AWARN Alliance has expressed its support for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a definitive end date for current ATSC 1.0 broadcasts. In a filing submitted on January 20, the group—which includes commercial and public broadcasters, national trade associations, and technology manufacturers—highlighted the advanced emergency alerting capabilities of ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV, and endorsed several of its built-in security features.

The Alliance emphasized that NextGen TV will enable broadcasters to deliver more targeted and specific alerts to viewers, enhancing public safety during emergencies. According to the filing, the full benefits of the ATSC 3.0 standard can only be realized once its broadcast signals are widely available across the country. This nationwide adoption would allow broadcasters to strengthen their collaboration with public safety agencies and provide new tools to protect lives and property.

David H. Arland, executive director of the AWARN Alliance, noted that the successful rollout of advanced emergency information services through ATSC 3.0 depends on the FCC providing clarity regarding the sunset of ATSC 1.0 signals. This certainty would enable newsrooms and production teams to invest in the new technology and take advantage of its advanced features. While the Alliance did not propose a specific sunset date, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has suggested ending ATSC 1.0 signals in major markets by 2028 and nationwide by 2030.

The filing also addressed the importance of content security within the ATSC 3.0 standard, which is designed to protect broadcast signals and high-value content from piracy. Arland explained that most NextGen TV receivers are already security verified, allowing over 18 million viewers to access all NextGen TV content—encrypted or not—without the need for an internet connection or subscription. Many set-top receivers are also security verified, ensuring seamless access to content. Only one product has unresolved security issues, but affected customers can still access ATSC 1.0 broadcasts and emergency alerts from local stations.

Arland clarified that content security measures do not interfere with the delivery of emergency alerts or public safety information. Emergency messages are transmitted as part of the ATSC 3.0 service and remain accessible whenever the channel is available. The security system is content-agnostic, ensuring that all programming, including emergency messages, is delivered securely and reliably.

The Alliance also urged the FCC to implement policies that prevent multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) from overriding local channels during emergencies. Instead, cable operators should allow local broadcasters to deliver emergency alerts directly to their audiences, as local stations are typically better equipped to provide detailed, geotargeted, and multilingual information.

AWARN Alliance highlighted that local news and weather departments will have access to new tools enabled by ATSC 3.0, including the ability to deliver rich-media content such as maps and video clips during emergencies. These advanced emergency information capabilities, supported by FCC rules and policies that encourage innovation, will further enhance broadcasters’ ability to serve their communities.

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