(Las Vegas, NV) DTV Plus, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. (CBC) and Triveni Digital have teamed up with KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, Nevada to send live datacasting over-the-air. This is the first time that this technology has ever been demonstrated at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) through a live, local broadcast.
KLAS-TV, owned by Landmark Communications, has been one of the early supporters of digital television but did not actually begin transmitting a digital signal on channel 7 until last week. "You could say we've taken a giant leap into the digital arena," said Dick Fraim, President of KLAS-TV. "We look forward to working with DTV Plus and Triveni Digital to explore the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for us in datacasting using the new digital bandwidth," Fraim continued.
The data channel will send various forms of information, including Web sites, MP3 files, sports statistics provided by Total Sports, live content off of the Internet, and coupons sent in PDF format from Hot Coupons. The datacasting will also include live grabs of traffic cameras from the KLAS Web site. The KLAS digital broadcast signal will be received and demonstrated in both the DTV Plus and Triveni Digital booths located at the Sands Convention Center.
"We are delighted to be working with KLAS to demonstrate the viability and potential for live data broadcasting for the NAB conference," said Sam Matheny, Vice President and General Manager of DTV Plus. "This certainly showcases how local broadcasters can use DTV datacasting to extend and broaden their business," Matheny added.
"It is great to team with leaders like DTV Plus and KLAS to deploy this important technology at the NAB conference," said Mark Simpson, President Triveni Digital. "Data broadcasting is a key element in the financial future of TV broadcasters. The technology is ready for deployment now, and broadcasters who get in on the ground floor are going to have a head start in understanding the business models and technologies necessary for future success."
DTV Plus was formed to develop and deploy a national digital television data broadcast channel to help broadcasters leverage digital bandwidth. In 1996, CBC, the owner of DTV Plus, became the first commercial broadcast station in the nation to transmit HDTV over the air. "We're convinced that data broadcasting will provide a powerful complement to broadcasting and brings new life back into a fragmenting industry," said Jim Goodmon, CEO and President of CBC.