Sinclair Broadcast Group’s KDSM-TV (Des Moines) has notified the FCC that it will serve as the ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) host for several stations in the market.
Recent FCC filings indicate the estimated launch date of ATSC 3.0 broadcasting on KDSM’s RF channel 16 transmitter is March 28.
Besides its own FOX channel 17.1, the KDSM NextGen transmitter will carry Hearst CBS affiliate KCCI/8.1, Nexstar NBC affiliate WHO-DT/13.1, and Iowa PBS’ KDIN/11.1.
Tegna ABC affiliate WOI-DT/5 is not listed as being part of the plan.
To retain coverage of homes that don’t have NextGen TV receivers, KDSM’s FOX channel (17.1) will be hosted on WHO-DT’s ATSC 1.0 signal on RF 13. KDSM’s 17.2 (Comet) and 17.3 (Charge!) will originate on KDIN’s RF 11 transmitter and 17.4 (TBD) will come from KCCI (RF 8).
In the Upper Midwest, NextGen TV is also on the air in Omaha and Green Bay. For now, the services offer simulcasts of existing HD programming also available in ATSC 1.0 format.