Housewives Vault: Revisit the Real Housewives that launched the iconic franchise, showcasing the glitz, glamour, and drama of the reality show’s wealthy female stars.
• SNL Vault: See your favorite SNL characters, sketches, and hosts!
• Top Chef Vault: Bravo’s “Top Chef” Vault has a rotating library to catch up on and learn the latest in sous-vide, gastronomy and more from the ultimate food competition show.
• GolfPass: GolfPass brings together thousands of lessons from the game’s biggest instructors, exclusive series, GOLF Channel news and features, and much more.
• NBC Sports NOW: Enjoy big-time sports talk with Dan Patrick, Mike Florio, Dan Le Batard and more, plus watch live events and highlights.
• American Crimes: Explore the dark side of the American dream and life behind bars, featuring award-winning series “American Greed” and “Lockup”.
• Dateline 24/7: Get true crime mysteries from the True Crime Original. All Dateline, all the time.
• NBC New York News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the tri-state area.
• NBC Los Angeles News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the LA area.
• NBC Chicago News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the Chicago area.
• NBC Philadelphia News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the Philadelphia area.
• NBC South Florida News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the South Florida area.
• NBC Boston News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the Boston area.
• NBC Connecticut News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in Connecticut.
• NBC Washington, DC News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the DC area.
• NBC Dallas Fort Worth News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
• NBC San Diego News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the San Diego area.
• NBC Bay Area News: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the Bay Area.
• NBC News NOW: Get live breaking news, the latest headlines, and in-depth reporting. Streaming 24/7.
• TODAY All Day: Enjoy all four hours of the TODAY show every weekday starting at 11am ET plus show exclusives, original food shows, celebrity interviews, health, wellness and more hosted by your favorite TODAY anchors.
• Telemundo Noticias California: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in California.
• Telemundo Noticias Texas: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in Texas.
• Telemundo Noticias Florida: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in Florida.
• Telemundo Noticias Noreste: The latest local news, breaking updates, live events & weather in the northeast.
• Telemundo Accion: Experience recent fan favorites and the best hits from Telemundo, featuring fast-paced crime telenovelas. Immerse yourself in popular series and join iconic characters like Aurelio Casillas, Nacho Montero, Catalina Santana and Vicenta Acero in thrilling titles such as “El Señor de los Cielos,” “El Barón,” “Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso’ and “Señora Acero.”
• Historias de Amor: Delightful romantic comedies & emotionally charged dramatic sagas of love and revenge.
• Telemundo al Dia: The most trusted news source for the Hispanic community in the US, offering the most important news and the latest in entertainment and sports.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. that the company is describing as the consumer electronics industry’s first in-house virtual studio.

The facility will allow LG to create compelling content for its extensive product portfolios while achieving substantial savings on production costs and timescales. It will also reduce environmental impact and reliance on public spaces for production, LG reported.

“The new LG Virtual Production Studio will allow our product and marketing teams to commission content with scalability, efficiency and volume,” said Chris Jung, President and CEO of LG Electronics North America, who oversees all company divisions using the new space. “The studio provides a vivid, real-world demonstration of how LG digital production technology can be used to enhance creativity, increase flexibility, and achieve unprecedented new levels of efficiency for us and for our customers.”

The facility is a collaboration between LG and its affiliate creative agency HSAD. The LG Virtual Production Studio integrates LG’s own commercial LED display technology to create a 1.5-pixel-pitch display that spans two walls, allowing for immersive, cost-effective, and flexible content creation. It also leverages innovative partner technologies including Megapixel’s HELIOS LED Processing Platform and the Mo-Sys Camera Tracking Solutions/Server.

LG recently acquired an interest in Mo-Sys, a developer of virtual production solutions and camera robotics.

The facility integrates LG’s LED displays and controllers with Mo-Sys’s XR (extended reality) products and systems to create a total solution for XR.

In addition, the studio’s HELIOS Platform from Megapixel allows multiple users to control colorimetry, tone mapping, gamut adjustments, and camera integration features in real time without the need for additional software.

Unlike traditional studio setups, the studio enables rapid content production, reducing build times from days to hours. The technology, including parallax motion and real-time rendering, enhances believability and adaptability, and the studio’s launch aims to increase LG’s content output, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Future plans include episodic content and potential partnerships with other brands, highlighting LG’s and HSAD’s innovative approach to content creation.

“This breakthrough production studio, enabled by LG’s advanced commercial display technology, now allows LG to craft compelling content designed to evoke aspirational feelings around its entire product line, boosting both its appeal and marketability, all while keeping costs down,” explained HSAD USA president Scott Lee. “We can produce more compelling content faster, with greater flexibility and cost-efficiency than ever before. LG content production teams are better equipped to scale output, meet demand, and be first to market – without relying on costly external resources and physical locations.”

Because production is done virtually, the studio eliminates the need for costly and wasteful physical set production and the utilization of public indoor or outdoor spaces, reducing the impact of production on the environment, LG reported.

The LG Virtual Production Studio includes a 25-foot, two-wall display designed around two 1.5- pixel-pitch LG MAGNIT Studio Series LBAG015 direct-view Micro LED displays – 13-by-8-foot and 8-by-4-foot displays – positioned at a 90-degree angle. The fine pixel pitch of the Studio Series allows for cost savings because creative backgrounds and special effects can be displayed closer to cameras in this modestly-sized (about 1,000-square-foot) fixed-location studio. By comparison, LED displays with wider pixel pitches require much larger studio spaces as cameras must be positioned further from the displays so that the pixels aren’t visible to maintain image detail.

Operating as an in-house agency for LG Electronics, HSAD is a global, full-service marketing and creative services agency with offices located in major cities around the world.

More information about LG Studio Series LBAG Direct View Micro LED displays, is available here.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics USA has launched a dedicated section for news called “News Hub” on LG Channels that provides weather reports, and local and national news broadcasts from national news organizations and local stations.

The offering includes ABC News Live, CNN Headlines, LiveNOW from Fox, NBC News Now, Scripps News and local news from stations owned by Allen Media Group's Local Now, E.W. Scripps, Fox Television Stations, Sinclair and others.

Starting in key market areas, including Austin, Texas; Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; Cincinnati; Las Vegas; Baltimore; Seattle and many more, LG Channels said it will continually expand its delivery of regional news channels to U.S. consumers.

LG Channels is LG's free streaming service, offering a wide selection of premium live and on-demand programming. LG Channels is available on LG Smart TVs (models 2016-present) through the set maker’s webOS and can easily be accessed by pressing the dedicated key on the LG Magic Remote or via the home screen.

The full list of LG Channels local stations includes:

• Allen Media Group's Local Now: Local Now Chicago; Local Now L.A.; Local Now San Francisco; Local Now Phoenix; Local Now Philly; Local Now Houston; Local Now Detroit; Local Now D.C.; Local Now Orlando; Local Now Charlotte; Local Now Tampa; Local Now Minneapolis; Local Now Seattle; Local Now Boston; Local Now Raleigh; Local Now Indy; Local Now Cleveland; Local Now Austin; Local Now Dallas; Local Now Portland; Local Now Columbus; Local Now Denver; Local Now Hartford; Local Now San Antonio; Local Now West Palm Beach; Local Now Long Island; Local Now Chattanooga; Local Now Tulsa; Local Now Tucson; Local Now Wichita; Local Now Manhattan; Local Now Buffalo; Local Now Boise; Local Now Des Moines; Local Now Omaha; Local Now Savannah; Local Now Tallahassee; Local Now San Jose; Local Now El Paso; Local Now Wilmington; Local Now Macon; Local Now Florence; Local Now Shreveport; Local Now Paducah; Local Now Augusta; Local Now Davenport; Local Now Midland; Local Now Tyler; Local Now Beckley; Local Now Abilene; Local Now Sherman; Local Now Billings, Montana; Local Now Monterey; Local Now Roswell New Mexico; Local Now Marquette; Local Now Columbus, Georgia; Local Now Rochester MN; Local Now Charleston, South Carolina; Local Now Albany, Georgia; Local Now Springfield IL; Local Now Yakima; Local Now Johnstown; Local Now Cheyenne; Local Now Watertown; Local Now Nashville; Local Now Vegas; Local Now Sacramento; Local Now Greenville; Local Now Baltimore; Local Now KC; Local Now Jacksonville; Local Now SLC; Local Now San Diego; Local Now Norfolk; Local Now Milwaukee; Local Now Cincinnati; Local Now Pittsburgh; Local Now Greensboro; Local Now OKC; Local Now Louisville; Local Now Birmingham; Local Now Memphis; Local Now Knoxville; Local Now Newburgh; Local Now Mobile; Local Now Hagerstown; Local Now Wilkes-Barre; Local Now Little Rock; Local Now Harrisburg; Local Now Fort Myers; Local Now Grand Rapids; Local Now Albuquerque; Local Now Columbia; Local Now Huntsville; Local Now Richmond; Local Now Dayton; Local Now Lexington; Local Now Albany NY; Local Now Providence; Local Now New Orleans; Local Now Spokane; Local Now Roanoke; Local Now Fresno; Local Now Colorado Springs; Local Now Green Bay; Local Now Waco; Local Now Toledo; Local Now Bristol; Local Now Fort Smith; Local Now Marietta; Local Now South Bend; Local Now Springfield, Missouri; Local Now Fort Wayne; Local Now Flint; Local Now Baton Rouge; Local Now Panama City; Local Now Madison; Local Now Jackson, Mississippi; Local Now Syracuse; Local Now Evansville; Local Now Youngstown; Local Now Peoria; Local Now Burlington; Local Now Eugene; Local Now Cedar Rapids; Local Now Gainesville; Local Now Lafayette, Louisiana; Local Now Biloxi; Local Now Sioux Falls; Local Now Lansing; Local Now Plano; Local Now Brownsville; Local Now Binghamton; Local Now Montgomery; Local Now Reno; Local Now Duluth; Local Now Fargo; Local Now Lincoln; Local Now Corpus Christi; Local Now Downtown Denver; Local Now Tupelo; Local Now Flagstaff; Local Now Charlottesville; Local Now La Crosse; Local Now White Plains; Local Now Traverse City; Local Now Bergen County; Local Now Topeka; Local Now Salisbury; Local Now Bakersfield; Local Now Erie; Local Now Rockford; Local Now Wichita Falls; Local Now Dothan; Local Now DeSoto; Local Now Amarillo; Local Now Honolulu; Local Now Terre Haute; Local Now Wausau; Local Now Beaumont; Local Now Bangor; Local Now Santa Barbara; Local Now Anchorage; Local Now Medford; Local Now Aurora; Local Now Lubbock; Local Now Bismarck; Local Now Utica; Local Now Grand Junction; Local Now Clarksburg; Local Now Monroe; Local Now Joplin; Local Now Sioux City; Local Now Missoula; Local Now Bowling Green; Local Now Parkersburg; Local Now Idaho Falls; Local Now Redding; Local Now Jonesboro; Local Now Irving; Local Now Rapid City; Local Now Washington Park; Local Now Hattiesburg; Local Now Midtown; Local Now Casper; Local Now Stapleton; Local Now Quincy; Local Now Lake Charles; Local Now Yuma; Local Now Bend; Local Now Victoria; Local Now Butte; Local Now Mankato; Local Now Alexandria; Local Now Great Falls; Local Now Meridian; Local Now Twin Falls; Local Now San Angelo; Local Now Alpena; Local Now Ottumwa; Local Now Decatur; Local Now Laredo; Local Now Eureka; Local Now Fairbanks; Local Now Juneau; Local Now Glendive; Local Now; Local Now Greenville, North Carolina; Local Now Columbia, Missouri; Local Now Springfield, Massachusetts; Local Now St. Louis; Local Now Portland, Maine; Local Now Atlanta; Local Now Miami; Local Now Charleston; Local Now Rochester, New York; Local Now Roswell; Local Now Lafayette; Local Now Helena; Local Now North Platte; Local Now New York; and Local Now Jackson.
• Optimum: News 12 New York
• E.W. Scripps: KATC Acadiana, Louisiana; KBZK Bozeman, Montana; 23ABC News Kern County, California; ABC 10 News San Diego, California; KGUN Tucson, Arizona; Idaho News 6; 2 News Oklahoma; Denver 7; 3 News Now Omaha, Nebraska; ABC 15 Arizona; KOAA Colorado Springs, Colorado; KPAX Missoula, Montana; KRIS Corpus Christi, Texas; KRTV Great Falls, Montana; KSBY News Central Coast California; KSHB Kansas City Missouri; Fox 13 News Salt Lake City Utah; 13 Action News Las Vegas; KTVH, Helena Montana; Q2 News Billings, Montana; 25 News Waco, Texas; WCPO Cincinnati; WEWS Cleveland; ABC Action News Tampa, Florida; Fox 4 News Fort Myers, Florida; NBC 26 News Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin; WKBW Buffalo, New York; LEX 18 News Lexington, Kentucky; WMAR Baltimore; WPTV West Palm Beach, Florida; WRTV Indianapolis; FOX 47 News Lansing-Jackson, Michigan; WTKR Norfolk, Virginia; WTMJ Milwaukee; News Channel 5 Nashville, Tennessee; CBS 6 News Richmond, Virginia; ABC 27 News Tallahassee, Florida; Fox 17 News Grand Rapids, Michigan; WXYZ Detroit.
• Fox Television Stations: Fox 13 Tampa Bay, Fox 5 Washington, Fox 35 Orlando, Fox 5 New York, Fox 6 Milwaukee, Fox 32 Chicago, Fox 5 Atlanta, Fox 11 Los Angeles, Fox 7 Austin, Fox 26 Houston, Fox 4 Dallas/Ft. Worth, Fox 13 Seattle, Fox 29 Philadelphia, Fox 2 KTVU (Bay Area), Fox 10 Phoenix, Fox 2 Detroit and Fox 9 Minneapolis.
• Sinclair Broadcast Group: KEYE Austin, Texas; KATU Portland, Oregon; WJLA Washington; WBFF Baltimore; WKRC Cincinnati; WSYX Columbus, Ohio; KOMO Seattle; KUTV Salt Lake City, Utah; KOKH Oklahoma City; WPEC, West Palm Beach, Florida; WOAI San Antonio; WWMT Grand Rapids, Michigan; WHP Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; WJAR Providence, Rhode Island; WLOS Asheville, North Carolina; KSNV Las Vegas; WPDE Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; KMPH Fresno, California; WLUK Green Bay, Wisconsin; WKEF Dayton, Ohio; WCIV Charleston, South Carolina; KDBC El Paso, Texas; WJAC Johnstown, Pennsylvania; WTOV Steubenville, Ohio; and WSBT South Bend, Ind.
  
