Sinclair and Nebraska Public Media Announce Launch of First Station Offering Free Virtual Channel Hosting in ATSC 3.0
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nebraska Public Media have launched the first free Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel in Omaha, Nebraska. This innovative service allows Nebraska Public Media's PBS and local programming to be hosted on Sinclair's KPTM FOX 42 station as a free, virtual channel using NEXTGEN broadcast technology (ATSC 3.0).
BEST channels transmit programming directly over-the-air to smart TVs using the host broadcaster's NEXTGEN broadcast data channel capacity. Viewers with NEXTGEN TVs can easily access these channels through their programming guide. This launch is part of a broader agreement between Sinclair and America's Public Television Stations (APTS) to provide free carriage of APTS member stations in markets where Sinclair has deployed ATSC 3.0 and a public television station has not.
Sinclair Broadcast Group e Nebraska Public Media hanno lanciato il primo Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel gratuito a Omaha, Nebraska. Questo servizio innovativo consente alla programmazione PBS e locale di Nebraska Public Media di essere ospitata sulla stazione KPTM FOX 42 di Sinclair come canale virtuale gratuito utilizzando la tecnologia di trasmissione NEXTGEN (ATSC 3.0).
I canali BEST trasmettono i programmi direttamente via etere a smart TV utilizzando la capacità del canale dati di trasmissione NEXTGEN dell'emittente ospitante. Gli spettatori con TV NEXTGEN possono accedere facilmente a questi canali tramite la guida ai programmi. Questo lancio fa parte di un accordo più ampio tra Sinclair e le Stazioni Pubbliche di Televisione Americane (APTS) per fornire una trasmissione gratuita delle stazioni membri di APTS nei mercati dove Sinclair ha implementato l'ATSC 3.0 e non c'è una stazione televisiva pubblica.
Sinclair Broadcast Group y Nebraska Public Media han lanzado el primer Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel gratuito en Omaha, Nebraska. Este servicio innovador permite que la programación PBS y local de Nebraska Public Media se aloje en la estación KPTM FOX 42 de Sinclair como un canal virtual gratuito utilizando la tecnología de transmisión NEXTGEN (ATSC 3.0).
Los canales BEST transmiten programación directamente por aire a televisores inteligentes utilizando la capacidad del canal de datos de transmisión NEXTGEN del emisor anfitrión. Los espectadores con TVs NEXTGEN pueden acceder fácilmente a estos canales a través de su guía de programación. Este lanzamiento es parte de un acuerdo más amplio entre Sinclair y las Estaciones de Televisión Pública de América (APTS) para proporcionar una difusión gratuita de las estaciones miembros de APTS en los mercados donde Sinclair ha implementado ATSC 3.0 y no hay una estación de televisión pública.
Sinclair 방송그룹과 Nebraska Public Media가 네브래스카주 오마하에서 첫 무료 방송 지원 스트리밍 TV (BEST) 채널을 출시했습니다. 이 혁신적인 서비스는 Nebraska Public Media의 PBS 및 지역 프로그램을 Sinclair의 KPTM FOX 42 방송국에서 무료 가상 채널로 호스팅할 수 있게 해주는 것으로, NEXTGEN 방송 기술 (ATSC 3.0)을 사용합니다.
BEST 채널은 호스트 방송사의 NEXTGEN 방송 데이터 채널 용량을 이용하여 프로그램을 스마트 TV로 직접 방송합니다. NEXTGEN TV를 가진 시청자는 프로그램 가이드를 통해 이 채널에 쉽게 접근할 수 있습니다. 이번 출시는 Sinclair와 미국 공공 방송국(APTS) 간의 더 넓은 협정의 일환으로, Sinclair가 ATSC 3.0을 배포한 시장에서 APTS 회원 방송국의 무료 송출을 제공하는 것입니다.
Sinclair Broadcast Group et Nebraska Public Media ont lancé le premier Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel gratuit à Omaha, Nebraska. Ce service innovant permet à la programmation PBS et locale de Nebraska Public Media d'être hébergée sur la station KPTM FOX 42 de Sinclair en tant que canal virtuel gratuit utilisant la technologie de diffusion NEXTGEN (ATSC 3.0).
Les canaux BEST transmettent la programmation directement par voie hertzienne vers des téléviseurs intelligents en utilisant la capacité du canal de données de diffusion NEXTGEN de l'émetteur hôte. Les téléspectateurs équipés de téléviseurs NEXTGEN peuvent facilement accéder à ces canaux via leur guide de programmes. Ce lancement fait partie d'un accord plus large entre Sinclair et les Stations de Télévision Publique d'Amérique (APTS) pour fournir une diffusion gratuite des stations membres de l'APTS dans les marchés où Sinclair a déployé l'ATSC 3.0 et où aucune station de télévision publique n'est présente.
