At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Pearl TV highlighted its efforts to make NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) more accessible through the development of a low-cost converter box. The ATSC booth, located in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center, served as the central hub for NextGen TV updates during the event.

Pearl TV, in collaboration with iWedia and Skyworth, is working on a straightforward, affordable converter box reminiscent of the original DTV transition devices from two decades ago. According to Anne Schelle, Managing Director of Pearl TV, the team is focused on creating a model with specific features that allow for discounted pricing from intellectual property owners and chipset manufacturers. The goal is to bring the device to market at a price point of $60 or less, though supply chain challenges—such as shortages in DDR memory chips due to increased AI infrastructure demand—remain a consideration.

To ensure the converter box meets consumer needs, Pearl TV is partnering with Magid Associates to analyze market data and determine the optimal balance of features and cost. The planned device will include an antenna input and HDMI output, enabling any display to receive NextGen TV broadcasts.

Skyworth and iWedia bring significant experience to the project, having already supplied ATSC 3.0 tuners for markets in Brazil and Mexico, as well as for televisions under the Panasonic and Phillips brands. At CES 2026, the team demonstrated a prototype of the converter box, with plans to finalize specifications and present a working demo by the end of summer. The initial production target is approximately 50,000 units by the end of the year, with promotional efforts for NextGen TV and the new device expected to begin around the same time, pending supply chain stability.

Pearl TV views the success of this initiative as incremental, aiming to encourage other manufacturers to develop similar affordable converter boxes under their own brands. The discussion also touched on the need for a clear timeline to phase out ATSC 1.0, with industry leaders expressing the importance of a firm transition date from the FCC.

When asked about the possibility of a government-backed coupon program similar to the original DTV transition, Schelle indicated it is under consideration, though not a determining factor for the project’s continuation.

Regarding the broader NextGen TV market, Schelle acknowledged that consumer demand remains modest and that the business model for manufacturers has shifted. There is ongoing discussion about how set manufacturers are creating proprietary environments and seeking broadcaster participation in their home screen ecosystems. The idea of offering televisions through subscription models, similar to the cellular industry, was also raised as a potential future development.

Another notable innovation at CES was the Zapper Mini, which addresses the challenge of providing over-the-air television to multiple sets in a home. The Mini uses a standard Zapperbox as a gateway, connecting to additional Minis via WiFi or Ethernet, allowing every television in the house to access broadcasts through a single antenna connection.

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