Washington, D.C. – Oct. 27, 2017 – An alliance of eight of the largest broadcast companies in the United States today lauded the draft released by the Federal Communications Commission of a decision permitting broadcasters to voluntarily transmit next-generation digital TV technology to the American public, the culmination of a five-year effort to reinvigorate the capabilities of over-the-air broadcast television.
“When the FCC votes to permit broadcast of next-generation ATSC 3.0 technology, it will be a clear win for the American public, which will gain an innovative new television future,” said Pearl TV managing director Anne Schelle. “This vote will be an affirmation of the potential for local, over-the-air broadcasters to serve as an innovation platform for the future as they continue to develop new ways to serve their communities. The expansive capabilities of ATSC 3.0 to provide enhanced emergency alerting, IP-based broadcasts that can work with Internet-delivered content, and a more flexible broadcast standard will be the foundation for new investments that will benefit local communities, broadcasters, and advertisers alike.”
Pearl TV is a business alliance of Cox Media Group, the E.W. Scripps Company, Graham Media Group, Hearst Television Inc., Meredith Local Media Group, Nexstar Media Group, Raycom Media, and TEGNA, Inc. Pearl TV’s membership includes companies that operate more than 300 network-affiliated, local stations across the country.
“At Pearl, we have 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. The draft decision by the FCC to permit ATSC 3.0 transmission is both a turning point and a terrific opportunity for consumers as well as local stations,” Schelle said.
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