July 23, 2024 – In a landmark decision, Brazil has officially selected the ATSC 3.0 standard for its next-generation digital television system. The Brazilian government announced the choice following extensive testing and evaluation of competing technologies.
The Brazilian Digital Terrestrial Television Forum (SBTVD Forum) conducted rigorous laboratory and field tests over the past year, comparing ATSC 3.0 with Advanced ISDB-T and 5G Broadcast. ATSC 3.0 emerged as the top performer, demonstrating superior spectral efficiency and meeting key requirements for Brazil’s unique broadcasting landscape.
Key factors in ATSC 3.0’s selection include:
- Compatibility with Brazil’s existing 6 MHz channel plan
- Successful coexistence testing with legacy ISDB-T systems
- Superior spectral efficiency, achieving up to 4.0 bit/s/Hz in dual-layer mode
- Support for MIMO 2×2 and channel bonding capabilities
- Partial fulfillment of high-speed reception requirements up to 120 km/h
For the LPTV sector, this decision opens up new opportunities. ATSC 3.0’s efficient use of spectrum and advanced features like targeted advertising and enhanced emergency alerting could prove particularly beneficial for smaller broadcasters here in the U.S..
The transition timeline and specific regulations for ATSC 3.0 implementation in Brazil are yet to be announced. However, industry experts anticipate a gradual rollout similar to the country’s previous digital TV transition, which took over a decade to complete.
This move aligns Brazil with other countries adopting ATSC 3.0, including the United States and South Korea, potentially creating economies of scale for equipment manufacturers and content producers.
As Brazil prepares for this next phase in its broadcasting evolution, LPTV stations her in the U.S. should start considering how to leverage ATSC 3.0’s capabilities to enhance their services and reach new audiences in the digital age.
Stay tuned for further updates on implementation guidelines and transition plans as they become available.