  
  
  

New research indicates that Roku remains the top connected TV (CTV) streaming device in North America, with a 37% share of the open programmatic ads sold on specific devices in third-quarter 2024.

Samsung Smart TV (17% share), Amazon Fire TV (15%), Apple TV (11%), and LG (10.8%) round out the top-5 CTV platforms in North America.

The new Pixalate reports, which are broken down by region, also found Roku on top in Latin America with a 50% share of what Pixalate calls Market Share of Voice (SOV). SOV is calculated by the share of the open programmatic ads sold on specific devices.

Other key findings include:

• Roku leads in market share in Latin America with 50% SOV, followed by Samsung Smart TV (21%), LG (7%), Amazon Fire TV (3%), TCL (3%)
• Samsung Smart TV devices lead in EMEA with 30% SOV, followed by LG (16%), Amazon Fire TV (15%), TCL (12%), and Sony (6%)
• While Roku leads in market share in North America (37%), it saw a 29% decrease YoY.

For the report, Pixalate analyzed open programmatic advertising activity across more than 100,000 CTV apps and nearly 6 billion global open programmatic ad transactions in Q2 2024.

The full reports can be found here.

Philo has announced that its entire lineup of live and on-demand TV is now available on LG Smart TVs.

The launch allows subscribers to access the virtual multichannel programming distributor’s $28-a-month package of 70-plus popular channels, including AMC, A&E, MTV, VH1, BET, and Discovery, and 75,000-plus on-demand titles on LG Smart TVs. The offering also includes the AMC+ streaming service and 90-plus free channels.

Subscribers can access the programming by downloading the Philo app at the LG Content Store on their LG Smart TV and signing in.

The service is already widely distributed on Roku, Samsung, Apple TV, Vizio, Fire TV, Android TV and other popular streaming platforms.

More information on the programming is available here.

Missed any of our recent product news? Here is TV Tech's weekly wrap-up of new products, services and deployments we published in our newsletter between August 19 to August 23. The stories are listed from the newest on Friday August 23, day by day back to our stories from Monday August 19.

Dish Business Launches News Evolve M2 Set Top Box for Hotels

Evolve M2 allows hoteliers, senior living facilities and others to update internal systems and tailor settings and apps available to guests on each property.

Nugen Audio to Celebrate 20th Anniversary at IBC 2024

From the outset, Nugen Audio has been fully focused on providing solutions to real-life problems and will be highlighting new solutions during the show.

PilotDesk and LG Ad Solutions Ink New Long-Term Ad Tech Deal

As part of the agreement, YieldPilot will optimize and streamline ad inventory with automated yield optimization for publishers.

Three Reasons Why Brazil’s TV 3.0 Decision Matters Here

What does the accomplishment mean to U.S. broadcasters grappling with the myriad of challenges the voluntary transition to 3.0 has created?

Multiple Trends Driving Dynamic KVM Market for M&E

With the industry’s move to IP, lower latency, more flexibility in the offing.

Revolutionizing Broadcast Production Models With Dante

Access to Dante in the cloud allows broadcasters to rethink how they approach audio production.

Evertz to Focus on Software Defined Video Networking at IBC 2024

Company’s SDVN solution targets media companies moving to IP or expanding all-IP infrastructures using SMPTE ST 2110 and NMOS.

Yospace To Showcase Dynamic Ad Insertion Developments At IBC 2024

The company’s technology powered delivery of 10 billion ads on four continents this summer.

SDVI to Feature Latest Rally Access Workstation Developments at IBC 2024

Rally enables anywhere, anytime access to hosted edit workstations and content in the cloud.

Actus Digital To Highlight Compliance, Monitoring Product Developments At IBC 2024

The company will showcase its technology and mark its 20th anniversary at the show.

Sony Electronics Unveils 4K Handheld Professional Camcorders with AI-Based Tools

The camcorders offer AI-based subject recognition autofocus, tracking, and auto framing.

RCN Colombia Leverages Zixi To Streamline Content Distribution To U.S. Affiliates

The Latin American broadcaster is using Zixi’s IP solution portfolio in place of satellite.

NAB Studio Deploys Unytalk Live Interactive Webcast Solution

The studio is using the solution to produce and broadcast interactive content.

You Can Now Smell Your TV Programs for Just $180

Elevated Perceptions has launched “MovieScent,” an AI-powered device that the company says releases real-time scents based on events and environments within movies, TV shows, televised sporting events and streams.

Chyron To Feature Latest Enhancements for PRIME, PAINT and LIVE At IBC 2024

The company will show a new Chyron PRIME playout workflow that simplifies operation.

Mo-Sys To Feature MoViewer Multi-Camera Virtual Production Preview Solution At IBC 2024

MoViewer eliminates the need for per-camera render nodes.

LONDON—The latest Omdia Mini LED Backlight Market Tracker indicates that LCD TV displays equipped with mini-LED backlight units will hit 6.2 million units in 2024 and surpass the OLED TV display market for the first time in 2025 with 9.3 million units. 

The new Omdia report forecasts that Samsung Display and LG Display are forecasted to produce 6.8 million units of OLED TV displays in 2024, including both WOLED and QD OLED TV variants and reach 7.5 million units in 2025. 

Since 2022, the LCD TV display market with mini-LED backlight and quantum dot materials has experienced substantial growth. This expansion is driven by the continuous cost reductions through effective supply chain management of the mini-LED backlight and advancements in quantum dot materials. While OLED TV displays are celebrated for their infinite contrast ratio, exceptional color gamut and fast response times, the combined mini-LED backlight and quantum dot-equipped LCD TV display is now challenging OLED TV's dominance, the researchers said. 

The mini-LED backlight enhances dimming functions and HDR capabilities while quantum dots boost color gamut performance, leading LCD TV OEMs and panel makers to adopt both technologies to elevate their product specifications.

Samsung, LG Electronics, Sony, TCL and Hisense are all aiming for double digit growth in their mini-LED backlight TV display shipments in 2024 and 2025.

“OLED TV panels offer significant advantages in the high-end TV market, such as higher brightness, better environmental friendliness due to fewer components and materials, no halo effect on the screen since there is no mini-LED grouping for dimming zones, and a strongly established premium TV image among consumers," commented David Hsieh, senior research director in Omdia's Displays practice. 

“However, mini-LED backlights are now competitive in several aspects : a mature supply chain, the shift to larger LCD TV displays, the cost-effective 500-2,000 dimming zones, the production of super larger size like 85-inches and above, and ample capacity for LCD TV open cells,"  added Hsieh. 

"Therefore, there will be intense competition between mini-LED backlight LCD TVs and OLED TVs moving forward, which will help expand the high-end TV segment and align with the trends towards larger sizes," concluded Hsieh.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics USA and Blacknut Cloud Gaming are bringing additional cloud gaming options to LG Smart TVs in the U.S. with the launch of Jackbox Party Starter and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway. 

In announcing the launch of the services, LG and Blacknut noted they are hoping to capitalize on the fact that there has been a 134% increase year over year in cloud game app-opens and a 145% increase in the number of unique TVs opening cloud gaming apps.

The launch means that customers can now natively access and install the games on LG's webOS App Store on LG Smart TVs. Upon downloading, LG gamers can play a 30-minute free demo before unlocking the full game for a small monthly subscription fee with no lock-in contract required.

The experience is accessible for LG gamers with an LG Smart TV 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 model equipped with webOS 6.0.; the experience is currently exclusive to LG Smart Devices with purchased games only playable from the original purchasing device, LG explained. 

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway offers fast-paced, family-friendly racing action featuring beloved Nickelodeon characters, dynamic tracks, and a variety of customizable karts for a fun and competitive experience. The racing game is playable in Solo or Multiplayer mode using a Bluetooth controller, or by connecting up to four gamepads simultaneously for a party experience.

The Jackbox Party Starter is a collection of Jackbox's most popular games including Trivia Murder Party 2, Tee K.O, & Quiplash 3, all designed as an entry point into the franchise and as a starting point for new Jackbox players on Blacknut. The collection of multiplayer games are designed for work events, birthdays, hangouts, family time and more. The games are playable by remote control, gamepad, and feature the innovative use of mobile devices as controllers, allowing anyone with an internet-connected phone, tablet or laptop to join a game without the need for extra game controllers.

"This new ability for users to purchase individual Blacknut IPs directly through the app store broadens the scope of democratized access to premium cloud gaming. By reducing the already minimal friction associated with starting and maintaining cloud games, players can focus on what truly matters—the enjoyment and immersion of the gaming experience itself," said Olivier Avaro, CEO of Blacknut Cloud Gaming. "Through this seamless access, players can dive into their favorite games quickly, effortlessly, and with minimal expense, allowing for more spontaneous and flexible gaming sessions."

The technical development and launch of the project were successfully completed in just under two months between the LG and Blacknut teams.

"At LG, we are delighted to offer accessible premium gaming experiences to our consumers through our continued collaboration with Blacknut," said Matthew Durgin, vice president of North American Content and Services, LG Electronics USA. "LG is looking forward to continuing to innovate in the cloud gaming industry. Our partnership with Blacknut is a testament to how LG continues to bring added value and premium gaming experiences to our users."

NEW YORK—The global body that sets technical standards for digital advertising has expanded the reach of its measurement software development kit to include Samsung and LG.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Tech Lab’s decision to include the companies in its Open Measurement Software Development Kit (OM SDK) is seen as an important step on the road to establishing a standardized, reliable measurement of viewing across all digital platforms, the lab said.

"We're seeing the importance of standardizing campaign measurement and verification across digital ad platforms, especially with CTV's [connected TV’s] growth," said IAB Tech Lab CEO Anthony Katsur. "By expanding OM SDK for CTV to encompass additional platforms, we're ensuring advertisers and agencies access consistent, normalized measurement metrics, ultimately addressing industry demands for improved cross-device and environment measurement, which supports increased ad spend on CTV platforms." 

The software development kit is widely adopted for iOS, Android and web video platforms. It is now extending its reach to encompass CTV with a holistic measurement solution. The addition of Samsung and LG means many more CTV households are covered by OM SDK. CTV households now account for 40% of the market, IAB Tech Lab said.

OM SDK for CTV aims to address the fragmentation of measurement signals across various platforms with a unified framework for measuring CTV-specific viewability signals, such as TV off, device type and viewing duration, similar to its implementation in mobile apps and web video, the lab said.

The kit’s signals can provide advertisers and ad buyers with standardized measurement, thereby helping them address the escalating complexity of CTV inventory and ensuring campaign transparency and accountability, it said.

More information on OM SDK for CTV and integration guidelines is available on the lab’s website.

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has announced plans to launch its portfolio of free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels on LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus and TiVo+. 

With 54 channels across Europe, Sony One will be one of the largest portfolios of FAST channels to be deployed when it debuts in April, the companies said. 

"Sony Pictures recognizes the potential of the free ad-supported television space to engage new viewers globally with our extensive feature film and TV series catalog spanning 100 years. Our entry into the FAST space in Europe reflects our dedication to making premium content accessible to audiences on new and important distribution channels," Pete Wood, senior vice president of digital sales, distribution, SPE.

Sony One’s channels will be curated and programmed for local markets in different territories, with content being broadcast primarily in each region’s native language. Territories at launch include the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Channels include: 

• Sony One Comedy TV: Laugh-out-loud comedy series including Seinfeld, The Nanny and The Goldbergs offering a laid-back, light-hearted viewing experience to share with family and friends.
• Sony One Thriller TV: Action-packed, high-thrill series like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Justified that keep diverse audiences on the edge of their seats, with a focus on crime procedurals and exhilarating adventures.
• Sony One Faves: Timeless classics and fan favorites including Bewitched, Community and Dawson’s Creek that evoke nostalgia across generations.
• Sony One Comedy HITS: Classic, quotable comedies with iconic scenes and characters such as Step Brothers, Jerry Maguire and Easy A, that embody pop-culture across the decades; perfect for laughs around the clock.
• Sony One Action HITS: Dedicated to action and adventure movies from box office hits to critically acclaimed films like District 9 and the Men in Black and Zombieland franchises, that provide a non-stop thrill ride.
• Sony One Shark Tank: One of the most successful reality shows in the world, aspiring entrepreneurs
• pitch their business ideas to moguls, known as the “Sharks,” in hopes of landing investment funds in this U.S. adaptation of the British and Japanese reality hit Dragons' Den.
• Sony One Dragons’ Den: The juggernaut reality format behind Shark Tank, aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to multimillionaire investors, in the hope of landing investment funds.
• Sony One Blacklist: Dedicated channel featuring the crime thriller series following a most-wanted fugitive who works with a rookie FBI profiler to take down criminals and terrorists.

In addition to Sony One, SPE’s FAST offerings include Sony KAL Hindi, its Hindi destination in the US and Canada, and its portfolio of Spanish-language FAST channels for the U.S. Hispanic audience; and FAST channels in Mexico and Brazil.

