CINCINNATI,September 7, 2018 — GatesAir today reaches a milestone in its market-leading transmitter sales and deliveries for the U.S.spectrum repack with the shipment of its 100th repack transmitter. Hearst Television, one of many U.S. broadcasters exclusively relying on GatesAir for repack sales and services, will take delivery of the high-power Maxiva™ ULXTE liquid-cooled transmitter for WMOR-DT in Tampa.
GatesAir announced an agreement in December as the exclusive supplier of Maxiva transmitters and related services for 13 Hearst Television stations selected for repack. WMOR, which moves to UHF Channel 18, will install a ULXTE-100 model capable of 62.9 kW. The station’s initial TPO will top out at 58.9 kW, leaving headroom for future digital services as needed.
WMOR is part of the Riverview Antenna Farm owned by American Tower, and will soon install the ULXTE and a new UHF antenna to accommodate the channel change. Martin Faubell, Vice President of Engineering for Hearst Television, has worked closely with GatesAirto ensure the delivery and installation timeline is aligned with WMOR’s Phase 5 repack assignment. He adds that GatesAir’s performance across the initial repack phases has been invaluable to Hearst Television’s success in achieving important deadlines.
“We have been doing business with GatesAir for 20-plus years, and they have consistently made strong products and provided excellent service,” said Faubell. “We started working with GatesAir very early in the planning process with the knowledge that repack was going to be a serious challenge for Hearst Television, as well as the broadcast industry at large.”
Hearst Television has taken already delivery of five repack transmitters, with WTAE-DT in Pittsburgh the latest to go on the air with a new Maxiva transmitter on UHF Channel 27. Faubell adds that GatesAir’s high-efficiency technology will play a big role in reducing utility costs and air conditioning requirements, as well as preparing stations for the opportunities that will come with a transition to ATSC 3.0.
“Solid-state technology has improved to the point where excellent efficiency is possible with high-power UHF transmitters,” said Faubell. “With GatesAir’s Maxiva transmitters, the reliability will be higher, and the maintenance and power consumption in our facilities will be lower. As a 24/7/365 business, these advances in technology will provide a very noticeable and welcomed operating change across the industry.”
“The strength of our relationship with Hearst Television is only fortified as we work through the challenges of the spectrum repack together. We greatly value our collaboration together and look forward to an ATSC 3.0 future,” said Joe Mack, Vice President of Sales, Americas, GatesAir. “We thank Hearst Television for their trust in GatesAir and of course congratulate them on their repack success as the recipient of our 100th repack transmitter.”
About GatesAir
GatesAir, Inc., a portfolio company of The Gores Group, provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership with all products designed and assembled in the USA. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gatesair, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.
About The Gores Group
The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. Over its 30-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit http://www.gores.com.
