Broadcast Groups Making ‘Headway’ on ATSC 3.0 ‘Deployment Plan,’ Says Sinclair CEO

The Phoenix market is “up and running” with ATSC 3.0, and Dallas in about 60 days should launch a “3.0 signal with a full single-frequency network around it, so that would be a first of that sort of deployment,” said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley on a Wednesday earnings call. “There’s a lot of work going on in the background right now amongst all the various broadcast groups, agreeing on a deployment plan for the rest of the country, and how channels will be shared,” said Ripley. “That’s probably the most complicated part of the organization, getting everybody to agree to that, but we’re making great headway there. Things are moving along, and we still expect deployments to happen as the repack rolls through the industry.” Sinclair's proposed Tribune Media buy is expected to break up Thursday under an agreement that allows Tribune to walk away without incurring termination fees. Ripley at the top of the call declared all discussion and questions about Sinclair/Tribune off limits, but did say developments were expected soon. Tribune hastily scheduled an earnings call for 8 a.m. Thursday to discuss Q2 financial results.