TVJ's membership of ATSC is one of many steps the station is taking as it prepares for the digital ATSC 3.0 transmission of its signal as mandated by the government.
Advanced Television Systems Committee, (ATSC), an organisation representing stakeholders who are defining the global future of the next generation of television – ATSC 3.0, has granted the membership of ATSC to Television Jamaica (TVJ).
Fayval Williams, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, said: “TVJ must be commended for being the first Caribbean organisation to be granted membership of ATSC,” adding that Jamaica has embarked on transitioning its television industry to the ATSC standards and expects to begin the implementation process in 2022.
Madeleine Noland, President of ATSC Inc, added: “ATSC and the international community were thrilled by the decision in Jamaica to implement ATSC 3.0 as its NextGen TV technology.”
The implementation of ATSC 3.0 is a game-changer for the television industry in Jamaica, according to Claire Grant, general manager, Radio and Television Jamaica Limited, members of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group.
Grant stated: “When the rollout of ATSC 3.0 is complete, Jamaicans will access more television channels, more local content, better quality picture, better quality sound, better access to TV signals inside buildings, TV anywhere and everywhere on phones, tablets, portable TVs with no need for costly data, real-time reporting on TV viewership, emergency alert features nationally or geographically targeted, addressable advertising and a host of other innovative offerings.”
Gary Allen, Chief Executive Officer of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, added that Jamaicans are about to experience the wonderful world of NextGen TV technology, which is built with current broadcasting technology merging with internet protocol technology to deliver the best of both worlds for television viewing for free.
Formed in 1983 with the first generation of ATSC 1.0, the ATSC organisation has more than 120 stakeholder members representing the crème de la crème of television broadcast technology in this hemisphere.
TVJ is excited to be the first Caribbean member of this organisation. “As we transition Jamaica into what is the cutting-edge standard of television broadcasting, we felt it was important to join this organisation to access game-changing innovations in the industry first-hand and to anchor a central development pillar for Jamaicans and the economy,” Allen concluded.