Four local TV stations in Myrtle Beach-Florence launch NextGen TV

Major Broadcasters Launch NextGen TV on Four Local Television Stations in Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. –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. Cable and satellite subscribers do not need to take any action.