Local Broadcasters Bring High-Tech Television to Local Viewers
EL PASO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The leading television stations serving the El Paso television market have begun broadcasting with NextGen TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology. The launch includes KVIA-TV (ABC), KDBC-TV (CBS), KTSM-TV (NBC), KFOX-TV (FOX), and KTDO (Telemundo).
Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet and digital apps, NextGen TV can support a wide range of features that are currently in development. In addition to providing a new, improved way for broadcasters to reach viewers with advanced emergency alerts, NextGen TV features stunning video with brilliant color, sharper images and deeper contrast to create a more life-like experience.
NextGen TV adds a new dimension to TV viewing, with vibrant video and new Voice+ dialogue enhancement that brings voices to the foreground. Movie theater-quality sound lets viewers hear every voice clearly and keeps volume consistent across channels. NextGen TV can also be enhanced with Internet content to enable viewers to get the most out of live sports, live news, and live events in real-time, without looking away from TV screens.
Powered by ATSC 3.0, NextGen TV is the most significant broadcast technology upgrade in history. Features available on NextGen TV will vary by device and station as broadcasters roll out service across the country. New sets compatible with ATSC 3.0 are marked with the distinctive NEXTGEN TV logo.
The launch in El Paso follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. KFOX-TV, which is owned by Sinclair, has converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions. KFOX-TV will broadcast its own programming, as well as the programming of the other participating stations, in NextGen TV format. All programming of all participating stations will continue to be available in the existing DTV format, which can be received on all modern television sets.
BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the five television stations.
From New York to Honolulu and from Miami to Seattle, NextGen TV service is already on the air in more than 70 cities across the country, and will reach 75% coverage in 2024. El Paso viewers can learn more about NextGen TV by visiting www.WatchNextGenTV.com, which offers a guide listing cities currently carrying the service, as well as links to available NextGen TV set models.
Antenna viewers without NextGen TV sets can simply rescan their TV sets to ensure uninterrupted service. Rescan instructions are available at fcc.gov/rescan. Cable and satellite subscribers do not need to take any action.
About KFOX-TV and KDBC-TV – Sinclair
KFOX-TV and KDBC-TV are leading stations in the El Paso television market. Both stations are owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC, 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; and owns and provides services to 21 regional sports network brands. 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. For more information, see https://kfoxtv.com/ and sbgi.net.
About KTSM-TV – Nexstar
KTSM-TV is a leading television station in El Paso and an NBC affiliate. KTSM-TV is owned and operated by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms, including more than 300,000 hours of programming produced annually by its business units.
About KVIA-TV – News-Press & Gazette
KVIA-TV, with its flagship brand ABC-7, is the longstanding leader in the El Paso-Las Cruces television market. It is owned by News-Press & Gazette, a 4th generation company with stations in 10 television markets. As such, NPG is the only non-publicly traded television group in the Borderland. For more information, visit kvia.com.
About KTDO – Telemundo El Paso / NBCUniversal Local
Telemundo 48 / KTDO, part of NBCUniversal Local, serves Spanish-speaking audiences in El Paso TX, Las Cruces NM and Juarez MX. Telemundo 48 delivers ten hours of live, locally produced news programming each week across all platforms. KTDO’s newscasts feature local breaking news, real-time weather forecasts, consumer reports and sports information. Telemundo 48 also airs world-class programming produced by Telemundo Network. Telemundo 48’s local news and information can be accessed on local over-the-air channel 48.1, Spectrum channel 11/ HD 803, Comcast channel 11, AT&T U-Verse channel 48, Dish channel 48, and Direct TV channel 48, online at telemundo48elpaso.com, through its social media channels, and on the “Noticias Telemundo Texas” channel on streaming platforms. Follow @TelemundoEP #Telemundo48EP.
About BitPath
BitPath is building the nation’s first dedicated broadcast data network to provide innovative new services like BitPoint™ and NavPath™ at a fraction of the cost of other systems. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the BitPath network covers dozens of cities. For more information, visit bitpath.com.
