ATSC 3.0 Security Authority
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA) is a private standards-based licensing authority that administers cryptographic content protection and signal signing for ATSC 3.0 broadcast television, serving US broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersBeaverton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What ATSC 3.0 Security Authority does
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA) is a private Beaverton, Oregon-based LLC founded in August 2019 that operates as the neutral, standards-based licensing and certification authority for ATSC 3.0 (NEXTGEN TV) broadcast content security. The organization was established as a broadcaster-led initiative by founding members ABC, CBS, Fox, NBCUniversal, Univision, and the Pearl TV business group, and today serves as the operational layer that administers cryptographic content protection for the ATSC 3.0 standard across the US broadcast television industry.
A3SA's core technology is an IP-based security framework consisting of mandatory Signal Signing (cryptographic certification that broadcaster signals and applications are authentic) and voluntary Content Protection/Encryption (using cryptographic methodologies with secure keys available only to licensed broadcaster equipment and authorized receivers, including offline decryption without an internet connection). Underlying infrastructure leverages Google's Widevine technology for credential management, processed via a proxy server operated by a contractor. Supporting the framework are compliance test suites (e.g., V0.9 Addendum), DVR and home-gateway specifications enabling in-home streaming to Android, Fire, Roku, WebOS, and Tizen platforms, broadcaster encoding rules for ATSC 3.0/1.0 simulcast, and a Technical Contributors Working Group governance forum.
A3SA monetizes through two primary streams: technology licensing via formal Adopter Agreements (for device manufacturers) and Broadcaster Agreements (for broadcasters), plus compliance and certification services including test-suite validation and market auditing. Approximately 40 NEXTGEN TV models from Hisense, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and TCL, and 18.5 million+ deployed devices, are currently A3SA-enabled. The organization is led by Managing Director Joe St. Jean (appointed February 2025) under the governance of Board Chair Anne Schelle of Pearl TV.
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ATSC 3.0 Security Authority
- Legal name
- ATSC 3.0 Security Authority LLC
- Website
- https://a3sa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA) is a private standards-based licensing authority that administers cryptographic content protection and signal signing for ATSC 3.0 broadcast television, serving US broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Broadcast Content Security
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Device & Playback Security (Secure Video Path, HDCP, Trusted Execution) (MPAHAMAJ)
Keywords
Where ATSC 3.0 Security Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beaverton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: A3SA provides device manufacturers and broadcasters with access to standardized protection and security credentials that enable secure delivery of high-value television content. The organization funds the creation of infrastructure that makes secure ATSC 3.0 broadcasts possible through licensing agreements with adopters and broadcasters.
- Compliance and Certification Services: A3SA creates and manages compliance rules, test suites, and market auditing programs. Device manufacturers and broadcasters must comply with A3SA specifications and verification requirements to access security credentials.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority product offering
Product offeringCore offering
A3SA provides device manufacturers and broadcasters with access to standardized protection and security credentials that enable secure delivery of high-value television content over ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV broadcasts. The organization funds the infrastructure that makes secure ATSC 3.0 broadcasts possible, creates and manages compliance rules, test suites, and market auditing programs, and facilitates interoperability for services and consumer devices.
Product overview
A3SA provides a unified content protection and security ecosystem for the ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV broadcast standard. The core offering is the ATSC 3.0 Security Standard, which encompasses two primary components: Signal Signing (mandatory cryptographic certification ensuring broadcast authenticity) and Content Protection/Encryption (voluntary cryptographic protection for high-value content). Supporting this are the Compliance Test Suite (for device/receiver certification), the Technical Contributors Working Group (industry governance forum), and specifications for DVR devices and broadcaster encoding rules. Device manufacturers access these capabilities through the A3SA Adopter Agreement, while broadcasters use the Broadcaster Agreement to encrypt content. The ecosystem is designed to enable secure delivery of premium content over free over-the-air broadcasts using internet-protocol-based security tools similar to those protecting web content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ATSC 3.0 Security Standard The foundational security framework for ATSC 3.0 broadcast services. Includes mandatory Signal Signing (cryptographic certification that broadcaster signaling is authentic and unaltered) and voluntary Content Protection/Encryption (IP-based cryptographic methodologies enabling broadcasters to encrypt media content with secure keys only available to licensed broadcaster equipment and authorized receivers). Designed for broadcasters and device manufacturers operating in the ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV ecosystem.
- Compliance Test Suite Verification test suites enabling testing of A3SA specifications in receiver devices, components, and professional broadcast tools. Ensures device manufacturers and broadcasters meet compliance and reliability requirements for ATSC 3.0 security implementations.