Sinclair Broadcast Group und Nebraska Public Media haben den ersten kostenlosen Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel in Omaha, Nebraska, gestartet. Dieser innovative Service ermöglicht es, dass PBS- und lokale Programme von Nebraska Public Media auf der KPTM FOX 42-Station von Sinclair als kostenloser virtueller Kanal gehostet werden, unter Verwendung der NEXTGEN Sendetechnologie (ATSC 3.0).
BEST-Kanäle übertragen Programme direkt über die Luft an Smart-TVs unter Verwendung der Datenkanalkapazität des NEXTGEN-Senders. Zuschauer mit NEXTGEN-Fernsehern können leicht über ihren Programmführer auf diese Kanäle zugreifen. Dieser Start ist Teil einer umfassenderen Vereinbarung zwischen Sinclair und den amerikanischen öffentlichen Fernsehsendern (APTS), um eine kostenlose Ausstrahlung der APTS-Mitgliedsstationen in Märkten zu ermöglichen, in denen Sinclair ATSC 3.0 implementiert hat und es keinen öffentlichen Fernsehsender gibt.
- Launch of first free Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel in Omaha
- Collaboration between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nebraska Public Media
- Utilization of NEXTGEN broadcast technology (ATSC 3.0) for enhanced viewer experience
- Free carriage agreement with America's Public Television Stations (APTS)
- None.
Insights
The launch of the first free Broadcast-Enabled Streaming TV (BEST) Channel in Omaha marks a significant step in the evolution of television broadcasting. This collaboration between Sinclair and Nebraska Public Media leverages NEXTGEN broadcasting (ATSC 3.0) technology to offer a hybrid over-the-air and internet-based viewing experience.
Key points to consider:
- This initiative could potentially increase viewership for public broadcasting content by making it more accessible on smart TVs.
- It demonstrates Sinclair's commitment to advancing ATSC 3.0 technology, which could position them as a leader in the evolving broadcast landscape.
- The free virtual channel hosting model could become a template for future partnerships between commercial and public broadcasters.
While innovative, the immediate financial impact on Sinclair is likely minimal. The long-term value lies in establishing a foothold in NEXTGEN broadcasting and potentially creating new revenue streams through advanced advertising capabilities and data services enabled by ATSC 3.0.
Primes the Pump for NEXTGEN Broadcasting
BEST channels are transmissions that provide programming directly over-the-air to smart TVs using the NEXTGEN broadcast data channel capacity of a host broadcaster. Viewers with NEXTGEN TVs can view and select the channel in their programming guide and access the channel seamlessly over the internet.
Sinclair and America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) previously announced that Sinclair would provide carriage of APTS member stations for free in markets where Sinclair has deployed NEXTGEN Broadcast Service (ATSC 3.0) and a public television station has not. The launch in
Peter Clowney, Chief Operating Officer for Nebraska Public Media, said, “We are proud to be the vanguard in offering this unique service to our
Kate Riley, President and CEO of APTS, said, “This is an excellent example of commercial and public broadcasters cooperating to bring the remarkable NEXTGEN Broadcast Service to more public television viewers and to enhance public television stations services to their local communities.”
“We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of this service in conjunction with our public broadcasting friends at Nebraska Public Media,” said Rob Weisbord, Sinclair’s Chief Operating Officer and President of Broadcast. “For public television stations that have not yet launched NEXTGEN service, we hope that this partnership will demonstrate the tremendous upside to using this new transmission technology.”
NEXTGEN Broadcasting is a revolutionary over-the-air digital broadcast technology that uses the internet and digital applications powered by the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard to present viewers with more news and entertainment choices while providing broadcasters with a more compelling and interactive way to deliver their content.
About Sinclair Broadcast Group:
Sinclair Broadcast Group is a subsidiary of Sinclair Inc., (Nasdaq: SBGI) 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!, TBD., and The Nest. 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.
About America’s Public Television Stations:
America's Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and civic leadership to their local communities and the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
About Nebraska Public Media:
Nebraska Public Media has connected citizens with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans on television, radio, online, social media and mobile apps. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.
Category: General
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241016288080/en/
Jessica Bellucci, jbellucci-c@sbgtv.com
Stacey Karp, skarp@apts.org
Kim Rogers, krogers@nebraskapublicmedia.org
Source: Sinclair, Inc.
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