Broadcasting Corporation Gray Media Simultaneously Transmits Two Different HDR Formats in Multiple ATSC 3.0 Regions
Gray Media to Deliver HDR Experience for Major Events
Gray Media, a leading broadcasting company, made a significant stride in May 2024 by broadcasting the Kentucky Derby and its associated festivities in Dolby Vision. This move marked a commitment to providing an exceptional viewing experience for its viewers.
The company's focus on high dynamic range (HDR) technology is not limited to one-off events. Gray Media is planning to broadcast the Super Bowl, scheduled for two and a half weeks from now, in HDR for its Fox affiliates. Viewers in the right markets can look forward to an immersive HDR viewing experience.
Gray Media's adoption of ATSC 3.0 service for broadcasting allows NextGen TV viewers to pick the flavor of HDR they prefer. This flexibility is made possible due to Gray Media's deployment of HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range transmission in multiple markets, including Atlanta, Las Vegas, Davenport, Iowa, Mobile, Alabama-Pensacola, Florida, Birmingham, Alabama, Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Portland, Oregon.
The company's HDR focus is not confined to a single format. Gray Media is HDR format-agnostic and will support other types of HDR, including Advanced HDR by Technicolor single-layer high dynamic range (SL-HDR). The specific HDR format for the Super Bowl broadcast by Gray Media's Fox affiliates has not been specified.
The Super Bowl will be broadcasted by Fox in New Orleans. Gray Media's implementation of HDR technologies within the ATSC 3.0 standard involves encoding HDR video in HEVC Main 10 profile (Level 5.2 Main Tier) with progressive video using Rec. 2020 color space. This allows for up to 4K resolution and supports HDR via hybrid log–gamma (HLG) and perceptual quantizer (PQ) transfer functions.
During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, some of Gray Media's NBC affiliates carried the event in Dolby Vision. The NFC Championship Game (Jan. 26) and the Super Bowl (Feb. 9) will be broadcasted using multiple high dynamic range alternatives by Gray Media.
The company's implementation also includes digital rights management (DRM), as ATSC 3.0 supports encryption, although specific DRM usage by Gray Media is not detailed in the available data.
In summary, Gray Media is leveraging the standard HDR video formats (HLG and PQ HDR via HEVC Main 10 profile progressive video) defined for ATSC 3.0 service to support HDR broadcasts. The company's adoption of ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology enables these features, providing viewers with an enhanced viewing experience for major events.
- Gray Media, with its focus on 4K resolution, recently transmitted the Kentucky Derby in Dolby Vision, showcasing its commitment to nextgen TV content and advanced technology.
- As part of its plans, Gray Media will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl in HDR for its Fox affiliates, providing viewers an immersive experience on their smart-home devices and gadgets.
- Gray Media's adoption of ATSC 3.0 service allows viewers access to multiple HDR formats, including HDR10 and Dolby Vision, across various markets.
- The company is HDR format-agnostic and plans to support Advanced HDR by Technicolor single-layer high dynamic range (SL-HDR) for future broadcasts.
- For the Super Bowl broadcast, Gray Media will use HEVC Main 10 profile with progressive video in the Rec. 2020 color space, facilitating up to 4K resolution and supporting HDR via hybrid log–gamma (HLG) and perceptual quantizer (PQ) transfer functions.
- During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, some of Gray Media's NBC affiliates carried the event in Dolby Vision, indicating the broadcaster's efforts to bring the best media experience possible.
- The NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl will be transmitted using several high dynamic range alternatives, as Gray Media explores various options to improve the viewing experience for its viewers.
- Digital rights management (DRM) is a part of Gray Media's ATSC 3.0 implementation, with the broadcaster employing encryption to protect its broadcasts and ensure quality content delivery.
