HUNT VALLEY, Md., Nov. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair
Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) and its subsidiary, ONE Media
3.0 ("ONE Media"), announced today their intention to fully deploy
ATSC 3.0 (the "Next Generation TV" standard) on Sinclair's stations
nationwide pursuant to the FCC's action today approving the new
platform.
The historic vote by the FCC to authorize use of the Next
Generation TV standard marks both the conclusion and commencement
of a decades-long effort by Sinclair and, more recently, ONE Media
to enhance broadcasters' technical and business opportunities
significantly.
The new digital standard will dramatically improve television
pictures and sound and, for the first time, be receivable on mobile
devices, over-the-air for free. The Internet Protocol-based
standard will seamlessly merge broadcast signals with
Internet-based content and also enable multiple new data
transmission business opportunities for broadcasters.
"We have advocated for a robust, broadcast-centric digital
standard since 1997, and we are gratified to see that the ATSC,
broadcasters and the government have now agreed to do just that,"
said Christopher Ripley,
Sinclair's President and CEO. "True mobile TV and data
distribution, compatible with the Internet, can now become a
reality. The Sinclair-reimagined, ground-up standard,
designed by and for broadcasters, has been enhanced and refined by
the detailed contributions of hundreds of ATSC volunteer engineers
resulting in a platform that will be the envy of the world.
Its television and data capabilities promise spectacular benefits
to consumers, broadcasters and equipment manufactures
alike."
Ripley added, "We congratulate the Commission for its foresight
and keen acknowledgement of the need for broadcast
innovation. Chairman Pai's leadership to craft rules that are
flexible and non-intrusive is to be applauded. The Staff has
done an excellent and thorough analysis in record time, and we
appreciate its great efforts to think through ramifications and
permit the market to flourish with minimal constraints. Now
is the real test for the industry to make good on technology's
promise. We have our work cut out for us and we are up to the
task."
David Smith, Sinclair's
Executive Chairman, had high praise for the Commission. "As
we have pressed for 20 years, broadcasters and consumers alike
deserve the best innovations available. We finally have that
ability and are ready to lead an industry in deployment, service
offerings, enhancements and business development. We are "off
the plateau" and ready to climb the next mountain along with our
broadcast brethren, manufacturers, programmers and new business
partners, looking down on wondrous new opportunities. There
should only be upside for all concerned – including most
importantly, the Public!"
About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most
diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. The
Company has multiple emerging networks as well as stations
affiliated with all the major networks. In addition, Sinclair is
the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a
producer of sports content. Sinclair owns a multicast network, four
radio stations and a cable network. Sinclair's broadcast 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 ONE Media 3.0, LLC
ONE Media 3.0 was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. with a vision to build and deploy
the "Next Generation Broadcast Platform," enabling broadcasting to
be competitive across all platforms in delivering enhanced video
and data services.
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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.