BOCA RATON, FLA. — On October 23, it became known that Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Key West ABC affiliate controlled by a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate was readying its transition to NEXTGEN TV.
That shift transpired on schedule Monday, as WPLG-10 transitioned to a new facility with ATSC 3.0-powered NEXTGEN TV broadcasts joining those of other stations in the market that unveiled NEXTGEN TV signals 11 months ago.
The bigger news, however, involves the FOX affiliate controlled by the Ansin family’s Sunbeam Television.
Joining WPLG on the second “lighthouse” for ATSC 3.0 in South Florida is WSVN-7, along with two multicast channels — Allen Media Group‘s African American-centric offering TheGrio (on DT2) and general entertainment offering ThisTV (on DT3).
This means FOX and ABC have joined CBS Stations’ WFOR-4, TelevisaUnivision O&O WLTV-23, and NBCUniversal O&Os WTVJ-6 and Telemundo-aligned WSCV-51 — all of the “Big Four” networks — in offering NEXTGEN TV signals to areas between Duval Street and Deerfield Beach. WPBT-2 (PBS South Florida) is also available through a temporary delivery platform.
With the addition of WPLG and WSVN, there are now 11 NEXTGEN TV services in South Florida. WPLG President/CEO Bert Media commented, “Our goal is to provide our audience with the best quality video and audio experience available. Our mission continues to be to inform, entertain and educate our community. This is a natural evolution for us.”
With the WPLG NEXTGEN TV launch, the OTT-focused “LOCAL 10 Plus” has been added as a viewing option.
Speaking for WSVN, RBR+TVBR Top Local TV Leader Paul Magnes, co-President and GM of the Sunbeam Television station, commented, “WSVN’s strong, loyal viewership will benefit from NEXTGEN TV’s technology, as it will greatly improve television reception. We can now offer our viewers a more compelling way to watch 7 NEWS, live sports
and programming, over-the-air.”
Speaking to RBR+TVBR for the Winter 2024 magazine, in which she will be profiled, Pearl TV Managing Director Anne Schelle said, “Underscoring the demand for NEXTGEN TV, Miami is now a top U.S. media market with multiple major networks broadcasting NEXTGEN TV for its viewers. By launching a second stick, these local broadcasters share an ongoing commitment to expand this free service within the Miami area and deliver important local news stories, sports and entertainment. NEXTGEN TV’s emergency alert system and dual language capabilities are essential to residents and we’re proud that we can give them even more options now.”
Schelle added that a Chicago launch of NEXTGEN TV is expected for January, pushing the reach to an important 75% of U.S. television households by the 2024 Super Bowl telecast.
She also notes that January 2024 will likely see retailer incentives and promotions of 43″ SONY and Hisense NEXTGEN TV receivers, along with a direct promotional campaign from South Florida electronics and home appliances retailer BrandsMart.
