LAS VEGAS, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Telecom
(NYSE: SKM) and Sinclair Broadcast Group (NASDAQ: SBGI) announced
Cast.era, a joint venture located in Arlington, Virginia focused on cloud
infrastructure for broadcasting, ultra-low latency over-the-top
(OTT) broadcasting, and targeted advertising.
Kevin Gage, formerly EVP,
Strategic Development & Chief Technology Officer of Sinclair's
ONE Media subsidiary has been appointed Cast.era's Lead
Representative and Chief Operating Officer, and Park Kyung-mo from SK Telecom has been appointed
Cast.era's Chief Technology Officer.
With the aim to launch next-generation transmission services
using both mobile and fixed broadcasting networks for the first
time in the U.S., Cast.era plans to provide ATSC 3.0 broadcast
solutions to Sinclair stations deploying the new standard beginning
in 2020.
ATSC 3.0 is a suite of Next Generation Broadcast TV transmission
standards that deliver not only ultra-high definition video and
improved audio, but also enable targeted advertising, advanced
emergency alerting and other data transmission capabilities.
ATSC 3.0, which works over-the-air, can also be converged with
mobile and other IP networks to create a broadcast-broadband hybrid
stream. Broadcasters will be able to enhance the customer
experience by combining ATSC 3.0 one-way signals with mobile and
other IP networks that support two-way data communication.
SK Telecom and Sinclair expect to achieve synergies by combining
SK Telecom's telecommunication technologies and Sinclair's
broadcasting infrastructure. Projecting that all television
stations in the U.S. will ultimately deploy services using the new
ATSC 3.0 standard, the two companies will actively pursue
opportunities in the U.S. market.
Cast.era intends to build a cloud infrastructure for ATSC 3.0
broadcasting by applying SK Telecom's cloud technologies
including mobile edge computing (MEC), cloud structure management
technology named 'SKT All Container Orchestrator (TACO)' and
virtual network solution named 'Simply Overlay Network Architecture
(SONA)' to Sinclair's broadcasting systems. SK Telecom's cloud
infrastructure will permit virtualized and automated merging of
both Internet and broadcast platforms using centralized services.
Based on MEC technologies, Cast.era plans to introduce new media
services applied with augmented reality.
Cast.era will also focus on introducing ultra-low latency OTT
broadcasting services based on SK Telecom's mobile MPEG Media
Transport (MMT) technologies that enable transmission of
high-definition video for diverse multimedia applications, such as
Sinclair's local news and sports content. These services will allow
users to enjoy high-quality video content seamlessly in a mobile
environment including travelling in vehicles.
Moreover, Cast.era aims to secure a competitive edge in the
future advertising market by adding targeted advertising to TV
broadcasting based on big data analytics.
At CES 2020, SK Telecom has successfully showcased news and
sports broadcasting through the ATSC 3.0 broadcasting solution by
receiving Sinclair's television station (KSNV) in Las Vegas.
The two companies also agreed to work together for further
advancement of high-quality broadcasting services based on 5G and
ATSC 3.0. They plan to establish a 5G-ATSC 3.0 testbed in Jeju
Technopark in Korea and also apply 5G-ATSC 3.0 solutions to
Sinclair's television station (WJLA) located in Washington, D.C.
Furthermore, SK Telecom and Sinclair will make joint efforts for
standardization of technologies at international standardization
bodies including ATSC, 3GPP and MPEG.
"We are confident that Cast.era will lead the ATSC 3.0 market in
the U.S," said Lee Jong-min, Vice
President and Head of Tech Innovation Group of SK Telecom. "We
expect to deliver a new experience to U.S. TV viewers through ATSC
3.0-based broadcasting services that combine the strengths of
mobile and broadcasting networks."
"The combination of two of the world's leading telecom companies
with independent and complementary visions of convergence marks
Cast.era as a formidable new player in maximizing the strengths of
both, using the remarkable capabilities of the new broadcast
standard," said Del Parks, Chief
Technology Officer of Sinclair. "With our partners in Cast.era, we
look forward to remaining at the forefront of platform and service
innovation."
"It is an honor to lead this new venture between two visionary
companies and leaders in their industries," said Kevin Gage, Chief Operating Officer of Cast.era.
"We look forward to driving the innovative thinking of their vision
and provide new services that will transform the wireless and
digital ecosystems."
About SK Telecom
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM) is the largest mobile operator in Korea
with nearly 50 percent of the market share. As the pioneer of all
generations of mobile networks, the company has commercialized the
fifth generation (5G) network on December 1,
2018 and announced the first 5G smartphone subscribers on
April 3, 2019. With its world's best
5G, SK Telecom is set to realize the Age of Hyper-Innovation by
transforming the way customers work, live and play.
Building on its strength in mobile services, the company is also
creating unprecedented value in diverse ICT-related markets
including media, security and commerce.
For more information, please
contact skt_press@sk.com or sktelecom@bcw-global.com.
About Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair is a diversified media company and leading provider of
local sports and news. The Company owns and/or operates 23 regional
sports network brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to
191 television stations in 89 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. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source
of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
About Cast.era
Cast.era, is a joint venture of SK Telecom and Sinclair
Broadcast Group located in Arlington, Virginia. It is focused on cloud
infrastructure for broadcasting, ultra-low latency over-the-top
(OTT) broadcasting, targeted advertising and also advanced
emergency alerting and other data transmission capabilities. The JV
is focused on achieving synergies by combining SK Telecom's mobile
and Internet communication technologies and Sinclair's broadcasting
infrastructure.
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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.