It’s a gorilla-sized move that brings ATSC 3.0-powered over-the-air TV broadcasts to one of America’s most technology-savvy markets.
NEXTGEN TV is coming to Seattle in early December, and it is thanks to a newly forged partnership between GatesAir and TEGNA.
Pending final FCC approval, TEGNA’s unaffiliated station in the DMA, KONG-16, using digital channel 31, plans to begin NEXT TV broadcasts for itself and for NBC sibling KING-5 in a matter of weeks.
KONG will serve as the “lighthouse” station for the ATSC 3.0-based signals.
“The transition to NextGen TV requires cooperation from all stakeholders as we begin shaping the future of local broadcast television in Seattle and across TEGNA markets,” explains Kurt Rao, TEGNA’s SVP and Chief Technology Officer. “GatesAir has been a valued partner in this process, and we’re proud to work with their team to bring NextGen TV to our Seattle audience.”
Jim Rose, President and GM of TEGNA’s KING 5 Media Group, adds, “Seattle was a natural choice to be one of the early adopters of NextGen TV technology, and we look forward to its potential to create a more enriching experience for our viewers.”
What’s GatesAir’s role in the partnership? It is supplying its Maxiva ULXTE-30 liquid-cooled transmitter to support over-the-air transmission of the NextGen TV signal.
Specifically, the ULXTE-30 will be equipped with GatesAir’s Maxiva XTE exciter to power TEGNA’s NextGen TV broadcasts as part of the Seattle Lighthouse initiative. GatesAir will also provide installation and commissioning support leading up to the early December launch.
“GatesAir’s high-efficiency transmitters are enablers for the many possibilities of NextGen TV content delivery, including 4K UHD television, immersive audio, and advanced emergency alerting,” GatesAir CEO Bruce Swail says. “In addition to supplying robust and reliable transmission technology, GatesAir’s experience with worldwide digital TV standards will help TEGNA maximize market coverage, support new digital services, and improve reception to mobile devices. Furthermore, this installation provides the core foundation for a future ATSC 3.0 SFN architecture that can strengthen TEGNA’s NextGen TV signal, and extend NextGen TV coverage throughout the broader Seattle-Tacoma region.”
KONG will soon begin informing over-the-air viewers in the Seattle-Tacoma market about the transition to NexGen TV and the need to rescan their televisions to continue to receive the station, regardless of whether they will receive a ATSC 3.0 TV signal.
— Brian Galante
