Gray Media to Produce and Air Tomorrow’s New Orleans Saints Preseason Game in End-to-End Native HDR via NEXTGEN TV

Rhea-AI Summary

Gray Media (NYSE:GTN) has announced two groundbreaking achievements in NEXTGEN TV broadcasting. The company will make history by producing and broadcasting the New Orleans Saints preseason football game using end-to-end native High Dynamic Range (HDR) through its station WVUE FOX8, marking the first over-the-air broadcast in the U.S. using native HDR throughout the entire production chain.

Additionally, Gray has become the first broadcast group to implement HDR upconversion across all Big Four Networks affiliated NEXTGEN TV stations, enhancing viewing experience for the upcoming football seasons. The company currently serves 113 television markets reaching approximately 37% of US television households.

Positive

• First U.S. broadcaster to implement end-to-end native HDR broadcasting
• First broadcast group to achieve HDR upconversion across all Big Four Networks
• Demonstrates technological leadership in NEXTGEN TV implementation
• Enhanced viewing experience for upcoming football seasons

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – GTN

+3.41%

1 alert

+3.41% News Effect

On the day this news was published, GTN gained 3.41%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Media is proud to announce two historic achievements for television stations broadcasting in the ATSC 3.0 (NEXTGEN TV) format.

First, Gray’s sports production company Tupelo Media Group will produce and its New Orleans station WVUE FOX8 will broadcast tomorrow’s New Orleans Saints preseason football game using end-to-end, native High Dynamic Range (HDR). This will be the first over-the-air broadcast in the United States of any programming that is produced in native HDR from the cameras to the production truck to the station to viewers with NEXTGEN TV television sets. It will allow New Orleans viewers to watch their hometown Saints with improved contrast between the brightest and darkest colors on the screen fulfilling one of the many promises that NEXTGEN TV brings to viewers.

Second, Gray is the first broadcast group to upconvert to HDR across all Big Four Networks. Gray completed this upgrade of all of its Big Four affiliated NEXTGEN TV stations in time for the upcoming college and professional football seasons to ensure a first-in-class viewing experience for Gray’s viewers.

“We are thrilled to build on our launch of HDR across our NEXTGEN stations by bringing our hometown New Orleans Saints to viewers in native HDR,” said Gray’s Chief Operating Officer, and Saints fan, Sandy Breland. “Gray is proud of production and station teams for making this first-of-its-kind native HDR preseason NEXTGEN TV broadcast a reality.”

“NEXTGEN TV enables countless advanced features to boost viewer experience,” said Rob Folliard, Gray’s Senior Vice President and currently chairperson of NEXTGEN TV consortium PearlTV. “Bringing football filmed, transmitted, and broadcast in native HDR free to viewers over-the-air is a great example of the benefits to viewers of NEXTGEN TV.”

About Gray Media:

Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station during 2024, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets.  The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services.  Gray’s additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.

Gray Contact:

Robert J. Folliard, III, Senior Vice President - Distribution, 404-266-8333

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FAQ

What is Gray Media's breakthrough announcement for NEXTGEN TV broadcasting?

Gray Media will produce and broadcast the New Orleans Saints preseason game using end-to-end native High Dynamic Range (HDR), becoming the first over-the-air broadcast in the U.S. to use native HDR throughout the entire production chain.

How many television markets does Gray Media (NYSE:GTN) currently serve?

Gray Media serves 113 television markets reaching approximately 37% of US television households, with 78 markets having the top-rated television station.

What is the significance of Gray Media's HDR implementation across Big Four Networks?

Gray Media became the first broadcast group to implement HDR upconversion across all Big Four Networks affiliated NEXTGEN TV stations, enhancing viewing quality for the upcoming college and professional football seasons.

When will Gray Media broadcast the first native HDR Saints game?

Gray Media will broadcast the New Orleans Saints preseason game on August 23, 2025 through its station WVUE FOX8, marking the first native HDR broadcast in U.S. television history.

What improvements will viewers see with Gray Media's native HDR broadcast?

Viewers with NEXTGEN TV television sets will experience improved contrast between the brightest and darkest colors on the screen, providing a superior viewing experience for sports content.