LAS VEGAS—Last year the biggest TV buzz at CES was all about “wireless” TVs. This year, the world’s largest TV manufacturers are all about transparent screens for the home.

At CES2024 this week, LG Electronics unveiled what it’s calling the “the world’s first wireless transparent OLED TV.” The LG SIGNATURE OLED combines a transparent 4K OLED screen and LG’s Zero Connect box to beam video in 4K HDR to the screen, even at 120Hz. 

LG says the 77-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED T is powered by the new α (Alpha) 11 AI processor and is “practically invisible” when turned off, bringing new possibilities of placement within a room, i.e. not necessarily bolted to the wall. It comes in stand-alone, against-the-wall or wall-mount options and viewers can further customize by adding standing or floating shelves on either or both sides of the screen to best suit their unique tastes and preferences.

The OLED T can be used as a transparent digital canvas for showcasing artwork, videos or photos with the Always-On-Display (AOD) feature. Content displayed on the transparent screen appears to float in air, yet simultaneously fuses with the surrounding space to create a compelling and atmospheric visual effect. 

Another option is the T-Bar feature that displays an info-ticker along the lower part of the screen. The T-Bar displays news alerts, weather updates or the title of songs being played while the rest of the screen presents a clear, unobstructed view of the space behind it.

LG says its new α (Alpha) 11 AI processor offers 4x greater AI performance, providing a 70% improvement in graphic performance and a 30% faster processing speed compared to its predecessor. 

Meanwhile, Samsung trotted out its new transparent MICRO LED display—again touting it as the world’s first. Although Samsung was fairly mum on the technical details, according to Engadget, the Transparent MICRO LED’s crystal-clear, glass-like display comes in three versions, two featuring a tinted glass panel making it easier to detect and a third version with regular glass but a more defined physical frame. 

Neither company has released price details but LG says its transparent OLED will ship in 2024. TV Tech sister brand TechRadar has more information on LG and Samsung’s new TVs.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—In the run-up to CES 2024, LG Electronics (LG) has announced that its new lineup of 2024 QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs will feature advanced AI-powered processing technologies that the company says will provide consumers with notably improved AI performance, graphics and processing power. 

The announcement of its new 2024 TV line-up made no mention of ATSC 3.0 capabilities. 

LG was involved in a patent dispute over NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 technologies and said last year that it is putting its 2024 lineup of NextGen TVs on hold. 

Last year, the company unveiled QNED TVs that offered much brighter screens and this year turned its focus to AI. 

LG noted that the LG 2024 QNED TVs have developed significantly more intelligence with the α8 AI Processor, improving upon its predecessor with an 1.3-fold increase in AI performance, a 2.3-fold enhancement in graphic performance, and a processing speed that is 1.6 times faster.

LG added that the AI Picture Pro offers “the ultimate picture quality based on deep learning. This versatile feature adeptly distinguishes faces, objects, and backgrounds within a scene, enriching the texture and fine details to present images with unparalleled realism. Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro splits the picture into blocks and analyzes each in real-time to detect the darkest and brightest areas, elevating the details with precise HDR optimization to deliver three-dimensional image quality. With Personalized Picture Wizard, users can effortlessly customize the image quality by simply selecting a few preferred images from a given selection that are intelligently set up through deep learning.”

LG's 2024 QNED TV lineup includes an ultra-large 98-inch blockbuster that LG said addresses the growing demand for larger TVs in the premium LCD TV market, and the extensive lineup also provides customers with multiple alternatives that will ideally suit any space, including 43, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 86-inch screens.

“The LG 2024 LG QNED TV lineup takes the viewing experience to a whole new level with an advanced processor that enables outstanding audio-visual experiences across various screen sizes, while also providing a personalized user experience tailored to each individual’s unique lifestyle and preferences,” said Baik Seon-pill, head of the LG Home Entertainment Company’s Product Planning Division. “We remain committed to delivering an unparalleled customer experience, drawing upon our decade-long expertise with webOS.”

LG said that pricing for the U.S. would be announced at a later date. 

LG described the other key features of the new TVs as follows: 

• In addition to vibrant picture quality, AI Sound Pro captivates viewers with the audio excellence of virtual 9.1.2 surround sound from the TVs’ built-in speakers. For a unified audio system, WOW Orchestra seamlessly integrates the LG Sound Bar and the TV's speakers, resulting in a mesmerizing 3D sound experience.
• Featuring LG’s Quantum Dot and NanoCell color technologies, the company’s latest QNED TVs deliver crisp and vivid picture quality for hyper-realistic viewing. With enhanced color reproduction, the authentic colors of QNED TVs heighten the visual depth for a more immersive and three-dimensional home entertainment experience.
• Achieving realistic contrast, LG QNED Mini LED TVs utilize Precision Dimming technology to improve gradations and accurate backlight control, and LG QNED TVs feature local dimming technology for vivid contrast and exceptional brightness.
• The LG QNED Mini LED TV QNED90 model features Million Grey Scale that differentiates between shades of gray and represents gradation with a 20-bit accuracy, providing immensely vibrant contrast.
• Boasting a sleek and sophisticated design with a slim profile of only 29mm, LG 2024 QNED TVs, including the QNED85 and QNED 80 models, blend into any space and add a premium touch to the household. The TVs can also be mounted on the wall, providing greater flexibility for furniture and appliance arrangement.
• LG 2024 QNED TVs also elevate the home entertainment experience with versatile personalization and increased convenience. With the webOS Re:New program, LG is offering an upgrade to the latest version of its webOS smart TV platform to give more smart TV owners the most up-to-date user experience for the next five years. This incredible offer extends* to LG QNED Mini LED 8K models launched in 2022 (QNED99 and QNED95 series) and will come to additional models in the QNED TV lineup and more regions worldwide soon.
• By utilizing the latest LG webOS smart TV platform, users can create individual profiles to tailor the experience to their preferences. The TVs can differentiate between voices based on the user profiles and offer personalized recommendations by interpreting patterns from their comprehensive usage history.
• Furthermore, the main home UI screen of the newest version of webOS features Dynamic Q Card for fast, effortless access to its services, with customized organization into groups, such as Home Office, Home Hub, Sports and Games. To enjoy users’ favorite digital media, LG 2024 QNED TVs also support Apple AirPlay and Chromecast for enhanced convenience in connectivity and compatibility with mobile devices.
• Enhancing the user experience for individuals with diverse abilities, LG 2024 QNED TVs supplies an array of accessibility features including dedicated menu settings, sign language avatars, remote control tutorials, and guides for quick problem resolution.

The sets will be on display at the LG booth (#16008, Las Vegas Convention Center) during CES 2024 from January 9-12. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The NAB has filed comments with the FCC urging the agency not to take any action at this time regarding the marketplace for ATSC 3.0 standard essential patents that form the basis of NextGen TV. 

The issue was recently highlighted after LG was hit with damages in a 3.0 patent dispute  and the TV manufacturer's subsequent comments to the FCC that it was suspending its 2024 lineup of NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, capable TVs. The decision raised worries that other TV manufacturers might follow. 

In a filing with the FCC in response to the Commission’s Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking  (FNPRM) concerning the state of the marketplace for ATSC 3.0 standard essential patents, the NAB argued that “Initial comments in this matter strongly suggest that the Commission should refrain from further action at this time, as the market for ATSC 3.0 receivers remains strong, there is no basis for Commission authority over the patent marketplace, and Commission action would  not solve any apparent problem. We urge the Commission to continue to focus on avenues for  accelerating the ATSC 3.0 transition that fall within the Commission’s jurisdiction and expertise.”

The NAB noted that “no commenter has identified any statutory basis for Commission  regulation of the patent marketplace” and that the FCC’s “FNPRM itself identifies no statutory basis for  Commission jurisdiction over the patent marketplace. Indeed, the only support the FNPRM  offers for Commission authority in this regard are comments from two parties, Qualcomm and Ericsson, who have now corrected the Commission’s suggestion that they previously  acknowledged the Commission had taken action to prevent the abuse of patent rights. In particular, Ericsson states directly that it `has not suggested that the FCC has previously regulated patent licensing,’ and that `on the contrary, it is Ericsson’s view that the FCC cannot  introduce any measures to regulate standards essential patents licensing or to prevent  unsupported claims of patent abuse.’”

The NAB also argued that “[b]eyond the fact that the Commission likely lacks authority to regulate patent licensing  terms, there is no reason to believe that any such regulation would solve any current problem in the marketplace. As NAB noted in its initial comments, there is a growing marketplace for ATSC 3.0 compatible equipment, and consumers have a number of choices with respect to purchasing such equipment. Major television set manufacturers have several models of 3.0 compatible sets available for sale at a variety of screen sizes and price points. Industry estimates suggest that, by the end of 2023, approximately ten million 3.0 compatible sets will  have been sold, with tens of millions more sets expected to be sold in the years following. In addition, consumers interested in purchasing an accessory device that allows them to receive an ATSC 3.0 signal using their current television set will soon have multiple options. ADTH is already marketing and shipping a certified NEXTGEN TV accessory device that is available for less than $100. Zinwell announced it will also begin selling NEXTGEN TV certified devices  later this year….The comments of LG Electronics USA in this proceeding [about suspending their 2024 line-up of 3.0 TVs] do not change these facts, nor do they demonstrate that there is a consumer problem that could conceivably be addressed through Commission action.”

“LG’s decision to pause inclusion of ATSC 3.0 compatible receivers in its 2024 television lineup should be viewed as an unfortunate data point in a marketplace that is still in the process of developing, not as an invitation to unprecedented and overbroad Commission regulation,” the NAB stressed. 

The NAB also said that “Commission action could thus have the unintended consequence of distorting  the market and creating unhelpful incentives for entities not subject to Commission  regulation.”

Instead, the NAB argued that the FCC should focus on positive action to aid the spread of 3.0 broadcasts by looking “for opportunities to speed the deployment of ATSC 3.0 service and the adoption of 3.0  equipment, including by allowing broadcasters greater ability to differentiate their service  during the transition.”  

“We urge the  Commission to be proactive in exploring additional ways to accelerate the transition on both the transmission side (broadcasters) and the reception side (manufacturers and consumers),” the NAB argued. “A successful ATSC 3.0 transition is critical for over-the-air viewers to continue to have a  competitive free service offering. Ultimately, if broadcasters are unable to meaningfully distinguish their 1.0 and 3.0 service, that poses a far greater threat to the transition and to  over-the-air viewers than hiccups in the developing patent marketplace.” 

LG Electronics Inc. has told the FCC that it would suspend manufacturing and marketing of next year’s NextGen TV models for the U.S. due to an unfavorable patent dispute verdict rendered in July. 

The move, first reported by CordCutterNews.com, is seen as a blow to the maturing of NextGen TV in the United States; however, there is a range of opinion whether the suspension is simply a temporary setback or a move with potentially more far-reaching implications. 

The decision “was not made lightly, because LG has been a vocal ATSC 3.0 advocate, a strong support of local broadcasters, and a leading developer of television products with the latest NextGen TV technologies,” the company said in its Sept. 15 filing with the FCC.

In July, the jury hearing the patent infringement case brought in the Marshall Division of U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas by Constellation Designs LLC concluded LG willfully infringed on the company’s patents. It recommended the consumer electronics giant compensate the patent holder in the amount of $1.68 million. A press release issued following the verdict pegged the per unit compensation at $6.75—as did LG’s FCC filing.

A spokesperson for LG could not be reached, and others at the company did not respond to a request for additional comment before publication.

At the moment, the case has moved to a post-judgment phase during which the judge will decide on future royalty payments –in the event the company resumes NextGen TV production, said Jason Cassady, Constellation Designs’ lead trial counsel and a partner at Dallas-based intellectual property and business litigation firm Caldwell, Cassady & Curry. The firm is requesting $6.75 per unit going forward.

No other NextGen TV vendors have licensed Constellation Designs patents, he added, although at press time it was unclear whether other NextGen TV makers use technology that relies on the company’s patents.

Members of the TV industry contacted for this story rallied around LG, expressing the hope the royalty issue could be resolved so the company would continue its long-standing support for NextGen TV market and technology development. 

“LG’s decision to suspend support for NextGen TV products in 2024 because of an ongoing patent dispute is unfortunate, but we are hopeful that the matter can be resolved,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of the Pearl TV broadcast group. “In the meantime, we continue to project that total NextGen TV sales will cumulatively top 10 million units by year end.”

Madeleine Noland, president of the Advanced Television Systems Committee, referenced the cooperation patent holders normally exhibit in creating licensing programs that provide access to inventions and promote broad deployment of products conforming to its standards. “While we cannot comment on the specifics of the LG case, we trust that all parties involved are actively pursuing solutions to bring the benefits of next-generation broadcasting on future LG television models to U.S. viewers,” she said.

The Public Media Venture Group, a nonprofit business development group with 32 public media members, remains a strong proponent of 3.0 despite LG’s decision. “PMVG continues to believe that ATSC 3.0 and NextGen TV dramatically increase the potential for public service, and we and our stations will continue to deploy this technology to service our viewers,” said PMVG CEO Marc Hand. “Given the enormous public service potential of NextGen TV, we remain hopeful that the forward momentum will continue.”

Jerald Fritz, executive vice president for strategic and legal affairs, at ONE Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, echoed points LG raised in its FCC filing.

“We are obviously disappointed at LG’s decision, but we firmly believe that this is an outlier-decision that will be reversed on appeal,” said Fritz. “The per-unit price for this one patent family is more than double the rate for close to 1,000 Standard Essential Patents [SEPs] in the Avanci patent pool. We believe that dramatic difference will be addressed on appeal and bring back LG as a significant supplier of ATSC 3 televisions.”

