New Industry Paper Calls for Standardized EPG Metadata Framework Across U.S. Broadcast Ecosystem

Posted on April 15th, 2026 by Karol Shepherd

TitanTV, Inc. today announced the release of a new industry paper authored by Heidi Steffen, Chief Revenue Officer, titled “From Fragmentation to Standardization: A Recommended Practice for EPG Metadata in the U.S. Broadcast Ecosystem.” The paper presents a comprehensive framework to address long-standing inconsistencies in Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data across broadcast and connected television platforms.

Developed to support alignment across broadcasters, networks, metadata providers, and device manufacturers, the paper outlines actionable recommendations to improve the accuracy, consistency, and interoperability of program metadata throughout the fragmented U.S. television ecosystem.

As consumers increasingly rely on guide data for content discovery and navigation, inconsistencies in metadata have become a growing barrier to audience engagement. The paper positions metadata as critical infrastructure in the transition to ATSC 3.0 and calls for coordinated industry action.

Industry Collaboration and Support

Pearl TV has endorsed the initiative, reinforcing the importance of industry-wide alignment to improve the consumer experience.

“As consumer interest in free, over-the-air reception expands, enhanced local channels need modern and accurate metadata. This becomes a crucial ingredient and the foundation of content discovery with NEXTGEN TV. Pearl is working with TitanTV in anticipation of the Converter Box Program and the transition to ATSC 3.0 that will create the best possible experience for NEXTGEN TV viewers,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV.

A Call for Industry Alignment

“Metadata is no longer a back-office function—it is foundational to how viewers discover and engage with content,” said Heidi Steffen. “This paper is intended to move the industry toward a shared understanding of what ‘good’ looks like, and to provide a practical path forward for achieving it.”

Steffen adds, “As we move further into the NextGen TV era, the ability to deliver consistent, accurate, and timely metadata will directly impact the competitiveness of broadcast television across platforms.”

Key Focus Areas of the Paper

The paper outlines several core areas of focus:

• Standardization of Core Metadata Fields
  Defining consistent usage for key elements such as New/Repeat indicators, Live status, program identifiers, and scheduling data.
• Automation with Editorial Oversight
  Enabling API-driven workflows and real-time updates, supported by validation and human review.
• Cross-Provider Alignment
  Establishing shared definitions and reducing inconsistencies across metadata providers.
• Station-Level Workflow Transformation
  Emphasizing the role of local broadcasters in originating and maintaining high-quality metadata.
• Consumer Experience as the North Star
  Ensuring all improvements ultimately enhance content discovery and viewer engagement.

Driving the Next Phase of NextGen TV

The paper also introduces a phased transition model—from baseline alignment to full automation and monitoring—designed to guide organizations through adoption at varying levels of technical maturity.

By framing metadata as a shared industry responsibility, the paper sets the stage for broader collaboration across stakeholders as ATSC 3.0 deployment continues to expand. TitanTV hopes the paper will serve as a starting point for broader industry discussion among broadcasters, standards bodies, metadata partners, and platform providers.

Availability

TitanTV invites feedback and industry discussion regarding the recommended practices outlined in the paper.  Comments and inquiries may be directed to Heidi Steffen (contact information below).

The full paper, “From Fragmentation to Standardization: A Recommended Practice for EPG Metadata in the U.S. Broadcast Ecosystem” is available for download HERE.

Media Contact
Heidi Steffen
Chief Revenue Officer
TitanTV, Inc.
hsteffen@titantv.com
319-531-0177
www.TitanTVInc.com