Pearl TV’s over-the-air converter box survey, released last month, reveals the existence of a long-suspected viewer class.

As the industry awaits a rulemaking from the Federal Communications Commission it hopes will bring certainty to the end of ATSC 1.0 to make way for a full rollout of 3.0, Pearl TV appears to be attempting to reassure regulators with research showing over-the-air TV viewers are willing to spring for an inexpensive converter box to ensure post-transition reception.

The research, conducted by Magid and released in the “Pearl TV Over-The-Air Converter Box: Consumer Key Findings” report, asked 600 adults 25-65 years old who watch a minimum of two hours of OTA TV per week what they thought about the prospect of shelling out a few dollars for a one-time purchase of a converter “to maintain free access to local TV content without recurring monthly fees.”

Spoiler alert: Four out of five respondents would buy a converter box with basic features. That should give some peace of mind to the commission if it chooses to set a date or dates certain for a 1.0 sunset as NAB has petitioned rather than continue with a voluntary transition, albeit with fewer regulatory restrictions.

While highly pertinent to the transition discussion, the thing that caught my eye was the report identifying the “emergence of the ‘Omni-Viewer’ segment” of OTA TV fans.

Who are omni-viewers? The “tech-savvy group… who intentionally blend free local broadcasting with digital streaming,” the report said.

“Nearly two-thirds of antenna users also subscribe to streaming services, demonstrating that, for these consumers, broadcast television is complementing, rather than being replaced by, modern digital platforms,” it said.

I’ve long suspected this class of TV viewer exists. After all, I am one. I’ve also suspected TV broadcasters can take advantage of the existence of this set of viewers who are equally adept at streaming content via the internet and OTA TV. Here are three ways they can:

• Cement viewer loyalty and grow the OTA audience. Installing a rooftop antenna or one in the attic isn’t especially hard but neither is it particularly easy or convenient. (Was that really a brown recluse spider I saw in the roof rafters as I squirmed on my back across the ceiling joist?) But with OFDM-based ATSC 3.0, a simple indoor antenna may be all that’s needed for reliable reception. That may be enough for omni-viewers to spread the word to their friends and family.

• Enhance the viewing experience with interactivity. Broadcasters already have some experience leveraging both OTA and streaming delivery of television, à la Broadcast Enhanced Streaming Channels and RUN3TV-based program start over. How else might they enhance TV viewing and benefit economically? Targeted ads, QR code-triggered shopping carts and others not-yet imagined or at least made public?

• Hyper-local news and advertising content. Who needs the expense and headache of local SFNs and deploying LDM solutions if it’s possible to deliver specific, targeted news and commercials to neighborhoods, districts and other defined zones? Even to individual omni-viewers?

Bottom line: The omni-viewer has arrived. Broadcasters need to begin acting like it.

Email Phil Kurz at tvtechphil@gmail.com.

WASHINGTON—A new national study of over-the-air television viewers finds strong interest in an affordable NextGen TV converter box, with 81% of respondents saying they would purchase a converter box to maintain access to their free local broadcast TV stations.

The findings are from a new survey commissioned by Pearl TV that was conducted in January 2026 by Magid among 600 adults ages 25–64 who use an antenna on at least one television in their home and at least two hours per week.

The survey was conducted as the TV station groups backing Pearl TV are ramping up efforts to bring more affordable TV converter boxes to the market. Pearl TV is currently working with several manufacturers to develop a range of low-cost NextGen TV converter boxes, including ADTH, Bitrouter, Skyworth, and Zinwell. Also involved with the converter box project is TV viewing data expert Titan TV, which is consulting on best practices for presentation of program guide data.

The new research indicates that the antenna audience is not only loyal — it is evolving and growing with a new generation of multi-platform viewers.

“This research confirms that over-the-air viewers are diverse, modern and highly engaged,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “Local broadcasting is not being replaced — it’s being integrated into broader viewing habits. A converter option ensures these growing audiences can continue receiving trustedlocal news, sports and emergency information as broadcast technology evolves.”

The study did not provide estimates of the total percentage of TV homes that use antennas but in early 2024 Nielsen estimated that about 18% of TV homes have at least one TV that is capable of receiving over-the-air broadcasts.

While all respondents to the survey watch local channels via antenna, nearly two-thirds also subscribe to streaming services, and many use cable or virtual platforms as well. Rather than replacing local broadcast channels, these services are complementing it, the researchers said.

The result is a rising segment of what Pearl TV calls “Omni-Viewers” — consumers who intentionally combine free local broadcasting with digital and subscription platforms.

“This report highlights the evolution of the American consumer and the local television landscape, “ explained Bill Hague, executive vice president at Magid. “We have been researching the benefits of NextGen TV with U.S. consumers with Pearl TV for more than 10 years and one key finding of this study is that the younger end of the adult 25–64-year-old sample was most interested in the converter box.”

The survey also highlighted strong interest in local programming with these findings:

• 92% say they would miss their antenna access if it were no longer available.
• 70% rely on local TV stations for news.
• Nearly two-thirds depend on local TV weathercasts.
• Half watch local sports and national newscasts via an antenna to tune to local TV broadcasters.
• Antenna households span all ages and income levels. The converter box concept shows particularly strong appeal among adults 25–44, those with families, and with higher-income households — demonstrating that over-the-air television is not a legacy-only platform but rather one embraced by digitally fluent consumers who value both flexibility and reliability.
• Viewers cite financial accessibility, access to local news and emergency information, and live sports as primary reasons they value broadcast television.

In terms of interest in NextGen TV converter boxes, the survey found:

• 81% would purchase a converter box.
• 64% would select a low-cost box to maintain access to local channels, which reflects a practical willingness to invest in maintain free local TV service.
• 14% said they were purchase a NextGen TV-capable TV to maintain access.
• 86% (net) would purchase either a TV or a box.
• 18% would go without access to local TV.

Top motivations for purchase of a converter box included the fact that it was a one-time purchase with no monthly fees; it works with current TV and antenna setup; and it provides reliable reception, even when internet service is unavailable.

A summary of the study is available here.

WASHINGTON—Associations backed by the pay TV industry have voiced significant opposition to the NAB’s proposals for speeding up the transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.

In filing with the Federal Communications Commission, which has launched an inquiry into rules impacting the rollout of ATSC 3.0 broadcasts [FCC GN Docket No. 16-142 Authorizing Permissive Use of the “Next Generation” Broadcast Television Standard], the NCTA, the American Television Alliance (ATVA) and others have criticized NAB proposals that the FCC should set a firm cutoff date for ATSC 1.0 broadcasts and eliminate requirements to simulcast 1.0 content on the newer 3.0 broadcasts.

In its Jan. 20 filing, the NCTA. which represents major cable providers told the FCC that the transition “to ATSC 3.0 should remain market based, and the Commission should reject broadcasters’ requests for government intervention. Instead, the government should continue to prioritize protecting consumers from any harmful impacts.”

More specifically, the NCTA comments argued that “the simulcasting requirements in the Commission’s rules remain essential at this point in the transition given the broadcast industry’s decision to use a non-backwards compatible technology. The Commission should not foist the substantial costs of a premature conversion to ATSC 3.0 on consumers and MVPDs by abandoning the simulcasting and substantially similar protections at this time.”

Filings by the NAB, Pearl TV and other broadcasters have pushed for the end of simulcasting rules because it would free-up spectrum and allow them to better showcase the benefits of the new 3.0 broadcast standard.

The NCTA also argued that the FCC “should also reject any calls to grant must-carry rights to 3.0 signals. In today’s video marketplace, must carry requirements are no longer supportable under the First and Fifth Amendments. Extending must carry requirements to 3.0 signals would only exacerbate these constitutional infirmities.”

The filing argued that “MVPD distribution of ATSC 3.0 signals also presents numerous technical challenges, including issues that implicate the Commission’s existing rules regarding broadcast must carry and retransmission consent. The Commission should remain mindful of these challenges as the transition progresses.”

In terms of must-carry for 3.0 broadcasts, the NCTA argued that “requiring cable operators to incur additional substantial costs to upgrade their equipment to meet new carriage obligations would have significant economic impacts on regulated cable operators and interfere with their investment-backed expectations. In today’s highly competitive marketplace for video, these burdens are more severe and represent a far greater economic impact on cable providers than was the case when courts have considered these issues in the past.”

The NCTA also contended that “The Commission should also ensure that broadcasters’ use of spectrum serves the public interest and meets statutory requirements concerning ancillary and supplementary services, and it should take steps to contain any anti-competitive effects stemming from broadcast stations’ transition to ATSC 3.0.”

The NCTA warned that implementation of the broadcast standard posed a number of anti-competitive threats to the video market and argued that the FCC should adopt policies that would avoid those problems.

“If the Commission decides to permit stations to flash cut to ATSC 3.0 despite the early state of the transition and lack of demand from consumers, it should take additional steps to limit and contain the inevitable anti-competitive effects and harm to MVPDs and consumers,” the NCTA argued.

“The Commission should affirmatively require that patents relevant to the ATSC 3.0 standard be licensed on a reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) basis,” the NCTA urged. “Of significant concern, there has already been patent infringement litigation involving alleged ATSC 3.0 functionality where the jury awarded the patentee an ongoing royalty of $6.75 per television for four patents, exorbitantly higher than the rates for the two existing patent pools for ATSC 3.0 patents.

"Specifically, a pool comprising over 11,000 patents operated by Avanci charges $2-$3 per unit, and a pool of 50+ patents administered by Via Licensing Alliance similarly charges under $3 per unit. Constellation’s excessive royalty award prompted LG to suspend inclusion of ATSC 3.0-compatibility in its TVs for the U.S. market. This type of `patent ambush’ is particularly worrying given that many patents in the field claim patent-ineligible subject matter (as LG is arguing in the pending litigation), but it can take years of litigation to invalidate such patents.”

In its filings, the American Television Alliance also argued that the transition posed significant technical issues for pay TV operators and that they should not be required to invest significant amounts of money to comply with Must carry rules.

The ATVA said it “continues to be open to `voluntary and market-driven’ adoption of ATSC 3.0” and said the FCC should continue its “voluntary and market-driven” approach.

“From the MVPD perspective, the most significant concern about ATSC 3.0 is that the format is not backwards compatible with MVPDs’ existing distribution architecture, and many current set-top-boxes and consumer devices cannot support ATSC 3.0 streams and related features,” it stressed. “Developing ATSC 3.0 compatibility would require MVPDs to incur substantial costs for new equipment and system changes to receive and process ATSC 3.0 signals. Even then, most MVPDs could not deliver ATSC 3.0 signals to consumers. In other words, whatever improvements broadcasters might make to their signals using ATSC 3.0 are highly unlikely ever to accrue to MVPD subscribers and thus MVPD expenditures to accommodate ATSC 3.0 would be a dead weight loss.”

“We, therefore, urge the Commission to maintain the simulcasting requirement (and the substantially similar requirement),” the group concluded. “If the Commission were to decide otherwise, however, it should at a minimum require broadcasters—whether electing retransmission consent or must-carry—to deliver signals to MVPDs in a 1.0-compatible format at their cost. Otherwise, the Commission would be asking MVPDs (and their subscribers) to incur substantial costs to downconvert broadcast signals without any benefit to those subscribers. This would be arbitrary and capricious.”

The group also contended that “the primary benefits of the ATSC 3.0 transition appear not to be improvements to broadcast television, but rather the ability of broadcasters to use ATSC 3.0 signals for unrelated services like datacasting. This real possibility that broadcasters could use the vast majority of their spectrum for services other than free, over-the-air television raises significant legal questions, including under the Communications Act, FCC rules, and the Administrative Procedure Act—especially if MVPDs and their subscribers are expected to pick up the tab for such services.”

The full filing by the NCTA is available here.

The full filing by the ATVA is available here.

[This article is part TV Tech’s ongoing coverage of the FCC and NextGen TV; articles about the comments and filings from other companies and associations with different perspectives on these issues can be found here and here.]

LAS VEGAS—The challenge of attending CES is its size. The convention utilizes all of the enormous Las Vegas Convention Center as well as several other facilities, so often getting from one vendor appointment to another is an exercise in logistics and physical endurance. This was not as much of a problem for me this year as I was focused on what was happening in ATSC 3.0 (aka NextGen TV).

Not that CES wasn’t enormous—it certainly was—but the ATSC booth was located in the new Grand Lobby of the LVCC and that seemed to be where all of the NextGen TV information was. While I didn’t see every vendor at the show, I cannot recall seeing an ATSC 3.0 or NextGen TV reference anywhere on the various floors.

I spent time listening to presentations about the latest and greatest television displays. My consistent question after the presentation was the same: “Does this set include a NextGen TV receiver?” To their credit, I didn’t have anyone say “no,” but I also didn’t hear anyone say “yes”—mostly because I think they didn’t know what I was asking for. The one exception was Sony, which doesn’t even exhibit televisions as a product at CES anymore; they knew the vast majority of their sets are NextGen TV-ready. So after a long day on the floor I went back to the ATSC booth and found out the latest.

The Quest for Cheap Converter Boxes
The biggest news is the work that Pearl TV is doing with its partners iWedia and Skyworth on the creation of a low-cost, plain “vanilla” converter box—think of the coupon-eligible converter boxes of the original DTV conversion two decades ago. Anne Schelle, Managing Director of Pearl TV, says that by creating a model with tailored specifications, it qualifies the units for discount pricing from the IP owners and the chip set manufacturers.

I say “plain vanilla,” but in truth, the final specifications are still being worked out and it is a bit of a balancing act. The idea is to bring the box to market at $60 or less, which presents some interesting challenges. According to Miguel Rivera, Skyworth’s Director of Business Development for North America, the explosion of AI infrastructure has created a supply chain issue on components such as DDR memory chips.

So there are still details to be worked out and according to both Schelle and Rivera they are analyzing what consumers really need and want to get the best trade off of features for price.

Understanding what consumers want is critical for the success of the project. Pearl is working with Magid Associates to analyze consumer data to help ensure that this device ticks the right boxes. Ultimately what will be delivered is a converter box with an antenna input and an HDMI output that will allow any display to present NextGen TV to the viewer.

Target: 50K Boxes for Retails By the End of 2026
One area where this converter box will outperform the original DTV converter boxes is that there are already many successful implementations of ATSC 3.0 tuners in the market so much of the refinement has already been accomplished.

Additionally, Skyworth and their software partner iWedia already have considerable experience since Skyworth is providing the tuners for TV 3.0 in Brazil and Mexico as well as being licensed to provide the receivers for televisions marketed under the Panasonic and Phillips brands. This level of experience should ensure that these new converters function properly.

According to Rivera and Zivko Radonjic, business development manager for iWedia, this CES was technically the first demonstration of a prototype for the project. The target is to have a working demo by the end of the summer when the complete list of specifications is better defined and an initial run of approximately 50,000 units by year end. Schelle expects that promotion of NextGen TV and the units will begin around that same time frame. Of course all of this is dependent on supply chain stability.

I asked Schelle what metric Pearl would use to measure the success of the venture. She offered that success would be “incremental.” Pearl’s belief is that by delivering a working model of an affordable converter, other manufacturers would step up to the plate and deliver similar units under their own branding.

Several times during the conversation, the need to sunset ATSC 1.0 was mentioned so I asked what Pearl would see as the best 1.0 sunset rulemaking. Robert Folliard, Gray Television’s senior vice president of government relations and distribution, offered that broadcasters need a hard date from the FCC as soon as they are comfortable. Neither Schelle nor Folliard believe that maintaining the current status was tenable for much longer.

Given that Pearl was using the DTV CECB (coupon-eligible converter box) model to develop this new device, I asked if they were considering presenting this program to Congress to generate support similar to the coupon program. While the answer wasn’t immediate, it was “yes,” but only as an idea and it wouldn’t be the deciding factor on whether or not to proceed.

A ‘Soft’ Market for NextGen TV
When asked about how satisfied she is with how the consumer electronics manufacturers are approaching NextGen TV, Schelle admitted that the market is certainly soft and that the business model has changed. Folliard also spoke about how set manufacturers have created their own walled gardens and are hoping to get broadcasters to pay to be discoverable within their Home Screen environment.

I postulated that I wouldn’t be surprised if the large manufacturers didn’t adopt the cellular model and give away televisions if the consumer signs up for a multi-year subscription plan. Schelle said he was happy to hear that, since they had been having similar discussions.

While the affordable converter box was the most interesting ATSC 3.0 development I looked at, I have to give an honorable mention to Zapper Mini. One of the challenges that I see to any renaissance of OTA television is the idea that every set in the house has to have an antenna cable drop.

The Mini uses a regular Zapperbox as a gateway and then uses WiFi or Ethernet to connect Mini’s to the gateway. You can put these on every television in the house with the gateway connected to a single antenna. It is an interesting technology that I am looking forward to trying in my home.

LAS VEGAS—Pearl TV today revealed its new NextGen TV Converter Box Program, an initiative that aims to ensure affordable converter boxes are available to viewers who continue to rely on free, over-the-air TV while the nation’s broadcasters transition to ATSC 3.0.

The announcement comes days before the official opening of CES 2026, Jan. 6-9, here and while the Federal Communications Commission considers its pending Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that is expected to advance the transition.

The Pearl Converter Box Program is designed to support a new category of affordable, basic NextGen TV converter boxes that connect to existing televisions and antenna products, allowing consumers to enjoy 3.0 broadcasts without needing to buy a NextGen TV set.

The initiative aligns with key policy considerations raised in the FCC’s ongoing proceeding, including consumer access, affordability and continuity of service as NextGen TV broadcasts become more widely available, the business group of seven major broadcast groups.

“Pearl’s NextGen TV Converter Box Program specification is being developed now and will be informed by consumer research, broadcaster requirements, retail pricing requirements, labeling and certification specifications and ongoing discussions with device manufacturers,” said Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle. “The program establishes a common certification and interoperability framework to support a range of eligible receiving devices across participating manufacturers. The program is open to any qualified converter box manufacturer that aligns with the program's baseline device profile and affordability goals.

“We anticipate that the first affordable NextGen TV converters could be available later in 2026. As NextGen TV adoption expands and the FCC considers future policy frameworks, these affordable devices are expected to play an important role to bridge consumers who rely on over-the-air television.”

At CES 2026, Pearl TV is showing early examples of converter boxes in collaboration with industry partners. Representative NextGen TV devices will be on display at next week at the ATSC exhibit booth in the Central Hall Grand Lobby. Among them will be an example developed with set-top manufacturer ADTH, another developed by Skyworth, a high volume global device manufacturer, and iWedia, a certified ATSC 3.0 software stack developer. Pearl TV is also engaged in discussions with Zinwell and other manufacturers, Pearl TV said.

The NextGen TV Converter Box Program also aligns with recent qualitative consumer research conducted by Magid indicating consumers value affordable options that allow them to retain existing televisions while continuing to access free local news, weather, sports and entertainment.

“This study shows that consumers are open to purchasing a converter box and many are excited about the idea of it providing a higher quality, more reliable viewing experience,” said Magid executive vice president Bill Hague.

The program focuses on essential viewing functionality, prioritizing simplicity, familiarity and cost-effectiveness. Magid has also begun quantitative consumer research to further inform key consumer messaging, pricing, and feature options, Pearl said.

To maintain clarity for consumers and support affordability, eligible NextGen TV basic receiving devices will join a roster of more advanced offerings from other companies that offer features such as digital video recording and whole home networking capability, it said.

More information is available on the Pearl TV website.

With the Federal Communications Commission working on new rules for the deployment of NextGen TV, next year promises to be an important one for both the future of ATSC 3.0 in general and for the security protections that are a key component of the new broadcast standard.

“For us, content protection is table stakes in terms of broadcasters being able to compete in digital environments,” explained Ann Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a consortium of major station groups backing the NextGen TV rollout. “To compete with streaming and other digital media, we need the same tool kit, the same content protection, they have.”

While ATSC 1.0 lacked encryption and robust content security, the content-security features embedded in ATSC 3.0 are particularly important, as NextGen TV is being deployed when such protections are ubiquitous in the digital and streaming world, added Robert (Rob) Folliard, Gray Media’s senior vice president, government relations and distribution.

“DRM [digital rights management] is critical for high-value content from the NFL, MLB, the NBA and all the other leagues, because they lose billions of dollars each year from piracy,” he explained. “That is a problem for us—live sports drives the broadcast model, and we are the only video provider who doesn’t have it. The NFL doesn’t have to worry about it when they do a deal with Amazon or YouTube. If we don’t have content protection, that is going to be a strike against us in the next round of negotiations.”

