WRC-TV Selected as Model HDTV Station Host, Sarnoff to Build Washington Facility

The Model HDTV Station is an all-industry project sponsored by both broadcast television stations in the United States and the professional consumer electronics industries. Funds for the three-year project are being collected and provided by the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) and the Consumer Electronics Manufactures Association (CEMA), a section of the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). MSTV is inviting all U.S. television stations to participate as funding member of the Model HDTV Station.

The project was officially initiated in April, 1996 and all television stations in the Washington market were invited to submit proposals, based on specific technical and other criteria, to become the host station for the High Definition facility. The proposals were evaluated by Project Director James C. McKinney and a team from Sarnoff who also visited the applicant stations. The Model HDTV Station Board reviewed and voted on their recommendation earlier today.

While the project is under way, the station will serve as a source of encoded digital television signals to aid equipment manufacturers in the development of their new lines of professional and consumer electronic equipment. It also will provide broadcast demonstrations in the Washington area to permit the public to view High Definition Television and to train broadcast station technical personnel I the new technology.

James C. McKinney, Project Director of the Model Station, said, "We are particularly pleased that NBC, WRC-TV and Sarnoff will be a key part of this project. NBC and WRC-TV have been industry leaders in television since the earliest day and the network will provide invaluable technical expertise and facilities." He noted that WRC is a primary hub for the NBC digital satellite distribution system being introduced at this year's Olympic games in Atlanta and that NBC has committed to being on the air with digital ATV services within 18 months of the FCC setting a standard and publishing frequency assignments.

Margita E. White, Chairman of the Model HDTV Station Board and President of MSTV, said "Sarnoff clearly is a world-class laboratory which also is well known for its leadership role in the Grand Alliance and, more broadly in digital television systems. This expertise will be of great benefit to our station members." A subsidiary of SRI International, Sarnoff has decades of experience in television research and development. Sarnoff is a member of Grand Alliance, the consortium that developed the proposed technical standard for digital HDTV. In addition to HDTV, Sarnoff has developed key technologies for other advanced digital video systems. These include broadcasting of television directly from satellites to homes with small antennas.

Gary Shapiro, President of CEMA, said, "With Sarnoff, NBC and WRC-TV, we have a team in place that will turn the dream of Grand Alliance into a reality for broadcasters and consumers."

Allan S. Horlick, President and General Manager of WRC-TV said, "We are delighted with the high level of confidence the Model HDTV Station Project Board has shown in our personnel, our technical capability and our commitment to this project. Our station and this project are an excellent fit for a long list of reasons, not the least of which is the fact of WRC-TV's superb history of leadership in broadcast technology, including having done the first ever live digital HDTV simulcast in September, 1992."

Michael J. Sherlock, NBC Executive Vice President, Technology, said, "NBC is pleased that the Model HDTV Station Project has selected WRC-TV to build the world's first HDTV station. This award reconfirms NBC's technological leadership and we look forward to working with the Model HDTV Station Project to find practical solutions to the challenges of implementing a digital HDTV advanced television service."

Dr. James E. Carnes, President and CEO of David Sarnoff Research Center, said, "As a member of the Grand Alliance, Sarnoff is pleased to play a vital role in this next important step of HDTV as it moves from the laboratory toward commercial implementation and industry adoption. We are looking forward to the Model Station Project, where we can work with many participants from the broadcast, cable and consumer electronics industries to utilize the tremendous flexibility and interoperability of the Grand Alliance system."

NAB President and CEO Eddie Fritts said, "The Selection of WRC-TV as the host station for the Model Station Project is a significant milestone in our industry's continuing transition toward advanced television broadcasting. We're especially pleased that a local commercial station in Washington, D.C. was selected, which will allow our nation's lawmakers and regulators a front row seat to experience digital television broadcasting as it develops."

Richard E. Wiley, who for eight years chaired the FCC's Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service, said, "Today's announcement is yet another indication that the world's finest HDTV technology soon will be available to American Broadcasters and consumers. I congratulate all the participants in the Model HDTV Station which, under the able leadership of Jim McKinney, will be a great success."