PRZOOM - /newswire/ - Little Rock, AR, United States, 2021/07/01 - KATV, KTHV, KARK-TV, KLRT-TV, and KARZ-TV Begin Broadcasting with New Technology [NASDAQ: SBGI] - WatchNextGenTV.com / Nexstar.tv. NYSE: MEG; NASDAQ: NXST

Five leading local television stations in Little Rock, AR, including KATV (ABC), KTHV (CBS), KARK-TV (NBC), KLRT-TV (FOX), and KARZ-TV (MyNet), today became among the first in the nation to begin broadcasting with NEXTGEN TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology.

Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet, digital applications, and other web services, NEXTGEN TV can support a wide range of features that are currently in development. In addition to providing a new, improved way for broadcasters to reach viewers with advanced emergency alerting, NEXTGEN TV allows a viewer to be immersed in stunning video with brilliant color, sharper images and deeper contrast that will make viewers feel like they’re really there. NEXTGEN TV adds a whole new dimension to TV viewing, with vibrant video and new Voice+ dialogue enhancement, to bring voices to the foreground. Viewers will feel the power of movie theater-quality sound that enables a viewer to hear every voice clearly and offers consistent volume across channels. NEXTGEN TV is also enhanced with Internet content to get the most out of live sports, live news, live events and more, in real time.

Powered by ATSC 3.0, NEXTGEN TV is the most significant broadcast technology upgrade ever.
Today’s launch in Little Rock follows a decade of development of the new technology and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the five television stations. KATV, KARK-TV, and KARZ-TV will be charter members of the BitPath data broadcast network, launching later this year.

From Massachusetts to Arizona, and from Washington to Florida, NEXTGEN TV service is already on the air in more than 25 cities across the country. Little Rock joins the early adopters in rolling out the new third-generation digital TV broadcast technology that has the potential to revolutionize how TV viewers interact with their home screens. Little Rock viewers can learn more about NEXTGEN TV by visiting WatchNextGenTV.com, which offers a guide listing cities currently carrying the service as well as links to available NEXTGEN TV set models.

NEXTGEN TV is designed to be upgradable so a viewer’s television advances with the latest technology. Features available on NEXTGEN TV will vary by device and by broadcaster as commercial service becomes available in local markets. With NEXTGEN TV, viewers can get:

• Stunning 4K, High Dynamic Range video;
• Movie theater quality sound;
• Added voice clarity with Voice+
• Consistent volume across channels;
• Enhanced Internet content on demand;
• Advanced Emergency Alerting functions to keep viewers better informed.

Antenna viewers can simply rescan their TV sets to ensure full service.

About KARK-TV and KARZ-TV Nexstar

KARK-TV (kark.com) and KARZ-TV are leading television stations in Little Rock, AR, owned and operated by Nexstar Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc.. Nexstar is the nation’s largest operator of local television stations and a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its broadcasting, digital and mobile media platforms. KARK-TV is affiliated with the NBC network and KARZ-TV is affiliated with the MyNet network.

About KATV Sinclair

KATV (katv.com | sbgi.net) is a leading Little Rock, AR television station owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., a diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and news. KATV is affiliated with the ABC network. Sinclair owns and/or operates 21 regional sports network brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets; is a leading local news provider in the country; owns multiple national networks; and has TV stations affiliated with all the major broadcast networks. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms.

About KTHV TEGNA

KTHV, known as THV11 (thv11.com), is the CBS affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has been a leader in local news, information and community involved since its founding in 1955. THV11 is owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), and innovative media company that owns and operates 64 stations in 51 markets.

About KLRT-TV Mission

KLRT-TV (fox16.com) is a leading Little Rock television station owned by Mission Broadcasting, Inc., and is affiliated with the Fox network. Mission owns 30 full-power broadcast television stations in 27 markets across the country. The company also holds the distinction of being the largest woman-owned television group in the U.S.

About BitPath

BitPath (bitpath.com) is building the nation’s first dedicated broadcast data network to provide innovative new wireless services at a fraction of the cost of cellular systems. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the BitPath network will launch this year covering dozens of cities, with more launches in 2022.

Media Contacts:
KATV; Sinclair Michael Padovano - E: mpadovano[.]5wpr.com.
KTHV; TEGNA Anne Bentley - E: abentley[.]tegna.com.
KLRT-TV; Mission Dennis Thatcher - E: dthatcher[.]missionbroadcasting.tv.
BitPath John Hane - E: jhane[.]bitpath.com.

Agency / Source: Media General, Inc.

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