New Rules, Old Issues
Many of the ongoing arguments and controversies over content security in the digital world can be found in the FCC’s electronic filing system, where more than 7,000 comments have been tallied in response to the agency’s plans to develop new NextGen TV rules.

While Pearl TV and larger broadcasters have supported the enhanced security and content protection offered by the 3.0 standard, some LPTV stations and smaller station owners have raised concerns about the high costs of implementing security solutions.

These filings have been particularly critical of the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA), which was created by broadcast TV networks and station groups to manage the security framework for NextGen TV, including digital rights management and content-protection protocols.

The LPTV Broadcasters Association, for example, has argued that the expense of transitioning to 3.0 broadcasts would force stations out of business and that the costs of obtaining “signal-signing” certificates to verify the 3.0 broadcast signals are “excessive.”

Separately, thousands of filings from consumers and advocacy groups like Public Knowledge have also complained that encryption and signal-signing certificates undermine the public’s ability to access free broadcast signals.

“Introducing encryption and Digital Rights Management (DRM) undermines this foundation by transforming open access into conditional, license-controlled access,” Public Knowledge told the FCC. “DRM and the associated A3SA certification system would allow private entities to determine which manufacturers—and therefore which consumers—may access free over-the-air content, effectively privatizing what has always been a public medium,” as well as increasing the cost of devices, the group argued.

Schelle adamantly disputes those reactions, arguing that much of the opposition is either based on a fundamental misunderstanding of 3.0 security or that complaints come from groups simply opposed to ATSC 3.0.

The LPTV Broadcasters Association and “Weigel [Broadcasting] are not for NextGen TV, full stop,” she said. “‘SuperFrank’ [Copsidas, the founder of the LPTV Broadcasters Association] is in favor of 5G broadcasting. Weigel would prefer that we stay on 1.0…so, of course, they are going to…glom onto these issues and blow them up.”

Schelle and Joe St. Jean, managing director of A3SA, also stressed that opponents have misinterpreted his group’s workings and the role of security in the rollout of NextGen TV.

“When you hear about content protection, people often think that they are losing rights,” said St. Jean. “That is not the case here. We are not trying to box out consumers from viewing the content they could otherwise access…We want consumers to use DVR and home-networking functionality…This is a free environment and will continue to be free…Broadcasters are in the eyeball business, and we want consumers to view the content.”

More specifically, he said, it’s important to separate two security-related issues: the DRM solutions used to protect content and signal-signing certificates to authenticate broadcast signals.

“Content protection is described in the ATSC 3.0 spec, but it doesn’t describe implementation, which is what A3SA did,” St. Jean explained. “They created an implementation, and its use is optional. We are not looking to enforce content protection on folks or make money off it.”

For the A3SA implementation, they turned to Google’s Widevine DRM solution, which is used in tens of billions of devices for content protection, Schelle added. “It is enabled in all the TV manufacturers, it works in the unconnected mode,” she said. “It is already used to enable streaming on these TVs. It is not a big deal for device manufacturers.”

In the future, St. Jean added, they expect to begin offering multiple DRMs. “We are currently working with an affiliate group to figure out how to implement FairPlay for Apple devices,” he said.

St. Jean also said that there has been a lot of confusion around the issue of “signal-signing” certificates for 3.0 broadcasts. Signal signing is important, St. Jean and others explained, because it is designed to let viewers know that a signal is authentic and that hackers or pirates haven’t hijacked broadcast signals or emergency alerts. In many ways, the protection provided by signal-signing certificates is similar to the warning that consumers get online when they try to navigate to a suspicious website.

A3SA worked with Eonti and DigiCert to establish signal-signing certificates that will authenticate a broadcast signal. “We don’t make money from this,” he stressed. “All the revenue paid for the certificates goes to Eonti, who pays DigiCert. Our role is to work with broadcasters and device manufacturers to make sure they are able to accept signed signals and tell the difference between signed and unsigned signals.”

In response to complaints that those certificates were too expensive, Folliard said the industry has been working to provide more options and reduce costs. “Not everyone needs a full-service certificate for $950 [a year],” he said. “We’ve already cut that price down to $550, and we’re working to offer even additional lower-cost options.”

Folliard and others also explained that they hoped that more options would emerge as more companies begin offering 3.0-related security.

In November, for example, SiliconDust announced it is offering an Online Certificate Status Protocol solution, providing new security options and compliance to ensure TV stations meet all of the ATSC 3.0 standard’s signing-security requirements.

Schelle and Folliard praised the move. “We welcome all certificate providers,” Folliard said. “The more competition the better because that drives down prices.”

High Noon
Another major issue has been the so-called “high noon” for implementing signal signing. That deadline was originally scheduled for June 2025, but it has been indefinitely delayed.

“When I came on board at the A3SA, it was clear to me that the industry wasn’t ready to turn it on,” St. Jean said, because there wasn’t “consistent messaging on devices” and because “the consumer experience that you see out in the marketplace is a poor one.”

Currently, the timing for high noon is difficult to predict. Schelle and St. Jean said the initial decision to delay it was a collaborative process with the National Association of Broadcasters, the Consumer Technology Association, the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), A3SA and other stakeholders. They also stressed that any future deadline would come out of a similar collaborative process. “We won’t implement it until we have the right consumer experience,” St. Jean said.

Whether these changes will assuage the fears of LPTV stations and other smaller broadcasters remains an open question.

Kristina Bruni, the chair of the Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance, said that while the group is still polling its LPTV station members regarding ATSC 3.0, she felt there was some confusion in the market about signal signing.

“I do not think that an LPTV operation that is going to transition to 3.0 is going to find that the signal-signing certificate will break the bank,” she said. “I feel that is a nonargument. Nobody is forcing them to go to 3.0 and if they do, the signal-signing certificate is also optional. It’s like when you are on a website and it doesn’t have the proper certificate. As a consumer, you can still choose to continue or not.”

Device Security
Another major question is the potential impact of content security and DRM on the ATSC 3.0 device market.

That issue exploded in 2025 in FCC filings related to SiliconDust’s HDHomeRun 3.0 receivers, which reportedly had problems decoding encrypted 3.0 signals. That prompted SiliconDust and thousands of consumers who own devices to argue that the FCC should not allow 3.0 broadcasts to be encrypted.

In response, Pearl TV told the FCC the problem was not encryption but that the fact that the HDHomeRun device uses a chipset manufactured by HiSilicon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huawei Technologies, a company “which the Commission has found to be ‘a national security threat.’”

No other manufacturer has had that problem, Foillard said.

SiliconDust “made a business decision to go with a Huawei chip that can’t support Widevine,” he said. “All the others will tell you supporting Widevine is not a big deal.”

SiliconDust has hotly disputed those claims, stressing that its devices are “NextGen TV-certified” and blaming A3SA’s implementation of Widevine for the problem. (Detailed coverage of this controversy can be found here.)

Other device manufacturers downplay the broader impact of the issue. “I don’t think it [security and DRM] has had a large impact on the device market,” said Alex Day, vice president of business development at Tolka Telecommunications, which provides a software platform that is used by ADTH and other manufacturers of 3.0 receivers.

Day expects lower-cost device options to come to market in 2026. Higher-end devices, gateways and gear with fully integrated Android TV capabilities should also launch, he said.

Gopal Miglani, president and founder of BitRouter, which aims to be the “TiVo of NextGen TV” with products like the ZapperBox receiver, said his company recently released its Unbound Gateway v3.4 software.

The software is “a significant milestone in bringing all the capabilities of the ATSC 1.0 DVR ecosystem to the ATSC 3.0 transition,” Miglani said in a blog post, with a multiroom DRM beta for gateway-connected devices. Software releases v3.5 and beyond will allow multiroom devices to control one another as real gateways, and 2026 will also see the creation of the first streaming app for a non-ZapperBox device.

Other industry players stressed the importance of the FCC setting a cutoff date for NextGen TV transition.

“There has not been a transition globally that has ever taken off until a date has been set,” Schelle said. The whole device market “really changes when the FCC sets a date.”

However, proposals for a 1.0 sunset face powerful opposition from the CTA and TV-set manufacturers. While the FCC has said it wants to speed the transition, the agency has not made any public moves to set firm dates or impose device mandates.

WASHINGTON—NextGen TV viewers are beginning to see what high dynamic range (HDR) brings to their football enjoyment with the launch of the sport’s fall season.

Fans of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints got a taste of what HDR can do on Aug. 23, when Gray Media-owned Tupelo Media Group produced a preseason game against the Denver Broncos in native HDR. WVUE, the Gray-owned Fox affiliate in New Orleans, broadcast the contest in high dynamic range to local viewers, according to Pearl TV, the business coalition of major broadcast groups.

The game telecast is believed to be the first-ever native HDR over-the-air broadcast of any kind in the U.S.—from the cameras, through the mobile production workflow and ultimately to NextGen TV viewers. The broadcast gave fans the chance to experience exactly how HDR enhances the viewing experience by offering improved contrast between the brightest and darkest areas of the screen, as well as wider color gamut.

Sinclair is also enhancing the viewing experience of NextGen TV viewers with upconverted HDR transmitted from its NextGen TV stations. The station group is also offering T2 (Tennis Channel 2) and Pickleball TV Channel in 45 markets through broadcast-enabled streaming virtual channels available to connected NextGen TV viewers, Pearl TV said.

The HDR push from both station groups is a precursor to the 2026 World Cup, which will be broadcast in HDR, as well as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, it said.

“With NextGen TV reaching more than three-quarters of viewing households, it’s exciting to see broadcasters enable High Dynamic Range on almost every channel to greatly enhance picture quality,” Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle said. “Additionally, more than half of U.S. households also have access to broadcast Dolby Atmos audio, which adds a new dimension to entertainment and sports.”

Pearl TV plans once again to promote the benefits of NextGen TV during the lead-up to the holiday shopping season, it said.

Besides HDR, the effort has much to tout, including NextGen TV-based interactive music TV, available via ROXi in partnership with FastStream Interactive and Sinclair and GameLoop, a streaming TV channel for smart TV gamers, carried by Gray Media and Sinclair in 49 NextGen TV markets.

LONDON and BALTIMORE—Interactive TV music channel ROXi and Sinclair have formed a strategic partnership to bring ROXi to 31 television markets via ATSC 3.0.

“ROXi is expanding what’s possible on broadcast television, and this partnership brings an interactive music experience to viewers in a simple, accessible way—no apps, logins or subscriptions required,” Skip Flenniken, Sinclair vice president and general manager of technology business development, said. “It’s a clear example of how NextGen TV enhances the broadcast experience.”

ROXi’s interactive channel, powered by FastStream Interactive’s TV platform, will roll out the service in other U.S. TV markets later in the year. Other Pearl TV members are also supporting the rollout.

Viewers watching the ROXi TV channel will find interactive features previously unavailable on broadcast television. They can skip through music videos TikTok style, or search for any artist song, mood or genre with their TV remote. ROXi, which has partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and MERLIN, has a catalog of 100 million licensed songs, including both original and virtual music videos.

“More than 40 years after MTV first hit American TV screens, ROXi is revolutionizing the way we experience music on TV in the U.S., turning the TV into a musical hub for the American family again,” Rob Lewis, CEO of FastStream Interactive, said. “This isn’t just a music channel, it’s a game-changer for television. ROXi is just the beginning, we’ll be launching multiple non-music TV channels, ushering in a new era of interactive TV across America.” 

Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, said viewers should be delighted with ROXi because it is seamless, interactive and free.

“Today’s TV audiences expect control, personalization, and instant access, and ROXi delivers this in spades,” she said. “We’re thrilled to support ROXi’s launch as a new NextGen TV benefit for our viewers and can’t wait to see it expand across the rest of the country, in partnership with multiple broadcasters.” 

WASHINGTON—Pearl TV told the Federal Communications Commission in an ex parte letter filed July 25 that previously filed comments by SiliconDust ignore the fundamental reason why the company’s HDHomeRun device does not decrypt A3SA-protected programs.

“The July 22, 2025 response from SiliconDust to the Pearl filing does not deny this central assertion,” the Pearl TV comments said. “Instead, the SiliconDust filing curiously rebuts points that were never claimed (e.g., “SiliconDust does not provide technology to China or receive financial benefit from China.”), and yet fails to answer the fundamental point: the HDHomeRun relies on a Huawei manufactured chip.”

Pearl TV originally submitted ex parte comments July 18 to the FCC in which the group said SiliconDust’s device uses a System on Chip (SoC) produced by HiSilicon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huawei. It told the agency Huawei is on the U.S. Commerce Department’s “Entity List” of companies identified as a national security threat to the integrity of the nation’s communications networks.

SiliconDust’s business decision to use the SoC “explains why the several thousand U.S. users of HDHomeRun devices will have challenges accessing the full scope of ATSC 3.0 content,” the latest Pearl TV filing said.

The comments also addressed SiliconDust’s assertion that Widevine verified the SoC used in its products. Pearl TV told the commission that for the device to access all 3.0 features and high-value content, the HDHomeRun “must have a Widevide Level 1 CDM (Content Decryption Module) integrated into the underlying SoC.”

Level 1 is “the standard in the industry” and is used by “many online video providers,” but the HDHomeRun device does not have the requisite Level 1 CDM license” and therefore is unable to access the high-value content, the Pearl TV comments said.

SiliconDust may have received a Widevine license for Level 3 CDM, a decryption module that runs in software and has frequently been attacked and compromised, prompting Widevine to discourage its use to decrypt high-value content, Pearl TV said in its comments.

“For the same reason, most high-value content providers require the Level 1 CDM from Widevine to enable a device to access their content do not permit the use of Widevine’s Level 3 CDM to decrypt 1080p and 4K content,” the comments said.

Pearl TV also chalked up the absence of ATSC 3.0 gateway tuning devices in the market to the lack of “a deadline for a transition to ATSC 3.0,” the filing said, noting that such a device is expected from ZapperBox later in 2025 with more to follow from other makers.

SiliconDust responded to Pearl TV's comments by questioning the advocacy group's application of security protocols in the 3.0 standard.

"SiliconDust recommends that Pearl consult with the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA) to understand Widevine levels allowed by the A3SA and why the Widevine Level available to the SoC in a video gateway device, such as the HDHomeRun product, is not relevant in any way to viewers accessing “high-value content," the company said in a statement to TV Tech.

This article was updated on July 29 to include SiliconDust's response.

WASHINGTON—SiliconDust, maker of the HDHomeRun CONNECT/FLEX 4K gateway, took aim at the ATSC 3 Security Authority (A3SA) in ex parte comments filed with the FCC today responding to last week’s filing from the Pearl TV business group that alleged the company’s use of a Huawei chipset is responsible for preventing consumers from using its device to view encrypted programming.

“In our opinion, the A3SA has put significant effort into making any form of ATSC 3.0 video gateway product (specifically) as untenable as possible,” the filing said. “Not one DRM-capable ATSC 3.0 gateway product has been approved by the A3SA.”

SiliconDust told the Federal Communications Commission its HDHomeRun CONNECT/FLEX 4K “is NextGen TV-certified” and meets all ATSC 3.0 requirements. Further, the company said in 2022 it was granted approval and a license from licensing authority Widevine “to decrypt DRM [digital rights management] protected content on the HDHomeRun hardware.”

The company received this approval after Widevine “verified the SoC [System on a Chip]” used by its product and the company’s “standing with the A3SA,” the company said. That SoC is the same chipset from HiSilicon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huawei, that Pearl TV referred to in its ex parte comments.

SiliconDust’s comments also pointed out that it has received approval from the Digital Transmission Content Protection authority to “re-encrypt content using DTCP2,” which is the approach A3SA requires.

DTCP2 is a set of digital rights management technologies used to protect copyrighted audio and video content transmitted between devices or via a personal network.

“There was one problem however—no player devices existed in the U.S. market with DTCP2 support,” the filing said. Further, “the DTCP2 robustness rules do not allow installable apps to implement DTCP2.”

“This meant that our HDHomeRun video gateway could be 100% compliant with A3SA rules for protected channels, but no consumer could actually watch these protected channels,” the company said, adding that three years after this issue arose, it still is unaware of any player devices in the U.S. market with DTCP2 support.

According to the filing, AS3A has now implemented a different approach “where no decryption occurs in the gateway device.”

The company refrained from divulging specifics due to non-disclosure agreements but told the FCC that by the company’s reading “there is no pathway whereby a video gateway vendor could write an app for Roku, Xbox, Apple TV, iPhone, Windows or Mac supporting protected channels.”

“These are some of the most popular products people own and use with the HDHomeRun today,” it said.

SiliconDust also rejected Pearl TV’s assertion that the HiSilicon SoC used by the HDHomeRun is subject to prohibitions put in place by the Secure and Trusted Communications and Networks Act of 2019.

The chipset, manufactured under contract in Taiwan, does “not rise to the level of a final consumer product qualifying for the list” subject to restrictions, it told the commission, adding that the HDHomeRun does not enable consumers to originate high-quality telecommunications, a capability that must be present for inclusion on the list, it said.

The company’s comments drew a parallel between the ongoing HD HomeRun situation and the broadcast flag developed in the early days of DTV to prevent DVRs from recording content.

“There can be no doubt about the goal - the goal was to stop viewers using the DVR products they had purchased and were using to manage their TV. With DRM on ATSC 3.0 the “broadcast flag” is back. To be approved by the A3SA a set-top-box or video gateway vendor must obey the new broadcast flag that broadcast networks can demand stations leave set 24/7 to block all consumer purchased DVRs from recording,” the comments said.

A Peal TV spokesperson declined to comment.

WASINGTON—In the wake of recent meetings where the National Association of Broadcasters and Pearl TV pushed the Federal Communications Commission for ATSC 3.0 tuner mandates, Gary Shapiro, the CEO and vice chair of the Consumer Technology Association, is aggressively pushing back on claims that consumer tech manufacturers have a conflict of interest in their opposition to new regulations that might speed the transition to NextGen TV.

“Last week, Pearl TV called CTA out by name and made the outlandish claim that we are driven by a ‘conflict of interest’ in opposing a forced transition to ATSC 3.0,” Shapiro wrote in a LinkedIn post. “They claim that smart TVs are now a competitive threat to broadcasting. I can honestly say that not once have I heard any CTA member raise this as a reason to oppose a mandate. We oppose mandates because they hurt American consumers by forcing them to buy something they don’t want … Our position is based on the importance of choice and the miracle of the marketplace—something broadcasters happily ignore as they squat on valuable spectrum they were loaned for free.”

“Irony alert: the very broadcasters crying ‘conflict’ are the ones lobbying the government to mandate a technology that could directly enrich them,” Shapiro added. “Let’s be clear: CTA supports innovation—not mandates. We’ve always opposed government forcing tech into products. But this is the NAB playbook: if consumers aren’t choosing your tech organically, demand the government make them. This isn’t new. Broadcasters have spent years begging the government to prop up their declining business— FM radio in phones, AM radio in cars. Declining demand isn’t market failure requiring government intervention— it’s the marketplace of consumers choosing better options.”

The big problem with the stalled ATSC 3.0 transition, Shapiro added, is that “broadcasters haven’t bothered to sell ATSC 3.0. Their half-hearted deployment of mostly redundant content is not luring consumers to value ATSC 3.0 … Where’s the marketing blitz? How much prime time advertising have they done on ATSC 3.0? What killer apps have they consistently deployed? What is the compelling reason for consumers to care?”

“The future of TV should be decided by consumers, not lobbyists,” he concluded. “If the broadcasters want ATSC 3.0 to succeed, they should stop wasting money on expensive lobbying campaigns for mandates and start creating content and services consumers value. Maybe the government should mandate more productive use of broadcaster spectrum so our nation can reduce the deficit move into the future.”

As previously reported, the broadcasters backing Pearl TV complained during a recent meeting with FCC staffers that TV-set manufacturers are “incentivized” to oppose ATSC 3.0 tuners because their FAST channels compete with broadcasters for ads and audiences.

Similar arguments were raised during a July 14 meeting with NAB and FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty. “NAB also addressed the disingenuous and blatantly anticompetitive objections registered by certain players in the ecosystem that are clearly threatened by a competitive free video service available to consumers throughout the nation,” according to a letter from the NAB describing the meeting.

WASHINGTON—The law firm representing Pearl TV today in a letter to the FCC identified a chipset from a Huawei subsidiary as the reason SiliconDust’s HDHomeRun Flex is incapable of accessing ATSC 3.0 programming encrypted using A3SA content protection technology.

