WMTW, WGME-TV, WPFO, and WMEA-TV/WCBB Launch NextGen TV in Portland, Maine
April 25 2024 - 12:59PM
Business Wire
Local Broadcasters Bring High-Tech
Television to Local Viewers
Five leading television stations serving the Portland Maine
television market have begun broadcasting with NextGen TV, a
revolutionary new digital broadcast technology. The launch includes
WMTW (ABC), WGME-TV (CBS), WPFO (FOX), WMEA-TV (Maine Public) and
WCBB (PBS).
Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet and
digital apps, 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 alerts, NextGen TV features stunning video with brilliant
color, sharper images and deeper contrast to create a more
life-like experience.
NextGen TV adds a new dimension to TV viewing, with vibrant
video and new Voice+ dialogue enhancement that brings voices to the
foreground. Movie theater-quality sound lets viewers hear every
voice clearly and keeps volume consistent across channels. NextGen
TV can also be enhanced with Internet content to enable viewers to
get the most out of live sports, live news, and live events in
real-time, without looking away from TV screens.
Powered by ATSC 3.0, NextGen TV is the most significant
broadcast technology upgrade in history. Features available on
NextGen TV will vary by device and station as broadcasters roll out
service across the country.
The launch in Portland follows a decade of development and
months of planning and preparation by the local stations. WPFO,
which is owned by Cunningham, has converted to ATSC 3.0
transmissions. WPFO will broadcast its own programming, as well as
the programming of the other participating stations, in NextGen TV
format. All programming of all participating stations will continue
to be available in the existing DTV format, which can be received
on all modern television sets.
BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led
the planning process and coordinated efforts across the five
television stations.
From New York to Honolulu and from Miami to Seattle, NextGen TV
service is already on the air in more than 70 cities across the
country reaching three out of four people. Portland viewers can
learn more about NextGen TV by visiting www.WatchNextGenTV.com,
which offers links to many available NextGen TV set and converter
models.
Antenna viewers without NextGen TV sets can simply rescan their
TV sets to ensure uninterrupted service. Rescan instructions are
available at fcc.gov/rescan. Cable and satellite subscribers do not
need to take any action.
About WGME-TV – Sinclair
WGME-TV is a leading television station in the Portland-Auburn
television market. The station is owned and operated by Sinclair
Broadcast Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq:
SBGI), a diversified media company and a leading provider of local
news and sports. Sinclair owns, operates and/or provides services
to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the
major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast
networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD and The Nest; and owns and provides
services to 21 regional sports network brands. Sinclair’s content
is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air,
multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest
streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. For more
information, see wgme.com and sbgi.net.
About WPFO – Cunningham
WPFO is owned and operated by Cunningham Broadcasting
Corporation, an independent television broadcast company that,
together with its subsidiaries, owns and/or operates 20 television
stations in eighteen markets across the United States. Cunningham
is a Maryland corporation headquartered in Baltimore. For more
information, please visit cunninghambroadcasting.com.
About WMTW - Hearst
Hearst Television owns and/or operates 35 television and two
radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching
24 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with
nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national
content over more than 120 video channels including programming
from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio
stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music
listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces
original programming across linear and streaming platforms for
domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free
to download on household OTT devices and available across popular
streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and
an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is
recognized as one of the industry's premier companies and has been
honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry
innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Hearst.
About WCBB/WMEA-TV – Maine Public
Maine Public is Maine’s premier, independent media resource,
dedicated to creating exceptional opportunities for the communities
it serves to engage with critical issues, compelling stories, and
quality entertainment. Maine Public is renowned for creating
award-winning programs, as well as airing content from PBS, NPR,
and other independent producers. Formed in 1992, Maine Public is an
independently owned and operated nonprofit organization with office
and studio locations in Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland, Maine. For
more information, visit mainepublic.org.
About BitPath
BitPath is building the nation's first dedicated broadcast data
network to provide innovative new services like BitPoint™ and
NavPath™ at a fraction of the cost of other systems. Based in
Arlington, Virginia, the BitPath network covers dozens of cities.
For more information, visit bitpath.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240425154296/en/
WGME-TV; Sinclair – Jessica Bellucci
JBellucci-c@sbgtv.com
WMTW; Hearst – Tom Campo tom@campocommunications.com
WPFO; Cunningham – Michael Anderson
manderson@cunninghambroadcasting.com
WCBB/WMEA-TV – Maine Public
cmorrissey@mainepublic.org
BitPath – John Hane jhane@bitpath.com