Pittsburgh launch for NextGen TV
June 17, 2020
By Colin Mann
Three of Pittsburgh’s leading local network-affiliated television stations – WPGH (FOX), WTAE (ABC) and WPNT (MyNet) – have become among the first in the United States to begin broadcasting with NextGen TV digital broadcast technology based on the ATSC 3.0 standard.
The Pittsburgh launch follows a decade of development of the new technology and a year of planning and preparation by the local stations. BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning and coordinated efforts across the three stations.
The participating stations have cooperated to ensure that all existing programming remains available to all viewers, regardless of whether they receive their television service by antenna, or by cable or satellite. Antenna viewers should simply rescan their TV sets to ensure full service.
“Broadcasting started here in Pittsburgh 100 years ago,” noted Kent Crawford, General Manager at WPGH Fox53 and WPNT 22 the Point. “It’s only appropriate then for us to usher in the latest in broadcast innovation. We are excited to continue this legacy and introduce our viewers to an extraordinary new TV experience.”
“BitPath is pleased to help WPGH, WTAE and WPNT take this important first step in bringing transformational new services to Pittsburgh and looks forward to bringing new exciting wireless data broadcasting services to the city’s businesses and consumers,” added John Hane, President of BitPath.