“The root cause why the HDHomeRun device has encountered issues is that it depends on a chipset manufactured by HiSilicon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., which the Commission has found to be ‘a national security threat to the integrity of our communications networks’ given that the company has been deemed to be ‘highly susceptible to influence and coercion by the Chinese government,’ ” Pearl TV legal consul Covington & Burling said in the letter to the FCC commissioners.

The letter, signed by attorneys Gerard Waldron and Max Larson, was sent to the FCC in response to a question from the agency’s Media Bureau about comments from a “relatively small number of consumers” who have purchased the device and encountered the problem.

“Given SiliconDust’s business decision to include a chip from HiSilicon, it should be no surprise” to the agency that the device is “unable to obtain a security verification to display all ATSC 3.0 content,” the letter said.

The FCC should “be troubled” by the fact that SiliconDust “has chosen not to remove components deemed to be a national security threat,” it said.

In June of 2020, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE, another Chinese-owned company, as national security threats.

“The most troubling aspects of SiliconDust’s behavior is that it actively markets a device to consumers that it knows will not work with the A3SA content protection technology being used by ATSC 3.0 broadcasters,” the letter said.

The letter also included several pictures of a breakdown of an HDHomeRun Flex purchased from a U.S. retailer this month. The device was disassembled so the photographs taken and submitted could show the HiSilicon chipset.

SiliconDust rejected the letter’s argument, saying its device is certified by the Consumer Technology Association as fully compliant with all required ATSC 3.0 standards.

“The specifications and rules that relate to DRM are not part of the ATSC 3.0 standard but a private set of specifications and rules put together by the five voting members of A3SA: ABC Inc., CBS Broadcasting Inc., Fox Television, NBC Universal Media and Univision,” Nick Kelsey, president and chief technology officer of SiliconDust USA, said.

The company also objected to being deemed affiliated with the Chinese government. “The HDHomeRun is not a Chinese developed or made product and does not fall under this categorization,” he said. “We have zero association with the Chinese government… [and are] (p)roudly designed and developed in the United States of America.”

In Kelsey’s view, the premise of the Pearl TV letter is wrong. “A video gateway product, such as the HDHomeRun, does not decrypt the DRM content. The job of the gateway product is to receive content from the antenna and deliver it to player devices within the home network.

“If the content received from the antenna is DRM-encrypted, the gateway delivers … [that] encrypted content to the player device. This is a requirement because A3SA requires the protected video to remain protected across the home network,” he said.

SiliconDust plans to file a response to Pearl TV’s letter with the FCC, he added.

WASHINGTON—In a meeting with staffers at the Federal Communications Commission, the Pearl TV consortium of broadcast station groups urged the Commission push forward with a variety of measures to speed up the transition to NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0 by establishing a cutoff date for the current broadcast standard and mandating 3.0 tuners in TV sets.

During the July 10 meeting with Erin Boone, Maria Mullarkey, Evan Morris, Evan Baranoff, Mark Colombo, and Lyle Elder in the Media Bureau of the FCC, Pearl TV argued that setting a “date certain for the end of the transition was necessary in order to trigger the manufacture and sale” of devices needed for the transition.

While broadcasters laid out their efforts to invest in the new broadcast standard and work with consumer electronics firms to bring more ATSC 3.0-capable devices into the market, they also attacked efforts by pay TV groups and consumer tech manufacturers to oppose a mandatory transition.

CTA members who own FAST streaming channels that compete with broadcasters for ads and audiences are “incentivized to stifle broadcast innovation,” Pearl TV representatives argued.

“The recent efforts by NCTA, CTA and its members, and others to oppose Commission action on the transition to ATSC 3.0" illustrate that conflict, lawyers for Pearl TV complained in a letter to the FCC describing the meeting. “While it is obvious that the cable industry for decades has long opposed any efforts by the broadcast industry to compete with their owned content and distribution system and to be required to pay fair compensation for content they sell, it may be less obvious to the Commission that CTA members also compete against broadcasters for viewers and advertising dollars. In short, they are no longer just in the equipment business but through their FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television), they currently compete with broadcasters. TV manufacturers that own FAST channels today are competing with broadcasters for advertisers and viewers; consequently, it is not surprising that they too are incentivized to stifle broadcast innovation.”

During the meeting, Pearl TV also presented slides providing an update on the status of ATSC 3.0. That update noted that 76% of U.S. households can now receive NextGen TV, or 96 million households (258 million viewers) in 73 of the Top 100 TV markets. As part of the deployments, more than 600 "services" have been launched across all 76 deployed markets, with an average of 7 channels per market.

It also noted that various versions of HDR are available via 3.0 broadcasts in 69 million to 84 million homes.

Pearl reported that a cumulative total of 15 million televisions have been distributed and that the CTA forecasts that an extra 5 million units will be shipped by 2025 while stressing that a cutoff date is needed to encourage more devices.

The full letter, along with the slides, is available here.

BALTIMORE—Sinclair and its subsidiary ONE Media Technologies have issued a reminder that they are hosting an end-to-end interoperability event taking place June 3-6 at Sinclair’s headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

The event is being put on in collaboration with Pearl TV. More than 30 manufacturers, developers, and vendors representing all aspects of the broadcast air chain, including encoder manufacturers, transmitter manufacturers, receiver manufacturers, and others, are attending the event.

Participants will bring products and systems to test their compatibility and identify and resolve interoperability issues. Resolving these issues before devices are deployed to consumers will save time and resources and is an important part of a successful transition to NextGen TV, the organizers reported.

“NextGen TV is the future of the broadcast television industry,” Mark Aitken, Sinclair’s senior vice president of advanced technology and president of ONE Media Technologies, said. “Ensuring a successful transition to ATSC 3.0 by February 2028 in the top 55 markets and February 2030 in remaining markets will require working together with all elements of the broadcast ecosystem to ensure consumers are ready to receive our signals. We are proud to host this event, bringing together so many of our partners to help bring broadcasting into the modern era with NextGen TV.”

More information is available from Jason Kim (jkim@sbgtv.com or 410-891-3577).

LAS VEGAS—As broadcasters gather for the 2025 NAB Show, Pearl TV has outlined some of the industry’s success in advancing the spread of NextGen TV aka ATSC 3.0, which are now available in 76% of American households in 78 viewing markets offering spectacular High Dynamic Range (HDR) video and immersive Dolby Atmos audio from local broadcasters.

In addition, two dozen companies from around the world will showcase new options for next-generation broadcasting in the 2025 NAB Show’s epicenter for ATSC 3.0 standards, located in booth W3056 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting Sunday, April 6 and continuing through Wednesday afternoon, April 9. (Read: ATSC To Showcase NextGen TV Progress at 2025 NAB Show)

“Local stations and national networks are beginning to add new service enhancements to over the air broadcasts,” said Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle. “One significant improvement is HDR, which greatly improves video quality and is now available to 86 million households. Theater-like sound from Dolby Atmos is another enhancement, now available in more than 66 million households through NextGen TV. And new interactivity options like Program Re-Start and new sports and gaming content are being rolled out to viewers, made possible by internet connections found on virtually every screen.”

Beginning in January, GameLoop signed agreements with Sinclair Broadcasting and Gray Media to enable real-time family games through NextGen TV, including a variety of engaging games that can be played with a TV remote control. GameLoop is a NextGen TV channel where the audience can watch and play free, casual games designed for the best screen in the house.”

Pearl TV reported several notable updates in the development and deployment of NextGen TV:

• The just announced low-cost $69.99 USB receiver now available from electronics manufacturer ADTH that upgrades existing Android TV and Fire TV televisions to become NextGen TV receivers.
• In addition, GameLoop is now live in 37 markets around the country with commitments to grow to 55 markets this year. Nearly half of GameLoop’s viewers are repeat visitors, and new games are being added. GameLoop will be demonstrated live at the Run3TV kiosk of the ATSC booth during NAB Show (Sunday through next Wednesday), in West Hall 3056 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
• Sinclair is now delivering 91 services (or channels) throughout the country with High Dynamic Range, including 61 that have Dolby Atmos audio. Sinclair has also launched Broadcast Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) sports channels T2Tennis and PickleballTV in HDR, now available to millions of viewers.
• The fourth annual NextGen TV promotional campaign has boosted awareness. Pearl TV and its network broadcast partners have wrapped a fourth annual on-air and digital campaign to boost consumer awareness of NextGen TV and its groundbreaking features. The campaign promoted the NextGen TV logo as a key symbol for consumers to look for at retail, delivering a clear and persuasive brand message about the future of television. The winter promotional effort alone resulted in over 53,000 on-air TV spots and a robust digital campaign across 91 markets, generating more than 100 million impressions.

“We’re very pleased with the impact of Pearl’s NextGen TV campaign, which has driven over 2,000,000 to the consumer informational website WatchNextGenTV.com," Schelle said. " Since launch more than 250,000 consumers have explored the site to find out what NextGen TV channels are available in their area, and we've seen over 100,000 click-throughs to manufacturer websites selling NextGen TV receivers."

Since the start of these seasonal campaigns four years ago, local broadcasters have aired more than 300,000 commercials spotlighting the NextGen TV logo and its transformative capabilities—both current features and those on the horizon.

“We’re excited to see the momentum growing,” Schelle added. “Broadcasters like Gray Media are now promoting NextGen TV year-round, not just on-air but across digital platforms and even billboards, making it easier for viewers to discover the technology and tune in.”

Gray Media rolled out Dolby Vision and HDR10+ High Dynamic Range video and Dolby Atmos audio at their 11 CBS-affiliated NextGen TV stations in time for the 2025 college basketball tournament, giving millions of fans the ability to enjoy one of the year’s premiere sports events in the highest quality. Next month, WAVE-TV, Gray’s NBC affiliate in Louisville, plans to produce local news and coverage of the local pre-race festivities for the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs in native HDR – the first broadcast of native HDR content in the U.S.

“Gray is committed to innovating and investing in NextGen TV wherever we have the opportunity in order to provide our viewers with superior pictures, immersive sound, and the most interactive experience possible,” said Rob Folliard, Gray’s senior vice president and currently the chairperson of NextGen TV business group Pearl TV.

ATSC's 2025 NAB Show Plans

In addition the ATSC provided detailed plans for 3.0 demos at its booth W3056 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting Sunday, April 6 and continuing through Wednesday afternoon, April 9.

“As the Broadcast Standards Association, ATSC is proud to count nearly 60 ATSC member companies exhibiting throughout this year’s NAB Show. It’s through their innovations and collaboration that we can empower the broadcasting ecosystem, which is our mission. The center of attention for next-generation broadcasting will be our own ATSC West Hall exhibit, which includes a wide variety of international companies, brands, products and services that demonstrate how internet protocol-based transmissions can enhance entertainment and information for viewers and provide a new delivery pipe for data through ATSC 3.0,” said ATSC President Madeleine Noland.

NAB Show attendees also have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about ATSC 3.0 and its applications, with more than 20 conference sessions highlighting the capabilities of the flexible broadcast standard.

The largest displays inside the ATSC booth will be from AT&T Business, HCLTech, Sinclair / ONE Media, and Tejas Networks.

AT&T Business will demonstrate enhanced connectivity and engagement with ATSC 3.0 enabling instant and reliable communications at venues and in high-traffic environments.

HCLTech will showcase its Broadcast Core Network, a cloud solution that allows flexible deployment of applications and services across different markets leveraging AI and integrates components from various sources, independent of the underlying infrastructure.

Sinclair and ONE Media are planning demonstrations of the variety of ATSC 3.0 features that will be possible when broadcasters sunset ATSC 1.0 – including 4K High Dynamic Range video, emergency alerting and information, and data services from Broadspan.

Tejas Networks will show direct-to-mobile content delivery, integrating broadcast and broadband, enabling real-time media access with low network congestion.

New NextGen TV Equipment

NAB Show will also be the place to see new ATSC 3.0 consumer products that are now available for purchase in retail stores. Broadcasters will find a display of a dozen different brands of NextGen TV sets and upgrade accessory receivers for consumers.

NextGen TV sets will be on display from recent entrants Panasonic and RCA, as will models from Hisense, Samsung, Sony, and TCL. Upgrade Accessory Receivers are coming in a variety of implementations, from the tiny USB receivers to more fully-featured digital video recorders and combo ATSC 3.0 over-the-air / over-the-top media players. Upgrade Devices will be on display from ADTH, MyVelo, Stavix, VBox, Zapperbox, and Zinwell.

Showcasing HDR 3.0 Offerings

“Broadcasters are moving to enhance the viewing experience for NextGen TV, ramping up High Dynamic Range using HDR10, Advanced HDR by Technicolor, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ to reach 86 million households," Noland added. "Interactive applications are also being rolled out, with some 40 million households now able to take advantage of these new capabilities, as well as new gaming and sports channels. One of my personal favorites is Program Re-Start."

In the ATSC booth, Advanced HDR by Technicolor will demonstrate its premium High Dynamic Range viewing experience for broadcast and streaming of live sports and entertainment, delivering any content, anytime and anywhere in high-quality HDR and legacy standard dynamic range.

Also on display, HDR10+ Technologies LLC will be demonstrating TV sports content in High Dynamic Range with HDR10+ metadata on the latest compatible ATSC 3.0 televisions from Panasonic and Samsung.

Eight international exhibitors are also featured at kiosk displays in the ATSC exhibit in West Hall. Software providers Fraunhofer (Germany), Happiest Minds (India), Mirakulo (Brazil), Run3TV (USA), Tolka (Singapore), and Yotta Media Labs (United Kingdom) will each show different applications of how ATSC 3.0 can be applied to benefit broadcasters and viewers. Advanced HDR by Technicolor (USA and Netherlands) and VBox (Israel) are also exhibiting.

Fraunhofer IIS will demonstrate ATSC 3.0 with MPEG-H Audio, which is part of DTV+, Brazil’s Next Generation TV System, and an advanced audio system for broadcast and streaming applications providing more realism through immersive sound and unique personalization features.

Happiest Minds will show how to unlock the power of ATSC 3.0 with their NextGen TV app that enabled enhanced engagement, personalized content, and location-aware television.

Mirakulo will present AstroTV NEXT, integrating hybrid interactivity, over-the-top, live TV, metrics, and dynamic ad insertion.

Run3TV will highlight the business case for Smart Broadcasting, which is now available from hundreds of U.S. broadcasters and offers the ability to launch new consumer-friendly services like Program Re-Start.

Tolka will show a wide variety of devices with built-in ATSC 3.0 – including a model that offers real-time Artificial Intelligence automatic translations from English to Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and more.

VBox will demonstrate an ATSC 3.0 Datacasting Terminal, as well as a commercial ATSC 3.0 receiver for use in hospitality and senior living centers.

Yotta Media Labs will showcase how broadcast can add stations on ATSC 3.0 via a hybrid model, including using magicBOX for station delivery, event streams, exciter protection, and more.

With ATSC 3.0 (aka NextGen TV) now on the air in some 75 U.S. markets, more and more emphasis is being placed on this second-generation digital over-the-air broadcasting standard, not only for its ability to provide viewers with enhanced services, but also in advanced emergency alerting and datacasting, which has the potential to generate actual revenue streams for stations soon.

Also on tap is the Broadcast Positioning System, which has the potential for ATSC 3.0 to supplement current GPS navigation technology.

It will be difficult not to notice NextGen TV’s presence at NAB Show, with numerous equipment suppliers displaying gear attuned to ATSC 3.0, and all the latest applications featured at the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s booth in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (W3056).

“We will feature consumer products, new software options for receivers, several examples of High Dynamic Range and a variety of new capabilities for ATSC 3.0, which can both deliver better television and also serve as a vital platform for datacasting and a precision timing system that can complement the existing system based on GPS,” ATSC President Madeline Noland said. “Expect to see the consumer options available and coming soon to retail, interactive functionality that allows local stations to take full advantage of both the over-the-top and over-the-air capability of ATSC 3.0 and a variety of methods for local insertion of metadata to greatly enhance the audio and video services for viewers.”

‘The Future of TV’
A big sticking point in allowing broadcasters to offer many of NextGen TV’s enhancements is the limited bandwidth afforded in today’s “channel-sharing” arrangements required to deliver legacy ATSC 1.0.

In January, the long-awaited report from the “The Future of TV” initiative launched by the Federal Communications Commission in 2023 and managed by the National Association of Broadcasters was released, and observers say it will be on the minds of many.

“I will speak personally about the report, and most importantly about what the joint activity has allowed to happen,” Mark Aitken, senior vice president of advanced technology at Sinclair, says. “While there were many voices at the table, broadcasters have become united around the fundamental role local television plays in the marketplace. The importance of that role brings a sense of unity to the larger mission of our industry, the license holders that hold a responsibility to uphold the public’s interests.”

Adds Pearl TV Managing Director Anne Schelle: “The release of the report [provides] a platform for the various stakeholders to come together, gain insights and learn about the ATSC 3.0 ecosystem and how a transition could be enabled. Broadcasters need to get prepared for what I believe will be an accelerated timetable for deploying ATSC 3.0 services. Attending the NAB Show is crucial, as it offers a unique opportunity to witness these innovations firsthand, network with industry leaders and gain insights into best practices.”

Enterprise Datacasting
One of the more promising applications for NextGen TV broadcasting is the ancillary transmission of data, or “datacasting.” Last year’s NAB Show saw the launch of Sinclair’s Broadspan datacasting platform, which enables data distribution in markets where Sinclair stations are offering 3.0.

In January, Sinclair announced a partnership with E.W. Scripps Co., Gray Media, Nexstar Media Group to launch Edgebeam Wireless to provide expansive, reliable and secure data delivery services, targeting industries that need to send data to multiple customers, often in real time.

“This trend will be showcased at the NAB Show, with presentations highlighting its benefits and showcasing real-world applications,” Winston Caldwell, the new engineering lead at the Pearl TV consortium, says. “Broadcasters should certainly delve into the possibilities of datacasting. They’re already making waves in this field.

“Additionally, we are seeing participation from players not traditionally involved in the broadcast space, engaging in proofs-of-concept and exploring potential collaborations,” Caldwell adds.

Aitken says Edgebeam “will be a well-funded effort that holds the potential to transform a large part of our industry’s future revenue opportunities. I expect conversations will percolate everywhere.”

At the BEIT
NAB Show’s BEIT (Broadcasting Engineering and IT) Conference, set for April 5-8 in the West Hall, allows attendees to drill down into these and other new use cases for NextGen TV.

In “Cloud-Based Advanced Emergency Information (AEI) System for ATSC 3.0 and IP Delivery,” Jason Kim, a senior systems engineer at ONE Media Technologies, says he “will highlight how broadcasters can utilize next-generation technologies, such as ATSC 3.0 and cloud-based systems, to enhance emergency alerting and deliver more reliable and timely communication with localized detail for affected communities.”

Another BEIT session highlights a NextGen TV “trifecta” of sorts—“ATSC 3.0 Spectrum Utilization, Cloud Deployment Considerations and A Unique Public Safety Use Case.”

“With the current lighthouse situation, we have very limited spectrum for 3.0 services,” says Session Moderator Joe Seccia, regional director of RF transmission at TelevisaUnivision, says. “Using novel implementations and technologies such as scheduled physical layer adaptation can help broadcasters get even more out of their multiplexes.

“Most cloud infrastructures are built around IP unicast, while 3.0 relies on multicast for efficient delivery,” Seccia adds. “Factors such as packet loss can lead to service interruptions and less than reliable delivery. We’ll hear about ways to make the cloud work in the 3.0 domain.

“[There’s] an innovative idea to support wildland fire operations with an airborne or mobile 3.0 transmitter—a reliable, resilient and secure datacom system that’s ready to support emergencies on demand (and) with the ability to send real-time positioning information of uncrewed aircraft to others in the field, allowing for safer and more efficient use of uncrewed aircraft,” Seccia adds.

Demo Combines DVB-T2, 5G and 3.0
ATSC 3.0 is also involved in a slightly different way as part of a planned “direct-broadcast-to-handheld devices” demonstration at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)’s Broadcast Technology Society booth.

Peter Siebert, who recently retired as the executive director of the DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) television organization, is hosting the demo, which not only involves NextGen TV, but also DVB-T2 and 5G Broadcast transmissions.

Siebert says the planned demo recognizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” over-the-air television broadcast standard and NAB Show attendees need to be aware of modalities in addition to ATSC 3.0 for delivering video content to consumers.

