Brazil Officially Adopts DTV+ Standard, Employing Advanced ATSC 3.0 Technology

Brazil has taken a significant step towards modernising its terrestrial TV broadcasting system, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a presidential decree establishing DTV+ (formerly known as TV 3.0) as the country's future television format.

The DTV+ standard, which incorporates parts of the ATSC 3.0 standard, is expected to become the primary television format in Brazil, serving its nearly 200 million viewers for decades to come. This decision underscores Brazil's international significance and its commitment to staying at the forefront of broadcasting technology.

Luiz Fausto, the newly named ATSC vice president of standards development, oversaw Brazil's testing for the new DTV+ standard. The goal of these tests was to identify the best technology available for use in the new standard, ensuring that it would serve broadcasters and viewers effectively for years to come.

The DTV+ standard includes various advanced features, such as video, audio, captioning, and emergency warning systems. It also encompasses the physical and transport layers, as part of the DTV+ format known as the DTV+ standard.

Experimental broadcasts of DTV+ are currently on air in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, with another station planned for Brasília later this year. These trials aim to fine-tune the technology before commercial services become available, expected in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Madeleine Noland, president of ATSC, praised Brazil's adoption of ATSC 3.0 technologies, stating that it is a testament to Brazil's state-of-the-art status and flexibility to meet the needs of a large and diverse country. Tad Brockway, the newly appointed Vice President of Standards Development at ATSC, was instrumental in the testing of the new standard in Brazil.

The selection of the DTV+ standard is the culmination of a long process that evaluated various next-generation broadcast technologies. The decree establishing DTV+ was the result of this comprehensive evaluation, ensuring that Brazil adopts a technology that will serve its viewers well into the future.

For those interested, video of the decree signing is available online. As Brazil moves forward with its adoption of DTV+, it is poised to offer its viewers an improved television experience, while maintaining its position as a global leader in broadcasting technology.