LTN expands IP network capabilities ahead of C-band spectrum auctions

LTN announced a set of updates to its global IP video network ahead of the 2026 NAB Show, adding channel capacity, monitoring features and new hardware integrations as U.S. broadcasters face a narrowing window for satellite-based content distribution.

The updates arrive as federal spectrum auctions approach that would reallocate up to 180 MHz of upper C-band frequencies for wireless services. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, renewed the FCC’s auction authority through September 2034 and mandated an auction of at least 100 MHz of spectrum between 3.98 and 4.2 GHz within two years.

The final countdown: Why C-band auctions are accelerating the IP shift in U.S. broadcasting

“Channel creators, broadcast and cable networks are navigating rising infrastructure costs, increasing channel count and complexity, and pressure to scale without new hardware refresh cycles. We’re investing where it really matters to help with that,” said Rick Young, senior vice president of global products at LTN.

The regulatory timeline has added urgency to a shift already underway. Broadcasters that rely on C-band satellite capacity for program distribution face the prospect of reduced spectrum availability, prompting many to evaluate or begin IP-based alternatives.

Among the updates, LTN introduced network gateways capable of receiving up to 500 channels, aimed at cable headends with large channel lineups. A smaller-footprint gateway targets affiliate stations that receive a limited number of full-time channels. The company also said it has added adaptive multicarrier rapid error recovery, hitless switching and last-mile improvements to its network infrastructure, which carries a 99.9999% service-level agreement for availability.

On the monitoring side, LTN added historical performance views, enhanced source monitoring and expanded API integrations for reporting. A centralized portal now supports configuration and management across hybrid satellite-IP environments.

“The hundreds of channels our network gateways now support, along with the scalable bandwidth servicing our global network data centers, demonstrate that IP options are more than capable of supporting all channels currently on C-band in the U.S.,” Young said. “Moving to broadcast-grade IP as a primary distribution option also sidesteps the rain fade issues associated with Ku-band.”

LTN said it is working with encoding and decoder manufacturers, including MediaKind, Harmonic, Appear and Ateme, to integrate network access directly into their devices.

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“Organizations are moving to IP at their own pace based on their size and business priorities, but the debate has shifted beyond satellite versus IP,” Young said. “It’s now about how to operationalize IP and hybrid models at scale — including multiple last-mile internet carrier paths like terrestrial, 5G or LEO options — while guaranteeing broadcast-grade, SLA-backed performance.”

Young emphasized that the updates are designed in part to protect investments broadcasters have already made in conditional access systems, compression equipment and decoding hardware.

“These enhancements aren’t just about performance; they’re also about extending the value of existing deployments,” Young said. “There’s significant benefits for customers who already have conditional access, blackout management, compression and decoding equipment in place, particularly as supply chain pressures drive up the cost of new hardware.”

“Our focus is on making this transition as easy as possible — evolving traditional infrastructure into IP-native workflows through closer collaboration with hardware and device partners,” he added.

LTN reported that its IP distribution footprint grew 200% in 2025.

The company said it delivers more than 80 million hours of live video content annually, including nearly 5 million hours of live news and more than 1 million live sporting events. Past migration projects have included work with Tennis Channel, TelevisaUnivision, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, MSG and MovieSphereGold.

Young said the company’s presence at NAB will focus on practical implementation questions.

“At NAB, the conversation will center on execution. How do you migrate at scale, integrate with what you already have, and do it with confidence?” Young said. “And importantly, what comes next — deeper regionalization, targeted advertising? That’s what we’ll be talking about on the show floor.”

LTN will exhibit at NAB Show booth W2100.