ATSC Approves Critical Piece of Next Generation Broadcast Standard

BALTIMORE, March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) developing the Next Generation Broadcast Transmission Standard (ATSC 3.0) has voted to approve as a Full Standard the key element of the Physical Layer, the so-called "Bootstrap" or the Discovery and Signaling feature of the standard.  The Bootstrap includes the designs developed by ONE Media and supported by other broadcasters and equipment manufacturers, including notably the Pearl TV consortium of broadcast companies and the largest global television manufacturer, Samsung. With this approval, the first essential piece of the new paradigm in broadcasting is set.  

"This is a historic moment for broadcast television; opening our industry to a spectrum of opportunities," said David Smith, CEO and President of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., ONE Media's joint venture partner.  "I thank the broadcasters, the consumer electronics manufacturers and the global technical committees for supporting us and applaud them for recognizing the necessity for TV broadcasters to have a flexible, data agnostic and IP-based technology to compete in a TV everywhere world.  I am most grateful, however, to the many Sinclair employees and engineering teams who over the years, and more recently at ONE Media, were relentless in laying the groundwork for a new transmission system and developing the Bootstrap technology.  They are best-in-class.  While it has been a long journey, we are now one step closer to a platform that will revolutionize our industry and provide consumers with a multitude of new functionality. Over-the-air television that was once deemed a 'mature' industry just got a turbo boost of reinvention."

The Physical Layer's Bootstrap is the essential core of the new ATSC 3.0 standard and serves as the universal entry point that allows all receiver devices to process and decode information.  The new standard is designed to integrate with the Internet and features a long-sought after robust transmission capability that will finally power multiple mobile uses, impressive leaps in video and audio quality, localized programming and advertising and enable hundreds of new datacasting businesses.  Using the new standard, broadcasters will now be able to provide robust, mobile, ultra-high definition video and enhanced, immersive audio with geo-targeted programming and advertising, advanced emergency alert functions and single frequency networks to help preserve repeater and translator service.  Importantly, it also allows broadcasters to innovate with new non-programming opportunities including everything from distance learning, industry-specific mass data distribution and the backbone of the Internet of Things.  For more information on the Bootstrap and ATSC 3.0, please visit http://atsc.org/standards/atsc-3-0-standards/.  

"This is a significant milestone in the adoption of a revolutionary advancement in broadcast technology," stated Mark Aitken, Vice President for Advanced Technology with Sinclair Broadcast Group.  "By approving this key element of the standard, the ATSC has validated our long-held vision of an IP-based, robust, mobile, dynamic and adaptable transmission standard, allowing us to thrive in the vast ocean of the Internet.  We very much appreciate the stellar work of the hundreds of engineers from across multiple industries and multiple countries who worked to establish this standard.  Their remarkably unprecedented and quick progress in moving us forward was extraordinary."

Kevin Gage, ONE Media's Executive Vice President for Strategic Development and CTO, stated, "The key element embodied in the new ATSC Standard is a radical conversion from a closed system featuring a limited transport stream useful for video only into a broad, universal, digital, IP-based language, fully integrated with the vibrant Internet.  By adopting the Bootstrap to a Full Standard, manufacturers can continue their product design work to produce devices capable of delivering on the promises of the new standard, confident that the key feature of the standard is locked.  This includes portable tablets, home gateway devices and new transmitters."

"Approving the Bootstrap clears the way for the FCC to adopt new rules for the broadcast service," said Jerald Fritz, ONE Media's Executive Vice President for Strategic and Legal Affairs.  "The timing is critical so that new equipment can be in place for the expected deployment to coincide with the repack of broadcast stations as a result of the upcoming Broadcast Incentive Auction.  Giving broadcasters, who will be updating their facilities, the option of including Next Gen capabilities is both wise public policy and an important competitive boost with positive benefits for our industry and our viewers.  It certainly meets the expectations of members of Congress who have been anxiously awaiting the competitive spur and consumer benefits made possible by the Next Gen standard."

About ONE Media, LLC 
ONE Media was established as a joint investment between Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. SBGI and Coherent Logix with a vision to build the "Next Generation Broadcast Platform," enabling broadcasting to be competitive across all platforms. To learn more about ONE Media and the developments occurring in the development of the Next Generation Broadcast Platform go to www.onemediallc.com.

About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. Including pending transactions, the Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 171 television stations in 81 markets, broadcasting 475 channels and having affiliations with all the major networks. Sinclair is the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a producer of live sports content. 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.

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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.