“These are the three relevant second-generation DTT [digital terrestrial television] systems for transmission to handhelds,” Siebert says. “With this demo, I want to show that the IEEE’s BTS is open to all broadcast-related technologies and not only focused on the North American market. I also want to show that DTT to handhelds is possible in principle and that several solutions exist.”

LAS VEGAS—Run3TV said at CES today it has selected Velope.tv to develop a new starter application for its ATSC 3.0 broadcast application framework that will enable TV stations to deploy 3.0 apps while reducing their investment in data and licensing fees for interactive services.

(Editor’s note: Run3TV, originally developed and promoted by Pearl TV and the Pearl Network consortium as a broadcast application framework for 3.0, was spun out as an independent entity in July 2024. Thus, both the entity and the framework/platform are now called Run3TV.)

“Broadcasters are using our platform to both offer viewers additional choices for streamed content from their local libraries, advanced viewing features such as Program Re-Start and Smart applications such as enhanced weather forecasts,” Run3TV CEO Michael Collette said.

[Also Read: More TV Tech Coverage of News From CES]

“One of the key benefits of ATSC 3.0 is the ability to give viewers both live, linear broadcasts and ready access to applications from local stations,” Colette said. ”We’re very pleased to select Velope.tv to develop a new streamlined starter version of our application. The starter app will include configurable weather and traffic functions for viewers and enable stations to get the benefit of summary data analytics on viewing habits.”

Velope.tv’s starter application gives broadcasters a simpler way to leverage 3.0 more fully. “This extensible Starter Application will provide an easy way for broadcasters of all sizes to deliver immediate consumer benefits to their NextGen TV viewers and a strong foundation for future Run3TV-powered features,” Velope.tv CEO Michael Gregor said.

Run3TV is focused on developing a thriving ecosystem for developers, many of which have recently signed on, he said. Among the new Run3TV developers being highlighted at CES are: ClickVizion, Fincons Group, GlobalLogic, Happiest Minds, Oxagile and Velope.tv.

“There’s tremendous interest on the part of local broadcasters to have applications that can be built and deployed that can accurately measure viewing activity, especially noting the amount of TV viewing time and the total audience with younger viewers,” Collette said. “Run3TV is working to improve the consumer experience, ensure robust privacy practices, and also give broadcasters a better idea of which types viewers are actually watching and when.”

Run3TV continues to search out new developers to assist in identifying customers and building their businesses, he said.

See Run3TV applications at CES in the ATSC booth in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth 20340.

More information is available on the Run3TV website.

WASHINGTON—With 76% of U.S. households now able to receive a NextGen TV broadcast signal, Pearl TV and the broadcast stations who back the group have announced that a wide variety of new NextGen TV a.k.a. ATSC 3.0 technologies will be shown at this week’s CES in Las Vegas, taking place Jan. 7-10.

The show will see the introduction of new ATSC 3.0 receivers, ranging from high-end NextGen TV sets to affordable accessories that can transform Android and Fire TV devices already in consumer homes into 3.0 receivers. New interactive channels using NextGen TV broadcast, expanded support for HDR and other developments will also be on display.

“We are very excited about the expanded offerings from accessory device manufacturers for NextGen TV,” Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle said. “The new, low-cost ADTH USB receiver, powered by Tolka, is built for existing Android and Fire TV televisions and will, at a very affordable price, expand the reach of NextGen TV into homes who already have those sets. ADTH is also about to introduce a new model that works without an internet connection and will be doing a software update for deployed ADTH devices to give them the same functionality. In addition, Zinwell is adding pause functionality to their accessory device, with an add-on hard disc drive. In 2025, RCA is also coming to market with two new NextGen TV sets that will join TV options already available from Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, Hisense, and TCL. We congratulate all of the manufacturers who are selling thousands of receivers each day to consumers looking for the best possible video and audio quality from local stations.”

During the show, attendees will also be able to see how broadcasters are loading up new services with new features for NextGen TV viewers, including interactive gaming options that will be launched by GameLoop.

GameLoop TV launches in Las Vegas on local NextGen TV channel 3.2 and will bring gaming directly to viewers with no additional hardware or subscriptions required. At the heart of GameLoop’s innovation is the channel’s exciting “Play Now” feature, which allows NextGen TV viewers to instantly play games showcased on the channel simply using their TV remote or mobile phone.

“We also salute TV broadcasters Gray and Sinclair, who are working to bring fun, interactive gaming to the living room through GameLoop—a service that utilizes NextGen TV for web-based family fun that will work seamlessly with millions of installed NextGen TV sets. Easy interactivity is literally going to be a game-changer for viewers,” Schelle predicted.

Pearl TV also reported that HDR functionality is now live on more than 200 local NextGen TV services throughout the country, with more being added to enhance viewing of key sports games and other spectacles.

Broadcasters are promoting the advantages of NextGen TV this sports season on stations throughout the country and plan to continue these promotions as they continue to rollout HDR and Dolby Atmos services nationwide.

A holiday promotion effort in NextGen TV markets that began before December continues through early February, with broadcasters now indicating onscreen to viewers when local NextGen TV programming is available in High Dynamic Range (HDR).

"We're very excited to announce that broadcast stations throughout the country are adding HDR10+ capability in their NextGen TV broadcast services to accommodate a broad array of TV manufacturers,” Schelle said. “With other flavors of HDR that also may be present in the service, this allows every receiver to present the best picture possible, showing that local television just keeps getting better and better, which is exactly what we promised with the rollout of NextGen TV services.”

In addition to providing better video quality through HDR, many markets are also adding Dolby Atmos audio coding, which delivers immersive audio capabilities.

"HDR began for sports with the Kentucky Derby last spring,” Schelle said. “It really made the Olympic Games pop with brilliant video. We know that sports is a big driver for buying new TV sets as well as for enjoying broadcast services—your favorite games look even better in High Dynamic Range.“

Pearl TV also stressed that local stations are also using ATSC 3.0 to add more channels through broadcast internet protocol, or broadcast IP. These additional channels, available as NextGen TV channels, have added more choices for viewers in a range of markets, from public to commercial broadcasters who now have their programming available for NextGen TV viewers.

Pearl TV is backed by Cox Media Group, Graham Media Group, Gray Television, Hearst Television, Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair, E.W. Scripps and Tegna.

More information is available at https://pearltv.com/for-broadcasters/.

It’s sometimes said that trying to get a group of broadcasters to do anything is like trying to herd cats, but if 2025 plays out as some broadcasters hope that feline finickiness will take a back seat to a unified push to promote NextGen TV to viewers.

Central to the effort is calling viewer attention to the fact that thanks to high dynamic range (HDR), NextGen TVs display a far higher-quality version of what they are accustomed to watching on legacy digital TVs.

With support for a color gamut (Rec. 2020) that has twice as many colors as television’s predecessor color gamut (Rec. 709) and the ability to display detail in shadows and highlights, HDR produces a noticeable difference—one that broadcasters hope to leverage to entice viewers to adopt NextGen TV.

“One of the things we are doing different is using lower thirds to say ‘HDR only available on NextGen TVs,” says Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a business alliance of eight major TV station groups dedicated to advancing NextGen TV. “There are over 80 million HDR-enabled households in America, so those tickers will serve a purpose similar to what was done back in the days of transitioning from analog to HD.”

(Editor’s note: The Consumer Technology Association has estimated about 14 million NextGen TVs have been sold to date. The 80 million figure refers to U.S. households with HDR-enabled sets. Many would require an external ATSC 3.0 tuner to receive NextGen TV signals enhanced with HDR.)

Schelle points to Gray Television as one of the industry’s leaders in promoting HDR as well as immersive audio on-air and online to elevate viewer awareness of NextGen TV—not simply by describing what can be done but also by showing viewers these NextGen TV enhancements when they tune in to some stations’ ATSC 3.0 transmissions.

In May, Gray’s WAVE-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, presented NextGen TV coverage of the Kentucky Derby— and the fanfare in the days leading up to the race—to local viewers, enhanced with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Since then, eight of its NBC affiliates transmitted the Paris Summer Olympics via NextGen TV with Dolby Vision HDR. Three of those stations also enhanced audio with immersive Dolby Atmos sound.

Recently, Gray has begun running a ticker in its 20 NextGen TV station markets on both its ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 signals to highlight the availability of HDR, so NextGen TV set owners recognize its presence and 1.0 set owners are enticed to learn more.

“Our thought is going back to the future—like in 2005 when you saw bugs that would say “available in high definition” before every football game and how that drove awareness for the last TV transition,” says Gray senior vice president of government relations Robert Folliard.

Sports and HDR
To date, about 200 ATSC 3.0 channels in the U.S. transmit HDR, whether it’s Dolby Vision, Advanced HDR by Technicolor or HDR10+, full-time. In other words, NextGen TV broadcasters don’t flip HDR on for sports and off for the rest of the day, Pearl TV spokesperson Dave Arland said.

However, high-profile sports attract more viewers, and many Americans tend to buy new televisions around these events. So, calling attention to the availability of HDR via NextGen TV has the potential to accelerate uptake.

“The month of January is going to be a lot of fun because of the football playoffs,” Schelle said. “We’re really trying to focus on sports and the Super Bowl.

“Over 50% of all TVs are sold between Black Friday [the day after Thanksgiving] and the Super Bowl. So, the month of January sees a big spike in sales right after the holidays. A lot of people buy TVs for the Super Bowl.”

This year marks the fifth holiday shopping season Pearl TV has promoted NextGen TV on air with commercials and other promos. As of mid-December, member stations had run 6,000 spots. Coinciding with the campaign—Pearl TV’s biggest to date—is the use of lower-thirds to promote HDR on NextGen TVs.

Gray Television is not alone in seeing the potential of tying HDR and sports together to build awareness and momentum for NextGen TV.

NBC Owned Television Stations transmitted NextGen TV coverage of the Paris Olympics with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive audio from its in 11 markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, the Bay Area, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami, San Diego and Hartford, Conn.

NBC and Dolby Laboratories worked together to promote how Dolby Vision and Atmos would enhance the viewing experience of NextGen TV viewers both on air and online in the station group’s New York and Bay Area markets.

In March, Sinclair announced it would begin carrying Tennis Channel’s T2 as a broadcast-enabled, streaming television (BEST) channel in all of its ATSC 3.0 markets. T2 programming would be presented using Advanced HDR by Technicolor.

In 2025, Sinclair will launch year-round promotion of NextGen TV—not simply focusing its efforts on tentpole events like the holidays, a Sinclair spokesperson said. However, details about the marketing campaign and whether or not leveraging HDR to call attention to NextGen TV will be part of the effort were not available.

What is known is Gray’s HDR on-screen promos are receiving a thumbs up from other broadcasters. “We’ve showed the [Gray] design to all of the station groups that have turned on HDR, and they're embracing it,” Schelle said.

“These tickers will let consumers know that HDR via NextGen TV is available, and you’ll see it come into play more and more as more stations turn on HDR,” she said.

Now is the right time to begin promoting HDR and other NextGen TV features, Folliard said.

“We think it is important to start promoting the features of NextGen that are available today so consumers know that there is something better out there, start asking questions and buy NextGen TVs,” he said.

NEW YORK—As the rollout of NextGen TV broadcasts hit a deployment milestone making them available in more than three out of four (76%) of U.S. households, Pearl TV is highlighting how local stations are adding new technologies offering improved audio and video capabilities as well as interactivity and other innovative features for TV viewers.  

NextGen TV broadcasts offering enhanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) started with sports broadcasts at the Kentucky Derby and this summer’s Olympic games and continues with the vast majority of NextGen TV stations upgrading to offer better video and audio experiences, the broadcaster-backed group reported. 

In addition, Pearl noted that new NextGen TV receivers are about to enter the market from Panasonic, which is re-entering the U.S. TV market, and from ADTH, which will soon introduce a tiny USB plug-in receiver to add NextGen TV to consumer’s existing screens. 

The announcements regarding new receivers, improved HDR and a new promotional campaign for NextGen TV were made just ahead of the NAB Show New York on October 9 and 10 when broadcasters from throughout the world converge on the Javits Center in Manhattan.

“Now that NextGen TV is available in 76 U.S. markets, local stations are enabling new features that deliver outstanding picture quality, immersive audio, and engaging applications designed to retain viewers on local broadcast services.," said Anne Schelle, managing director of the Pearl TV business group representing more than 800 local TV stations. "Nationwide, more than 500 services are now available on NextGen TV. High Dynamic Range is also available from broadcasters in some 80 million households to expand the breadth and depth of high-definition 1080p images with even more lifelike video. Multichannel broadcast audio is also on the move, with Dolby Atmos audio now available to some 32 million households,”

“We’re delighted that Panasonic is returning to the U.S. TV market with a full range of NextGen TV receivers that will be enabled with a software download later this year,” Schelle said, adding that "ADTH has a tiny new receiver no bigger than a USB stick, which can connect to an antenna and an existing TV to expand the reach of NextGen TV signals even deeper into American homes. These new products are just the latest consumer receivers in the market, including NextGen TV-certified receivers that are also security verified from Sony, Samsung, Hisense, TCL, ADTH, and Zinwell,”  

Pearl also announced that following November’s election, broadcasters nationwide will begin running promotional advertisements to explain the benefits of NextGen TV on nationwide stations.  

“This will be our third year running a professionally-produced NextGen TV broadcast campaign.  The effort has already reached millions of viewers on TV and online,” Schelle explained. “Those numbers and awareness are expected to grow now that several large metropolitan areas have added NextGen TV service over the past year.  Anywhere that NextGen TV is on the air, we’d like our member stations to run an informational campaign to let consumers know that they should be looking for the NextGen TV certification mark as they shop for new receivers during the holidays leading up to the big football games in early 2025,”  

Pearl is promoting HDR's benefits to consumers through explanatory sections of the WatchNextGenTV.com website and in-market TV promotion, where broadcasts have started with enhanced services.  

To learn more about HDR, Dolby ATMOS and interactive applications, visit the www.watchnextgentv.com consumer website.

In addition, Pearl is also promoting the interactivity features of NextGen TV that are made possible by the Run3TV broadcast application that works seamlessly with NextGen TV sets.

The built-in application in NextGen TV sets responds to over-the-air signals. It can enable a whole host of streamed programming  – including Program Re-Start capability- to start a show over if a viewer has joined the show midway.  Program Re-Start was introduced in selected markets this summer, along with weather information broadcast to NextGen TV sets so that viewers can get more value from their NextGen TV purchase with just a touch of a button.  

In addition, 46 U.S. markets also offer TV channels on NextGen TV that are delivered through internet connections, expanding the reach of local broadcasters and sports programming, whether those shows are broadcast over-the-air or arrive for viewing from an internet connection.

NEW YORK—Media industry veterans Michael Collette and Tom Weiss will lead Run3TV as chief executive officer and chief technology officer, respectively, the Pearl TV and Pearl Network Consortium spinoff said today.  

"We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Tom to the Run3TV team," said Pat LaPlatney, co-CEO of Gray Television. "Their expertise and leadership are invaluable as we continue to demonstrate our commitment and momentum in enhancing the television viewing experience. At Gray, we believe in bringing more relevant news, weather, and sports content to consumers, tailored to their preferences. The combination of broadcast and broadband through hybrid television marks a significant step forward in achieving this goal."

RunTV is the ATSC 3.0 broadcast app framework developed by the consortium that enables interactive experiences for TV viewers, merging over-the-air and over-the-top capabilities and giving broadcasters access to advanced broadcast analytics. In June, it was spun out as an independent entity.

The appointments underscore Run3TV's commitment to innovation and its mission to deliver a superior Smart Broadcasting experience, Pearl TV said.

The Run3TV application framework enables broadcasters and their developers to build and deploy standards-compliant apps that run on a wide selection of TV chipsets and operating systems. Today, Run3TV powers nearly 200 applications in broadcast markets throughout the U.S. and is available on more than 13 million certified NextGen TV sets from Hisense, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony and TCL as well as NextGen TV certified upgrade receiver accessories from ADTH and Zinwell, it said. 

As CEO, Collette will guide Run3TV as it expands its footprint in the broadcasting industry.   

Collette has held leadership positions at Inscape, Dativa, TVScientific, OpenTV, Active Video, Ucentric Systems and PhyFlex Networks. He received a Technical Emmy for Innovation in TV Measurement while at Inscape. 

"Our Run3TV platform not only allows broadcasters to extend viewing time and drive streaming video consumption of local content, but it also opens up new opportunities for interactive and addressable advertising. As the industry evolves towards a data-driven landscape, Run3TV is at the forefront, aligning with the new currency movement that emphasizes the integration of unified linear and streaming data,” said Collette.

Run3TV's application platform enables broadcasters to enrich the NextGen TV viewing experience with features such as program restart and advanced emergency alerts to provide viewers with immediate access to essential information. With Run3TV viewers can find their favorite content, whether live broadcasts or on streaming services, via a menu, allowing for a more interactive, engaging and modern viewing experience.

Weiss, who will focus on enhancing Run3TV's application framework, is a former chief data scientist at Inscape, Dativa and Marketcast. He also is a former CEO of both TV Genius and Genius Digital, and also served as global head of the return path business for GFK.  

"Run3TV is paving the way for a new business model in broadcast television, one that leverages data to deliver personalized content and enhance viewer engagement. Our goal is to provide broadcasters with the tools they need to connect more deeply with their audiences,”  said Weiss.

More information is available on the Run3TV website.

Pearl TV told a U.S. Court of Appeals this week that it has “deep concern” over the future availability of TV sets and devices that support the ATSC 3.0 standard because of LG’s exit from the 3.0 market in the U.S. last year after it lost a court case against Constellation Designs over a patent dispute.

In an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the case of “Constellation Designs, LLC v. LG Electronics Inc.,” Pearl, a consortium of broadcasters, manufacturers and associations promoting ATSC 3.0 (aka “NextGen TV”) told the court that it feared that “other major TV manufacturers will follow LG and pull their products off the market, if the decision on damages from the trial court is allowed to stand.”

In 2023, LG Electronics, which, along with Samsung, was one of the companies that worked on developing the ATSC 3.0 standard—a next generation broadcast standard that combines traditional broadcast with IP—announced that it would no longer manufacture or sell TV sets that receive NextGen TV in the U.S. because it lost a patent dispute with Constellation Designs.

LG filed its appeal in May.

That decision, LG said at the time, “was not made lightly, because LG has been a vocal ATSC 3.0 advocate, a strong supporter of local broadcasters, and a leading developer of television products with the latest NextGen TV technologies.”

Transition to 3.0 'Could End in Futility'
LG still sells 3.0 sets in South Korea, one of several other countries that has adopted the standard. In the U.S., consumers can still purchase 3.0 sets from Sony, Samsung, Hisense and TCL. However, in Pearl’s amicus, it feared that these companies could follow suit if the appeal stands.

“[A]ll this effort by the broadcast industry to deploy NextGen TV and by the Federal Communications Commission to approve the standard and guide the industry through the transition, will end in futility if consumers cannot purchase ATSC 3.0-equipped TV receivers,” Pearl said.

Pearl told the court that while the industry took steps to guard against such patent disputes in advance of the rollout of consumer TV sets starting in 2020, Constellation Designs’ actions went against the norm.

“[T]his patent pool system is working to facilitate the deployment and transition of NextGen TV,” Pearl said. “Pearl TV . . . views the patent pool system for NextGen TV as well functioning, and has observed no significant issues or complaints by key members of the ecosystem. “Until the Constellation Designs decision on appeal here, the patent pool system led to dozens of TV set models being introduced into the market at multiple price points (many well below $999) and widespread adoption of the NextGen TV technology by the broadcast industry.

“The decision at issue in this case disrupted that functioning market in a manner that greatly concerns the broadcast industry and any person interested in seeing the transition to NextGen TV be successful and completed.”

Judgment Was 'Skewed and Exorbitant'
Pearl also took issue with the financial arrangements, noting that the size of the judgment prompted LG’s immediate exit from a burgeoning market.

“[The trial court] returned a verdict in favor of Constellation Designs, awarding it $1,684,469.00 U.S. Dollars for past infringement,” Pearl said. “More troublingly, the judgment also ordered LG to pay Constellation Designs $6.75 for every future LG TV that used Constellation’s patents. This result immediately halted LG’s NextGen TV enterprise.”

Pearl noted that the judgment was “skewed” and “exorbitant,” distorting the SEP process. “Standard Essential Patents” are those patents identified as crucial to the deployment of a particular technology standard.

