The arrival of fall football has brought significant advancements to local broadcasting. Viewers with access to NextGen TV are experiencing enhanced features, including high dynamic range (HDR) video, Dolby Atmos audio, and innovative interactive channels.
Gray Television and Sinclair Broadcast Group are spearheading the expansion of High Dynamic Range (HDR). Gray Television recently aired the first U.S. over-the-air sports broadcast produced natively in HDR. This professional preseason football game, broadcast on August 23rd by Gray’s WVUE in New Orleans and produced by Gray’s Tupelo Media Group, utilized HDR throughout the entire production process, from cameras to transmission.
Sinclair Broadcast Group is implementing upconverted HDR on its stations and has introduced new content through broadcast-enabled streaming, including the T2 Tennis Channel and the Pickleball TV Channel, now accessible in 45 markets. NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0, is currently available in 78 designated market areas, covering approximately 76 percent of U.S. television households. Over 250 channels now support HDR, and more than half of U.S. households can access broadcast Dolby Atmos audio.
Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, commented, “With NextGen TV reaching more than three-quarters of viewing households, it’s exciting to see broadcasters enable High Dynamic Range on almost every channel to greatly enhance picture quality.” Pearl TV, responsible for coordinating NextGen TV market launches, is preparing a marketing campaign for the upcoming holiday season. They report that over 620 services are available through NextGen TV, encompassing both traditional broadcasters and internet-connected stations.
Beyond enhanced video and audio, broadcasters are introducing interactive services. ROXi, a free music video channel from FastStream Interactive and Sinclair, is now available in over 31 markets, offering access to around 100 million music videos and interactive controls via TV remotes. Another new service, GameLoop, allows viewers to play games like Pac-Man, Tetris, and Tomb Runner directly on smart TVs. Offered by Gray and Sinclair in 49 markets, GameLoop provides a two-screen experience with live host-guided gameplay.