Samsung, US broadcasters team up for UHD TV standards

By Bahk Eun-ji

Samsung Electronics has signed an agreement with Pearl TV, a partnership of nine leading TV broadcast companies, and Sinclair Broadcast Group to collaborate on the implementation of the new Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 in the U.S.

ATSC 3.0 refers to a set of standards developed by the committee for digital television transmission over terrestrial, cable and satellite networks.

Its transmission speed is faster than European digital video broadcasting (DVB) or Japanese Internet services digital broadcasting (ISDB) systems. It allows multi-channel broadcasting via more signals and formats.

When the ATSC 3.0 is implemented, many viewers will be able to enjoy new services from local broadcasters.

Pearl is an association that comprises 170 network-affiliated TV stations. Sinclair Group is one of the largest television station operators in the U.S., affiliated with 300 TV channels.

Samsung and One Media, Sinclair’s joint-venture technology partner, contributed to the ATSC 3.0 process in May. The UHD TV transmission technology the two companies jointly proposed was chosen as an interim standard.

The MPEG media transport technology based on Internet protocol technology, developed by Samsung, has also been selected as the next digital broadcast standard in North America and Japan.

“ATSC is making great progress in developing the technical standard,” said John Godfrey, senior vice president of public policy at Samsung Electronics America.

“It is now time for the industry to step forward with technical and consumer testing and other collaboration to speed the implementation of the new standard. We are pleased to announce this memorandum of understanding with Pearl TV and Sinclair to help develop and speed the standard’s implementation.”