“The largest patent pool, Avanci Broadcast, charges $2 to $3.00 for 11,000 patents, including nine hundred SEPs which are critical to NextGen TV,” Pearl said. “Another patent pool charges roughly $.30, twenty-two times less than Constellation’s rate, while offering 90 SEPs, more than twenty-two times the number of SEPs. The jury’s verdict on damages is extreme and risks disrupting the entire patent pool market for ATSC 3.0, which otherwise has functioned smoothly for broadcasters, receiver manufacturers, and consumers.

"The consequences of the judgment may reverberate beyond one manufacturer. The verdict may encourage patent holders to leave patent pools,” Pearl continued. “Instead of negotiating with manufacturers for competitive rates and waiting for their assets to appreciate as NextGen TV takes off, some may prefer to charge higher fees now. Doing so would deter manufacturers from making TVs that are compatible with NextGen TV.”

With the future viability of ATSC 3.0 on the line, Pearl warned that the verdict could discourage further development of new 3.0 products and the standard itself.

“Without NextGen TV-television sets in the market, viewers will not be able access NextGen TV, nor will broadcasters have any incentive to implement the myriad improvements that the new standards boast.”

“Thus, the judgment’s ripple turns into a cascade,” Pearl concluded.

PARIS—Television viewers in 56 U.S. markets have access to coverage of the Paris Olympics in High Dynamic Range (HDR) thanks to broadcasters and NextGen TV, Pearl TV, a business organization of eight of the largest U.S. television groups, said today.

In total, about 73 million U.S. households live in markets where NextGen TV signals are now transmitted with HDR video. 

Some 12,000 NextGen TV sets and ATSC 3.0 accessory devices, such as 3.0 set-top boxes for legacy DTVs, are being sold to Americans daily, it said.

In all, broadcasters in 67 U.S. markets are transmitting a NextGen TV signal in HDR (not all are NBC affiliates or O&Os, thus the difference). 

Local markets were NextGen TV in HDR is available include:

• Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.
• Atlanta, Ga.       
• Austin, Texas          
• Baltimore, Md. 
• Baton Rouge, La.             
• Birmingham, Ala.              
• Boston, Mass.       
• Buffalo, N.Y.                       
• Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Ill.      
• Charleston-Huntington, W.V.     
• Charleston, S.C.
• Chicago, Ill.        
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Columbus, Ohio
• Dayton, Ohio     
• Denver, Colo.       
• Des Moines-Ames, Iowa  
• El Paso, Texas        
• Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Mich.        
• Fresno-Visalia, Calif.        
• Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich.      
• Green Bay-Appleton, Wisc.             
• Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.    
• Greenville-Spartanburg, SC-Asheville, N.C.        
• Hartford-New Haven, Conn.           
• Honolulu, Hawaii    
• Indianapolis, Ind.           
• Las Vegas, Nev. 
• Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.           
• Los Angeles, Calif.             
• Louisville, Ky.    
• Miami - Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.         
• Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minn.        
• Mobile, AL-Pensacola, Fla.                          
• Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C.       
• Nashville, Tenn.   
• New Orleans, La.            
• New York, N.Y.                   
• Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va.            
• Oklahoma City, Okla.       
• Omaha, Nebr.       
• Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla.            
• Philadelphia, Pa.             
• Pittsburgh, Pa.  
• Portland-Auburn, Maine   
• Portland, Ore.                    
• Raleigh-Durham, N.C.                   
• Reno, Nev.                            
• Richmond-Petersburg, Va.                         
• Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va.             
• Rochester, N.Y .
• Sacramento, Calif.             
• Salt Lake City, Utah                           
• San Antonio, Texas                              
• San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif. 
• Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.                    
• Shreveport, La.
• South Bend-Elkhart, Ind.              
• Springfield-Holyoke, Mass.             
• Springfield, Mo.               
• St. Louis, Mo.                   
• Syracuse, N.Y.                   
• Tampa-St Petersburg-Sarasota, Fla.                      
• Tucson, Ariz.        
• Washington, D.C.                             
• West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Fla.                              
• Wichita - Hutchinson, Kans.      

 More information is available on the Pearl TV website. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—After several years of rolling out NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0 broadcasts to more than 75% of American homes, stations are increasingly adding new features to those services with new interactive features and greatly improved quality for video and audio. 

The Pearl TV consortium of major U.S. broadcast station groups is now reporting that since the NAB Show in April, the number of broadcasters using NextGen TV broadcasts to deliver high dynamic range (HDR) video has jumped and that HDR is now available in 57 TV markets covering more than 70 million homes. 

In addition a large group of stations has begun offering interactive capabilities with the flexible RUN3TV broadcast web platform.

“High Dynamic Range is now a reality in 57 TV markets, with HDR now available to more than 70 million viewers across the country,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a consortium of TV station groups that has overseen many of the voluntary market launches of the new NextGen TV technology.   “Since the first local broadcast of a high-stakes sports event with the Kentucky Derby last month, even more NextGen TV stations have upgraded to offer High Dynamic Range.  Louisville viewers got an eyeful and an earful with the rich pageantry of the Derby that brought Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range and the Dolby Atmos audio system to those watching WAVE-TV at home.  Viewership of NextGen TV at WAVE doubled during Derby week, and we expect improved picture and sound to drive similar interest in future sporting events.  That’s why HDR, in all its flavors, is so very important to viewers and to stations,” 

Pearl has started promoting the benefits of HDR to consumers, through both explanatory sections of the WatchNextGenTV.com website and also with in-market TV promotion where broadcasts have started with enhanced services.  

(To learn more about HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, visit the www.watchnextgentv.com consumer website.)

RUN3TV, the interactive broadcast application platform, is also winning supporters.  Sinclair Broadcast Group recently added more than 60 station apps to the RUN3TV platform with the added ability to provide enhanced emergency alerting, as the broadcast app platform works toward deployment in some 200 stations by year end.

Pearl TV reported that for broadcasters, RUN3TV is a game-changer, making it easy to integrate essential and advanced features across various platforms, while also allowing for the customization of unique services and content. This platform enhances broadcasters’ ability to gather detailed viewership data, offering insights that help tailor content directly to viewer preferences. With RUN3TV, broadcasters can provide seamless access to applications like ”start over” functionality and advanced emergency alerts.  RUN3TV also significantly improves content discovery and viewer engagement.

Built on the RUN3TV broadcast application platform, NBCUniversal is now delivering enhanced digital features on its NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations across the nation currently broadcasting in ATSC 3.0. The personalized and customizable experiences include hyper-local weather data, content features such as program restart, as well as access to on-demand clips, full episodes, and alternate programming, and integrated public safety alerts. The innovation, which launched April 15, takes advantage of one of the key benefits of NextGen TV – the ability to marry linear broadcast service with broadband connections.  The application launches automatically when a viewer tunes to the NBC or Telemundo station, and was created in partnership with Fincons, Ease Live (an Evertz company), and RUN3TV. 

More NextGen TV products are also becoming available. In the runup to annual meeting of the Advanced Television Systems Committee in Washington, D.C. on June 13 and 14, TCL has started shipping its first TV products enabled with NextGen TV reception.  TCL’s NextGen TV  lineup joins four other manufacturers of TV receivers expected to sell millions of NextGen TV sets this year. By year end, five affordable upgrade accessory devices are expected to be available, adding even more units to expected sales of NextGen TV products.

“Each day, consumers are buying and unpacking more than 12,000 NextGen TV products – from accessory devices to NextGen TV sets, plus accessory add-ons like new TV antenna options.  The addition of better quality pictures and sound and interactive applications ushers in a new era for local stations, all powered by ATSC 3.0 and NextGen TV,” Schelle said.

ROXi announced that it has partnered with Pearl TV and major U.S. broadcasters to deploy ROXi’s FastStream-powered interactive TV channels on the broadcaster's NextGen TV offerings. (TV Technology reported ROXI’s similar deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group back in January, 2024.) 

The launch, which was announced at the 2024 NAB Show provides another example of how broadcasters are beginning to add additional content to their NextGen TV offerings rather than simply airing the same programming they air on their traditional broadcasts.

The first NextGen TV services to be rolled out will be ROXI’s Interactive Music Channels. ROXi said that it is working with broadcasters on interactive TV channels for genres such as news, entertainment, and sports.

According to ROXi, their interactive channels differ from traditional OTA TV channels in that they start at the beginning of a program whenever the viewer tunes to a specific channel, no matter what time of day it is. Viewers can also pause, fast forward and rewind the program as they see fit.

“These new interactive TV channels are exactly what younger consumers want from their media experiences,” said ROXi CEO Rob Lewis. “They’ve grown up with YouTube and Tik Tok in their pocket and expect to be able to start a program at any time, and skip any segment they’re not interested in, even on Broadcast TV at home.”

“These new channels on NextGen deliver a revolutionary viewing experience to consumers,” said Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle. “[It will] drive demand for NextGen TVs while allowing ATSC 3.0 broadcasters to expand their market share of the growing connected TV ad market.”

“We all agree that it’s imperative we discover new ways to engage viewers, especially younger audiences who are not watching television the same way their parents do,” said Kerry Oslund, vice president of strategy & business development with The E.W. Scripps Company. “This partnership with ROXi allows for an interactive experience that brings new and exciting ways to engage with our audiences.”

WASHINGTON—Several broadcast station groups have formed an advocacy to invest and promote the advancement of RUN3TV, a software suite for ATSC 3.0 that takes advantage of the format’s IP architecture to offer a wide range of advanced options, including DVR-type features as well as emergency alerts and ad personalization. 

The companies—Gray Television, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Hearst Television, Tegna and The E.W. Scripps Company—are members of Pearl TV, a consortium of broadcasters, manufacturers and NGOs that was formed at the dawn of the ATSC 3.0 transition when it launched six years ago and have been among the most proactive station groups in deploying and promoting ATSC 3.0. Specific financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. 

ATSC 3.0 has been launched by more than 91 stations in 40 markets, bringing the advanced broadcast standard to within reach of more than 75% of U.S. households. Pearl says it expects that number to grow to more than 200 stations in 53 markets by the end of 2024.

The broadcast group investors will lead the funding to accelerate the commercial launch of the ATSC 3.0 Framework Authority (A3FA), the driving force behind the RUN3TV platform. Pearl TV says it expects additional broadcast groups to become involved in the future. Progress Partners is the exclusive financial adviser for Pearl TV and A3FA initiative.

Pearl TV says the move unites broadcasters to offer new services and unlock the full potential of the convergence of broadcast and broadband that ATSC 3.0 enables.  The effort provides a common method for viewers to take advantage of NextGen TV broadcasting by standardizing broadcast application capabilities across manufacturers to provide interactive services and the convergence of over-the-air with over-the-top (broadcast + broadband) connectivity. 

For viewers, RUN3TV introduces an innovative suite of features designed to elevate the NEXTGEN TV experience, enabling functionalities like “Start Over” and advanced emergency alerts for broadcaster’s applications. This platform not only enriches the viewing experience with enhanced access to local news, weather, and on-demand content including VOD and streaming services but also provides viewers with immediate access to essential information and their favorite entertainment. With RUN3TV, viewers benefit from a more interactive, engaging, and modern viewing experience.

For broadcasters, RUN3TV makes it easy to integrate essential and advanced features across various platforms, while also allowing for the customization of unique services and content. This platform enhances broadcasters' ability to gather detailed viewership data, offering insights that help tailor content directly to viewer preferences, according to Pearl TV. With RUN3TV, broadcasters can not only provide seamless access to applications like “Start Over” and advanced emergency alerts but also significantly improve content discovery and viewer engagement.

"Our investment in RUN3TV and ATSC 3.0 is a strategic endeavor for local broadcasters like Gray, bringing additional, measurable value to local stations by providing more choices for our viewers.  RUN3TV improves over the air viewership measurement, but it also gives our viewers more options at the touch of a button to engage deeper with their local stations,” said Pat LaPlatney, CEO of Gray Television.

"By integrating our applications into the RUN3TV platform, we're committed to uniting the industry toward enriching the viewer experience, including offering more interactive services and essential public services like emergency alerts," stated Chris Ripley, CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Also critical to this effort is the collaboration with media measurement companies, including Nielsen and Comscore, Pearl said. Nielsen and Pearl TV have worked closely since 2018 and Nielsen watermarking success was confirmed during early ATSC 3.0 transmission trials. More recently, Pearl TV and Nielsen have further engaged as the NextGen TV rollout has now reached 75% of U.S. TV households.

“Nielsen is pleased to evolve our longstanding relationship with Pearl TV as we jointly explore the use of OTA ‘big data’ in our local TV measurement. OTA households have been a critical element of our local TV service for decades, and this latest development around RUN3TV is an exciting step in potentially being able to harness the power of OTA broadcasting data sources, which will only enhance our local TV measurement,” said Paul LeFort, Managing Director of Nielsen’s Local TV business.

Pearl TV engaged Comscore in 2018 to draw from Comscore’s long-term expertise with ‘big data’ as an industry leader validating, aggregating and providing solutions from return path data from virtually every Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) in the ecosystem, the group said.  Comscore partnered with Pearl TV on the ATSC 3.0 trials and now brings more than two decades of expertise to the new RUN3TV platform.

"Our partnership aims to enhance audience measurement precision with big data capabilities for over-the-air, contributing to the industry's growth and innovation. Comscore eagerly anticipates the rollout of RUN3TV by broadcasters as it will allow enhanced return path data capabilities increasing the customer satisfaction and value of measurement," commented Brian Pugh, Chief Information Officer, Comscore.

CHICAGO—Viewers in America’s third-largest television market now have access to NextGen TV with the launch of ATSC 3.0 broadcasts by five Chicago stations.

The launch makes Chicago the latest large market to begin offering NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, broadcasts in recent months. It follows the launch of services in New York in October, the launch of 3.0 broadcasts on additional stations in Miami in December and the announcement in late December that ATSC 3.0 broadcasts would come to Chicago in early 2023. 

Chicago viewers can now access five channels over-the-air for free with Nextgen TV, including: CBS’ WBBM-TV (CBS, channel 2); Fox’s WFLD-TV (Fox, channel 32); NBC’s WMAQ-TV (NBC, channel 5); WGN (WGN, channel 9); and Univision’s WGBO-TV (Univision, channel 66). 

“America’s third-largest TV market is riding the NextGen TV wave, with the addition of new capabilities for broadcasters and viewers.  We’re especially appreciative of our partners, Heartland Video Systems and LTN and their commitment to getting broadcasters on-the-air. The momentum for NextGen TV is building with TCL about to join the roster of TV manufacturers with consumer models, High Dynamic Range coming for key sports contests, and new upgrade accessory receivers for consumers in the wings,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of the Pearl TV group of TV broadcasters that coordinated the Chicago launch.

“Chicago will get the most out of live news and sports programming,” continued Schelle. “Live linear television has never been stronger in sports than it is now, and Chicago is home to a bold sports market with six professional teams spanning NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB and NHL organizations. NextGen TV will transform the fan experience with immersive features such as brilliant color and personalized, interactive bonus content.” 

TV Tech has been tracking all the launches of NextGen TV around the country. Our complete coverage can be found here and our complete list of markets where the broadcasts are available is here. 

NEW YORK—The broadcast company consortium Pearl TV and its network partners are highlighting a number of new milestones in the rollout of NextGen TV, including a projection that more than 10 million NextGen TV capable devices will be in U.S. homes by the end of 2023. 

Worries had been expressed in recent months that the devices available to consumers might be limited in the future in the wake of disputes over ATSC 3.0 patents. After losing a patent case, LG told the FCC that it has suspended its 2024 lineup of NextGen TV capable TVs. The move prompted fears that other set manufacturers might follow. 

The NAB, however, has asked the FCC not to intervene with new rules regarding ATSC 3.0 patents saying the agency didn't have the authority and that new rules would not solve an existing problem.  

In the wake of the launch of NextGen TV broadcasts in New York City, which expands the reach of 3.0 signals to 70% of American viewers, Pearl TV also unveiled Pearl TV broadcasters’ national holiday advertising campaign.

“NextGen TV is meeting exciting milestones as it approaches the end of 2023, solidifying its trajectory for 2024 which includes more TV manufacturers expected to add NextGen TV as a feature, more accessory options for consumers at retail, more market launches, and more unique and interactive content from broadcasters,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “We’re excited to be at Pepcom Holiday Spectacular! in New York City to help promote and educate consumers on the many options they have when it comes to NextGen TV. And we praise New York City broadcasters for their collaboration and technical determination in bringing the standard to the country’s largest television market.”

Pearl TV reports that NextGen TV capabilities are available in select TV models manufactured by Hisense, LG, Samsung and Sony and that those sets are widely available to consumers at retail across more than 100 models, starting at $599.

The group also stressed that consumers can access NextGen TV service using an antenna and that antenna usage continues to climb. About 35 million U.S. households have an antenna and 50 million are expected to have one by 2025, according to the Consumer Technology Association. More information on the benefits of free over-the-air (OTA) broadcast television can be found at TheFreeTVProject.org website, Pearl reported. 

Other notable developments, including recent launches, new devices and marketing campaigns, include:  

• Pepcom Holiday Spectacular! NextGen TV will be at Pepcom Holiday Spectacular!, Oct. 19, in New York City, showcasing select new NextGen TV models from Hisense and Samsung, new upgrade accessory devices, and educating media about the new standards’ features and benefits. Offering multiple gifting possibilities, products that are certified with the NextGen TV logo come with the latest technologies and content security protection, and they provide amazing entertainment options. Devices on display will include: Hisense, LG, Samsung and Sony NextGen TVs; Atlanta DTH accessory receiver; and Zapperbox and Zinwell NextGen TV upgrade accessories, with select details and features listed below.
• Holiday Marketing. Broadcasters and stations will promote and engage with their local viewers on the new standard through the NextGen TV Holiday Marketing Campaign. This 13-week, multi-channel, nationwide campaign in NextGen TV’s top 40 on-air markets kicks off in November and enables broadcasters to accelerate the NextGen TV groundswell through social media and creative ads. Highly curated, the campaign equips TV stations with educational content for their viewers driven by consumer research by Magid. Following the 2022 Holiday Marketing Campaign, Magid found that when aware of the campaign’s ad and social spots, 74% of consumers who did not yet own a NextGen TV are likely to purchase one.
• Atlanta DTH Box. The industry’s first NextGen TV-certified receiver that is also verified for content security features a dual-mode TV tuner for reception of both ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 television signals. The ADTH receiver fully supports High Dynamic Range (HDR), Dolby AC-4 audio, broadcast applications sent by TV broadcasters and features a Bluetooth-powered remote control. After an initial sell-out, ADTH will soon start shipping pre-orders of its NextGen TV receiver box with a suggested retail price of $89.99. The unit is equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi for software updates and security verification to ensure seamless playback of protected broadcast TV content.
• Zinwell "NextGen TV BOX" (Model ZAT-600B). A stand-alone single-tuner ATSC 1.0/3.0 tuner that accepts a standard digital TV antenna and is designed to decode/tune ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 broadcast signals. The Zinwell NextGen TV Box is an ideal accessory for consumers with TVs that do not have built-in ATSC 3.0 tuners. It supports 4K broadcasts, enhanced Dolby audio, and access to broadcaster applications. Certified to carry the NextGen TV logo, the Zinwell ZAT-600B will be security verified to operate without needing an internet connection. Working alongside Channel Master, Zinwell's products will soon be accessible through participating antenna installers and retailers nationwide by year-end.
• Zapperbox NextGen TV Digital Video Recorder (DVR). Offering the first NextGen TV DVR available as a single tuner receiver to record or watch one channel at a time ($249.95 suggested retail price) or a dual tuner receiver to record or watch up to two channels at a time ($274.95 suggested retail price). Both models provide Dolby AC-4 audio playback and are expected to be NextGen TV certified and security verified by year end. Zapperbox models support both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, with new secure Digital Video Recording added as a recent update. DVR functionality, which includes recording and skip-forward functions, is available on both single-tuner and dual-tuner Zapperbox models.
• NextGen TV Now in New York City. Broadcasters have launched NextGen TV service in New York City and surrounding areas—the number one television market in the county encompassing approximately 7.73 million TV households according to industry rankings. New Yorkers will get the most out of live local news, events, and sports programming, while giving its broadcasters a more compelling and interactive way to deliver their content. New York City viewers can now access six additional channels over-the-air (OTA) for free with NextGen TV: PBS stations WNET and WLIW; WMBQ; CBS’ WCBS; NBC’s WNBC; and Telemundo’s WNJU.

