The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced a significant initiative: the NextGen TV News Technology Lab. This three-year project aims to empower local television stations to fully utilize the capabilities of the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, also known as NextGen TV.
Funded by a substantial $2.5 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the lab will run until October 2028. Participating stations will gain access to technical support and resources, enabling them to experiment with innovative ATSC 3.0 features. These include advanced emergency alerting systems, hyperlocal news and weather reports tailored to specific communities, and even community-focused sports broadcasts.
ATSC 3.0 represents a major leap forward in broadcast technology. As an IP-based standard, it seamlessly integrates broadcast and broadband content delivery. Unlike its predecessor, ATSC 1.0, it offers real-time local content delivery without internet access, a game-changer for many areas.
The lab's focus is on collaborative project development and implementation. Stations and broadcast groups will work together to leverage ATSC 3.0's potential to expand local news coverage and create more engaging experiences for viewers. Thorough testing and verification will take place at NAB’s Technology Lab in Washington, D.C., before over-the-air deployment.
“The NextGen TV News Technology Lab will help unlock the potential of ATSC 3.0 to deepen audience engagement, expand coverage and deliver content in more responsive and dynamic ways,” stated Sam Matheny, NAB executive vice president and chief technology officer.
The NAB emphasizes that the project’s findings will be made publicly available, benefiting the entire broadcasting industry.