Pearl TV Announces Major Progress Toward Affordable NEXTGEN TV Converter Boxes as Industry Prepares for ATSC 3.0 Transition
Industry Collaboration Across Technology Licensing, Testing, Security and Manufacturing Advances Affordable NEXTGEN TV Converter Boxes
Program Adds New Advanced Emergency Information User Interface Requirements as NEXTGEN TV Expands HDR Today, Prepares for 4K Ultra-HD in 2027
NEW YORK, October 19, 2026--Pearl TV today announced significant progress in its industry-wide initiative to make NEXTGEN TV converter boxes more affordable and accessible to consumers, marking an important step in preparing consumers and the television industry for an easier transition to NEXTGEN TV broadcasting powered by the ATSC 3.0 standard.
The announcement, made just ahead of NAB Show New York, includes new pricing from patent owners, technology licensors, testing and security providers for affordable NEXTGEN TV converter boxes, enabling technology to support advanced emergency information, and ongoing work with consumer technology manufacturers.
"A successful transition to NEXTGEN TV requires more than advanced broadcast technology. It requires affordable products that enable all consumers to continue enjoying free over-the-air television," said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. "Our work with technology licensors, manufacturers, testing organizations and the consumer technology industry is focused on reducing costs for consumers and establishing a clear market path for NEXTGEN TV converter boxes to advance the ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0 transition."
NEXTGEN TV is now on the air in 78 U.S. markets, reaching more than 75 percent of television households. More than 19 million certified and security-verified NEXTGEN TV sets have shipped to retailers since deployment began. Affordable converter boxes will enable all consumers to access this content without buying a new television.
Pearl also highlighted the expansion of NEXTGEN TV viewer features. High Dynamic Range (HDR) services are available today over-the-air to more than 80 million NEXTGEN TV viewers, with native HDR for sports and entertainment programming rolling out later this year. The industry's first 4K Ultra-HD over-the-air NEXTGEN TV broadcasts are expected in 2027.
Industry Collaboration Advances Affordable Converter Boxes
The Converter Box Program brings together organizations from across the broadcast ecosystem to support the development of affordable devices. Participating patent owners through the Avanci Broadcast licensing platform, along with Dolby and Advanced HDR by Technicolor, are supporting the initiative through licensing arrangements tailored to qualifying converter boxes. Discussions are also continuing with additional intellectual property licensors and component manufacturers.