As part of the move to bring advertising transactions into the digital age, 21 television broadcast groups and two rep firms have committed to TVB ePort, an electronic transaction platform.

In Wednesday’s announcement, the Television Bureau of Advertising also named Chicago-based Spot Buy Spot as the builder of the platform.

The first phase is expected to launch in November, enabling spot TV buyers to send first-quarter 2008 orders electronically. The entire suite of open-standard transactions, from avail through invoice for stations’ air time, Web sites and other multiplatform offerings, is expected to be available by March.

“The station groups have stepped up to the plate and underlined the broadcasting industry’s commitment to TVB ePort,” said TVB President Chris Rohrs.

The 21 groups signed on are Belo Corp., CBS Television Stations (and its rep firm), Citadel Communications, the Dispatch Broadcast Group, Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises, E.W. Scripps Co., Emmis Communications, Fisher Broadcasting, Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst-Argyle Television, LIN Television Corp., Media General Broadcast Group, Meredith Broadcasting, NBC Universal Television Stations (and its rep firm), Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Pappas Telecasting Cos., Post-Newsweek Stations, Quincy Newspapers, Raycom Media, Sagamore Hill Broadcasting and the Tribune Co.

Seed money for TVB ePort came from the National Association of Broadcasters, with additional funding to come from broadcast groups and rep firms.

(Editor: Horowitz)