The shift to NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) presents a compelling opportunity to enhance emergency alerting capabilities. Ed Czarnecki, VP of government affairs at Digital Alert Systems, highlights that ATSC 3.0’s advanced emergency information goes beyond traditional Emergency Alert System (EAS) functionality. “Advanced emergency information is different than EAS, but can complement it with relevant information that broadcasters, the ultimate local first informer, can bring to the table,” Czarnecki stated.
Digital Alert Systems, a provider of alert and warning solutions, serves a significant portion of the U.S. television market. The existing EAS, established in 1997, provides standardized alerts. In contrast, NextGen TV’s advanced system offers targeted, comprehensive communication. According to Czarnecki, the technology allows for “real time transmission of urgent information, total situational awareness,” delivering directly relevant information to viewers. Wildfire scenarios, for example, could incorporate “graphics, video, highly localized instructions on what to do in an evacuation or shelter scenario,” he explained.
This extends beyond emergencies to include traffic updates and community information. The National Association of Broadcasters suggests phasing out ATSC 1.0 by 2030. “It’s very clear that we need to focus on NextGen TV and, if you will, peel the bandaid off and start moving away from ATSC 1,” Czarnecki emphasized, noting the current “lighthouse” model’s limitations.
FCC regulations on emergency alerting will influence the transition. Multilingual alerting, already mandated for mobile alerts, might extend to broadcast. “If the FCC wants a multilingual EAS capability, that would be best happen through ATSC [3.0] and the ability to handle multiple audio tracks,” Czarnecki noted, highlighting Digital Alert Systems’ multilingual capabilities.
However, ATSC 3.0 adoption faces challenges. Funding is a major hurdle for public broadcasters, especially after the suspension of next-generation warning system grants. “Public broadcasters are a unique case because of their funding model,” Czarnecki said. Commercial broadcasters also face business case concerns. He cited the need for better industry coordination and improved market education for wider adoption.
Despite these hurdles, Czarnecki stresses that the technology is ready. “We are dealing with many mature technologies, proven technologies in ATSC 3.0 that don’t make this a science project. This is not a future scheme. ATSC 3.0 exists today,” he stated. Digital Alert Systems’ equipment, deployed in a large percentage of U.S. TV stations, already supports advanced emergency information.
Czarnecki argues that NextGen TV’s enhanced emergency information directly aligns with FCC public interest goals. “From a public service perspective, from a public policy perspective, it makes every sense in the world for the FCC, for the government to support ATSC 3.0 and the migration rapidly from ATSC 1 to ATSC 3,” he concluded.