College of Communication Arts and Sciences

NextGen Media Innovation Lab

As the only public broadcaster granted an experimental ATSC 3.0 license by the FCC, researchers at MSU are exploring the future of TV. Teams at ComArtSci and WKAR and working together to study outcomes related to education and public media content.

Grand Opening of the NextGen Media Innovation Lab

WKAR Public Media and the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University opened a new lab to study ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology on September 18, 2019.

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NextGen Media Innovation Lab Opens for Experimental Work with Cutting-Edge Broadcast Technology

WKAR Public Media, Michigan State University and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences opened the NextGen Media Innovation Lab on Thursday, Sept. 19. The new lab will explore applications of the newest television broadcasting standard, ATSC 3.0 technology, or NextGen TV. Combining the capabilities of broadcast technology and high-speed internet, NextGen TV offers broadcasters a way to distribute highly customized, accessible and interactive content over the airwaves.

Photo of APTS Executive Vice President Lonna Thompson, MSU President Samuel Stanley Jr., Dean Prabu David, UNC-TV's Fred Engel, and WKAR General Manager Susi Elkins cutting the ribbon to open the NextGen Media Innovation Lab.

FCC Commissioner talking with WKAR staff members about the station's new experimental license.

FCC Grants MSU and WKAR License to Explore Future of TV

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What is NextGen TV and ATSC 3.0?

Based on a new set of digital TV standards called ATSC 3.0, NextGen TV adds internet-style information and interactivity, plus advanced technologies, such as 4K ultra high-definition video and multichannel, immersive audio, to over-the-air television broadcasts. Watch the video to learn more.

ATSC 3.0 Demos and Presentations

Exploring applications of NextGen TV ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology in the new Media Innovation Lab at Michigan State University. Presentations include: Gaian Solutions-Chandra Kotaru, ATSC 3.0 Applications for Emergency Alerting-Fred Engel, MSU Mobility Research-Shelia Cotten, ATSC 3.0 Applications for Educational Content-Mark Corl.

WKAR Public Media

Afrian American family with their two toddlers. Both are holding I heart WKAR and I heart PBS signs.

WKAR Public Media is the Michigan capital region source for award-winning original television and radio, and the best from PBS and NPR. NextGen Media Innovation Lab merges the best of broadcasting and broadband and is a new research facility within WKAR on the MSU campus.

Learn More about WKAR

College of Communication Arts and Sciences + WKAR

404 Wilson Road
East Lansing, MI
517-355-3410