There has been a lot of chatter about the voluntary rollout of ATSC 3.0, the new digital broadcast TV standard powering not only NEXTGEN TV but also broadcast internet and even audio channels not so dissimilar to radio.
But, how will consumers get NEXTGEN TV? At first, it was all about upgrading to a new television. Then came the introduction of “dongle” delivery through devices that can bring NEXTGEN TV to one’s current TV model. Now, FreeCast is ready to debut a product that combines over-the-air broadcast television with web-based streaming content.
Introducing FreeCast Home, which will officially be unveiled on Sunday as the NAB Show kicks off at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Southern Nevada.
According to the company, the new consumer-facing product makes NEXTGEN TV-delivered signals and OTT content available in a single interface accessible not only on a TV but on their mobile devices, too.
Here’s the catch: FreeCast Home is being marketed as “a whole-home media solution” with a one-time $200 charge.
FreeCast positions itself as an established streaming aggregator, with 700 streaming channels already being brought to its users. Now, FreeCast will integrate live local broadcast channels into the service’s existing digital guide.
With other FreeCast Plus features, including “MediaPay,” users can manage their streaming subscriptions and pay-per-view purchases, thus creating “a complete and unified television experience.”
Until now, such an offering has been limited to consumers who may seek such an “all-in-one” viewing platform. For FreeCast Home, the target consumer is in a multi-dwelling building and in the hospitality industry. “The device poses an economical solution for apartments, condominiums, hotels, college campuses, and healthcare settings,” FreeCast believes.
To demonstrate what FreeCast has to offer, it will be seen at NAB Show booth W3443 in the West Hall alongside other ATSC 3.0 partner organizations, and at booth W3421 in the Connect Experiential Zone.
FreeCast CEO William Mobley plans to be in attendance at the NAB Show. He said, “We’ve always been at the cutting edge of streaming technology. Now we’re combining that with the very latest in broadcast tech, and we’re solving a lot of the big consumer pain points by doing so. We’ve eliminated the app-diving, and now you don’t even have to change the input to get your antenna channels. Together, it’s a better experience than cable or satellite, and much cheaper too. That’s a win for everyone.”
The company’s FreeCast HOME service includes a network appliance with DVR service attached to an ATSC 3.0 HD Antenna that can capture the live local broadcast channels broadcasting with a NEXTGEN TV signal.
And, it is clear what segment of the industry FreeCast seeks to snag consumers from.
“This Whole Home Solution is a home run for consumers and is the ultimate cable replacement,” Mobley declared.
