February 5, 2024
ATSC 3.0, the broadcast standard that enables NEXTGEN TV, is currently being deployed across the country and revolutionizes the viewing experience. NEXTGEN TV allows broadcasters to offer better pictures and sound, improved reception and interactive features and services. It also offers the potential to significantly enhance public safety, with devices that can "wake up" to warn viewers, and public warnings with rich media, interactivity and mobility.
NEXTGEN TV is available in almost eighty markets across the country. It was most recently deployed in Chicago, America’s third largest market.
"Chicago will get the most out of live news and sports programming," said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. "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."
CBS owned-and-operated CBS 2 is serving as the host station for Chicago and they alerted their viewers to the update with the announcement, "The future of television is now at CBS 2 News Chicago." Other stations that also went live include Fox, NBC, Univision and WGN.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, TCL became the latest consumer electronics company to offer NEXTGEN TVs, launching five models. Sales of NEXTGEN TV sets have surpassed 10 million units, with CTA projecting over 120 million sets sold by 2028.
Reporting from CES, NAB Chief Technology Officer Sam Matheny said, "As we look forward to NAB Show, you can expect even more good news and developments. New markets will continue to launch and additional transmitters in existing markets will enable broadcasters to begin to show off some of the advanced capabilities of the standard, like HDR for better pictures, broadcast IP channels for hyper-local content, apps for enhanced viewer engagement and datacasting for myriad innovative applications. There are also exciting things happening in Brazil, India, the Caribbean and beyond."
The deployment of NEXTGEN TV provides an important opportunity to improve Americans' favorite entertainment and most-trusted news source, as well as vital public safety information.
In 2023, the FCC announced the creation of the Future of TV Initiative, a public-private initiative that consists of stakeholders from broadcasting, the consumer electronics industry, and public interest and consumer groups, to generate a road map for the NEXTGEN TV transition.
To learn more, visit nab.org/nextgen.
More than 2.47 million American jobs depend on broadcasting, and the local broadcast radio and television industry - and the businesses that depend on it - generate $1.17 trillion annually for the nation's economy.
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