KTBS-TV, KSLA, KMSS-TV, KTAL-TV, KPXJ and KSHV-TV Begin Broadcasting with New Technology
SHREVEPORT, La.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The leading television stations serving the Shreveport television market today began broadcasting with NextGen TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology. Today’s launch includes KTBS-TV (ABC), KSLA (CBS), KMSS-TV (Fox), KTAL-TV (NBC), KPXJ (CW) and KSHV-TV (MyNet).
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 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 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 Shreveport follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. KPXJ, which is owned by KTBS LLC, and KSHV-TV, which is owned by Nexstar, 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 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 six television stations.
From Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., and from the Great Lakes to the Red River, NextGen TV service is already on the air in more than 50 cities across the country. Shreveport viewers can learn more about NextGen TV by visiting www.WatchNextGenTV.com, which offers a guide listing cities currently carrying the service, as well as links to available NextGen TV set 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 KTBS AND KPXJ – KTBS LLC
KTBS 3 and KPXJ-CW21 are locally owned and operated by the Wray family under KTBS, LLC, and is one of the few companies in the country that can still claim local ownership and community identity. On October 14, 2010, KTBS became the first station in the Ark-La-Tex region to broadcast local news in high definition. The tradition continues today with KTBS LLC offering Ark-La-Tex viewers the best local news, weather, health, and sports entertainment programming on NextGen TV. This move to NextGen TV is just one more way we are bringing the viewer into the future of television entertainment and news. It also adds one more layer to the multitude of platforms offered by KTBS LLC, including livestreaming services on KTBS.com, as well as over-the-top platforms such as Hulu, Google TV, and YouTube, Roku, and other streaming services.
About KTAL-TV and KSHV-TV – Nexstar
KTAL-TV and KSHV-TV are leading stations in the Shreveport television market. Both stations are owned and operated by Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST). Nexstar is the nation’s largest operator of local television stations and a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its broadcasting, digital and mobile media platforms. KTAL-TV is affiliated with the NBC network and KSHV-TV is affiliated with MyNet.
About KMSS-TV – Mission
KMSS-TV is a leading Shreveport television station owned by Mission Broadcasting, Inc., and is affiliated with the Fox network. Mission owns 29 full-power broadcast television stations in 26 markets across the country. The company also holds the distinction of being the largest woman-owned television group in the U.S.
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 will launch this year covering dozens of cities. For more information, visit bitpath.com.
Contacts
Media:
KTBS-TV AND KPXJ-TV – KTBS LLC – George Sirven
gsirven@ktbs.com
KTAL-TV and KSHV-TV; Nexstar – Gary Weitman
gweitman@nexstar.tv
KMSS-TV; Mission – Dennis Thatcher
dthatcher@missionbroadcasting.tv
BitPath – John Hane
jhane@bitpath.com
