Evoca, a pay-TV service that offers both over-the-air broadcasting and streaming programming, has introduced a feature supporting the relay of emergency alert information. The company's platform can now transmit alerts directly to Evoca viewers, without having to go through a broadcast channel first.
Michael Chase, VP of systems for Evoca, said in a statement that Evoca’s Scout receiver, the device required to watch content through Evoca, can insert emergency alert information right on top of a viewer’s programming, regardless of the channel. The alerts solution is powered by Evoca’s ATSC 3.0 (NextGen) broadcast technology.
“The system has the potential to deliver early warnings to viewers about severe weather or other impending dangerous events or disasters,” Chase said. “Since Evoca controls both the transmission and reception of signals that reach the viewer, we have the ability to offer a unique solution to enhance safety.”
Evoca has integrated the feature at a pivotal time, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers amending its rules regarding the transmission of messages through the FCC’s Emergency Alert System (EAS). Emergency alerts have traditionally been relayed solely through local transmissions.
Todd Achilles, president and CEO of Evoca, told Fierce Video Evoca is the first hybrid architecture to transmit emergency alerts over the air as well as via online streaming.
“Obviously, we have EAS requirements on what we do on the broadcast side, but it would be nice if our subscribers could get these EAS alerts even when they’re streaming to their [set top] boxes,” he said. Evoca can also transmit alerts to broadcast viewers if, for instance, their antenna isn’t working.
Achilles added he thinks Evoca is “right in line” with the FCC's plans to revamp EAS.
“Taking the tech and different service providers aside, you want people to have emergency alerts relevant to where they live, regardless of how they’re watching TV,” he said.
Evoca initially launched two years ago in Boise, Idaho. The service primarily offers a “skinny bundle,” consisting of channels focused on local content and sports. Earlier this year, Evoca launched the Altitude Sports regional sports network in Denver, Colorado. Achilles added Evoca is also offering content in partnership with Colorado State University.
Evoca currently serves metro areas in Idaho and Colorado as well as the Phoenix, Arizona, market. Achilles said the company will be announcing expansions in several other states in the coming weeks and months.
“Given all the big players in the broadcast industry, I think it’s worth noting a small startup in Idaho has come up with this breakthrough way to deliver EAS,” he concluded. “It speaks to the value of having competition and innovators in the broadcast space.”