The first ATSC 3.0-powered television station has been fired up in Boston. And, it’s a facility owned by Frank Copsidas with DT-1 programming featuring a rebroadcast of the English-language France 24 all-news channel based in Paris.
Now with NEXTGEN TV service is WCRN-LD 31, which uses digital channel 25.
It’s licensed to Tyche Media, a part of Copsidas’ Intrigue TV operation.
Copsidas, who is also the founder of the LPTV Broadcasters Association, tells RBR+TVBR that the launch is independent of any efforts involving the “Big Four” TV players in Boston, comprised of Cox Media Group, Hearst Television, CBS and NBC.
As such, a “lighthouse” station for those stations is still forthcoming.
“We’re just doing it on our own,” says Copsidas.
Why? “I needed a sandbox for everything that is going on with ATSC 3.0 — datacasting, radio … It’s a place for me to try things.”
For those wondering how Radio is in the ATSC 3.0, one need look no further than Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Seattle operations. There, some 15 radio stations are being beta tested. But, they do not use kHz or MHz to reach consumers. Rather, they are digital multicast channels in a ATSC 3.0 framework that aims to perhaps compete with HD Radio.
Copsidas explains that Hyundai is putting ATSC 3.0 in two of its auto models for 2023. What does this mean to the consumer? The Connected Car will feature AM, FM, SiriusXM, and NEXTGEN — all together.
Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. starting in 2024 will be using the datacasting technology that comes with ATSC 3.0 for all downloads of software updates across its vehicle line, Copsidas says. This, he adds, will cut Ford’s internet costs by 80%.
As such, “datacasting is a big priority here,” Copsidas says. A partner is forthcoming for Intrigue TV.
So, who’s encoder is he using? ATEME, he replies.
And, the gateway? It is Enensys. Both are French companies.
For those in Boston who wish to consume WCRN-LD’s NEXTGEN TV signal, he points to the fact that every new model of SONY televisions is equipped for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts.
