As Expected, D.C. Gets Its NEXTGEN TV

0

It’s been talked about for weeks. Now, it is official. With Howard University-owned PBS Member station WHUT-32 as the “lighthouse” station, NEXTGEN TV is now available in the National Capital Region.


To help usher in the new era of broadcast TV in the Washington, D.C., market, LTN Global was brought in as a partner.

The media technology and video transport product maker “worked closely” with NEXTGEN TV rollout group Pearl TV, led by Anne Schelle, and WHUT to fuel the NEXTGEN TV rollout in Washington D.C. Specifically, it helped in “harnessing ATSC 3.0 technology to unlock immersive 4k viewing experiences.”

Working in collaboration with Howard University, LTN enabled the aggregation of HD-quality ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 feeds over its multicast network to support the NEXTGEN TV launch.

With WHUT as the ATSC 3.0 home, stations in the market now offering NEXTGEN signals include Sinclair Broadcast Group’s WJLA-7, TEGNA flagship WUSA-9, FOX O&O WTTG-5 and NBC O&O WRC-4.

We’re excited to be part of a truly revolutionary initiative in our hometown that brings the future of television today”, said Malik Khan, co-Founder and Executive Chairman of LTN Global. “We are committed to delivering the best and most reliable technology that shapes the broadcasting industry and we look to the incredible talent at Howard University to help us in our mission. The ATSC 3.0 and NEXTGEN TV revolution is in full swing with LTN having delivered ATSC 3.0 projects in just under 30 markets to date. We’re thrilled to see Washington D.C. joining other big cities in harnessing the benefits of this new era in television.”

Sean D. Plater, GM of WHUT and commercially licensed Adult R&B leader WHUR-FM 96.3, added, “By connecting the IP and broadcast television infrastructures together, we’re able to give viewers a better and more engaging content experience. Viewers across the Washington, D.C., region will be excited to not just watch, but also lean in and be
more engaged with their content.”

In celebration of the launch of NEXTGEN TV service in the nation’s capital, the Howard University NEXTGEN TV Broadcast Collaborative and the NAB planned a virtual event for 10am Wednesday (10/16) emceed by WUSA-9 news anchor and Howard University alumnus Lesli Foster. The program will take time to recognize Howard students certified in achieving foundational knowledge of NEXTGEN TV and will honor the inaugural recipients of the new PILOT NEXTGEN TV Fellowship program, launched by NAB with support from AWS.
Event speakers include Howard University President Dr. Wayne Frederick, NAB President and CEO Gordon H. Smith and FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks.

Click here to access the program.