Five Stations Launch NextGen TV In South Bend

Five television stations serving South Bend-Elkhart, Ind., television market (DMA 99) today began broadcasting with NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0.

Switching on the new transmission standard were Sinclair’s WSBT (CBS and Fox); Gray Television’s WNDU (NBC) and WSJV (H&I); Michiana Public Broadcasting’s WNIT (PBS); and Family Broadcasting’s WHME (independent).

Launch in South Bend follows a decade of development and months of planning and preparation by the local stations. WSJV, which is owned by Gray Television, has converted to ATSC 3.0 transmissions. WSJV will broadcast its own programming, as well as the programming of the other participating stations, in NextGen TV format. All programming of all participating stations will continue to be available in the existing digital format, which can be received on all modern television sets.

BitPath, which is developing new data broadcasting services, led the planning process and coordinated efforts across the five television stations. BitPath will make its NavPath and BitPoint precise navigation and positioning services available at no charge to Indiana’s first responders.

Antenna viewers without NextGen TV sets can simply rescan their TV sets to ensure uninterrupted service. Rescan instructions are available at fcc.gov/rescan. Cable and satellite subscribers do not need to take any action.