ATSC 3.0 is a new over-the-air TV standard that offers improved picture quality, features, and more but has also come with some issues. Now a Boston area TV station WCRN-LD, has announced it will be shutting down its ATSC 3.0 Nextgen TV standard and switching back to ATSC 1.0.
At issue here is what the owner says is are technical issues with the ATScC3.0 standard. However, the owners of WCRN-LD hope that they will be able to fix these issues going forward.
“This is a positive in my eyes as it gives us the time to debug and enhance the modulator software and apps,” said Copsidas according to a report from Radio+Television Business Report. “That is when I project my station values will increase as well due to a solid business model for revenue and serving the ‘best and highest’ use of the spectrum for the public good.”
WCRN-LD was using a special version of ATSC 3.0. The company behind WCRN-LD made it clear they are still an ATSC member but for now, they are switching back to the ATSC 1.0 standard.
Copsidas is also in the process of testing OTA TV free using 5G, but that testing is still early, and there are still no receivers for the public yet. These tests are now happening in the Boston area on WWOO-LD.
“Recent developments in technology on both the transmit and receive sides, combined with an ever-increasing appetite for video and data on mobile devices make this the perfect time to build and test 5G broadcasting,” said Bill Christian. “None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of ‘SuperFrank’ Copsidas, founder of Low Power TV Broadcasters Association and XGen Network.”
In a statement sent to Cord Cutters News Anne Schelle the Managing DIrector of Pearl TV said:
“In response to the narrative presented, it’s crucial to recognize the significant advancements and practical successes in the deployment of NEXTGEN TV. Numerous stations with varying levels of experience have successfully launched this technology. For instance, the Minneapolis PBS station exemplifies this by launching its self-share operation smoothly. This undermines the argument against the feasibility and effectiveness of NEXTGEN TV.”
“Moreover, the argument regarding the 5G Broadcast being advanced (in actuality it’s 4G) has been around a very long time, and its lack of adoption by U.S. carriers further discredits the story. The suggestion that receivers for this standard will suddenly emerge within two years seems implausible, especially considering the low power station output and the need for numerous stations to match a high-power TV signal. That really would be expensive.”
“Drawing from over two decades of experience in the wireless sector, I can assert that the future of broadcasting is not a matter of choosing between ATSC 3.0 and 5G technology, but instead creating points of interoperability. This approach mirrors the ongoing interoperability of satellite and carrier technologies for SOS types of services. It’s not an ‘either/or’ scenario but an ‘and.’ A diverse array of distribution methods will be indispensable. No single platform can single-handedly cater to the demand for video distribution, especially considering the bandwidths required. This perspective underscores the need for a multifaceted, collaborative approach to broadcasting services.”