Houston Television Stations Launch NEXTGEN TV

HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Television viewers in Houston, the eighth-largest TV market in the United States, can now experience the future of broadcast television as 10 local TV stations today launched NEXTGEN TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology based on the same fundamental technology as the internet and digital apps. The new standard presents viewers with more news and entertainment choices while providing broadcasters with a more compelling and interactive way to deliver their content.

NEXTGEN TV is the first major overhaul to the Advanced Television Systems Committee's standard for receiving over-the-air (OTA) signals in 25 years. Now broadcasting in 35 markets, NEXTGEN TV is expected to reach 45% of U.S. television households by the end of the year. Today's launch marks a significant milestone, as it is the largest number of stations to transition in a single market at one time.

NEXTGEN TV can deliver:  

• Consistent volume across channels
• Added voice clarity with Dolby's Voice +
• Stunning 4K, High Dynamic Range (HDR) video 
• Movie theater-quality sound 
• Enhanced internet content on demand

NEXTGEN TV is a feature built into select new TV models manufactured by LG Electronics, Samsung, and Sony—and widely available to consumers with a rapidly growing number of television sets in homes across the U.S. While features available on NEXTGEN TV will vary by device and by broadcaster as commercial service becomes available in local markets, it is designed to be future-proof, enabling a viewer's television set to advance in lockstep with technological improvements.

"Houston will now get the most out of live news, events, and sports programming, as NEXTGEN TV merges over-the-air antenna TV with the internet, enhancing its information and entertainment value," stated Ralph Rendon, vice president of creative services and programming for KRIV/KTXH, the FOX-owned duopoly in Houston. "Through a combined effort of investment, meeting critical deadlines, and deployment of powerful new technologies, we're able to provide a better and more engaging audio and video experience for our viewers."

"This launch took an extraordinary amount of collaboration among the 10 TV stations involved and is a clear demonstration of the entire industry's commitment to NEXTGEN TV," said Brett Jenkins, EVP and chief technology officer for Nexstar Media Group, Inc. "Viewers will quickly notice the brilliant video and improved audio delivered by NEXTGEN TV. But along with these enhancements come important upgrades in broadcaster's ability to provide new customer experiences and services, allowing us to explore new business opportunities to meet the challenges of today's evolving digital world." 

"These stations all share a commitment to provide their viewers with the best content and service and the launch of NEXTGEN TV enables that by creating a more inspiring and personalized viewing experience," commented Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. "NEXTGEN TV exponentially expands the type of content broadcasters can provide their unique audiences, and the ways that viewers can engage with their television screens and the level of information they will have access to. Houston's launch underscores the excitement we all share as we continue innovating this revolutionary technology for viewers."

Houston viewers can now find 10 channels over-the-air with NEXTGEN TV: FOX Television Stations' KTXH (My Network, channel 20) and owned-and-operated KRIV (FOX, channel 26); Nexstar Media Group, Inc.'s KIAH (CW, channel 29); Univision's KFTH (UniMas, channel 67) and owned-and-operated KXLN (Univision, channel 45); ABC owned-and-operated KTRK (ABC, channel 13); Graham Media Group's KPRC (NBC, channel 2); TEGNA's KHOU (CBS, channel 11); NBCUniversal-owned KTMD (Telemundo, channel 47; and University of Houston's KUHT (PBS, channel 2). Viewers watching these channels can look forward to enhanced television viewing provided by NEXTGEN TV as a complement to streaming platforms, as NEXTGEN TV is provided as a free OTA service to viewers.

The participating stations have worked together to ensure that current programming remains available to all viewers, regardless of whether their television service is provided over-the-air or by a cable or satellite company. Antenna viewers can simply rescan their TV sets to ensure full service. Rescan instructions are available at: fcc.gov/rescan. Cable and satellite subscribers do not need to take any action.

Houston viewers can learn more about NEXTGEN TV by visiting www.WatchNextGenTV.com, which offers a guide to cities carrying the service, as well as links to available NEXTGEN TV models.

About Pearl TV:
Pearl TV is a business organization of U.S. broadcast companies with a shared interest in exploring forward-looking broadcasting opportunities, including innovative ways of promoting local broadcast TV content and developing digital media and wireless platforms for the broadcast industry. Pearl's membership, comprising more than 750 TV stations, includes nine of the largest broadcast companies in America: Cox Media Group, Graham Media Group, Gray Television, Hearst Television Inc., Meredith Local Media Group, Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, the E.W. Scripps Company, and TEGNA, Inc.

SOURCE Pearl TV