LG pointed out in its FCC filing that the Avanci patent pool accounts for 80% of all 3.0 SEPs, which currently commands a royalty fee of $2.75 and is capped at $3.00. Similarly, the license fee for the VIA LA patent pool involving other 3.0-relevant patents that “improve the television viewing experience” is set at $2.75 per unit, LG said in the filing.

“CD [Constellation Designs] has not made a commitment to license its patents under RAND [reasonable and non-discriminatory] conditions and has not contributed its patents to any patent pool,” the company said in its filing.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—A new study has dived into the question of how much attention viewers pay to ads on connected TVs and found that viewers tend to pay more attention to streaming media. 

Overall, CTV content has a +13% higher attention index and a +74% higher co-viewing incidence than linear television content, according to a study commissioned by LG Ad Solutions and carried out by TVision. 

TVision used a combination of their camera sensor, digital meter, and Measurement Engine panel data to understand how and what households are watching television and the extent they were paying attention. This was paired with an online survey conducted by LG Ad Solutions to obtain more information about consumers’ viewing habits.

In addition to the higher attention, the survey revealed that 88% of respondents co-view streaming television with others and they report being more likely to pay attention to both content and ads when doing so. About two thirds (67%) of respondents said they pay same or more attention to programming when co-viewing while 54% pay same or more attention to the advertising content. In fact, 73% of consumers multi-task the same amount or less when co-viewing TV.

The study also found that an inverse relationship between attention and ad duration, which means the first 15 seconds is critical to communicate brand and message. Further, LG Ad Solutions and TVision found that attention is at its highest on the first exposure to a CTV ad, but gradually declines as exposure frequency increases. These findings suggest that it’s important for CTV advertisers to actively manage frequency to prevent over delivery when ads are no longer driving lift in awareness or brand preference.

"This data indicates that on average, streaming TV viewers are more likely to be watching with other people than linear TV viewers,” said Tony Marlow, chief marketing officer, LG Ad Solutions. “Interestingly, this research also indicates that people tend to pay more attention to the screen when co-viewing. This could mean that streaming may be a much more shared experience than previously realized and that this helps drive a higher level of attention for content and ads.”

In terms of genres that are most co-viewed, Comedy (68%) and Drama (55%) hold the top spots. Of consumers that watch sports, 56% of them are co-viewing while streaming sports. 

“This research supports our existing knowledge which indicates that consumers are paying more attention to streaming content than linear content. High-attention content gives advertisers a valuable opportunity to increase engagement and generate outcomes,” said Yan Liu, CEO at TVision. “This research shows how to find that sweet spot with consumers and provides a valuable roadmap for advertisers looking to capitalize on the growing streaming marketplace.”

To download the full study, visit: https://lgads.tv/resource/viewer-attention-study/

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—During the webOS Partner Summit 2023, LG Electronics has outlined its plans to become what it is calling “a media and entertainment platform company” and laid out some of the first steps in that transformation, which include significant investments in its webOS platform and smart TV operating system. 

The company noted that since its launch on LG Smart TVs in 2014, webOS has become one of the most widely used smart TV platforms in the world. Beyond the 200 million LG TVs worldwide, webOS is now supporting several third-party TV brands in multiple markets. 

Moving forward, LG plans to extend webOS to more third-party TV companies and expand the platform to other product categories. Within 3 years, LG expects to have over 300 million webOS-powered devices, the company said.

"LG is poised to transform into a media and entertainment platform company that delivers distinctive content and services that will enhance the lives of its customers," said Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Home Entertainment Company, speaking at webOS Partner Summit 2023. "This transformation would not be possible without LG's decade of OLED TV leadership and the technological innovation of the webOS smart TV platform."

LG has already applied its platform webOS to a range of categories, including projectors, digital signage, and in-vehicle infotainment systems, LG reported. 

Moreover, the number of third-party partner brands that have embraced webOS Hub, the webOS solution for third-party brands, has grown substantially, increasing from 20 just two years ago to over 300 today, LG said. 

During that time, webOS Hub has undergone meaningful upgrades with the variety of content on offer expanding to include cloud gaming and OTT services, and new features arriving to enhance convenience and the overall user experience. Additionally, some of LG's partner TV brands have now introduced their own OLED TVs powered by webOS Hub.

As part of its strategy to expand the webOS platform ecosystem, LG acquired a majority stake of the U.S. advertising/content data analysis specialist, Alphonso, in 2021. Alphonso established subsidiaries in the U.K. and Greece last year, accelerating the global growth of its content service.

LG also said that it is set to make a substantial investment of KRW 1 trillion ($754,438,400) in its webOS business over the next five years in order to provide more content and services that cater to the diverse lifestyles and preferences of consumers. By boosting its competitiveness in content and services, LG believes it will further elevate the webOS user experience.

LG said that its strategic investment will be focused on broadening the range of content available via the webOS platform, boosting usability by innovating the UI and UX, and strengthening partnerships with content production companies on a global scale. 

To date, LG has worked with its partners to bring new technologies to the platform, for gamers, sports fans or Gen Z users. Such is the integration of Sye, a Prime Video proprietary, low latency technology that will benefit LG customers who are fans of live streaming sports like Thursday Night Football. LG TVs deliver Netflix HDR streaming and have just opened the beta release for Netflix Games on TV and with the launch of the lifestyle screens for Gen Z the company worked with YouTube to make a Native Touch UX available for the app on models such as StanbyME.

LG is also strengthening innovation in the area of AI-based search and recommendations. The company plans to incorporate a voice user interface (VUI) feature into partner companies' apps, which will let webOS users easily control and navigate third-party content services with their voice, and enable swift and seamless content discovery.

Service usability will likewise be enhanced. LG Channels 3.0, LG's premium, free streaming service, boasts a growing selection of TV series and has a revamped UI that allows users to view more content options, including live channels and movies, on the screen, reducing the need to scroll. And thanks to the new UI, users can now easily explore what's on other channels without having to pause or navigate away from what they're watching.

Available in 27 countries worldwide, LG Channels currently offers over 3,000 channels and has over 50 million subscribers as of March 2023. In 2022 alone, the number of unique devices on which LG Channels was used increased by 75 percent, while viewing time rose by 57 percent, and usage-frequency surged to make the service one of the top-five most-accessed apps on the webOS platform.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics has introduced LG Channels 3.0, the latest version of its exclusive, free streaming service. Featuring a new UI with improved navigation, more engaging placements for content discovery, and an enhanced channel guide, the upgrade will make it easier for users to discover the content that resonates with them, the company said. 

LG Channels 3.0 is rolling out in South Korea this month and will arrive in other markets, including the US, starting in October.

Reflecting the main content consumption patterns of LG Channels' users, LG said that the new UI is organized into three pages – Home, Live and On Demand– that makes it easier to take advantage of the different services offered on LG's free content platform.

The Home page features a large, highly visible rotating carousel at the top of the screen to provide easy access to featured channels, curated collections and premium On Demand content. 

From the Live page, they can now play live broadcast channels directly from within the LG Channels app. Additionally, the new channel guide covers only half of the screen, allowing users to see what's on and choose what to watch next while continuing to watch their current viewing choice, LG said. 

The On Demand tab allows users to select their favorite types of content including movies, TV shows and receive recommendations from the Popular Now category ensuring a smooth binge-watching experience.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics and Amazon have reached an agreement to add Amazon’s popular cloud gaming service Luna to recent 2021-2023 LG Smart TVs with webOS6.0 or newer in the U.S. 

LG Smart TV owners can access Luna directly from the Home Screen Game Card on 2023 LG Smart TVs or by downloading the Luna app from the LG Content Store for LG Smart TVs from 2021-2022.

The agreement allows Amazon Prime members to play Fortnite and a rotating selection of games at no additional cost. Ubisoft PC gamers can connect their account to play select games they already own. 

Players can also subscribe to libraries of games with Luna's various subscriptions. Luna+ unlocks games across genres—Ubisoft Multi Access includes AAA titles and Jackbox Games opens up popular hits.  Some popular titles on Luna include Resident Evil 2, LEGO DC Super-Villains, The Jackbox Party Pack 3 and Assassin's Creed Valhalla. 

Luna is available in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

LG Smart TV owners in these regions can start playing by logging into their Amazon account on the Luna app. Then they can connect a Luna Controller, either a compatible Bluetooth-enabled controller or the Luna Phone Controller app, and start gaming. The Luna Phone Controller app is available as a free download in the iOS, Android and Amazon app stores.

This new integration builds on LG’s work to make its TVs better gaming platforms. Since debuting the UltraGear line of versatile, premium displays built for gameplay in 2018, LG introduced Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Low Latency Mode (LLM) to gaming monitors in 2019 to provide a virtually seamless gaming experience and compatibility with a wide variety of gaming controllers. 

In 2022, revealed the LG OLED Flex, the company's first bendable 42-inch OLED display and a perfect match for immersive console, PC and cloud gaming.

ATLANTA—The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (RICE) has deployed four 86-inch LG televisions and the Key Digital KD-VW4x4ProK video wall processor as the fundamental technologies in a new video wall system dedicated to delivering the “wow” factor needed to advance the mission of the center, the companies reported. 

RICE, part incubator, part accelerator, part innovation lab and part Black entrepreneurship museum, is a not-for-profit facility dedicated exclusively to helping Black entrepreneurs grow their early-stage businesses by offering a place and space, mentorship, educational opportunities and other resources to help them succeed.

The new video wall was installed in a space known as the Pitch Deck as part of the larger RICE AV infrastructure by AV, security and automation firm INEX Systems and Designs.

Calling the previous setup “underwhelming,” RICE stakeholder and INEX Systems owner Zebadiah Henry said the Pitch Deck plays and instrumental role in helping entrepreneurs succeed. “They bring the venture capitalists back here to try to get funding as part of the business development process,” he said. “We need to ‘Wow’ everybody.”

While the original intention was to deploy a full LED wall, the cost of that approach was beyond the available budget, he said.

INEX Systems, rather, relied on the LG televisions and Key Digital. Henry’s company has more than 10 years of experience working with Key Digital on digital connectivity and control solutions, many of which are present throughout the RICE building. They are used for applications ranging from digital signage and conferencing to AV-over-IP content distribution.

Based on his knowledge of Key Digital, Henry outfitted the Pitch Deck with the 4K KD-VW4x4ProK, specially engineered to cost-effectively create high-impact video walls using consumer panels and monitors.

The installation relies on four HDMI inputs with four outputs mirrored to HDMI outputs and to RJ45 jacks for CAT5e/6 extension transmission via UHDoTP (UHD over Twisted Pair). The four AV-over-IP extender receivers that come bundled with the KD-VW4x4ProK are powered over the CAT links. In the Pitch Deck, they are located behind the screens where they feed HDMI to the monitors.

The KD-VW4x4ProK additionally features seamless 4x4 matrix switching, two-channel analog and digital multichannel surround audio de-embedding and independent audio routing. The solution supports 4K / UHD content up to 3840 x 2160p 4:2:0 at 60fps.

Henry’s company took advantage of the 180-degree rotate function of the Key Digital processors to maintain optimum aesthetic appeal for the video wall.

With the panel flip processor function engaged, the processors electronically flip the images fed to the top two monitors 180 degrees. Doing so enabled INEX Systems to sidestep an aesthetic issue raised by the monitors’, in Henry’s words,  “ugly” protrusions that extend from the lower bezels.

“It made it simple to just flip the top TVs in the web UI interface,” said Henry. “I dialed in the IP addresses, flipped the two TVs, adjusted the bezels and it took me all of two minutes.”  

The Pitch Deck system also incorporates two Key Digital KD-XWPS HDMI/USB-C wall plate switcher/extenders for source input and a KD-BYOD4K wireless presentation gateway that allows presenters to cast content easily into the system via Wi-Fi from computers, tablets and smart phones. Demonstrating how Key Digital gear can integrate with various system control platforms, the Pitch Deck gear is interfaced with an IP-based URC Total Control system for touchscreen management of window shades, lighting and presentation setup preset toggling. The system communicates with the KD-VW4x4ProK to control the video wall for display of one overall image or simultaneous showing of multiple sources, such as a video conference display alongside a presentation.

Elsewhere in the building, Compass Control Pro – Key Digital’s integrated iOS control system for its products and over 120 brands of third-party AV and facility infrastructure gear – is used for AV-over-IP distribution management.  

More information is available on the Key Digital and INEX Systems websites.

TORONTO—LG Electronics will introduce what it says is the “world’s first” commercial TV set for hotels with support of Apple AirPlay and highlight the development during the HITEC Toronto hospitality technology show, June 26-29, at the Metro Toronto Convention Center.

With Apple AirPlay support, the set will make it possible for guests to share content in a seamless, secure way from their Apple iPhone or iPad with the TV in their rooms. AirPlay will be available to guests on LG Pro:Centric Smart Hotel TVs later this year at select properties, the company said.

“This is a major advancement for in-room entertainment in the travel and hospitality industry, and underscores how closely we are listening to the needs of consumers who increasingly demand simple access to their personal media options on the biggest screen, wherever they are,” said Michael Kosla, hospitality vice president at LG Business Solutions. “Hotels that offer this feature will have an immediate leg up with travelers who use Apple devices, boosting guest satisfaction while providing real differentiation from local competition.”

LG and Apple worked together to ensure connecting an iPhone or iPad is as simple as doing so at home. To connect securely, a guest scans a unique QR code. No login or password is required; nor is it necessary to download an app. The intent is to give guests an easy way to access personal entertainment from their Apple devices on the TVs in their rooms, LG said.

AirPlay allows guests to stream, control and share videos, photos, music and more from their iPhone or iPad to the smart, in-room LG TV so they can watch streaming services, such as Apple TV+, rehearse presentations and enjoy vacation photos, it said.

Apple announced earlier in June at its WWDC23 event that AirPlay will be available in hotels.

