NEXTGEN TV, the free digital broadcast over-the-air technology powered by the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, is now available in Chicago, America’s third-largest television market.
Five stations have joined for the launch of NEXTGEN TV in the market, and viewers can now access the channels for free with NEXTGEN TV, including:
- CBS’ WBBM-TV (CBS, channel 2);
- FOX’s WFLD-TV (FOX, channel 32);
- NBC’s WMAQ-TV (NBC, channel 5);
- WGN (WGN, channel 9); and
- Univision’s WGBO-TV (Univision, channel 66).
Local viewers can easily tune to each station for information about accessing NEXTGEN TV locally, rescanning information and how to purchase the right television set to receive NEXTGEN TV. Viewers watching these five channels can look forward to enhanced television viewing provided by NEXTGEN TV as a complement to streaming platforms, since NEXTGEN TV is a free over-the-air service.
“America’s third-largest TV market is riding the NEXTGEN TV wave, with the addition of new capabilities for broadcasters and viewers. We’re especially appreciative of our partners, Heartland Video Systems and LTN and their commitment to getting broadcasters on-the-air. The momentum for NEXTGEN TV is building with TCL about to join the roster of TV manufacturers with consumer models, High Dynamic Range coming for key sports contests, and new upgrade accessory receivers for consumers in the wings,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of the Pearl TV group of TV broadcasters that coordinated the Chicago launch.
“Chicago will get the most out of live news and sports programming,” continued Schelle. “Live linear television has never been stronger in sports than it is now, and Chicago is home to a bold sports market with six professional teams spanning NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB and NHL organizations. NEXTGEN TV will transform the fan experience with immersive features such as brilliant color and personalized, interactive bonus content.”
NEXTGEN TV also enables Chicago broadcasters to bolster their emergency alert information capabilities, helping to make area communities safer during natural disasters or severe weather events. The new broadcast TV standard enables improved location-targeting with future notifications sent to precise areas and viewers able to choose the language in which they want to receive the emergency information. Multimedia files can also be added, upgrading the alerts with detailed maps or images. In times of crisis, NEXTGEN TV’s sophisticated emergency alerting can enable viewers in that market to get all the information they need without affecting those not in the path of the emergency.
Chicago viewers can learn more about NEXTGEN TV by visiting www.WatchNextGenTV.
See also: Hisense Introduces First Mass Market ATSC 3.0 Watermark Detection
