Pearl TV, the coalition of U.S. broadcast companies transitioning to NEXTGEN TV, and MediaTek have launched ‘FastTrack to NEXTGEN TV,’ a program that accelerates and streamlines the path for adoption of NEXTGEN TV technology by consumer electronic makers producing smart TVs and related devices at volume.
NEXTGEN TV is a free, over-the-air service available to viewers with an antenna in most major markets. All you need is a NEXTGEN TV and an HD antenna, and you can watch a wide variety of broadcast channels at no charge.
Related: NEXTGEN TV is for Real…Really! Here’s What You Need to Know
“The trajectory of NEXTGEN TV hasn’t slowed down and now our expanded collaboration with MediaTek only bolsters the path toward ubiquitous inclusion and adoption,” commented Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. “We’re excited that together with MediaTek, we can usher in high-volume, low-cost televisions that consumers desire and are buying today, particularly among millennials.”
The FastTrack program provides consumer electronics manufacturers with an easier, faster, and more cost-effective process to introduce NEXTGEN TV-compatible products via MediaTek’s Reference Platform. The Reference Platform will be pre-certified for compliance with the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) NEXTGEN TV logo requirements, A3SA Security and the RUN3TV Application platform — ensuring that manufacturers are meeting the highest standards around authenticity and security.
“We are very glad to work with Pearl TV as a total NEXTGEN TV solution provider with a complete Reference Platform for high-volume TV manufacturers, including TV System on Chip (SoC), ATSC3 demodulators and software stack,” stated Alfred Chan, vice president, TV Business Unit in the Smart Home Group at MediaTek. “MediaTek has been providing TV SoC solutions to 90% of all TV brands, and this pre-certified fast track program will help to expedite our support to customers with scale.”
Now broadcasting in nearly 60 markets covering more than half of the U.S., NEXTGEN TV is expected to reach 82% of viewers in the U.S. by the end of 2022.
According to recent research by Magid, consumer interest in the new technology is strong, with 85% of viewers without a NEXTGEN TV saying they are likely to purchase one in the next year.
NEXTGEN TV has already proven to be one of the fastest growing new technologies introduced to consumers, outpacing in its first three years sales of the DVD player over the same period. NEXTGEN TV sales are projected to double this year over 2021, increase by 75% in 2023, and then grow again by 100% in 2024 according to the CTA.
NEXTGEN TV sets are proliferating, now with approximately 70 models available at retail, at a starting price point between $500 and $600, from Sony, Samsung, and LG. Hisense was recently added to the roster of manufacturers, giving consumers even more choices for receivers as its models are introduced this year.
“The FastTrack program comes to the market at an opportune time for consumer electronics manufacturers looking to invest in cutting edge broadcast technology and better serve their customers with unrivaled visual and audio features,” Chan continued. “Consumers want TVs to come with NEXTGEN TV capabilities and they want to be part of the future of television. NEXTGEN TV represents a new realm of possibilities for television and device manufacturers, and we’re thrilled that this collaboration helps open the door for brands that want to have a seat at the table.”
