Public Media Co. is hosting three meetings for station executives to learn more about the upcoming ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard.
“The overall goal is to bring smaller groups of stations together over two days to focus on giving station managers a firm grounding in ATSC 3.0 and the implications for public television from a mission, business, revenue and strategic perspective,” said Marc Hand, c.e.o. of the Boulder, Colo.–based consultancy.
Business, technical and legal experts will update participants on the potential ATSC 3.0 holds for public media. Now in development, the technology offers improvements over the current standard that include interactive capabilities, better audio and ultra–high-definition TV.
Its interactive capabilities could enhance distance learning and help viewers find local content more easily through on-screen, interactive menus. Stations could partner with first responders on emergency alerts and may also generate income by leasing bandwidth to commercial broadcasters as they transition to the new standard.
“Commercial broadcasters are so far ahead of us on the business side,” Hand said. “We want to get public broadcasters up to speed, particularly around mission-focused areas such as education, so we can plant our flag.”
After presentations, Hand said, participants will work toward a consensus on priorities for moving ahead.
The meetings will take place Sept. 22 and 23 in Baltimore (following the NETA Conference), Oct. 18 and 19 in Detroit and Nov. 9 and 10 in Las Vegas. There is no registration fee. A grant from FJC: A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds is covering costs, Hand said. Public Media Co. has worked with FJC for more than a decade on station projects.
Contact Hand or Vinnie Curren, principal consultant, for more information.