Hisense is introducing what it calls the “first mass market ATSC watermark detection for NextGen TVs” across its ATSC 3.0 product lines—allowing broadcasters to deliver consumers the benefit of new interactive experiences on select Hisense ULED and Laser TVs via cable, satellite, or antenna.

By doing so, the company says it is expanding the number of television programmers bringing interactive capabilities to the living room with cable networks and regional sports networks now able to join local stations and national networks offering these new features.

The Verance Aspect watermark provides a high-performance, commercial implementation of the ATSC audio A/334 watermark specification.

Broadcasters are including watermark signals in their services which pass transparently through all distribution paths and set-top boxes and will be detected in Hisense ATSC 3.0 TVs. The watermark signals trigger the launch of NextGen TV broadcast applications to offer a rich set of interactive experiences for opted-in consumers including sports betting, fantasy sports, watch party, personalized news and weather, and advanced emergency information. Without Verance watermarking, over 80% of U.S. households (viewers receiving television service via cable, satellite, and over-the-top distribution paths) are unable to receive NextGen TV interactive services.

“We are excited to expand NextGen TV interactive services to all of the viewers of national networks, local stations, and cable networks regardless of how they receive their television signal, all while bringing many new interactive services to Hisense consumers,” said Douglas Kern, Hisense USA head of product marketing.

Nil Shah, CEO of Verance, added, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Hisense, which is once again proving to be an industry leader in developing innovative NextGen TV solutions. Its embrace of the Verance Aspect watermark will serve as a driving market force for consumers to fully realize NextGen TV functionality.”