Hotel operators will be able to start offering AirPlay capability on LG smart hotel TVs later this year. AirPlay capability will be available on 2023 LG smart hotel TVs and on other recent LG models. 

See LG Electronics at HITEC booth 1809.

More information is available on the company’s website.

ORLANDO, Fla.—LG Business Solutions USA has announced that its InfoComm 2023 booth (#1642) will highlight a number of commercial display technologies as well as demos of their use in a dozen distinct product zones. 

“Our largest presence ever at InfoComm will present the pinnacle of digital display technology,”  David Bacher, head of marketing for LG Business Solutions USA said, “and the multiple large-scale displays facing the show floor give attendees a taste of what they can experience walking through the booth. We are offering a first-hand look at how our digital signage solutions and related technologies elevate the experience in boardrooms, retail stores, restaurants, education, virtual media production studios, control rooms, public art installations and more.”

The 10,400 square foot booth, includes a Virtual Production zone where LG will demonstrate advanced display solutions for broadcasters, production studios and digital content creators with displays that allow for live-action footage to be shot against a realistic virtual backdrop. Attendees can learn how a virtual production studio works and how they are being used to dramatically increase media creation opportunities while reducing the cost of content production for film, TV and in-house corporate needs, LG said. 

From outside the booth, visitors will be able to see the Digital Art Zone’s massive 272-inch LG MAGNIT 8K Micro LED display. Showing a variety of 8K footage that captures the beauty of the natural world, integrators will be able to envision how such a show-stopping display could be used in public spaces, corporate or hotel lobbies, LG said. 

The rear side of the Digital Art display wall highlights additional opportunities for these spaces with a new 163-inch All-in-One DVLED display and a custom-designed digital sculpture that combines eight 55-inch transparent OLED displays, resembling a giant prism, LG said. 

As they enter the booth, visitors will be able to see the MAGNIT 8K Micro LED display synchronize with a Transparent OLED Signage banner comprising 26 55-inch displays. Covering one side of the LG exhibition hall’s entrance, the overhead solution will create an incredibly immersive media art experience while showcasing the technology’s versatility and creative application opportunities.  

Another large MAGNIT display, measuring 163-inches diagonal and featuring a remote power supply option, will grace the Control Room Zone. Integrators will see for themselves how the minute pixel pitch, high brightness and color accuracy offered by MicroLED MAGNIT displays provide ultimate clarity and accuracy for critical Control Room operations, LG reported. 

The Meeting Room and Board Room Zone is where visitors will encounter the widest variety of displays, centered around the 21:9 All-in-One DVLED displays optimized for widescreen video conferencing platforms. This zone will also show how LG’s One:Quick Works and One:Quick Flex displays offer enhanced operations in office settings. 

The versatility of LG’s Transparent OLED solution will be spotlighted in the Retail Zone, where a 30-inch screen serves as the draw and centerpiece of a shoe display and a 55-inch watch kiosk entices shoppers and provides key product information. This zone also includes multiple other transparent OLED displays and a fine-pitch LED display. 

The Software Solutions Zone demonstrates a variety of digital signage software solutions, including the LG Cloud Platform, SuperSign Cloud and Pro:Centric Cloud for content management, ConnectedCare for remote management and LG Smart Cam Pro for 4K smart cameras.

Moving into the Education Zone, visitors will be presented with the LG CreateBoard (model TR3DK), which shows how modernized classrooms can engage, inform and inspire students while enabling and encouraging greater collaboration. The latest model provides LG CreateBoard Lab for content creating and writing, and LG CreateBoard Share for wireless content and screen sharing. 

The Food and Beverage Zone will demonstrate a variety of digital signage displays, including a 37-inch ultrawide Stretch display that’s ideal for advertising on shelves and pick-up desks, and ultra-bright 22-inch and 55-inch weatherproof models optimized for drive through applications.

LG power-saving and green technologies will be featured in the ESG and EV Charging Zones. In the ESG zone, visitors will learn about LG’s focus on environmental sustainability, exemplified by hundreds of ENERGY STAR certified displays and supported by noteworthy international certifications for electromagnetic emissions, safety, security, accessibility, compatibility, and durability. The EV Charging zone will point to the future, showing how LG’s high-brightness outdoor displays can be incorporated into partner-manufactured EV charging kiosks.

“InfoComm is one of our greatest chances to meet and discuss possibilities with commercial integration professionals eager to offer their clients cutting-edge solutions,” Bacher said. “We want them to know we are investing in innovations that open new avenues of expression, offering new opportunities to win bids and increase business success.”

More information is available at https://www.lg.com/us/business.  

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—In the run-up to Fox Sports’ production of Super Bowl LVII, Fox Sports and LG Electronics have launched the Fox Sports app on LG Smart TVs1 including its LG OLED TVs and LG QNED TVs. The app can be accessed via LG's webOS Smart TV platform2.

The Fox Sports app offers live and on-demand streaming sports from Fox, FS1, FS2, and Fox Deportes all in one app. 

Every live Fox Sports game and studio show is available to pay TV subscribers, making NFL, MLB, NASCAR, College Football, College Basketball, FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, CONCACAF Soccer, MLS, WWE, USFL, and Liga MX, as well as on-demand highlights available. 

The app is available on LG Smart TVs with webOS version 5.0 or higher for TV model years 2020-2022. Subscription fees for certain features in the MML app may be required.

To learn more about LG TVs, visit lg.com.

LAS VEGAS—This year’s edition of CES was vastly different from a quarter-century ago. Back then, televisions were just breaking free from low-resolution cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) as high-definition television was taking its baby steps. A 50-inch high-resolution display in 1998 contained just 1280 x 768 pixels (Wide XGA) and cost as much as a car. Rear-projection televisions were just switching to solid-state light modulators. And liquid-crystal display (LCD) televisions weren’t even available—the largest flat screen TVs all used expensive plasma display panels (PDPs).

Today, all of those technologies (and some of their manufacturers) are distant, fading memories. We’ve had 4K TVs for over a decade, while 8K sets appeared five years ago. LCD technology rules the roost nowadays, and the median TV screen size is about 55 diagonal inches and slowly increasing. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays have supplanted plasma for image quality, but with much lower power consumption.

But there are other contenders: Mini and microLEDs, quantum dots and QD-OLEDs are finding their way into televisions and computer monitors. What are the differences between them? Will they replace or obsolete any currently available displays? Read on…

Liquid-Crystal Displays and Enhancements
It didn’t take long for large LCD panels to become the preferred solution for large televisions after their introduction 20 years ago. Those original models have evolved from heavy, bulky designs using fluorescent lamp backlights to modulate thousands of tiny light-shuttering pixels, to sleek housings stuffed with light-emitting diode (LED) backlights. Over time, pixel counts have continued to grow as retail prices drop with increased manufacturing efficiency. 

The debut of high-dynamic range (HDR) video forced more design changes. Given the gross inefficiency of LCD imaging panels (only 5% of the backlight illuminance actually makes it to the front of the screen), other solutions were needed to boost brightness levels. One approach was to add a thin layer of quantum dots, tiny metallic particles that absorb blue light from LEDs and re-emit it as higher-intensity red and green light (hence, the quantum energy conversion effect). 

Televisions with a “Q” in their model names (like Samsung’s QLED TVs) use quantum dots (QDs) to produce high dynamic range images. These displays are still hamstrung by the light transmission inefficiency of LCDs, but they are now able to pump out luminance levels in the range of 1200 to 1500 candelas per square meter (cd/m2). TCL also manufactures LCD TVs with quantum dot enhancement layers. LCD TVs equipped with quantum dots are priced at a premium over conventional LCD models. 

There’s another way to achieve HDR imaging by packing more “mini” LEDs into a smaller area and change their light levels in step with luminance levels in video content, a process known as local area dimming. Sony and Hisense (ULEDs) use this approach instead of QDs. The challenge is to minimize LED light from bleeding into adjacent pixels, creating what looks like a halo effect around bright text and objects. 

Fixing that problem requires some additional structural changes to each pixel as well as specialized light modulation techniques. But there’s another problem looming—TVs using large matrices of miniLEDs for local area dimming consume lots of power, and pending European Union regulations on energy conservation may keep these models from ever coming to market.

Organic Light-Emitting Diode Displays
OLEDs have been in development for decades, yet it seemed like they could never get over the finish line. Tricky to manufacture, they were susceptible to moisture and differential aging of colors. And you couldn’t drive them too hard, as they’d burn out quickly. 

OLEDs emit different colors of light when a low voltage is applied across a junction of organic compounds. Those colors are saturated and bright, and OLED displays exhibit high contrast, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. Unlike LCD panels, OLEDs are very thin and can bend and warp. These latter properties have made it possible to offer foldable smartphones and tablets, not to mention digital signs that can be wrapped around poles, buildings, cars, and other objects.

There are two types of OLED displays in wide use today. For televisions, white OLED panels with color filters (WOLEDs) dominate the market. (The white color in RGBW displays is generated by a compound of blue and yellow organic chemicals.) LG Display is the source of all WOLED panels used in OLED TVs, no matter whose brand you see on the bezel. The underlying technology uses an RGBW pixel stripe to produce high levels of luminance (up to 1000 cd/m2 with a 10% full white window). WOLED televisions are available in sizes from 42 inches to 97 inches. 

The second type of OLED display, used in smaller products such as smartphones, has discrete red, green, and blue emitters (RGB stripe). Several companies manufacture RGB OLEDs, among them Japan OLED, Samsung Display, and Chinese manufacturers AUO and BOE. While RGB OLEDs can achieve similar peak luminance levels as WOLEDs, the largest RGB OLED display currently available is a 32-inch desktop monitor. 

The challenge for both RGBW and RGB OLEDs is the time to half-brightness of the blue organic materials. (A similar problem affected blue phosphors in color TV picture tubes and plasma displays.) Some clever solutions have been devised to overcome this problem, such as using multiple blue emitters with each running at reduced brightness. One way to get more luminance out of an OLED display is to employ microlens arrays on each pixel, collimating the light and directing more of it to the screen. This technique is currently implemented by LG on its latest series of Evo OLED televisions.

QD-OLED Hybrids
A new, clever hybrid display technology combines a stack of blue OLED emitters with red and green quantum dots. This QD-OLED hybrid was launched by Samsung Display last year at CES in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes and was joined by a 77-inch television at this year’s show (Samsung and Sony both sell QD-OLED models). QD-OLED TVs command higher prices than conventional LCD TVs and are priced on par with quantum dot-equipped sets and WOLED TVs. 

The big advantage of the QD-OLED is the simplicity of imaging layers—four in all—in the display panel. As an emissive display, it too exhibits excellent contrast performance, deep black levels, high color saturation, and a wide viewing angle. The blue OLED emitter is actually a stack of smaller blue OLEDs, each running at reduced power to extend their useful life. The rest of the horsepower comes from the quantum dots, with Samsung Display claiming a maximum luminance of 2,000 cd/m2 for 2023 models. Think of the QD-OLED as a turbocharged WOLED or RGB OLED!

MicroLED Displays
Display manufacturers are now prototyping televisions made up solely of tiny red, green, and blue LED emitters. These “micro” LED displays can also be used across a wide range of display products from smart watches and phones to tablets, computer monitors, and in transportation applications. To make this happen requires high manufacturing yields of microLED chips at a reasonable cost, which has so far proven to be a difficult task.

The advantages of microLED displays are in simplicity and image quality. Instead of the multiple light-absorbing layers of polarizers, backlights, and color filters in an LCD display, there’s just an array of LED emitters and transistors to switch them on and off. Since microLEDs are emissive displays, there are no issues with black levels and contrast flattening when viewed at wide angles. And they’re plenty bright at 1500 cd/m2, although they can easily hit peak levels exceeding 2000 cd/m2.

Although multiple companies are researching and developing microLED displays, only Samsung is currently offering models for consumers. At CES, they unveiled a 76-inch Ultra HD model to complement earlier 89-inch, 101-inch, and 110-inch offerings. The main selling point of the 76-inch Micro LED CX is that it can be installed by the end user. However, given the steep price point of the previously-introduced 89-inch model (about $80,000), it’s going to be a high-end, ultra-premium television for now.

Even so, many display analysts predict microLED displays will likely replace all other display technologies by the end of this decade—if manufacturing costs can be lowered and high yields achieved. And the odds are that it will happen. Recall that the first plasma televisions came with five-figure price tags, but by 2010 cost well under $1K. And the first 4K monitors (not TVs) sold in North America in 2012 were priced over $20,000! Today, you can buy a 65-inch “smart” Ultra HDTV for as little as $400 on sale.

Looking Ahead
Given the popularity of WOLED TVs, you’ll see more companies like Toshiba and Sharp offering them in 2023. LCD TVs will continue to be the cheapest TV offering, while QD-equipped models are slowly coming down in price to keep pace with OLEDs. 

As for microLED TVs—well, if you have eighty grand just lying around… 

LAS VEGAS—For the first time since 2020, I was back attending the CES in Las Vegas and once again on the lookout for all things related to NextGen TV. But while my mission was to investigate NextGen TV, I had no expectations of seeing banners and displays at any manufacturer’s booth touting ATSC 3.0.

I had a discussion with ATSC President Madeleine Noland at its booth, which was designed to act as the source of all things ATSC. Over the years, CES has greatly expanded its focus, showing all kinds of technologies and while there may be a theme to the overall show, it is unusual to have any single technology permeate the event—which is why having an ATSC presence at the show is vital. My experience has been that even if there is a hot technology at the show, that doesn’t guarantee it will be a hit or last…3DTV comes to mind.

On day one of the show, I, along with my colleagues Merrill Weiss, Karl Paulsen, set out to look at displays. This is kind of the habit that the three of us got into pre-pandemic and I was happy to pick it back up. While we all know that NextGen TV capabilities can and will extend beyond the traditional TV set, there is no doubt that the initial first impact will be through the television whether it is by true UHD or 1080p with HDR and immersive sound.