ATLANTA—ADTH’s NEXTGEN TV Box, the first consumer external device certified with the NEXTGEN TV logo, is now shipping for $119.99. As expected, the box—which Atlanta DTH jointly developed with Tolka— includes support for the A3SA digital rights management protocol, making it the first such certified device on the market. 

All NextGen TV-certified TV sets on the market support the A3SA (ATSC 3.0 Security Authority) protocol, which was established by the major networks and broadcast groups in consultation with the Consumer Technology Association. A3SA uses IP-based encryption protocols, device certificates and rights management technology to protect OTA broadcasts (1.0 is not included in the standard). 

Consumers who want to access NextGen TV without having to shell out for a new TV set have been purchasing external boxes/dongles such as Silicon Dust’s HDHomerun Flex 4K and Bitrouter's Zapperbox, but because they are not yet certified to carry the NextGen TV logo, those boxes don’t currently support 3.0 DRM, leaving many buyers frustrated by encryption imposed by broadcasters, which limit their access and recording options. 

While support for A3SA will allow consumers to access more functionality enabled by NextGen TV, that encryption of broadcast signals also allows broadcasters to limit how and where viewers could access NextGen TV programming, specifically DVR content, a popular feature among streaming services that NextGen TV advocates have been promoting as one of the standard’s more popular features. Some broadcasters have responded to consumer complaints about encryption, saying that they’re trying to avoid another Napster. 

Dave Arland, spokesman for Pearl TV, the TV network-manufacturer consortium for NextGen TV told TechHive recently that remote viewing is “on the A3SA development roadmap,” and that the group is working on developing future capabilities that will satisfy both consumers while protecting broadcast content. He also said that A3SA does not prohibit restrictions on recordings for 1.0 simulcast in 3.0.

“Content protection is designed to prevent piracy, not stop home recording,” Arland said.

NextGen TV is now available in more than 70 markets nationwide from markets as large as Los Angeles and as small as Green Bay Wisc. Ivy Shou, President of Atlanta DTH, characterized the launch of the box as a “landmark moment both for us and for our development partner, Tolka.” 

“The ADTH upgrade accessory receiver is not only fully certified with the NEXTGEN TV logo but also verified for content security, she said. “This assures that consumers will get the best possible experience at home, enjoying the outstanding advantages of NEXTGEN TV channels in 70 markets across the USA.

"The ADTH NEXTGEN TV Box packs a huge amount of processing power and versatility into its compact dimensions and makes UHD TV reception easier than ever. It is also the first set top box to support A3SA digital rights management,” Shou continued. “Our product and software development teams have managed to achieve this at a very affordable price point. We were honored to be recognized by the Pearl TV industry organization and its certification associate, Resillion, as one of the first vendors to produce officially certified NEXTGEN upgrade accessory receivers.”

The ADTH NEXTGEN TV Box allows ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV and ATSC 1.0 free-to-air television programs to be viewed on any IP-compatible TV display. Housed in a compact unit designed to fit beneath or alongside the display, it comes with ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 support, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, HDMI, S/PDIF digital audio, and RCA connectors. A wide range of features are supported including an electronic program guide and parental controls. Dolby AC-4, audio description and closed captions can be activated to support viewers with impaired hearing.

Orders for the ADTH NEXTGEN TV Box can be placed via ADTH’s website: https://shop.adth.com/collections/all. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Another high-volume electronics manufacturer has been certified to produce NextGen TV upgrade accessory receivers, with the Pearl TV announcement that Zinwell has completed the industry’s self-certification test suite and will soon enter the U.S. market with affordable set-top products. 

The launch of the new products will help more viewers transition to NextGen TV services. 

“The addition of Zinwell to the stable of manufacturers producing certified receivers is terrific news, bringing to six the total number of companies now producing NextGen TV receivers for the home,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a business organization promoting the interests of more than 820 network-affiliated U.S. television stations. “We’re excited that Zinwell’s first receiver will be in the market for the holiday season, the second such upgrade accessory receiver available for consumers. Thousands of television sets with NextGen TV electronics inside are now being sold each day and we anticipate a robust market for affordable upgrade accessory receivers for existing displays in viewers’ homes. The TV industry is eager to promote the advantages of NextGen TV – including enhanced audio and video – and the addition of another NextGen TV certified manufacturer will expand options for consumers.”

By the end of 2023, Pearl TV expects U.S. consumers to have purchased more than 10 million certified NextGen TV television sets and anticipates strong interest in upgrade accessory receivers that could bring the advantages of NextGen TV broadcasts to any television with an HDMI connection.

The NextGen TV certification program was developed in concert with broadcasters to ensure that viewers are receiving and displaying the full capabilities of NextGen TV service from local stations.  NextGen TV certification services and tools are provided by Resillion (formerly Eurofins Digital Testing) on behalf of the Consumer Technology Association and the National Association of Broadcasters, which joined forces in 2019 to launch the innovative logo program.

"We greatly appreciate the efforts made by Pearl TV, the Consumer Technology Association, the National Association of Broadcasters, and Resillion in promoting the NextGen TV standard nationwide." said Paul Wu, vice president of sales and marketing of Zinwell Corporation. 

"I am proud of our team and our close collaboration with Pearl TV in obtaining NextGen TV certification. We have a robust internal research and development team dedicated to the development of ATSC 3.0 products. We offer a diverse range of ATSC 3.0 products catering to different market segments, including entry-level and high-end versions. Our products will be available in the market in the fourth quarter of this year. In addition to ATSC 3.0 set-top boxes, our ZAT series also features remote education functionality and emergency alert systems, making it more powerful than the most advanced ATSC 3.0 set-top boxes. Its versatile applications extend from home use to schools, institutions, and public service environments. In addition to its product development capabilities, Zinwell provides excellent quality and cost-effective solutions through its advanced and highly automated manufacturing facilities located in multiple locations. Established in 1981, Zinwell is committed to the research and manufacturing of consumer electronic products and has always been a trusted long-term OEM/ODM partner, dedicated to growing together with customers in the new era of ATSC 3.0,” Wu said.

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—Five major television stations have launched NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, broadcasts in the South Bend-Elkhart television market.

The Thursday June 29 included  WSBT-TV (Sinclair-owned CBS and Fox affiliate), WNDU-TV (Gray Television’s NBC affiliate), WSJV (Gray Television’s H&I affiliate), WNIT (Michiana Public Broadcasting’s PBS affiliate), and WHME-TV (Family Broadcasting Corporation’s independent station). 

For the launch, WSJV, which is owned by Gray Television, has converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions. WSJV will broadcast its own programming, as well as the programming of the other participating stations, in NextGen TV format. All programming of all participating stations will continue to be available in the existing digital format, which can be received on all modern television sets. 

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the five television stations.

BitPath will make its groundbreaking NavPath and BitPoint precise navigation and positioning services available at no charge to Indiana’s first responders.

TV Tech has been tracking the launch of NextGen TV broadcasts around the country. Our full list of markets that offer 3.0 signs is available here. 

Our full coverage of the technology can be accessed here.  

WASHINGTON—The reach of ATSC 3.0 services is expected to continue expanding this summer as broadcasters in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Reno, Nev., and South Bend, Ind., are poised to flip the switch to bringing NextGen TV to local viewers, the Pearl TV coalition of U.S. broadcasters said today.

The launches follow recent successful deployments in the major markets of Boston, Miami and San Francisco and coincide with expected service expansions in Miami and San Antonio. In all, NextGen TV currently is available to more than 60% of U.S. households, it said.

The news comes on the eve of the Advanced Television Systems Committee Annual Conference here. Besides discussing the recent launches, Pearl TV plans to highlight growth in the number of NextGen TV consumer accessories, feature new resources for broadcasters and efforts to educate the public, it said.

“NextGen TV has experienced incredible growth from concept to reality and is now broadcasting in more than 60% of U.S. households—and it would not have been possible without the collaboration, innovation and perseverance of the broadcast and consumer electronics community,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV.

“As we introduce new services and education to the consumer about the benefits and upgradeability of the technology, it’s key that we continue to support them as they look for the NextGen TV logo at retail and when they engage with exciting and interactive broadcaster content.”

Pearl TV also emphasized that broadcasters launching 3.0 in these markets will have the ability to use the RUN3TV web platform that brings interactive experiences and streaming content to over-the-air TV viewers. The platform’s architecture enables stations to develop, innovate and differentiate at the application service level and provides a consistent viewer experience across NextGen TV devices, it said.

The coalition also will highlight other wins for NextGen TV, including the fruits of Pearl TV’s Fast Track for NextGen TV program that aims to accelerate development and retail availability of low-cost NextGen TV accessories.

Tolka software powering a 3.0 receiver from Atlanta DTH (ADTH) is the first to receive NextGen TV certification. The ADTH device is now available for pre-order with shipments expected in July. Another from Zinwell is in the certification process, it said.

When it comes to NextGen TV set sales, promotional efforts appear to be working.  “A recent consumer ad campaign during the 2022 holiday season revealed not only do they [consumers] consider their local broadcast stations who offer NextGen TV as innovative, but three in four were likely to purchase a NextGen TV upon seeing the ads,” said Schelle.

“In response to consumer excitement and interest to learn more, broadcasters will provide significant promotional inventory, a series of on-air and digital brand campaigns this year timed with Father’s Day, back-to-school, and football seasons, culminating with our popular holiday season campaign.”

Pearl TV and the Pearl Network Consortium also have updated the NextGen TV Host Station Manual. The free educational guide informs broadcasters of the requirements they must consider as they begin the process for their station and market to plan, license, build and operate a NextGen TV host facility. New updates include a technical explanation, implementation and use cases about the audio watermark and an expanded FAQ. 

NextGen TV accessibility enhancements will be on display at the conference. First demonstrated at the NAB Show in April, the enhanced audio accessibility features of Dolby Atmos immersive sound in English and Spanish with Audio Description and Voice+ dialogue enhancement were well-received at the demo in Las Vegas.

Schelle will moderate two conference sessions:

• Wednesday, June 14—Business Cases for NextGen TV Services: Opportunities for Monetizing Television Services (open to ATSC members only).
• Thursday, June 15—The NextGen TV Audience Experience: Delivering an Awesome TV Experience for Viewers.

More information is available on the Pearl TV and ATSC websites.

ATLANTA—Although there are a number of peripheral devices on the market that allow viewers to receive ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) signals, they have not met the criteria to be certified as “NextGen TV” capable as established by standards set by the Consumer Technology Association. That’s about to change with the introduction of a new device to be released by Atlanta DTH this summer.

Also referred to as a “NextGen TV upgrade accessory receiver,” the ADTH NextGen TV Box is powered by Tolka ATSC 3 Stack software and is designed for use with household TV receivers, set-top boxes, in-car receivers, mobile phones, tablets or computers. 

Since 3.0-enabled TV sets hit the market 3-4 years ago, sales have been slow, perhaps because only four manufacturers—Hisense, LG, Samsung and Sony—have been shipping the sets, which are mostly high-end (with the exception of Sony, which now makes 3.0 support available in all of their sets sold in the U.S.)

According to the CTA, 3.2 million NextGen sets were shipped last year, representing only 8% of all TVs shipped. It predicts that almost 5 million NextGen TVs will ship to dealers in 2023, 12% of the total and that by 2025, the share should hit 50%. But since ATSC 3.0 is not backward-compatible with 1.0, that means consumers have had to wait until their next TV purchase to seek out 3.0-enabled sets. 

Also contributing to the slow uptake has been the lack of plug and play peripheral devices that meet the CTA's NextGen TV certification program that ensures that the devices are able to provide the wide range of capabilities enabled by 3.0

Tolka Telecommunications, a producer of cable, satellite, terrestrial and IP media related applications, and Atlanta DTH, which builds cable and satellite direct-to-home communications equipment and telecommunication systems for IPTV, OTT, DTT and other media-related application, worked with Pearl TV's FastTrack program to ensure that the ADTH NextGen TV Box meets the requirements of the Consumer Technology Association NextGen TV logo program and the expectations of ATSC 3.0 TV broadcasters. Tolka ATSC 3 Stack enables viewers can experience NextGen TV free-to-air television programs on Android and Linux platforms.

The ADTH NextGen TV Box allows ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV and ATSC 1.0 free-to-air television programs to be viewed on any IP-compatible TV display. Housed in a compact unit designed to fit beneath or alongside the display, the ADTH NextGen TV Box comes with ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 support, ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, HDMI, S/PDIF digital audio, and RCA connectors. A wide range of features are supported including an electronic program guide and parental controls. Dolby AC-4, audio description and closed captions can be activated to support viewers with impaired hearing.

The ADTH NextGen TV Box is scheduled to ship in July 2023 and is available now for pre-order on ADTH’s website at an MSRP of $119.99. The receiver is available for pre-order at the discounted price of $79.99 for a limited time.

“On behalf of the nation’s broadcasters who are spearheading the introduction of NextGen TV channels throughout the country, we delighted to recognize Tolka for its expertise in developing a software stack that can power the ADTH upgrade accessory receiver,” comments Anne Schelle, Managing Director of Pearl LLC, a business organization promoting the interests of more than 820 network-affiliated U.S. television stations. “The TV industry is eager to promote the advantages of NextGen TV—including enhanced audio and video—and the addition of an affordable set-top device with the official NextGen TV certification opens new avenues for broadcasters and for the millions of viewers looking for an easy upgrade solution. It’s as simple as connecting the power, an antenna and an HDMI cord with the new ADTH device. And this is just the first of several products that are coming for viewers who are hoping to enjoy the enhanced NextGen TV experience.”

NextGen TV certification services and tools are provided by Resillion (formerly Eurofins Digital Testing) on behalf of the CTA and the NAB which joined forces in 2019 to launch the innovative logo program. 

“We congratulate ADTH and Tolka for being the first accessory device to be NextGen TV certified,” says Dr. Bob Campbell, Director of Engineering at Resillion. "The NextGen TV logo is essential to maximize device sales, demonstrating compliance to the standards and giving consumers confidence in a product. We hope to support many more products to carry the mark in the coming months.”

"We would like to thank Pearl TV, the Consumer Technology Association, the U.S. National Association of Broadcasters and Resillion for their efforts in promoting NextGen TV as a major step in the advancement of broadcast television standards across the USA," adds Alex Day, Tolka Telecommunications’ Vice President of Business Development "NextGen TV offers a major advance in terms of viewer experience, including 2160p 4K UHD video resolution, 120 Hz frame rate, high dynamic range, wide color gamut and cinema-quality audio. It is already accessible in 60 percent of homes across the USA and expected to reach 75 percent of American viewers by December of this year.”

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced growing momentum for its XOS software-based advanced media processing solution in the launches of NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0 around the country. 

Harmonic reported that its XOS software solution is powering NextGen TV services in major designated market areas (DMAs) including Boston, Miami and San Francisco, enabling the delivery of ATSC 3.0 channels with greater bandwidth efficiency and enhanced video quality.

For the launches Harmonic worked with Pearl TV, a business organization comprised of more than 820 network-affiliated TV stations; BitPath, a broadcaster-owned venture focused exclusively on leveraging ATSC 3.0 to create new revenue streams for television broadcasters; and Heartland Video Systems, an industry-leading broadcast equipment supplier and system integrator. 

"Launching NextGen TV would not be possible without the innovation of technology providers like Harmonic and tight collaboration in the broadcast industry," said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV.

"Miami represents the first commercial deployment of an ATSC 3.0 virtual channel, where the signaling is conducted over the air and DASH content is delivered over the top through an origin server and CDN, a groundbreaking achievement," said Dennis Klas, president of Heartland Video Systems. "When we work on ATSC 3.0 deployments, Harmonic's XOS is always broadcasters' top-choice media processing solution based on providing unparalleled video quality, feature set and bandwidth efficiency."

Harmonic's XOS advanced media processing solution leverages the same software stack at the core as Harmonic's market-leading VOS360 solution, delivering significant advantages for video streaming and broadcast delivery. Featuring a unique cloud-native software foundation, and next-gen media processing technology, XOS enables broadcasters to efficiently deliver ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 services simultaneously. In addition, XOS enhances ATSC 3.0 delivery through AI-powered video compression and quality optimization for any format up to 4K HDR, simplified SDR/HDR conversions, and flexible support of SDI, full-IP and uncompressed IP transport architectures.

"Supporting NextGen TV delivery further strengthens Harmonic's market leadership and confirms XOS software as the go-to solution for leading media companies and tier-1 service providers," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, video products and solutions, at Harmonic.  "XOS now powers more than 200,000 premium-quality live broadcast and streaming channels globally."

Harmonic is showcasing its XOS software-based advanced media processing solution and its latest innovations in streaming and broadcast delivery in Booth W1529 in the West Hall of the LVCC during the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 16-19. 

LAS VEGAS—Triveni Digital, the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA), and Pearl TV today announced that Triveni's StreamScope XM Analyzer and Monitor are the industry's first test and measurement products to support NextGen TV decryption protocols.

Using the new decryption functionality on StreamScope XM, broadcasters can transmit encrypted content in the ATSC 3.0 environment to better understand who their subscribers are and monetize NextGen TV services, while ensuring outstanding content integrity, Triveni said. The effort is part of Pearl's FastTrack to NextGen TV program, to accelerate and streamline the path for adoption of NextGen TV technology. In addition, Triveni Digital and the A3SA security authority have agreed to a multi-year deal to enable the use of Triveni Digital's GuideBuilder XM broadcast chain and StreamScope XM products in their testing and certification services.

"Encryption is a key requirement for delivering ATSC 3.0 services," said Mark Simpson, president and CEO at Triveni Digital. "After a long collaboration with the A3SA security authority and under Pearl's FastTrack umbrella, we are excited to bring this important capability to the broadcast television market. Triveni Digital is a leader in the development and deployment of NextGen TV technology, and adding broadcast decryption to our industry-leading StreamScope XM product line will help to accelerate the monetization of ATSC 3.0 services. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Pearl TV to develop leading-edge NextGen TV technology for broadcasters."

Triveni Digital's StreamScope XM offers a comprehensive suite of products for monitoring, analysis, and troubleshooting complex DTV content, now with broadcast decryption and continuous transport stream recording capabilities available. Triveni's GuideBuilder XM and Broadcast Gateway broadcast chain products are powering many NextGen TV deployments in the U.S. and internationally. Pearl has helped to create the security authority to develop protocols for securing ATSC 3.0 broadcast services leveraging the same tools that web-based content services use (i.e., IP-based encryption protocols, device certificates, and rights management technology) in conformance with the ATSC Security Standard for NextGen TV.

"As NextGen TV deployments grow in the U.S., protecting high-value television content is essential," said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. "We're excited to join forces with Triveni Digital and help to ensure that ATSC 3.0 content, services, and information is well protected and secure."

Triveni Digital is demonstrating its StreamScope XM Analyzer and Monitor at the 2023 NAB Show, April 16-19 in Las Vegas at booth W3251 in the West Hall of the LVCC.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Comcast NBCUniversal, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and the Pearl Network Consortia (PNC) have announced plans to demo the improved audio accessibility features of NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, during the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas. 

These new features are designed to make television more accessible and inclusive for everyone. The demo marks a significant milestone in NextGen TV’s enhanced audio description support by demonstrating how they can be extended to multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) distribution platforms. 

Audio description is a spoken narrative that describes purely visual elements and context in a program for viewers who are blind or visually impaired. The enhanced audio capabilities of NextGen TV enable the audio description to be delivered with the same high quality as the primary audio track. 

A two-screen demonstration will feature an NBC Sports NextGen TV broadcast from the Las Vegas Sinclair station that will simultaneously be distributed via a Comcast Xfinity set-top box. Enhanced accessibility features highlighted will include full Dolby Atmos immersive sound in English and Spanish with audio description and Voice+ to increase the intelligibility of the foreground announcers’ voices over the program content.  

“Our collaboration with PNC is part of Comcast NBCUniversal’s commitment to continually improve the experience for all audiences,” said Clarence Hau, senior vice president, standards, policy & advanced engineering, NBCUniversal. “This demonstration helps us to understand how NextGen TV’s advanced audio capabilities can be leveraged to improve the sound quality of audio-described programming simultaneously delivered over-the-air and via MVPDs.”  

“NextGen TV enables consumers across many communities to access television programming that takes advantage of this unique over-the-air path to deliver quality content,” added Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “This demonstration shows how broadcasters and Comcast have cooperated to present new features that can be delivered, in a manner compatible with their systems, thus enabling them to provide these accessibility benefits to NextGen TV viewers.” 

The enhanced audio accessibility demonstration will be offered at the NAB show between April 16-19 in the West Hall at booth W3443. 

