Broadcasters Launch NextGen TV Broadcasts on Local Television Stations in Richmond-Petersburg, VA

By Business Wire On Apr 12, 2022

WRIC-TV, WTVR-TV, WWBT, WRLH-TV, WCVE-TV, WCVW, and WUPV Begin Broadcasting with New Technology

All seven of Richmond-Petersburg’s full power local television stations began broadcasting with NextGen TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology. Today’s launch includes WRIC-TV (ABC), WTVR-TV (CBS), WWBT (NBC), WRLH-TV (FOX), WCVE-TV and WCVW (PBS), and WUPV (CW).

“Give light and the people will find their own way.”

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 also can be enhanced with Internet content, enabling viewers to get the most out of live sports, live news, and live events in real-time, without looking away from the TV screen.

Powered by ATSC 3.0, NextGen TV is the most significant broadcast technology upgrade to date. Features available on NextGen TV will vary by device and station, as broadcasters roll out service across the country.

Today’s launch in Richmond-Petersburg follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. WUPV, owned by Gray Television, Inc. and WCVW, owned by VPM Media Corporation, have converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions. Those stations will broadcast their own programming, as well as the programming of the other participating stations, in NextGen TV format. All the programming of each participating station will continue to be available in the existing DTV format, which all modern television sets can receive.

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the seven television stations.