WPDE-TV, WBTW, WHMC, and WWMB Begin
Broadcasting with New Technology
Leading television stations serving the Myrtle Beach-Florence
market today began broadcasting with NextGen TV, a revolutionary
new digital broadcast technology. Today’s launch includes WPDE-TV
(ABC), WBTW (CBS), WHMC (ETV and SCETV PBS Kids 24/7) and WWMB
(Dabl).
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 Myrtle Beach-Florence follows a decade of
development and months of planning and preparation by the local
stations. WWMB, owned by Howard Stirk Holdings, has converted to
ATSC 3.0 transmissions. WWMB will broadcast its 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, the
country’s premier data broadcasting platform, led the planning
process and coordinated efforts across the four television
stations.
From Honolulu to Houston, and from San Diego to the gorgeous
white sands of Myrtle Beach, NextGen TV service is already on the
air in more than 70 cities across the country, reaching three out
of four viewers. Myrtle Beach-Florence 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 WWMB – Howard Stirk Holdings LLC
WWMB is a premier Myrtle Beach, SC television station owned and
operated by Howard Stirk Holdings, LLC, (“HSH”) one of the largest
minority-owned television broadcast groups in the United States.
HSH operates seven full power television stations in six markets
across the country and is a producer of premium original content
known for telling stories that connect with people of all
perspectives and shedding light on those neglected by mainstream
news sources. WWMB is affiliated with Dabl.
About WPDE-TV – Sinclair
WPDE-TV is a leading television station in the Myrtle
Beach-Florence television market. The station is owned and operated
by Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Sinclair, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SBGI), a diversified media company and a leading provider
of local news and sports. Sinclair owns, operates and/or provides
services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with
all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast
networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD and The Nest. Sinclair’s content is
delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air,
multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest
streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. For more
information, see wpde.com and sbgi.net.
About WBTW - Nexstar
WBTW is a leading television station in Myrtle Beach-Florence
and a CBS affiliate. WBTW is owned and operated by Nexstar Media
Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), a leading diversified media company
that produces and distributes engaging local and national news,
sports and entertainment content across its television and digital
platforms, including more than 310,000 hours of programming
produced annually by its business units.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's
public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South
Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens
communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more
connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local
programs, such as Carolina Classrooms, Making It Grow, and This
Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to
regional and national audiences, including By The River, After
Action, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in
Practice, Downing of a Flag and How She Rolls. In addition, SC
Public Radio produces the national radio production, Chamber Music
from Spoleto Festival USA.
About BitPath
BitPath is building the nation's first dedicated broadcast data
network to provide innovative new wireless services at a fraction
of the cost of cellular systems. BitPath’s revolutionary precision
location and navigation services, NavPath™ and BitPoint™, will
launch this year. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the BitPath network
covers dozens of cities. For more information, visit
bitpath.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240619982503/en/
WWMB; Howard Stirk Holdings – Anthony Carr
anthony@hsh.media
WPDE-TV; Sinclair – Jessica Bellucci
JBellucci-c@sbgtv.com
WBTW; Nexstar – Gary Weitman gweitman@nexstar.tv
WHMC; South Carolina ETV – Landon Masters
lmasters@scetv.org
BitPath – John Hane jhane@bitpath.com