The new ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard will bring much-enhanced video and sound quality, and a dynamic Internet Protocol-based platform to broadcasting. This new broadcast standard will enable ongoing innovation, improved capabilities to provide mobile services, and significant advances in spectral efficiency, enabling public television stations to offer additional programming and education, public safety and civic leadership interactive experiences to their communities.
“By serving as the host ATSC 3.0 station in Washington, D.C., WHUT-TV is making the NEXTGEN TV services of five stations available to millions of viewers in the national capital area,” said Patrick Butler, president and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations.
“In collaboration with the National Association of Broadcasters, WHUT-TV and Howard University have established the Media Technology Innovation Learning Lab to create the future of television in Washington, D.C. Working with the Howard University schools of engineering and communications, the lab is dedicated to educating the next generation of broadcast leaders and learning how to make the most of the opportunities of ATSC 3.0 to enhance public service.
“This is truly pioneering work, reflecting and enhancing the pathbreaking reputation of a great television station and an iconic university, guided by innovative, dedicated and passionate leaders like Sean Plater and Debbi Jarvis,” Butler said. “It is my honor to present the well-deserved 2022 Excellence in Innovation Award to WHUT-TV and Howard University.”
“WHUT is proud to usher NEXTGEN TV into our nation’s capital, and we look forward to all of the incredible developments to come that will help us to further serve the Washington, D.C. region,” said Sean Plater, General Manager of WHUT-TV and WHUR 96.3 FM.” I want to thank our various industry partners for their support and the incredible staff at WHUT for their dedication and commitment to seeing this project through.”
“We are excited about the work happening with WHUT, Howard University students, and the NEXTGEN TV Innovation Lab,” said Debbi Jarvis, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations at Howard University. “Our students will be well equipped as the next generation of broadcasters, engineers, and industry innovators.”
Sean Plater currently serves as general manager of Howard University-owned WHUR 96.3 FM, the Howard University Radio Network and WHUT-TV (PBS) in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he provides leadership for six radio stations (four local and two national) and WHUT-TV (PBS) and ensures that the stations superserve the DMV (D.C., Maryland and Virginia). He considers himself to be a student of the broadcast business and is always looking for innovative ways to enhance the brands that he manages.
As it concerns his passion, Plater fell in love with media at a young age and has pursued opportunities in multiple departments within various broadcast companies. This motivated him to obtain various positions at WHUR, WHUT-TV, Radio One Inc. and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He has also consulted with stations on operational structure, engineering and management.
Academically, Plater holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications with a concentration in broadcast management from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, University College. Plater is a 2017 graduate of the National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Broadcast Leadership Training program and a member of the 2022 Class of Leadership Greater Washington. Plater has been honored by numerous publications, including Radio Ink Magazine, Radio World and the Washington Business Journal. Additionally, Plater serves as a board member for the Maryland DC Delaware Broadcasters Association.
Debbi Jarvis is the senior vice president of corporate relations at Howard University. In her role, she has oversight of corporate relations and is charged with developing and implementing a global strategy for corporate development and the funding of those programs. She also oversees the management of Howard’s broadcast properties, WHUT-TV and WHUR-Radio, ensuring their business operations are in alignment with the university’s mission. As a member of Howard University President Wayne Frederick’s leadership team and Cabinet, she participates in the overall management of the institution.
Jarvis joined Howard University after serving 14 years at Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI), now Pepco Holdings, an Exelon company. Jarvis was promoted to VP of corporate communications overseeing all internal and external communications, including media relations, advertising and website content, and served as the company spokesperson. Before joining Pepco, Jarvis worked at NBC4 – Washington, where she was a reporter and anchor for nearly a decade. At NBC4 she fell in love with the D.C. community and worked to provide a “voice to the voiceless” through her reporting.
Jarvis earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and took graduate courses at American University in broadcast journalism as well as classes toward an MBA at Southeastern University. She was in the 2011 class of CSR Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School.
The 2022 Excellence in Innovation Award was presented to WHUT-TV and Howard University during the APTS Public Media Summit on Monday, February 28, 2022.
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About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and civic leadership to the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
Contact:
Stacey Karp
202-654-4222
skarp@apts.org