• Sinclair and SK Telecom announce joint ATSC 3.0 venture
  • ATSC 3.0 aims to enhance broadcasters UX using mobile and IP networks
  • SK Telecom VP: “Cast.era will lead the ATSC 3.0 market in the US”

tv and mobile codec

Sinclair and SK Telecom launch Cast.era: To focus on cloud infrastructure for broadcasting, ultra-low latency for OTT broadcasting and targeted advertising

A joint-venture between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Korean SK Telecom aims to provide next-generation transmission services for the television industry.

Named Cast.era, the project will be based in Arlington, Virginia in the US with a focus on cloud infrastructure for broadcasting, ultra-low latency for OTT broadcasting and targeted advertising.

The project will begin to roll out with Sinclair’s stations this year with the ambition to grow as a leader in platform and service innovation for ATSC 3.0 broadcast solutions.

ATSC 3.0 is a suite of next generation broadcast TV transmission standards that deliver not only ultra-high definition video and improved audio, but also enable targeted advertising, advanced emergency alerting and other data transmission capabilities.

According to a report by Broadcasting and Cable, Sinclair chief technology officer Del Parks said: “The combination of two of the world’s leading telecom companies with independent and complementary visions of convergence marks Cast.era as a formidable new player in maximising the strengths of both, using the remarkable capabilities of the new broadcast standard.

“With our partners in Cast.era, we look forward to remaining at the forefront of platform and service innovation.”

ATSC 3.0, works over-the-air and can be converged with mobile and other IP networks to create a broadcast-broadband hybrid stream.

The aim is to allow broadcasters to enhance the customer experience by combining ATSC 3.0 one-way signals with mobile and other IP networks that support two-way data communication.

SK Telecom and Sinclair expect to achieve synergies by combining SK Telecom’s telecommunication technologies and Sinclair’s broadcasting infrastructure.

The duo is forecasting that all television stations in the US will ultimately deploy services using the new ATSC 3.0 standard, the two companies will actively pursue opportunities in the US market.

SK Telecom vice president and head of tech innovation group Lee Jong-min said: “We are confident that Cast.era will lead the ATSC 3.0 market in the US.

“We expect to deliver a new experience to U.S. TV viewers through ATSC 3.0-based broadcasting services that combine the strengths of mobile and broadcasting networks.”

Topics