New Wireless Tech
Our first stop was LG where the big item was the 97-inch LG Signature OLED M Wireless TV. This 4K display was absolutely beautiful when it came to delivering picture quality but what set it apart was the separate AV interface box that wirelessly connected to the display eliminating all of the HDMI, RF, and audio/video cabling. The control head can be placed in a discrete location and only a power connection needs to be run to the display, certainly simplifying and enabling a very clean installation. Judging from all the accolades that this display received, I am not alone at being impressed.

LG wasn’t the only “wireless” television offering on the floor. Displace, a smaller manufacturer was showing a true wireless television that not only removed all the signal cables but also the power cable as well. The 55-inch display is powered by up to four large hot swappable batteries located at the corners of the display. The control head wasn’t on display but is essentially a computer that connects to the set using Wi-Fi 6e.

The display incorporated a camera and uses hand gestures for remote control as well as seamless transitioning from one Displace display to another as one travels around the home. According to the booth personnel that I spoke with, assuming one watched the TV for six hours a day, the batteries would last 30 days. The set will also work with only one battery.

Probably the standout display technology from my CES experience was Hisense. They had a wide array of mini-LED televisions that had amazing visual performance. Obviously, the content shown was designed to demonstrate the exceptional performance of the mini-LED’s as were all of the other manufacturers, but there was just something about their displays that made them noticeably more vibrant. I spent time in their living room showcase where, in addition to demonstrating Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision IQ, and Technicolor Advanced HDR, they were also showing NextGen TV reception of the local Sinclair station in Las Vegas.

New in NextGen TV
I have a personal and professional interest in wanting to know more about NextGen TV gateway devices and set-top boxes. The Des Moines market is getting ready to turn on ATSC 3.0 in March and Iowa PBS’s KDIN is one of the stations slated to participate. As with the DTV conversion, many viewers will want to have a way to receive NextGen TV and display it on their existing television and wireless devices. 

At home I have a pair of Silicon Dust HDHomeRun units (which support 3.0), feeding into my home network, but these devices do not have HDMI outputs for connecting directly to a set which I think is critical to widespread adoption. In the ATSC booth it was good to see several working set-top boxes as well as some true dongle devices, all selectable on a real display. While not all the units on display were shipping, there didn’t appear to be any science experiments in the case, just well thought-out products.

Immersive Audio
Two of the tangential demonstrations that I got to experience were demonstrations of both Atmos and MPEG-H immersive audio in vehicles. The first was the Dolby Atmos demonstration which was amazing. In many of the audio journals and magazines I have read about recording studios converting to Atmos and creating immersive mixes, but this was my first chance to experience the finished product. 

Sitting in a Mercedes EQS listening was a little overwhelming, so I didn’t think of my questions until much later. Towards the end of the day, I had a demonstration of immersive MPEG-H audio in an Audi at the Fraunhofer exhibit. Again, the demonstration was impressive, but I was a little more prepared to ask questions. 

Talking with the Fraunhofer engineer I was amazed to find out that an MPEG-H immersive audio feed like the one I had just experienced consumed about 300 kilobits of data capacity. While I know there are back-office data businesses that are under consideration for NextGen TV, perhaps among the services to be considered might be some immersive audio. Classical music has never drawn a huge audience, but it has drawn a small but loyal listenership that may not want to subscribe to a paid service, but they do send in thank you gifts. 

For me personally, I am hoping for an Atmos or MPEG-H remix of Dark Side of the Moon. "There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it's all dark."

LAS VEGAS—LG Electronics has unveiled its lineup of 2023 TV models, headlined by enhanced OLED TV models that will be featured here when the 2023 CES Show opens Jan. 5. 

The new OLED models feature self-lit picture quality, powerful image processing technologies and an enhanced webOS platform with more smart features and services. Missing from the press announcement of new models was mention of support for ATSC 3.0 or NextGen TV.

LG’s self-lit OLED technology has made it possible for the company to offer remarkable television form factors, including the rollable LG Signature OLED R and the bendable LG OLED Flex. New this year to its lineup of OLED TVs are the upgraded Z3, G3 and C3 OLED evo series. The models offers higher brightness and color accuracy in addition to clarity and detail made possible by OLED evo technology and its new α9 AI Processor Gen6, the company said.

The processor relies on the company’s most sophisticated AI-assisted Deep Learning tech to ensure high-quality images and sound. AI Picture Pro offers improved upscaling and enhanced dynamic tone mapping. It also offers picture processing that detects and refines important images, such as faces, to give them a more lifelike HDR quality, it said.

The processor leverages AI to enable delivery of virtual 9.1.2 surround sound from the TV’s built-in speaker system, LG said.

This year’s edition of the OLED evo G3 series offers LG’s Brightness Booster Max technology, offering new light control architecture and light-boosting algorithms to increase brightness by up to 70%. Brightness is mapped and controlled on a pixel-by-pixel basis, it said.

The 2023 G3 OLED evo models also offer an aesthetic upgrade with the introduction of the ultra-seamless One Wall Design, which leaves no gap when wall-mounted, it said.

The company’s latest version of webOS has a redesigned user interface offering a variety of personalization options. The Quick Cards feature gives users easy access to the content and service they use most. The company is further enhancing personalization with AI Concierge, which offers each user a curated list of content choices based on past usage and searches. It also provides a selection of trending content to browse, it said.

The new OLED models are also HDMI 2.1a-compliant and are certified by HDMI for the recently announced Quick Media Switching VRR (QMS-VRR), which eliminates the momentary black screen that can occur when switching between content being played from different source devices that are connected via a TV’s HDMI 2.1a-compliant ports, it said.

More information is available on the company’s website.

NEW YORK—FilmRise has announced that it has launched a suite of FAST channels on LG’s free streaming service in North America, U.K., Ireland and the Nordics. 

The launches add to the FilmRise AVOD content already available on the LG Channels service. 

The FAST channels include some of FilmRise’s most popular titles including “Forensic Files,” “Unsolved Mysteries,” “Heartland,” “21 Jump Street,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “FilmRise Free Movies” according to Danny Fisher, CEO of FilmRise.

Fisher explained that “Our partnership with LG Electronics has proven to be an incredibly fruitful one and we are thrilled to be adding these FAST Channels for LG consumers to enjoy.  This deal represents our aggressive initiative in expanding our global footprint into new territories through collaborations with connected devices.”

LG Channels is LG’s exclusive free streaming service available on LG smart TVs, offering a wide selection of premium live and on-demand programming, including movies, TV shows, news, sports, children’s programs, and more.  With more than 350 channels and rapidly growing, LG TV owners can easily discover their favorite programs by launching the LG Channels application on their LG TV’s webOS platform (LG smart TV models 2016-present).

The new FAST channels from FilmRise being launched on LG include: 

• Forensic Files: Iconic true crime series that presents the science behind crime-solving that features dramatic recreations, expert interviews and deep-dives into key evidence.
• Unsolved Mysteries: Hosted by Robert Stack, this series uses reenactments and interviews to retell the circumstances of mysteries that remain unsolved. Covering crimes, tales of lost love, unexplained history and paranormal events.
• Heartland: CBC’s longest-running hour long drama series takes viewers into a close-knit multi- generational family living on the Heartland ranch in Alberta, Canada.
• Hell’s Kitchen: Hosted by Gordon Ramsay, this program is filled with cutthroat competition and delicious drama.
• 21 Jump Street: To combat a rise in school crimes, LAPD sends four young-looking officers to high school to pose as students. Starring Johnny Depp.
• FilmRise Free Movies U.S.: Films starring top talent such as Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Zac Efron and more are featured in this massive selection of free blockbusters. This channel has programs specifically curated for the U.S. audience.
• FilmRise Free Movies Canada: Films starring top talent such as Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Zac Efron and more are featured in this massive selection of free blockbusters. This channel has programs specifically curated for the Canadian audience. 
• FilmRise Free Movies UK: Films starring top talent such as Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Zac Efron and more are featured in this massive selection of free blockbusters. This channel has programs specifically curated for the UK audience. 

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics USA and the National Football League (NFL) have inked a deal to launch the NFL Channel, the NFL's digital streaming channel on LG Channels, LG's free streaming service on LG Smart TVs. 

The NFL Channel provides original programming, NFL Films shows, classic game broadcasts and more. 

"We created our LG Channels streaming service to provide a robust selection of free content to LG Smart TV owners,” explained Matthew Durgin, LG's senior director of content services. “The opportunity to collaborate with the NFL and offer the NFL Channel provides a significant added value and truly elevates the LG Channels experience for our customers.”

LG Channels offers more than 350 channels and is available on LG Smart TV models (2016+) running webOS 3.0 or newer.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—LG Ads Solutions has announced the global rollout of its proprietary automatic content recognition (ACR) technology across LG TVs globally. 

The upgrade, which will replace legacy technology, and put the new ACR solution on millions of smart TVs across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Australia, will help the company better understand viewing patterns and the performance of ad campaigns on connected TVs.

The rollout covers 27 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Australia. ACR provided by LG Ads Solutions is already active on LG smart TVs in the U.S. 

As of September, LG Ads Solutions has become the exclusive provider of all LG CTV inventory and data worldwide. 

“This ACR rollout marks the next major phase of our global CTV advertising business with LG Ads Solutions,” explained CEO Raghu Kodige. “It is a highly significant moment for brands across four continents, who increasingly need to reach cord-cutters and light-TV viewers who have migrated to OTT services, and to understand incremental reach over traditional linear TV services. Now with LG Ads Solutions, brands globally can plan, activate, and measure CTV advertising using the industry’s best ACR data set to help guarantee campaign success.”

The ACR data will help brands understand, in an anonymized fashion, which TV ads have aired, or not aired, and how many times, in any given household, the company said. 

For brands, this means they can increase frequency levels for underexposed households, cap frequency for overexposed households, conquest households that are exposed to competitor’s ads, and more. It also informs brands and agencies which households they are missing completely due to cord-cutting.

The data can also be used to measure the effectiveness of the ad. 

LG Ads Solutions already powers CTV campaigns in over 40 countries globally. Now, brands in any country covered by the ACR rollout can immediately begin working with LG Ads Solutions to understand TV audience viewership in their country at a granular level, in order to pinpoint granular audience segments and to optimize reach, frequency, and ad effectiveness across linear and streaming television, the company said. 

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG's free streaming service, LG Channels has added a wide range of modern movie classics that will be free to stream on LG smart TVs for a limited time during September. 

LG also announced that they’re adding more channels in September, boosting the total to over 350. 

The free movies available in September include:

• “The Mask” - Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz star in this story of a sweet, socially inept bank teller who discovers a mask that transforms him into a superhero ... but one whom you may not want to call for help.
• “Million Dollar Baby” - Academy Award winners Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman star in this gritty drama of a veteran boxing trainer, his former boxing cohort--and the woman who strides into his gym and announces she intends to become a professional fighter.
• “P.S. I Love You” - When Holly (Hilary Swank), a 22-year-old widow, must put her life back together after losing her husband, Gerry (Gerard Butler), she discovers that he has left her a list of tasks revealed in 10 messages, delivered anonymously, that gradually ease her out of grief and lead her to a new life.
• “Doc Hollywood” - Michael J. Fox stars as young, brash and brilliant Dr. Benjamin Stone, who heads out on a road trip to California, after completing his residency, for a dose of fun, sun and lots of money as a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, but takes an unforeseen detour into Grady, South Carolina.
• “The Rookie” - A short-tempered veteran cop, and his quiet new partner, who has long been haunted by guilt over his brother's death, are determined to find the man who murdered his former partner in this hard-hitting action thriller.
• “Going The Distance” – In this romantic comedy, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star as a couple navigating the pitfalls and miscommunications of their bicoastal romance, dodging bad advice from friends and some predatory singles who won't take "taken" for an answer.
• “Yes Man” - Jim Carrey stars as Carl Allen in the story of a man whose life, with a single word, changes drastically after agreeing to try spontaneity by saying "Yes"… to everything. But his willingness to embrace every opportunity might just become too much of a good thing.

BURBANK, Calif.—The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Awards Committee has announced the winners of the 2022 HPA Award for Engineering Excellence. The awards will be bestowed at this year’s HPA Awards gala on November 17 at the Hollywood Legion in Hollywood, Calif.

“The pace of innovation in our industry continues unchecked! This year, we received more submissions for Engineering Excellence consideration than ever before,” the HPA Awards Engineering Committee chair Joachim Zell said. “It’s gratifying to see this record number of submissions, driven by a deep understanding of the true needs and desires of our industry, laying the groundwork for future progress even as they launch us ahead in the moment. Congratulations to the winners, and our deep respect for all of the entrants, who have contributed to the continued evolution of our industry.”

The HPA Awards recognize creative artistry and innovation in the professional media content industry. A coveted and highly competitive honor, the Engineering Excellence Award rewards outstanding technical and creative ingenuity in media, content production, finishing, distribution, and archive. Submissions for the Engineering Excellence Award include a video presentation, followed by interviews with a distinguished panel of industry judges.

