PBS Reno and Sinclair Launch KNPB-VC, ATSC 3.0 Virtual Channel 5-11

January 21, 2025 at 13:09 PM EST

PBS Reno and Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Sinclair, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBGI), proudly announce the launch of KNPB-VC, a new virtual ATSC 3.0 channel, broadcasting on virtual channel 5-11. This innovative launch brings PBS Reno’s high-quality programming into the NEXTGEN television space, offering viewers a state-of-the-art experience, including enhanced picture quality with Advanced HDR by Technicolor.

The programming on KNPB-VC mirrors that of PBS Reno’s main channel 5-1, while providing enhanced accessibility for those with NEXTGEN-enabled televisions.

Virtual ATSC 3.0 channels are transmissions that provide programming directly over-the-air to smart TVs using the NEXTGEN broadcast data channel capacity of a host broadcaster. Viewers with NEXTGEN TVs can view and select KNPB-VC in their programming guide and access the channel seamlessly over the internet.

ATSC 3.0, also known as NEXTGEN TV, combines over-the-air broadcasting with internet technology to deliver:

Higher-quality video with Advanced HDR by Technicolor
Immersive audio for a cinematic experience
Improved accessibility through closed captions and interactive program guides
Future-ready technology enabling personalized viewing experiences

Viewers may need to rescan their TVs to access the new channel and begin watching KNPB-VC. To do this, viewers should look for a “Channel Scan” or “Auto-Tune” function in their settings menu.

PBS Reno now joins a growing number of stations nationwide adopting the NEXTGEN Broadcast Service to enhance local and national programming. By launching KNPB-VC, the station remains at the forefront of public broadcasting’s digital transformation, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of viewers.

Sinclair and America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) previously announced that Sinclair would provide carriage of APTS member stations for free in markets where Sinclair has deployed NEXTGEN Broadcast Service (ATSC 3.0) and a public television station has not. This launch is the third in the nation under this unique, forward-looking arrangement.

Kurt Mische, President and CEO of PBS Reno said, “We are pleased to partner with our broadcast colleagues at Sinclair to make this innovative technology available in our region. Now, viewers throughout our 75,000 square mile coverage area will be able to utilize this new technology to enhance their viewing experience. This is yet another way PBS Reno is expanding our service to our region.”

Kate Riley, President and CEO of APTS, said, “We congratulate PBS Reno and Sinclair on this new virtual ATSC 3.0 channel. This partnership will deliver the NEXTGEN Broadcast Service to more public television viewers and enhance the local public television services that the Reno community relies on every day.”

Rob Weisbord, Sinclair’s Chief Operating Officer and President of Broadcast, said, “We are excited to continue to work with our public broadcasting partners to demonstrate the power of NEXTGEN TV. Public and commercial broadcasters continue to work together to advance the deployment of this technology and better serve viewers.”

About PBS Reno

As of November 2024, PBS Reno is enjoyed by more than 540,000 monthly viewers in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California across several platforms including three broadcast channels (PBS Reno 5.1, Reno Create 5.2, and PBS KIDS on PBS Reno 5.3), a YouTube channel, YouTube TV, online, livestreams, and digital platforms. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content, with many local segments posted weekly to PBS Reno’s YouTube channel. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.PBSReno.org that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since September 29, 1983.

About Sinclair Broadcast Group

Sinclair Broadcast Group is a subsidiary of Sinclair Inc., (Nasdaq: SBGI) a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD., and The Nest; and owns and provides services to 21 regional sports network brands. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

About America’s Public Television Stations

America's Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and community connections to their local areas and the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.

Category: General