WASHINGTON, D.C., —April 11, 2023— Comcast NBCUniversal, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and the Pearl Network Consortia (PNC), a coalition of the major U.S broadcast companies advancing the rollout of NEXTGEN TV, today announced that they will demonstrate improved audio accessibility features that are available with the new broadcast standard at the 2023 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas. These new features are set to make television more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
These features are a significant milestone in NEXTGEN TV’s enhanced audio description support and demonstrate 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,” commented 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 available to experience April 16-19, at the 2023 NAB Show, located in the West Hall at booth W3443.
Media and analysts interested in meeting with Pearl TV to demonstrate the audio accessibility features may contact pearltv@havasformula.com, or visit W3443, in the ATSC booth.
Consumers can learn more about NEXTGEN TV by visiting www.watchnextgentv.com, which offers a guide to cities already on the air, where signals will soon be rolling out, and available television models.
Media Contacts:
For NBCUniversal:
Gigi Koch
Gigi.koch@nbcuni.com
202-579-6141
For Pearl TV:
Havas Formula for Pearl TV
pearltv@havasformula.com
For Sinclair:
Jessica Bellucci
Jbellucci-c@sbgtv.com
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a premium ad-supported streaming service. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
About Pearl TV:
Pearl TV is a business organization of U.S. broadcast companies with a shared interest in exploring forward-looking broadcasting opportunities, including innovative ways of promoting local broadcast TV content and developing digital media and wireless platforms for the broadcast industry. Pearl’s membership, comprising more than 820 TV stations, includes eight of the largest broadcast companies in America: Cox Media Group, Graham Media Group, Gray Television, Hearst Television Inc., Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, the E.W. Scripps Company, and TEGNA Inc.
About Sinclair Broadcast
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a
leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or
provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE! and TBD; and owns and provides services to 21 regional sports network brands. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.