In my last column I took a look at the future of ATSC 3.0 broadcasting. This month I’ll talk about resources to learn more about ATSC 3.0 and revisit 5G broadcast. 

Early in the development of the standard, I wrote about how ATSC 3.0 works by explaining how guard intervals protect data from multipath, describing tools for calculating the tradeoffs between robustness and data capacity, exploring layered division multiplexing, and discussing the basics of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing). 

Rather than repeat myself, I’ll share some websites and tutorials for more detailed, up-to-date and practical knowledge about ATSC 3.0. 

On the Web
The Pearl NextGen TV “Host Station Manual”  describes how to begin broadcasting ATSC 3.0, from program delivery to transmission. This guide has been used to successfully launch many of the ATSC 3.0 stations on the air today. The Pearl TV website also includes webinars on launching ATSC 3.0 that are available on request to broadcasters. 

For more in-depth technical information, SBE offers on-demand tutorials for SBE members. Members may also want to consider certification as an ATSC3 specialist. 

The ATSC 3.0 standard is very complex. If you want to understand the intricate details on how ATSC 3.0 works, dig into the ATSC 3.0 Technical Documents on the ATSC website for standards and recommended practices. 

ATSC 3.0 Recommended Practices lists documents dealing with ATSC 3.0 Field Tests (A/326), Guidelines for the Physical Layer (A/327) and more. The Physical Layer Guidelines (A/327) provides an excellent overview of how the ATSC 3.0 signal is generated and the trade-offs between different physical layer parameters. 

Visit the ATSC Implementation Guide: Emissions Testing Process for a checklist for ensuring ATSC 3.0 transmissions are functional and steps for dealing with receiver interoperability issues. 

With Your Transmitter
After learning how ATSC 3.0 signals are generated and about the different options for modulation and coding, you may want to do some experiments to see how they work. 

Experimenting with an on-air ATSC 3.0 station broadcasting the signals from multiple stations will likely be frowned upon. The solution is to set up your own ATSC 3.0 lab. This can be done using the Dektec DTU-315 USB-3 all-standard, all-band modulator or similar devices as I described in previous columns but there is a lower cost option for experimenters, albeit with some major compromises. 

Ron Economos, aka “drmpeg” researched the ATSC 3.0 standards and documents and built an ATSC 3.0 transmitter with a software-defined radio. I know it works because I was able to generate an ATSC 3.0 signal with his GNU Radio software and my Ettus B200 SDR and receive it on my HDHomerun ATSC 3.0 tuner. If the Ettus B200 is not available or too expensive, Chinese clones are available on aliexpress.com for under $600 and claim compatibility. Other lower-cost SDRs may also work with modification of the GNU Radio Companion flow graph.

 Ron’s github site has the software and some test streams. The software includes an option to add a second PLP using LDM. I had no problem getting that to work. As configured, the SDR will transmit on 429 MHz, or cable Channel 58. It can be changed to any frequency in the B200’s range. View the signal with the HDHomerun ATSC 3.0 receiver and the “hdhomerun_config” and “hdhomerun_config_gui”  programs. Step-by-step details on how I installed it on my Fedora 36 Linux laptop are in the winter edition (2022–2023) of the IEEE Broadcast Technology magazine. 

In the version I tested in December 2022, the software does not transmit LLS, which provides the signaling necessary for a receiver to recognize the signal, and it uses ATSC 1.0-formatted transport stream packets. It won’t work on TV receivers looking for the LLS and IP packets. The HDHomerun won’t find the signal in a channel scan but can be manually tuned.

If you have access to an MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 encoder that can add the basic ATSC 1.0 PMT and PID information, you can create your own ATSC 1.0 transport stream files. There should be a way to generate a compatible transport stream multiplex in software with gstreamer or ffmpeg but I haven’t found any examples on how to add the PMT and PID tables. 

At some point, after I add a Morse code IDer or figure out how to create a program stream with my ham call sign on it, I may hook this up to my outdoor discone antenna and see what the coverage looks like with a few milliwatts of ATSC 3.0. 

I’m especially interested in seeing how well the LDM robust layer works. While the SDR transmitter is based on the A/322 standard, using it with a full-power or Class A TV station probably isn’t legal, at least in the spirit of the law, as it won’t be compatible with existing ATSC 3.0 receiver designs. LPTV stations may have more flexibility in this area. Take a close look at the FCC rules and don’t forget the signal will have to meet FCC emission mask requirements. 

If you want to learn more about ATSC 3.0 inner workings, adding LLS and IP input capability (at least STL-TP input) to the program would be a great contribution.

ATSC 3.0 and 5G
In my last column I mentioned work being done by Rohde and Schwarz and Qualcomm on broadcasting content using 5G (3GPP) standards on UHF TV stations.  

I was overly optimistic about the ability of a TV station to transmit both an ATSC 3.0 A/322-compatible signal and a 5G broadcast signal on the same channel at the same time. Rohde and Schwarz has been participating in 5G broadcast demos at events such as IBC and Mobile World Congress so I asked them about this. 

The company said none of their tests have involved such a combination and while it is possible in a test bed configuration, such a combination is not currently supported by 5G broadcast and is not likely to be in the near future. These are two distinct and different physical layers. 

Qualcomm has been working to include 5G broadcast in its latest RF modem chips. The Qualcomm vision is outlined on its website, which had this comment on the 3GPP Release 16 enhanced TV standard: “It can be deployed in existing UHF spectrum (i.e., 470 to 698 MHz) that broadcasters already own or have access to, and its design allows the reuse of existing cellular modem building blocks.” More support for standalone 5G enhanced broadcast is planned for 3GPP Release 17 and 18 standards. 

If a system isn’t available that allows use of a channel for both ATSC 3.0 and 5G standalone broadcast, then at a minimum the FCC would have to eliminate the requirement for compliance with ATSC A/322 and any simulcast requirements before it could begin in the United States. It may be possible for LPTV stations to transmit 5G broadcast signals but depending on the characteristics of the signal, that might require a waiver. 

Over the next few years, if 5G broadcast is deployed on UHF TV stations it will be interesting to see its impact on free over-the-air TV and today’s TV broadcast system.

I welcome your comments, questions, and observations on the future of broadcast TV. Email me at dlung@transmitter.com. 

NEW ORLEANS—Six local TV stations have announced that they’ve launched NextGen TV broadcasts in New Orleans, bringing NextGen TV aka ATSC 3.0 signals to more than 660,000 households in the market. 

The launch includes Tegna's WUPL (MyNetwork; channel 54), which is serving as the shared signal for the market, and WWL (CBS; channel 4); Gray Television's WVUE (Fox; channel 8); Hearst Television's WDSU (NBC; channel 6); Nexstar Media Inc.'s WGNO (ABC; channel 26) and WNOL (CW; channel 38). 

The stations noted that NextGen TV is the first major overhaul to the Advanced Television Systems Committee's standard for receiving over-the-air (OTA) signals in 25 years. 

In addition to providing the capabilities for a number of advanced features, NextGen TV also enables New Orleans broadcasters to strengthen its emergency alert systems, helping to make area communities safer during natural disasters or severe weather events. The new standard enables improved location-targeting with notifications sent to precise areas and viewers can choose the language in which they want to receive the emergency information. Multimedia files can also be added, upgrading the alerts with details such as maps or images. In times of crisis, NextGen TV's sophisticated emergency alerting will enable viewers in that market to get all the information they need without affecting those not in the path of the emergency.

"Local broadcast stations play an important news and information role in the communities we serve," said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. "With changes in the broadcast television market over time, the value in bringing more innovation to newsrooms and viewers with smart solutions like NextGen TV is crystal clear. Launching NextGen TV enables broadcasters to deliver the latest news and emergency alerting information, which is critical in a geography such as New Orleans, where extreme weather events are common and local news updates and information is vital."  

TV Tech has been tracking all the launches of NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 broadcasts here. 

Upcoming launches of NextGen TV are expected to occur in January of 2023 in Boston and Miami. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Pearl TV has provided an update on the progress of NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, in 2022 that included news that NextGen TV broadcasts began on Dec. 15 in Dayton Ohio and in New Orleans. 

Pearl also reported that in January 2023 additional launches are planned in Boston and Miami, producing a 5% NextGen TV market penetration increase by the end of next month.

In addition, more than a dozen additional markets are in the planning stages to begin their transition to NextGen TV services later in 2023, boosting the reach of the new standard to 75% of the U.S. population in 2023, Pearl said. 

In its updated of key 2022 milestones in the progress of NextGen TV, Pearl also highlighted the development of a broader ecosystem of partners that enable the deployment of devices and the broadcaster application platform, RUN3TV. 

"NextGen TV has enabled television to shed its traditional linear viewing experience so that viewers can lean into the news and entertainment with better engagement. Pearl TV's growing FastTrack program is generating results that will boost household penetration even further, expanding into the low-cost and accessory device market to reach even more viewers," said Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle.

Built by broadcasters for broadcasters, RUN3TV's web-based platform architecture enables stations to easily develop, innovate, and differentiate at the application services layer, allowing a consistent viewer experience across all NextGen TV devices, Pearl reported. 

Broadcasters have quickly gravitated to the platform; 40 stations across 21 markets are now using RUN3TV—a 33% increase since April—and have created unique applications, including three PBS stations.

In addition, MediaTek, a partner in the "FastTrack to NextGen TV,'" a program that accelerates and streamlines the path for adoption of NextGen TV technology by consumer electronic makers producing smart TVs and related devices at volume, has moved into commercial production of its TV System on Chip (SoC) ATSC3 demodulators.

A second partner, software maker iWedia, joined the MediaTek and Pearl TV partnership, creating a product that includes MediaTek's latest SoC and iWedia's leading-edge NextGen TV software stack. It will be pre-certified for compliance with the Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) NextGen TV logo requirements, A3SA Security and the RUN3TV Application platform.

Available in Q1 2023, MediaTek and iWedia's total solutions will help to expedite scale among its customers for high-volume, low-cost televisions, Pearl Reported. 

"We are very enthusiastic about the promise of NextGen TV for our customers and being able to help them with an easier, faster and more cost-effective process to introduce NextGen TV-compatible products," said Alfred Chan, vice president, TV Business Unit in the Smart Home Group at MediaTek. "Importantly, consumer electronics manufacturers can feel confident that they are meeting the highest standards around authenticity and security as our platform is certified compliant with the Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) NextGen TV logo requirements."

Currently, consumers can find NextGen TV-enabled televisions from Hisense, Sony, LG Electronics and Samsung at local and national retailers, starting at $599. 

During CES, NextGen TV will also be on full display as part of the ATSC booth located at Booth # 17783, Tech East in Central Hall. 

NextGen TV will showcase its features, including Dolby's audio and accessibility features, Fast Track platform development partner MediaTek and iWedia's solution, upgrade accessory devices and antenna options for consumers and RUN3TV's latest platform innovations. 

Pearl TV Managing Director Anne Schelle will take the stage as panelist in "NextGen TV Scales to New Heights," on Jan.7 at 10:00 a.m. PT located at LVCC N258. 

For more details about CES, visit the event program. Media and analysts interested in experiencing NextGen TV may contact pearltv@havasformula.com to reserve a briefing.

WASHINGTON—The Pearl TV coalition today announced two steps it is taking to help TV broadcasters realize more of the monetization potential of ATSC 3.0—one related to advertising and the other aimed at increasing the number of TV viewers who can watch NextGen TV.

Pearl TV has expanded its support for digital video advertising technology in its RUN3TV web TV platform with greater support for revenue generation via server-side ad insertion (SSAI).

“Adding digital monetization capabilities creates a game changing opportunity for over-the-air broadcast services,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “Expanding on the unique ability to deliver hybrid television service and better engage with their viewers, broadcasters are easily able to integrate with their existing over-the-air and connected TV monetization platforms.” 

RUN3TV now supports server-side ad insertion and client-side reporting. These tools are used to enable video advertising in various scenarios, including over-the-top content delivery, connected TV (CTV) uses, advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) and free ad-supported television (FAST) channels.

The RUN3TV support for SSAI includes the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s video ad serving template (VAST), dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) ad insertion specifications and the 3.0 broadcast standard, Pearl said.

The tech partners supporting SSAI, including Google Ad Manager, Madhive, Amazon AWS Media Tailer, Magnite, Springserve and Freewheel, are at work on their integrations. At present, NextGen TV broadcasters in 25 markets use these ad tech partners, it said.

“Connected TVs continue to be a driving force behind turning the TV screen into a full-funnel marketing tool, bringing together the premium environment of television with all the tools digital has and more,” said Madhive CEO Adam Helfgott.

“Now, with NextGen TV and the RUN3TV framework, we can bring these capabilities to over-the-air delivery, so that broadcasters can leverage our high-fidelity technology, such as our proprietary connected TV device graph of 100 million households, to deliver local-at-scale precision,” he said.

Pearl TV also announced at the ongoing 2022 NAB Show New York its FastTrack program to accelerate development and retail availability of low-cost upgrade 3.0 accessory receivers. 

The program will help advance availability of devices for consumers by guiding device makers through the NextGen TV logo and other conformance requirements, including security and regulatory compliance and testing, as well as promoting opportunities for distribution and marketing partnerships, Pearl TV said.

More than 90% of households have displays with HDMI inputs that are not outfitted with 3.0 receivers. The new program aims to support manufacturers wishing to make devices that support 3.0’s full service feature set, including enhanced video, audio and interactive features, it said.

The detailed device requirements will be updated continuously to aid manufacturers as NextGen TV evolves Pearl said.

“This new program will make it easier for companies interested in jumping into the NextGen TV device ecosystem to design, manufacture and sell upgrade accessories,” said Schelle.

“While we’ve seen continued success of the transition, the ATSC 3.0 standard is not backward compatible. This program helps solve that. With a simplified process, accessory price points will decrease making it more affordable and easier for consumers to enjoy NextGen TV even without an enabled television.” 

Currently, more than 120 television models from Hisense, LG, Samsung and Sony support NextGen TV. More than 50 markets reaching 55% of U.S. households, transmit NextGen TV. That’s expected to reach 75% of those households by the end of 2023. 

“NextGen TV is experiencing hockey stick growth among consumers and broadcasters, yet some viewers with television sets bought prior to 2020 have yet to enjoy the rich features of the standard,” said Rob Folliard, senior vice president of government relations and distribution at Gray Television.

“Device makers can now address this issue with full support and guidance to manufacture and market compatible products that consumers need and want to enjoy over-the-air television service for free.” 

Pearl TV’s Schelle will present at the 2022 NAB Show New York on Oct. 19 at 3:15 p.m.

The FastTrack Program will be discussed and RUN3TV demonstrated at the show.

More information about the FastTrack Program and RUN3TV is available online.

WASHINGTON —Pearl TV and iWedia have launched a fast track program that should speed up and simplify the adoption of NextGen TV technologies by consumer electronic makers producing smart TVs and related devices in the Android TV marketplace. 

“Android TV is one of the most versatile operating systems in existence, powering smart televisions and streaming boxes for nearly a decade,” stated Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a coalition of TV broadcasters that have been spearheading the transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.  “With a loyal, tech-savvy and content-loving consumer base, this platform enables Android TV manufacturers to onboard quickly and accelerate their introduction of compelling NextGen TV consumer features with sophisticated SoC technology powered by iWedia. We’re excited that we can come together with iWedia and usher in affordable-cost televisions that consumers desire.” 

iWedia’s robust ATSC 3.0 software stack includes an advanced media player and browser that enriches the interactive features and capabilities developed by Pearl TV and the Pearl Network Consortium. 

Television system on chip (SoC) manufacturers in the Android TV domain will benefit from iWedia’s agnostic operating system and a streamlined process of enabling consumer features with Pearl’s pre-integrated SoC solutions, the companies said. 

The IoT and in-vehicle infotainment capabilities will also benefit vehicle manufacturers and broadcasters looking to adopt NextGen TV capabilities. 

“NextGen TV has proven to be one of the fastest growing new technologies introduced to consumers and this partnership with Pearl TV opens up a seat at the table for Android TV manufacturers,” commented Hans-Juergen, CEO of iWedia. “We are proven pioneers in Android TV, recently  surpassing six million operating system deployments, and we’re thrilled to partner with Pearl TV and help manufacturers who want to streamline and accelerate their introduction of products with this cutting-edge broadcast technology.” 

Pearl TV and iWedia’s platform will be pre-certified for compliance with the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) NextGen TV logo requirements, A3SA Security and the RUN3TV Application platform—ensuring that manufacturers are meeting the highest standards around authenticity and security. 

The companies noted that NextGen TV sets are already proliferating in the market and that currently there are approximately 110 models available at retail offered by Hisense, Sony, Samsung and LG, with prices starting at $599. 

NextGen TV broadcasts are also available in more than 50 markets and are expected to reach 60% of viewers in the U.S. by the end of 2022. 

Recent research by Magid has found growing interest in the technology: 85% of viewers without a NextGen TV are likely to purchase one in the next year.  

NextGen TV and the corresponding interactive web platform, RUN3TV, will have a prominent presence at the IBC Show, Sept. 9-12, in Amsterdam, the companies said.

Pearl TV’s managing director, Anne Schelle, will take the stage as a panelist in “The John Logie Baird Lecture - The State of the TV Business and the Next 5 Years,” on Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., room E1002.  

During IBC2022, the RUN3TV application will be showcased at the Yotta Media Labs booth, Stand: 1.C37h.

iWedia is exhibiting at Hall5, A79. 

DETROIT—New testing of ATSC 3.0 to determine if the NextGen TV standard is robust enough to hold up to the rigors of video streaming and secure broadband file delivery to moving vehicles has revealed that the standard is indeed up to the challenge.

A field test conducted by the Pearl TV coalition with Auton at the Motown 3.0 Open Test Track here showed how robust the transport layer and software applications of ATSC 3.0 are in delivering non-real-time data. The results of the test along with those conducted earlier demonstrate 3.0’s relevance as a viable, data delivery alternative to reach vehicles, Pearl TV said.

“The Motown Test Track continues to be a lead research and development environment for service providers, like Auton, automakers, OEM vendors, media distributors and internet service providers of all types to convene and foster new application development,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV.

“The innovation from the broadcast industry behind the NextGen TV standard is unbound and is reflective of its commitment to enabling a national wireless data distribution fabric for the automotive industry, which it needs to deliver mobile video, audio and digital content to the on-the-move public," she added. 

Testing was done in concert with the E.W. Scripps Company WMYD 3.0 lighthouse station and was powered by the Triveni Digital Broadcast Chain. Test results proved the ability of the standard to deliver files in a wide range of environments, including urban, suburban and exurban settings, the broadcast coalition said.

“Auton continues to lead the way in developing an ATSC 3.0 mobility platform that is effective, secure and more cost-effective for delivery of essential software updates and infotainment to the connected and autonomous vehicle market,” said Auton CEO Robert Foster. “By pioneering the use of NextGen TV technology, we’re able to satisfy the growing demands of the automotive industry with the ultimate integration that will enhance access to mobile broadband services for consumers, enterprises, fleets and public transportation and personal portable devices.”

The Triveni Digital Broadcast Chain offers a variety of tools to optimize data delivery from the physical layer with the help of forward error correction (FEC) and ModCod settings available via mechanisms like statistical multiplexing and opportunistic data insertion, said Ralph Bachofen, company vice president of sale and marketing. 

“These tools can be applied together or separately on each of the data services according to the business needs and use cases,” said Bachofen.

More information is available on the Pearl TV and Triveni Digital websites.

WASHINGTON D.C.—Pearl TV and MediaTek have launched the FastTrack to NextGen TV program designed to accelerate and streamline consumer electronics makers’ adoption of NextGen TV technology for smart TV and related devices at volume.

“The trajectory of NextGen TV hasn’t slowed down and now our expanded collaboration with MediaTek only bolsters the path toward ubiquitous inclusion and adoption,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “We’re excited that together with MediaTek, we can usher in high-volume, low-cost televisions that consumers desire and are buying today, particularly among millennials.”

The program offers CE manufactures an easier, faster and more cost-effective process to introduce NextGen TV-compatible products via MediaTek’s Reference Platform. The reference platform will be pre-certified for compliance with the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA’s) NextGen TV logo requirements, A3SA Security and the RUN3TV application platform to ensure manufacturers meet the standards set for authenticity and security, it said.