The winners of the 2022 HPA Award for Engineering Excellence are:

• Amazon Web Services: Color in the Cloud. Leveraging JPEG-XS, signals are compressed to be suitably transmitted over AWS Direct Connect, AWS VPN or the open internet while maintaining lossless or uncompromised image quality, resulting in a viable and scalable solution for high fidelity, visually lossless color from a cloud provider. 
• Arri: REVEAL Color Science. The ALEXA 35 REVEAL Color Science reveals improved dynamic range, color gamut, and superior rendering of skin tones and subtle colors. It separates looks from display transforms, to support dual monitoring of HDR and SDR on set, enabling more efficient grading for multiple deliverables in post production.
• LG Electronics: LG UltraFine Pro OLED Monitor. The UltraFine OLED Pro EP950 reference grade HDR monitor meets color critical needs for content creation in cost-effective small-formats (32in & 27in). The RGB additive OLED UHD panel delivers close to 100% AdobeRGB and P3 coverage with peak luminance of up to 700 nits at 25% APL (HDR mode) and 250 nits full-field white. In-monitor 1D LUTs, 3D LUTs and 3x3 matrices allow accurate user calibration with Calman or LG software.
• Mo-Sys Engineering: LED Key. LED Key makes VP filming affordable by allowing wide shot capture on small LED walls. Virtual Production LED wall based filming is great for mid and close up shots, but wide shots required set builders to build floor and wall extensions or huge LED walls, which increases cost and time. LED Key allows filming with much smaller walls or even projectors, enabling greater location flexibility for filmmakers.

Four technologies followed closely, earning honorable mention: Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC (ZEISS CinCraft Mapper), Frame.io (Camera to Cloud), Glassbox Technologies (DragonFly virtual camera) and LucidLink (Filespaces).

The Engineering Excellence Award will be presented at the HPA Awards gala on November 17th. 

Other special awards include the Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation, and The Jury Award for Restoration and Preservation. 

Kim Waugh, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Post Production Creative Services, will receive HPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Creative artistry will be recognized in fifteen categories, which includes new honors for nonfiction post production.

HPA Awards tickets are currently available to HPA members only at hpaonline.com. Tickets sales will open to the general public in the coming weeks.

More information about the HPA Awards and the Hollywood Professional Association can be found at www.hpaonline.com.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—Smart TV manufacturers continue to push into the gaming sector with LG Electronics USA  partnering with Google Stadia to offer three months of access to Stadia Pro for both new and existing LG Smart TV owners. 

The announcement came on the same day that Samsung, which has launched a Gaming Hub on its TVs, made Amazon Luna cloud gaming service available on its smart TVs. 

Netflix meanwhile has been pushing aggressively into gaming and merger and acquisitions of gaming companies has hit record levels this year. 

Smart TVs have become an increasingly popular approach for gamers because they don’t require expensive consoles or PCs. 

The LG/Google promotion applies to LG TVs2 operating webOS 5.0 or higher in the 22 countries where Stadia, Google's cloud gaming platform, is now available.

Stradia offers more than 50 titles to play, with new titles added every month, unique discounts on games and add-on content regularly offered. 

Stadia Pro enables up to 4K HDR graphics, 60 FPS gameplay and immersive 5.1 surround sound,

The Stadia store also features over 250 popular games available to buy, including Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil Village, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, Hitman 3 and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as access to a growing list of free games and demos, all playable with just a compatible controller and no game downloads or installs required.

LOS ANGELES—Estrella Media has announced that LG Electronics will carry Estrella Media’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) networks through LG Channels. 

LG is the first partner to launch Estrella Media’s brand-new Cine EstrellaTV FAST channel. In addition LG Channels will also carry Estrella News, delivering live Spanish-language news coverage, and EstrellaTV, the flagship television network of Estrella Media. 

The launch follows the announcement that was made in Estrella Media’s IAB NewFronts presentation.

“Estrella Media is determined to always stay in front of changing consumer behaviors through partnerships with leading edge platforms and expanded distribution agreements,” said René Santaella, chief digital and streaming officer, Estrella Media. "LG Channels is a leader in the living room and an incredible way to deliver free premium content to Hispanic viewers at scale. We are excited to partner with them to launch our new 24-hour Spanish-language movie FAST channel, Cine EstrellaTV, and carry our popular EstrellaTV and Estrella News channels."

The addition of LG Channels to Estrella Media’s digital distribution is an important partnership for both companies as it expands access to the large Hispanic and Spanish-language streaming audience, the companies said. 

“The Hispanic audience over-indexes with smart TVs and streaming compared to other audience segments, and this partnership will grow Estrella Media’s overall footprint,” added Santaella. 

Cine EstrellaTV is a free 24-hour movie channel celebrating Latin cinema. The channel will offer a curated daily playlist of hundreds of outstanding Latin cinema titles, including drama, comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.

The current cost of living crisis is having some unexpected effects. While the price of so many essential goods keeps ratcheting up month after month, we're actually seeing some of the most aggressive price drops on certain premium TVs in years, thanks to something of a perfect storm. And that's news for those who still have the money for them, but want to spend cautiously.

In particular, it's the price drops on the latest-gen LG C2, Samsung S95B and LG G2 TVs that really surprised me. These sets all use cutting-edge panels, yet their cost is falling faster than in previous years.

The perfect combination of factors to cause this is: people are less interested in buying premium products now that their household costs are spiking; people are also less interested in buying new TVs because so many of us bought them in the last two years, and now would rather spend money on being out and about; and Samsung launched its first QD-OLED TV, to compete with the best OLED TVs from LG, and would like you to pay attention to it please.

When you combine all these things, you've got two different companies battling each other for for money, in a market that isn't as hot for these products as it used to be. It's a recipe for prices to fall faster than usual, and that's exactly what we're seeing.

Where Do Things Go From Here?
The Samsung vs. LG part of it is the most interesting. Samsung's first 4K OLED TV, the S95B, is an incredible TV that launched at a high price, right in line with the also high-end LG G2. LG has dropped the price of the G2 by around 20% in the months since its launch, and so Samsung has followed suit by dropping the S95B by around 20% just weeks after its launch.

These have put price pressure on the LG C2, which is the more affordable option, but still contains a brighter new-generation screen than its predecessor, the LG C1, has. The more advanced TVs were dangerously close in price to the LG C2, so that's dropped in price too, to keep it competitive.

The really nice knock-on effect of this is that the 42-inch LG C2 OLED TV – which is under much less price pressure because it has no direct rivals on the market at the same price – has dropped to a very reasonable price much quicker than we expected.

And it's not going to end here, of course – these TVs have only just come out, so they're going to be competing for your money for another 12 months most likely, yet they're already shedding hundreds off their price.

The price battle among high-end OLED TVs is obviously great news for anyone who wants to buy one, and it'll keep getting hotter – Samsung has both production plans and new research that could make QD-OLED cheaper to manufacture.

But the real wins could come for those who want a more budget-friendly LED TV, if you buy later in the year.

That's because there's an even more perfect storm forming around LED/LCD TVs. For a start, you've got the exact same demand issues mentioned above where people are buying fewer TVs, but this has already caused the price of LCD screens to drop when building TVs, which means TVs being built today cost less (in some ways) to create than when models were announced earlier in the year. That means they'll drop in price. So you've got a triple demand whammy there.

And then you've also got the downward price pressure being applied by the Samsung/LG OLED price battle towards less expensive TVs. The LG C2 price drop pushed it to the same price as the Samsung QN85B entry-level mini-LED TV, which means Samsung has dropped the price of the that TV.

That means the price of more affordable TVs will drop in turn, like dominos. LG already dropped the price of its well-specced QNED80 LED TV for Prime Day, and we also saw over Prime Day that Hisense had dropped the price of one of its brand new affordable QLED TVs by around 30%.

Basically, we're seeing TVs in June falling to prices that we would have more expected in October or November – which means they'll have fallen even further by then, which means that the Black Friday deals could be… very good.

Obviously, we're in turbulent times, and lots could happen between now and then to change things. But for those who will have the money to spend on one of the best TVs this year, you're going to be able to get a serious bargain, that much is certain.

This article originally appeared on TV Tech sister brand, TechRadar

NEW YORK—A new survey from DeepIntent and LG is reporting that nearly two thirds (64%) of connected TV viewers would prefer to view ads rather than pay more for content. 

The survey of 2,900 U.S. adults, which was conducted between March 25 and 31, comes at a time when companies like Disney and Netflix have decided to spur sub growth by adding ad-supported tiers. It also reported that:

• 65% say targeted ads improve their experience;
• 57% say CTV ads are more relevant than linear TV ads;
• 42% rate the relevance of the pharma ads they see as poor or very poor;
• 30% of people feel pharma ads provide helpful information to someone in their household and 27% have spoken to a doctor about a medical treatment after learning about it through an ad.

These findings reinforce past research conducted by DeepIntent that found a relationship between consumer advertising and patient research of their treatment options, which patients state as the most common factor influencing their medication adherence.

Developed in partnership with LG Ads Solutions, the exclusive provider of LG smart TV native ads and audience targeting data, the study also highlighted the importance of ACR or automatic content recognition data. 

The survey found that 96% of linear TV viewers say they watch their favorite shows exclusively via cable or satellite box. However, real-world data from their TV sets showed that only 48% of their viewership actually took place via a cable or satellite box – meaning that more than half of viewers may be watching CTV content without even realizing it.

This key finding pointed to the importance of using ACR data when planning, measuring, and optimizing advertising campaigns across linear and CTV, the companies said. 

To address that issue, DeepIntent has announced its complete integration with LG Ads Solutions' real-time ACR data repository covering more than 30 million LG smart TVs in the U.S. 

"For too long, healthcare marketers have struggled to reach relevant audiences at scale. By combining the targeting power of CTV with ACR data, DeepIntent's patented technology optimizes campaign audience quality and script performance in real-time," said DeepIntent senior vice president of analytics John Mangano. "Consumer research has proven that this combination influences patient outcomes."

The full report on its research with LG Ads Solutions is available here.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—LG Business Solutions has announced that the National Association of Broadcasters had integrated more than 200 cutting-edge displays from LG Business Solutions in nearly every part of its new headquarters in Washington D.C., including a 22-foot-wide by 20-foot-tall 2mm pixel pitch LG LED Signage curved video wall in the first floor lobby that’s visible from the street. 

When the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) decided to build its new headquarters on a high-traffic corner on Washington D.C.’s South Capitol Street, the premier trade association for broadcasters wanted to make a strong statement about the key role of television, radio and new media in 21st Century America.  

“We want to send a message that we represent an industry that is on the cutting edge across the board, from public policy to programming to technology,”  NAB vice president Michael Tow,Tow said. “As a facility promoting the broadcast industry to policymakers and the public, we saw a need to have a large format display in the main lobby acting as a landmark for the community that says ‘those are the broadcasters.’ With so much car and foot traffic passing by the building’s lobby windows on a daily basis, we recognized that a large curved LED Signage wall makes a powerful statement that NAB and the broadcast industry are focused on the future and utilizing the most innovative technologies available.”

As part of the installation, LG Business Solutions worked with technology solutions provider Diversified and audiovisual consultant Miller, Beam and Paganelli.

In addition to the first-floor lobby’s video wall that is designed to highlight the NAB’s mission of advocacy, education and innovation, the headquarters features a number of cutting edge technologies. 

After stepping out of the elevator into the 10th floor lobby, guests and colleagues are greeted by a transparent LG OLED video wall that allows viewers to literally see through video messaging and TV content to the extraordinary view of the nation’s capital. 

The 2x3 panel video wall, which comprises six 55-inch transparent OLED panels for a total screen size of 144 inches measured diagonally, has the capability to display live TV programming and NAB messaging as one large image or as six separate screens running different content simultaneously. The video wall is flanked by vertically mounted, 86-inch LG Ultra-Stretch displays that make an excellent canvas for meeting information, company updates and other internal communications. 

“The transparent LG OLED video wall is the kind of technology the phrase ‘show-stopper’ is meant for,” said Michael Burnstein, vice president of Diversified. “NAB and Diversified have long-running relationships with each other, as well as with LG, and after sampling the company’s latest releases and learning about specifics like pixel density and pixel pitch at InfoComm, we knew it could provide the types of eye-catching digital experiences we envisioned to highlight the headquarters while remaining cognizant of our budget and needs.”

NAB occupies six floors in total, and on floors five through nine, visitors and employees are greeted by a 65-inch 4K Ultra HD (UHD) display showing NAB messaging when they exit the elevator. 

Nearly every area and room contains digital displays, including 10 executive offices and 12 team rooms that each house a 43-inch LCD display, and a CEO Team Room that includes the same 65-inch 4K UHD model located at each floor’s elevator bank. Five conference rooms contain 65–inch 4K UHD displays, the Gordon H. Smith Conference Center (named for Sen. Smith, former NAB President & CEO) goes big with an 86–inch 4K UHD display, and the fifth floor boardroom features a huge 98-inch 4K UHD LED display.

In addition to the LED Signage and transparent OLED video walls, the 10th floor NAB Hall of Fame video wall composed of five ultra-narrow-bezel 55–inch 4K UHD LED displays arranged in a 5x1 configuration, shows highlights from the colorful history of broadcasting. The Multi-Purpose Room is also on the 10th floor, in which another LG LED Signage video wall provides a bezel-free 1.8mm pixel pitch UHD display that’s 32 feet wide and six feet tall. 

NAB’s fitness center utilizes two 55-inch LCD displays, and the Cafe on the ninth floor features nine 55-inch UHD LED monitors. The IT Counter-Intelligence Center has three 49-inch LCD displays. In two Project Rooms and the Conventions Open Team Room, NAB chose to install LG’s 65-inch Interactive Digital Boards, enabling workers to save and share meeting information, present multiple images or pieces of information with the ability to edit it on-screen, and even provide webOS™ 3.0 collaboration options that don’t require a PC.

Yet another video wall is located in the fifth-floor Technology Showcase, using four 55-inch 0.44mm bezel monitors to create a 2x2 video wall. 

The headquarters also has 150 34-inch curved ultra-wide LG monitors on desks of NAB employees.

“From an architectural standpoint, we wanted to merge the interior technology with the building’s excellent views of the Capitol, as well as create public visibility from outside the building,” said John Paganelli, principal at Miller, Beam and Paganelli. “Once we saw and experienced LG’s transparent OLED technology, we knew it would make an excellent showcase piece and help achieve the futuristic digital aesthetic NAB strived for. From there, we recognized the impact a large lobby display could have in such a high-traffic area and determined that LG’s curved LED Signage technology was the most impressive way to attract the public’s eye.”