“We are very glad to work with Pearl TV as a total NextGen TV solution provider with a complete Reference Platform for high-volume TV manufacturers, including TV System on Chip (SoC), ATSC3 demodulators and software stack. MediaTek has been providing TV SoC solutions to 90% of all TV brands, and this pre-certified fast track program will help to expedite our support to customers with scale,” said Alfred Chan, vice president, TV Business Unit in the Smart Home Group at MediaTek.

Currently, there are about 70 NextGen TV set models available at retail. Prices start between $500 and $600. Makers include LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony. In January, Hisense announced it will introduce models later this year.

“The FastTrack program comes to the market at an opportune time for consumer electronics manufacturers looking to invest in cutting edge broadcast technology and better serve their customers with unrivalled visual and audio features,” said Chan.

“Consumers want TVs to come with NextGen TV capabilities and they want to be part of the future of television. NextGen TV represents a new realm of possibilities for television and device manufacturers, and we’re thrilled that this collaboration helps open the door for brands that want to have a seat at the table.”

More information is available on the Pearl TV and MediaTek websites.

WASHINGTON D.C.—Pearl TV has launched RUN3TV, a web platform for broadcasters to offer a new hybrid TV service to over-the-air viewers, and announced it will unveil the platform to the broadcast community at the NAB Show, April 23-27, in Las Vegas.

Built on ATSC 3.0, the NextGen TV platform brings two-way web interactivity to television. The platform’s architecture enables TV stations to develop, innovate and differentiate at the application services layer, making possible consistent viewer experiences across all NextGen TV devices, Pearl said.

With RUN3TV, broadcasters control product vision, audience engagement and customer experience. They can choose their own technical partners as well as leverage contributions from the RUN3TV developer community, it said.

The fruits of RUN3TV development will make it possible for viewers to engage more deeply with content, spend additional time viewing and create several new revenue opportunities for broadcasters while viewers watch live broadcasts. Among the opportunities are advanced advertising for live and streaming content, gleaning greater insight about the audience and premium content distribution, Pearl said.

“NEXTGEN TV is scaling rapidly on connected TVs, creating a new advanced advertising marketplace. Display, lead-gen, and dynamic ad insertion capabilities will be game changers for broadcasters and help level the playing field among other digital providers,” said Kerry Oslund, vice president of strategy and business development at The E.W. Scripps Company, a member of the Pearl TV cooperative.

“RUN3TV creates an underlying framework that puts broadcasters in the driver's seat on what they create and how they provide content that matters to viewers," he continued. "RUN3TV has just scratched the surface of what is possible for the broadcast community.”

The new platform is being launched through ATSC 3.0 Framework Alliance LLC, a subsidiary of Pearl TV. Development partners include Kineton, MadHive, IBM Weather, Freewheel and Google.

Gray Television, The E.W. Scripps Company, Graham Media, TEGNA, Hearst and Howard University’s WHUT have launched broadcaster applications in more than 30 markets, Pearl said.

“An industry first, RUN3TV gives broadcasters the ability to leverage the new ATSC 3.0 A/344 Interactive Content broadcast standard to create television applications that enhance over-the-air viewing with interactive and on-demand content delivered over broadband,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “With NEXTGEN TV and RUN3TV, broadcasters can now bring the OTA environment into the digital world.”

Demonstrations will be available in NAB Show booth W9022 in the ATSC Pavilion.

More information is available on the coalition’s website.

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.”

LAS VEGAS—The Pearl TV coalition of U.S. broadcasters that is spearheading the transition to NextGen TV services highlighted a number of new developments at CES 2022 that illustrate the progress ATSC 3.0 is making. 

Those include: new ATSC 3.0 capable sets from Hisense; new field test data from Sony Electronics at the “Motown 3.0 Open Test Track” in Detroit, Mich. showing the promise of delivering ATSC 3.0 broadcasts to cars; and MediaTek signing a test agreement with Pearl TV that will simplify and speed up the process of bringing new ATSC 3.0 sets to market. 

The broadcasters also reported that NextGen TV broadcasts are now available in more than 40 markets covering 45% of the U.S. population and that those 3.0 signals are expected to reach 75% of U.S. households by summer. 

In addition Pearl TV cited data from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) showing that 2021 sales of NextGen TVs more than tripled last year’s original forecast, with 3 million units shipped by manufacturers. CTA is projecting 2022 sales of 4.5 million units, as the number of TV makers endorsing the hybrid over-the-air and over-the-top ATSC 3.0 technology continues to grow. 

“NextGen TV has garnered remarkable traction in a relatively short time since the first commercial launch in early 2020, proving that watching TV is more than just one of America’s favorite pastimes. Television is our source for news, entertainment and access to our communities and the broader world,” stated Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “NextGen TV enhances broadcast TV and is a critical technology to the preservation of free, over-the-air local news. We’re very happy to be back at CES, showcasing NextGen TV’s role at the forefront of the evolution of broadcast television and the changes in consumer perception of it." 

The launch of new ATSC 3.0 capable TV sets by Hisense was one of the announcements at the market that Pearl TV highlighted to show the market momentum of NextGen TV. 

Hisense is integrating NextGen TV technology into select new Smart TV models, bringing more broadcast options and upgrades to viewers who are ready for 4K over-the-air content and the latest upgrades. In Q3 of 2022, Hisense will introduce the U9H, U8H and U7 models starting at $799.99 to the retail market. Hisense joins other manufacturers—Sony, Samsung and LG Electronics—which already, combined, have more than 70 models available at retail.  

“As Hisense receivers equipped with NextGen TV hit store shelves later this year, consumers will have more model and pricing choices, on top of an improved audio and visual experience,” stated Schelle. “Hisense pushes the boundaries of innovation that is reflective of the value of what NextGen TV delivers.”  

In addition MediaTek has signed a test agreement with Pearl TV to speed the implementation of the ATSC 3.0 standard among leading television brands. 

It will offer a total solution that includes ATSC 3.0 demodulator (MT9100), a comprehensive Smart TV system on chip (SoC) family that ranges from entry 4K to premium 8K, and a ready-to-go software stack for both Android and Linux, the companies said. This highly-integrated ATSC 3.0 solution for Smart TVs will enable television brands to bring sets to market faster with reduced cost and development risks.  

“By embracing NextGen TV, MediaTek reaffirms its commitment to enabling the most forward-thinking standards and technologies,” stated Alfred Chan, vice president of TV and smart home business unit at MediaTek. “We are thrilled to be working with a diverse network of broadcasters, engineers, and gifted innovators to help advance this technology and help put it in more consumer living rooms, kitchens, garages, dorm rooms—wherever people gather to enjoy news and entertainment.” 

Also at CES, new test data from Sony and the Motown Test Track highlighted the promise of automotive applications for NextGen TV.  

The data showed that Sony Electronics successfully demonstrated robust automotive services using its CXD2885 chip named “CLOVER” on the Test Track in summer of 2021, proving that ATSC 3.0 can indeed provide service to both automobiles and stationary devices simultaneously, and deliver seamlessly hand off service. 

The details are expected to be laid in an upcoming technical paper but some of the milestones achieved include: 

• Audio/visual media files transmitted and delivered to devices while traveling at highway speeds 
• Transmitters in separate markets working in tandem provided a seamless transition of audio/visual content 
• Successful file reception completed with multiple antennas  
• Antenna diversity along with a Maximum Ratio Combining algorithm improves probability of recovering service in low signal energy conditions 

“Sony’s results prove that transformative advances in core TV broadcast technologies made possible by ATSC 3.0 give terrestrial broadcasters new ways to deliver infotainment and IP data services to an infinite number of vehicles—and the displays and devices in them—simultaneously, whether on-the-go or in the garage. As the automotive industry aims to be more like the tech and telecom industries, where they can secure customers with services and downloadable features that improve over time and generate recurring revenues, they will be interested to follow the developments coming out of the Motown 3.0 Test Track,” Schelle said. 

More details from the CES 2022 press conference regarding plans by Sinclair and others for ATSC 3.0 technologies in 2022 are available here. 

WASHINGTON D.C.—With NextGen TV signals projected to reach 45% of U.S. homes by the end of 2021, the Pearl TV consortium of broadcast station groups has announced that broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers are looking to build on the growth of the new standard by introducing a NextGen TV holiday brand marketing campaign to deepen consumer awareness and engagement.  

The campaign will begin in late November and highlight Dolby’s Sound Decisions campaign, which focuses  on the new audio features consumers can only experience with NextGen TV. 

“Delivering unprecedented entertainment, information, and engagement opportunities to  consumers, NextGen TV is revolutionizing viewers’ interactions with their screens,” stated Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “With NextGen TV today and in the future, their experience is more immersive, visually and audibly better, and will continue to be enhanced as  more features from broadcasters and set manufacturers become available. The traction garnered in marketplace adoption has been remarkable in a relatively short time since the first  commercial launch in early 2020.” 

The Pearl TV group, which includes 750 network-affiliated television stations, and its U.S. major network partners, has been playing a central role in the rollout of signals. 

These broadcasters  and their stations are now planning to use the busy holiday season as an opportunity to promote and engage with local viewers on the new standard through the NextGen TV holiday brand  marketing campaign, Pearl TV said. 

This nine-week, multi-channel, nationwide campaign in NextGen TV markets will help broadcasters and stations to build awareness of NextGen TV with social media and creative ads. 

The campaign will educate consumers on the Dolby audio features, as well as NextGen TV’s future-proof forward technology compatibility, Pearl TV said. 

Dolby will be showcasing Voice + and other NextGen TV exclusive features as part of the Sound Decisions marketing campaign during the upcoming  holiday season, which will air on participating broadcast stations. 

As part of that effort, viewers will see the “Future of Television” commercials and audio-specific education on Dolby features.

NextGen TV signals, powered by Dolby technologies, gives viewers Voice + dialogue enhancement so they can hear every voice clearly, every time. Dolby’s technologies also provide consistent volume as viewers flip through channels,  making excessive volume changes a thing of the past. 

Pearl TV also noted that more than 40 new local TV market deployments—including New York, Chicago, and  Philadelphia—are planned in 2022 alone and that 75% of U.S. households are expected to experience NextGen TV by summer of 2022.

In addition, Pearl TV has introduced a NextGen TV Holiday Gift Guide to highlight the growing availability of NextGen TV capable TVs and devices.

TV Tech has been tracking all the ATSC 3.0 deployments and that coverage is available here. 

NEW YORK—Although the rollout of ATSC 3.0 (aka “NextGen TV”) is still in its infancy, with station rollouts progressing and several dozen models of TV sets now on the market, advocates for the new broadcast standard say NextGen TV “is resonating strongly with consumers.”

That’s the conclusion of Pearl TV, which tapped Magid Research to survey 1,600 adults in February about NextGen TV. The survey took place after a holiday marketing campaign from local TV stations aired declaring that “the future of television has arrived.” The campaign used high tech ads created by Hothouse in Atlanta, which directed consumers interested in more information to WatchNextGenTV.com.

The research found that 25% of respondents were aware of NextGen TV; 73% of respondents reacted positively to the TV spots with virtually no negative reaction; and 60% of the consumers who viewed the ads responded that they are likely to purchase a TV that has NextGen TV technology within the next year.

The TV ads were run in DMAs where NextGen TV is currently on the air: Tampa, Las Vegas, Portland and Detroit, while Spanish-language ads ran in Phoenix. 

Stations contributed more than 8,000 commercials worth of air time, according to Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a consortium of broadcasters, manufacturers and media companies promoting NextGen TV. 

“This effort reveals not only the value of NextGen TV, but the differentiation that consumers perceive,” Schelle said, adding that the ease of tech upgrades and audio features were among the most popular NextGen TV features with survey respondents. 

“In particular, consumers find the upgradability of the technology and new audio functionality to be very attractive. The Dolby Audio System with immersive movie theater quality sound and Voice + dialogue enhancement for consistent volume from channel to channel along with the interactive possibilities of NextGen TV were key drivers for these consumers.” 

COVID-19 also impacted the rise of internet-connected TV in the past year, broadening its appeal to viewers, according to Katie Larson, vice president of Brand Strategy & Innovation, Magid. “As consumers are spending more time than ever on their connected TV, their desire for more options and interactive content has grown. NextGen TV’s key features align well with this shift in consumer viewing habits.”

The research showed these elements stand out as strong differentiators for NextGen TV:

• Voice + dialogue enhancement for intelligibility and clarity that lets you hear every voice clearly;
• Consistent volume from channel to channel; 
• Upgradable as new services are rolled out over time; 
• Interactive content that lets viewers get the most out of news, sports and events. 

This is the latest such survey on NextGen TV Pearl TV has conducted with Magid Research and the first one since the new advanced broadcast standard started rolling out last year. The first one, in 2016, was sponsored by Pearl TV and Sinclair and focused on what features consumers would like to see in an advanced broadcast TV format, with “68% rating the new capabilities of the ATSC 3.0 standard as very appealing.” A similar survey, conducted in 2019, found that 42% of respondents said they would likely purchase a new TV if it was needed to better enjoy the NextGen TV features. 

As of April 6, 25 U.S. markets are on the air with NextGen TV, with the goal of reaching 75% of U.S. TV households by the end of 2021, per ATSC. According to Schelle, by the holiday shopping season, a total of 55 TV sets that support NextGen TV will be available at retailers.  

WASHINGTON—TV Tech is sponsoring a two-day summit on NextGen TV during its week-long Tech Leadership Summit, March 23-26. This inaugural summit will focus on the business of NextGen TV, the TV industry’s next-generation standard with leading NextGen TV executives offering their thoughts on the progress and future of the ATSC 3.0 standard.

Pearl TV, a consortium of broadcasters and tech companies, has been testing and analyzing technical and marketing opportunities for ATSC 3.0 for several years now and will be speaking at the NextGen TV Summit. 

TV Tech recently talked with Pearl TV Managing Director Anne Schelle to discuss what the group will talk about at next week’s virtual event. Anne will be a panelist on “Keynote Conversation: The Architects,” Thursday, March 25 at 2:15 pm EDT.  

TV Tech: First off, Anne, thank you for participating in our summit next week. Can you elaborate on what’s new at Pearl TV? 

Anne Schelle: Thank you for inviting us. We’ll be talking about the concept of NextGen TV not as better TV but as a new  “enhanced TV experience,” as well as how we’re extending these enhancements beyond TV, into other devices such as automobiles. In Phoenix, we’re now seeing the benefits of having built a model market that was very consumer focused, looking at the features and functions available to broadcasters in NextGen TV and doing all the work to test those out with consumers to find out where their interests are. 

[Our research] culminated in our setting up something we call the “basic service profile” or “television profile” that is in our host manual for broadcast stations to build out on. We’ll also talk about the work we've done with the TV manufacturers to drive the features that would support our partnerships with NAB and CTA logo conformance program, including the use of logos and brand messaging that would help consumers know how to find it and what the logo means.

All of that was done over three years so a lot of work involves truly understanding the consumer first and foremost and honing in on a set of watch capabilities or features that would really drive the scale and adoption, while at the same time allowing us to have a roadmap to continue to build on those services and features; not too dissimilar than any other current digital technologies

Last October, we produced a direct to consumer brand campaign to launch the logo to test message, including a website to let consumers know when they can receive services. We advertised across five markets to test out our messaging, and we just got the results back, and I'm pleased to say that we hit the mark on what consumers are interested in. We haven't released those results yet, but if you go and look at the ads on watchnextgentv.com, you'll see what they are. 

We'll also be talking about the fact that COVID-19 has allowed consumers to become much more familiar with their connected televisions than they have ever been. They're discovering how to do different things including interactive. The concept of being able to interact or get additional content and information on television rose significantly in just the last year to be one of the top features where five or six years ago it was not. 

TVT: 2020 was a big year for ATSC 3.0 with stations’ deploying NextGen TV and the introduction of ATSC 3.0-supported TV sets hitting the market. How has it been going so far? 

AS: I'm really thrilled about where we came out of the gate, even with COVID-19, not just with station buildouts but also TV set sales. The numbers are just now coming in and they’re a lot higher than CTA predictions for the first year.

TVT: What’s high on consumers’ wish list for NextGen TV?

AS: Consumers like the fact that it's upgradable, meaning that its features and services will continue to come to the TV from software and firmware upgrades. That's one of the top-selling features, which we've always talked about: that we can continue to add to the services and functionality on the television set either in our service or on the television set itself with our partners.

TVT: What kind of feedback have you gotten from the stations that are involved in the Phoenix model market in regards to deploying ATSC 3.0?

AS: It's easy for them to implement the basic watch video, so what we're doing now is loading in the enhanced functionality for the application and other more complex capabilities. Pearl and the Phoenix Partners (Networks) are providing a “service desk” on behalf of launched stations; we have a wiki that is helping us educate engineers and “get the kinks out of the system,” like any brand new launch in terms of “how do you set all the dials,” or “how to you make sure that there's full interoperability across all the televisions.” 

We have a great manual that’s now in its 10th edition. The Pearl Host Station Manual is free to download and we consider it “the Bible” on how to build out your station. It’s all based on real world implementation and learnings. 

TVT: Finally, can you tell us what’s going on in regards to NextGen TV applications for mobile vehicles?

AS: I'm really excited about our two test tracks [in Phoenix and Detroit] and some of the work that Sony's done in terms of looking at the reception capabilities for both infotainment and data. We have the ability to deliver both in a really efficient manner. 

There's a lot you can do with decreasing cost of maintenance and upgrades to cars by delivery of files to the cars, including urgent computer upgrades and B2B plays as well. 

And then the infotainment is really interesting. There's precedent for that in Europe with the detailed systems of delivery of infotainment service to the car. We’re also testing so we have sort of a dual ability to provide both in one service, which I think, which is unique for broadcasters to deliver at  much more economic scale. 

Click here to register for the free summit. 

SAN DIEGO—Sony has released a white paper detailing field tests it recently did on mobility reception via ATSC 3.0 (aka “NextGen TV”). The tests, conducted with broadcasters from Pearl TV Group in Phoenix and News-Press and Gazette in Santa Barbara, Calif., demonstrated the advantages of using ATSC 3.0 for mobile reception, not just for consumer apps and devices, but for providing software updates to future autonomous-powered vehicles as well.

The new worldwide demodulator chips from Sony Semiconductor and related software for ATSC 3.0 created by Sony Home Entertainment and Solutions of America, were tested in a real-world environment. Difficult mountain passes and urban settings near Phoenix provided one “exceptionally complex reception challenge,” according to the company, while another route along the Pacific coast near Santa Barbara had its own difficult reception environment.  

“For the field testing areas selected, there are some rolling hills, rural canyons and light urban canyon terrain causing echo delays,” said Mike Nejat, vice president of Engineering at Sony Home Entertainment and Solutions of America. “We wanted to find out if ATSC 3.0 can support multiple services, show an example configuration for automotive service, test the configuration with separate solutions in a variety of markets, terrains and driving conditions, and test the simultaneous delivery of files not related to television entertainment to see how this transmission and reception system might appeal to new customers like automakers and fleet operators.”

The Sony field testing, outlined in a paper written by engineers Luke Fay, Graham Clift and Fred Ansfield, was done to test the capabilities of ATSC 3.0 transmissions and mobile reception. Driving routes in both Phoenix and Santa Barbara were chosen based on difficult reception areas, including a circle around the Paradise Valley north of Camelback Mountain in Arizona and along Highway 192 in California. Four different routes in Arizona and two in California allowed engineers to test different signal-to-noise power levels and highway speeds above and below 55 mph.  

A key finding: to accommodate all channel conditions of strong and weak signal strength, it could be beneficial to have a mix of active and passive reception antennas. “Diversity can only help reception,” the paper states.

“Sometimes simplicity contains the greatest brilliance,” said Pearl TV Chief Technical Officer Dave Folsom. “The real brilliance in Sony's chip and implementation is the use and enabling of diversity antenna reception. Pearl TV and the Phoenix Model Market partners know that mobile reception is particularly hampered by smaller, less efficient antenna systems in a motion environment with the signals reflecting off of adjacent automobiles, buildings, or terrain.

“In Sony's implementation they can use up to four antennas and their signal outputs, which likely arrive at different levels and times at any given time that are then added together efficiently,” Folsom added. “Diversity reception has been around for years and has been used in situations like wireless microphones and microwave reception. The brilliance of Sony's design is the reduction of this capability to a small chip and using it to enable efficient NextGen TV mobile reception.”

Broadcasters in Detroit recently launched a “Motown 3.0 Test Track” and expect to test the Sony implementation this spring, as part of the broader initiative now underway in Michigan. Detroit is one of more than 20 cities now broadcasting ATSC 3.0.