To watch a video of the headquarters, click here. 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—In a major deal with one of the world’s largest ad agencies that could significantly boost the connected TV ad space, LG Ads Solutions, the connected TV and cross-screen advertising arm of LG Electronics, has announced an agreement with Omnicom Media Group (OMG) to bring LG smart TV and cross-screen ad inventory to Omnicom agencies and clients. 

This agreement comes at a time when the industry expects to see connected TV (CTV) spending for the year reach $19.1 billion and could fuel further growth by making it easier for OMG agencies and clients to access LG’s CTV data and to carry out CTV ad campaigns on more than 20 million homes with LG smart TVs. 

As part of the agreement, LG Ads Solutions data will be integrated within Omni, Omnicom’s industry-leading operating system. That will allow account teams across OMG to activate advanced targeting segments from Omni across more than 20 million LG smart TV households in the U.S. and allow OMG agencies to run TV campaigns across all addressable LG smart TVs in the U.S.

“LG Ads Solutions brings one of the industry’s largest observed TV data sets to the Omni platform, as well as access to its premium CTV media inventory,” says Slavi Samardzija, CEO of Annalect, the data and analytics division of OMG that developed and manages Omni. “This partnership is a natural continuation of our efforts to transform the effects of data and analytics on media, while giving our clients access to the best view of both consumer behaviors and media inventory, paired with the highest level of precision.”

Additionally, all media available through LG Ads Solutions, including exclusive native ads, CTV video and cross-screen ads, will be accessible through Omni’s media inventory graph, which delivers a precise view of the quality, value and availability of inventory in the marketplace. 

“Omnicom’s vision for bringing more transparency and quality consumer experiences to CTV is directly in line with our initiatives for more open access to high-value smart TV data and for guaranteed outcomes for advertisers, where CTV media is only paid for when campaign objectives are met,” explained LG Ads Solutions Chief Executive Officer Raghu Kodige.

DETROIT—For an in-vehicle ATSC 3.0 entertainment experience to remain uninterrupted as a car or truck travels from the coverage area of one station to another, there needs to be successful hand off between the two stations much as a cell phone network provides for calls to remain uninterrupted as people move from one cell to the next.

A test conducted in November 2021 demonstrated the viability of this handoff during a test involving a version of DigiCap’s DigiCaster 3.0 gateway installed at two participating television stations, WKAR TV, the Michigan State University public media station in East Lansing, and WMYD, The E.W. Scripps Company TV station in Detroit, the company revealed today.

In the test car, LG Electronics installed a system to receive and display ATSC 3.0 signals on a rear-seat entertainment TV. As the car traveled from the signal coverage of one TV station to the next, the handoff technology succeeded in keeping a steady TV signal on the receiver device, it said.

“The success of the demonstration is meaningful as it shows that both entertainment and data services in moving cars can be commercialized," said Yeongho Je, director of C&M Standard LAB at LG Electronics.

Heartland Video Systems installed and configured servers and installed the DigiCasters at both stations.

“Achieving seamless data hand off between the signals of adjacent ATSC 3.0 TV stations is foundational for any datacasting application in the automotive and mobile fields,” said Anne Schelle, managing director at Pearl TV. “While data handoff technology is not new, confirming a successful test of this technology for use with ATSC 3.0 spectrum is an important step forward.”

An organization mandated for developing telecommunications standards in India is in talks with the Advanced Television Systems Committee to collaborate on development of broadcast/broadband convergence standard in India, and the organization's director general thinks the ATSC standard holds a lot of promise. 

Earlier this year, the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India, (TSDSI) and the ATSC signed an agreement that enables adoption of ATSC standards on mobile devices in India. A trial is ongoing in Bangalore with early demonstrations involving Indian public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati. 

TSDSI Director General- Ms Pamela Kumar is hopeful the international community will rally around the ATSC 3.0 standard and make it part of 3GPP, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, a coalition of seven telecommunications standards development organizations, including TSDSI. Doing so will expedite adoption of 3.0 in the mobile phones in India, she says.

Kumar recently visited the United States and during her trip spoke with TVTech about these developments, the role of mobile phones in Indian life, how 3.0 could play a key role in Indian education and healthcare and why convergence of television and telecom in India holds great promise.

(An edited transcript.)

TVTech: In the U.S., many broadcasters think of ATSC 3.0 in terms of television. But the signal is so robust that it can be received by mobile phones as well. Could you describe how TV on mobile phones fits into a possible use case in India?

Pamela Kumar: We don’t have regular TV that you can watch on smartphones or cell phones yet. We need these new standards, and this [ATSC 3.0] is the new technology. 

People do leverage smartphones in a lot of ways. I’ve seen that even during the Olympics, people were privately taking videos and posting them… [of] some of the events that Indians were participating in. So there is a very important, latent need and desire that TVs should be available because there’s more easy access to smartphones with every person. I think there are more than 1 billion smartphones in the country now.

TVT: So where does ATSC 3.0 stand in India?

PK: The importance of 3.0 comes from the fact that there is so much content that’s becoming available now that’s being watched on the cell phone and being downloaded to various applications and services that people are taking on. So, the cellular networks are really getting crowded.

The amount of data consumption—you’re seeing gigabytes per person per month—that’s going on. The data consumption is growing phenomenally. 

No matter what, 4G or 5G or whatever, more than 90% of what is being used is for video downloads, and a lot of it is actually broadcast content. 

The precious spectrum that is there for the broadcast content is very, very underutilized. Nobody turns on the typical broadcast channel. So how do you merge these networks and make [content] available from a user perspective in a seamless manner?

It’s interesting that the IP world and the telecom world were like two separate worlds, and there was a Berlin Wall between them. Now they are totally converged. What is 4G? 4G is cloud-based. The telephone exchange, the way we knew it, has disappeared. It’s all cloud-based. It’s all IP.

The same thing with broadcast. Why? It’s an artificial barrier now. Broadcast has this very special different way of doing things. It’s about time that this convergence happens in the same way that IP and telecoms converged. 

I think broadcast converging is the next big thing, especially because of the big fight over spectrum.

TVT: If we look at the experience here in the U.S., it’s quite possible the networks of wireless companies could benefit by offloading linear TV traffic to a 3.0 network. But there seems to be an irreconcilable business difference of opinion that prevents the convergence you discussed from happening here. Is that not the case in India?

PK: I believe the wall is not that high, and you know, there are legacy barriers. I’ve seen this again and again. With new technology in the U.S. and Europe–because of business reasons and huge business investments—there is always very strong interest in protecting the legacy.

India has a green field. It’s still a green field. The level of technology investments are there, but you know, it’s not that difficult to leapfrog into the next, new technology.

Now this chip has been created in order to add TV to the phone. TV will become the standard. That is going to happen with all the applications going in this vertical industry space. Education is a big thing, and being able to use broadcast channels to reach everybody with high-quality education is important, and making it interactive. Similarly with healthcare.

Healthcare and education are two very big apps for this broadcast-broadband convergence. These are real needs of society—of humanity—fundamental needs of human society. With that motive, I think we should introduce this convergence. 

We cannot always put business and profit first. Capitalism has its importance, but I think if you oversubscribe to it, then we are going down the wrong path.  

I think the need that ATSC [3.0], or something like it, can serve today is really to address this huge demand for high-quality, using the technology for education and healthcare and making it available irrespective of who is there. The person who needs it, gets it. The guy who is the poorest, probably gets the highest quality healthcare, and why shouldn’t he get it.

TVT: Has there been any movement to deploy 4G/ATSC 3.0 or 5G/ATSC 3.0 networks in India, or is it still too early?

PK: There is some kind of trial that is being pulled together with one of our institutes onboard along with our broadcasters and Saankhya Labs, which has done the [mobile receiver] chip and a few other startups. Reliance Telecom is also being talked to about this.

We in the TSDSI really want to mobilize this community and bring them together, so they are putting up a trial in Bangalore right now. They have done some early demonstrations, and Prasar Bharati, our TV broadcaster, has come forward to enable this. That’s a big deal.

I think over the next year or two the international community should converge and really make it an agenda to make ATSC 3.0 part of the standard of 3GPP [the 3rd Generation Partnership Project].

TVT: Do you have any idea of the timeframe in which there might be movement toward deployment in India with ATSC 3.0 as part of a converged solution?

PK: That’s a tricky question. But I believe if we really get our act together and focus on getting integrated into 3GPP that will help break a lot of barriers and expedite the whole process. Getting it in the field will make it much faster. The service providers and the government will all quickly embrace it. 

We have a path defined to convert things from the 3GPP into national standards and get them deployed at a national level. 

TVT: Do you have any parting thoughts?

PK: I would really like to ask the ATSC 3.0 proponents globally to come and join hands with us at TSDSI and form a small collaboration group. Let’s collaborate. We already have an MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] with ATSC. Let’s leverage that and go and make this a reality. 

I really believe that a butterfly can flap its wings and can cause a thunderstorm. We just need to start flapping our wings together and cause this converged world to happen.

CULVER CITY, Calif.—TikTok TV has announced that it has expanded its presence in the U.S. and Canada with the launch of the TikTok TV app on Google TV and other Android TV OS devices, LG Smart TVs, and Samsung Smart TVs.

Earlier this month, TikTok TV launched in the US and Canada with Amazon Fire TV as its first partner. 

The move to the big screen is part of the company’s efforts to position itself as an entertainment destination and to capitalize on the growing audience for YouTube-like videos on connected TVs.  

The company noted that “the TikTok TV app is built for a TV home-viewing experience, making it easy to watch content from our 'For You' and 'Following' feeds on the big screen. This includes the most liked and viewed videos across a huge range of categories, from gaming and comedy to food and animals. To get started, people can login to the TikTok TV app with their existing account. There is also a 'Discover' page, which lets you find more of your favorite content, creators, and categories on TikTok.”

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics USA has launched a three-year partnership with the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports for category exclusive marketing and distribution rights to NCAA Championship competitions. 

LG's support of NCAA Championships will include the launch of the NCAA Championships Channel, a new smart TV streaming channel for NCAA championships available exclusively on LG Smart TVs, the companies said.

As part of the partnership with CBS Sports and Turner Sports, up to 50 NCAA Fall, Winter and Spring championships, both live and on-demand, will be featured on LG's exclusive streaming service, LG Channels. A top-five app in terms of streaming hours on LG TVs, LG Channels features more than 350 free ad supported channels in the United States.

The exclusive NCAA channel on LG Smart TVs will also offer a unique series featuring behind-the-scenes content from student athletes and their schools in addition to recaps of NCAA championships throughout the year. 

"As a fan of the NCAA, LG is excited about this one-of-a-kind sponsorship opportunity which will deliver various services for fans, including live streaming content through a big screen experience and enhanced access to games," said Peggy Ang, senior vice president of marketing at LG Electronics USA. "Working with the NCAA, CBS Sports, and Turner Sports, LG will offer a new platform that celebrates these accomplished athletes while simultaneously empowering their development and success with LG technologies."

The NCAA Championships Channel launches this month, airing highlights and games from previous college championships. The Fall 2021 NCAA championship games will be available on-demand starting mid-November, with live streams expected to be available starting for the Winter season in the first quarter of 2022. LG, the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports will work closely together on integrated marketing activities to celebrate this momentous partnership.

"We're thrilled to welcome LG to the NCAA Corporate Partner family as it brings a platform that will put more of a spotlight on outstanding student-athlete accomplishments with its SmartTV channels," said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball.  "NCAA student-athletes are high achievers in the classroom and in competition. LG is providing a special opportunity for athletes to be seen and to have a voice around their championships. We thank LG for providing this unique platform where student-athletes can talk about their overall experiences and their competitive achievements."  

SEOUL—In a sign that companies are making progress in developing 6G technologies, LG Electronics has announced that it successfully demonstrated the transmission and reception of wireless 6G terahertz (THz) data over 100 meters in an outdoor setting. 

This milestone was achieved in collaboration with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest applied research lab, on August 13 with the data traveling between Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) and the Berlin Institute of Technology in Germany.

6G THz has short range and experiences power loss during transmission and reception between antennas. As a result, one of the biggest challenges in the evolution of wireless 6G has been the need of power amplification to generate a stable signal across ultra-wideband frequencies, LG noted. 

The power amplifier developed by LG, Fraunhofer HHI and Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) allowed them to overcome that problem. The power amplifier is capable of generating stable signal output up to 15 dBm in the frequency range between 155 to 175 GHz. 

LG was also successful in demonstrating adaptive beamforming technology which alters the signal’s direction in accordance with changes to the channel and receiver position as well as high gain antenna switching which combines output signals of multiple power amplifiers and transmits them to specific antennas, the companies said. 

With 5G technologies still in the early stages of being deployed around the world, the next generation 6G technologies are years away. 

With global standardization targeted for 2025 and commercialization within four years thereafter, 6G networks will be able to support faster wireless transmission and communication speeds with low-latency and high-reliability.

LG Electronics has been actively developing 6G core technologies for a while. 

In 2019 LG established the LG-KAIST 6G Research Center in partnership with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the country’s foremost research university. Earlier this year, LG and KAIST brought on board Keysight Technologies Inc., a global manufacturer of wireless telecommunication testing and measuring equipment, to take the collaboration to the next level. 

In June, LG was also elected chair of the Applications Working Group of the Next G Alliance, the industry initiative of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) to advance mobile technology leadership in 6G for the next decade and beyond in North America.

“The success of this test demonstrates that we are ever closer to the successful application of terahertz radio communication spectrum in the upcoming 6G era,” said Dr. I.P. Park, president and CTO of LG Electronics. “Our successful partnerships with local and global research institutions and organizations to advance the development of 6G capabilities have been very rewarding.”