- DVR Specification Technical specification for secure digital video recorders, home gateways, and accessory devices that allow viewers to securely stream ATSC 3.0 content throughout their home network. Supports in-home streaming to applications hosted on Android, Fire, Roku, WebOS, and Tizen platforms.
- Broadcast Encoding Rules Rules governing how broadcasters use A3SA security technology with ATSC 3.0 content simulcast with ATSC 1.0 content. Ensures viewers can decrypt and record broadcasts, make unlimited copies without expiration dates, and use common features like pause, rewind, and fast-forward.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 18.5 million ATSC 3.0 devices in homes capable of receiving protected over-the-air broadcasts
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ATSC 3.0 Security Authority
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Airwavz.tvcoreAirwavz.tv showcased the TvXplorer Suite with decryption capabilities for A3SA-protected content at NAB Show. Their broadcaster professional analysis tool supports A3SA's technology to protect premium content while enabling seamless delivery to authorized users, delivering trusted protection at scale with enterprise-level security and authentication.
- MyVelo TVcoreMyVelo TV, a next-generation broadcast-first platform provider, introduced MyVelo TV Premiere designed to unify free NEXTGEN TV, streaming apps, and premium picture performance. Built to support all major HDR formats, MyVelo TV combines free over-the-air television with intelligent content discovery and AI-driven picture optimization while supporting A3SA content protection.
- ZapperboxcoreZapperbox showcased the Whole-Home Gateway at NAB Show, available in quad-tuner, dual-tuner, single-tuner, and mini configurations to extend ATSC 3.0 signals throughout the home. Zapperbox demonstrated a new hardware model and software release supporting Advanced HDR by Technicolor, all implementing A3SA content protection.
- Google WidevinecoreA3SA operates a proxy server that processes requests from ATSC 3.0 receivers for cryptographic credentials to decrypt ATSC 3.0 television broadcast signals encrypted by Google's Widevine technology pursuant to A3SA content protection specifications.
- EonticoreEonti serves as A3SA's PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) vendor for signal signing services. A3SA and Eonti work together with broadcasters wanting to begin signing ATSC 3.0 Signals or Applications through the Broadcaster Onboarding Process.
- Pearl TVflagshipPearl TV is a founding member of A3SA and a business group of eight broadcast companies. Pearl TV has been instrumental in shaping A3SA from its formation, with Board Chair Anne Schelle providing leadership oversight.
- ABC, Inc.flagshipABC is one of the founding members of the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority. As a founding broadcaster, ABC has been instrumental in establishing the organization's security standards and compliance framework.
- CBS Broadcasting Inc.flagshipCBS Broadcasting Inc. is one of the founding members of the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority. CBS has been involved in ATSC 3.0 deployment initiatives and 4K HDR distribution for live sports as part of its participation.
- Fox Television StationsflagshipFox Television Stations is one of the founding members of the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority, contributing to the establishment of content protection standards for NEXTGEN TV broadcasting.
- NBCUniversal Media, LLCflagshipNBCUniversal Media, LLC is one of the founding members of the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority, helping to establish security protocols for next-generation broadcast television.
- Univision Local Media, Inc.flagshipUnivision Local Media, Inc. is one of the founding members of the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority, contributing to the development of content protection standards for Spanish-language NEXTGEN TV broadcasting.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- DigiCert: Commercial PKI/digital certificate authority that issues device certificates and manages cryptographic credentials at scale — the same underlying capability A3SA delivers via its partnership with Eonti for ATSC 3.0 signal signing and content encryption.
- Apple FairPlay: Apple's DRM technology for streaming media content protection. Operates in the same content-protection / encryption space that A3SA serves for over-the-air broadcast, though targeting internet streaming rather than ATSC 3.0 broadcast delivery.
Others
- CableLabs: Industry-funded R&D and standards body for the cable television sector. Operates a similar consortium model to A3SA — neutral administrator defining specifications and certification for cable devices and services — and serves overlapping customer profiles (programmers, device OEMs).
- DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting Project): European-led broadcast standards consortium covering DVB-T/T2, DVB-S/S2, and DVB-C. Operates a comparable industry consortium model setting specifications for digital television broadcast systems across multiple geographies, with content protection and CI+ modules as adjacent scopes.
Direct peers
- ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee): The standards organization that developed ATSC 3.0. A3SA is the security arm that operationalizes content protection under the ATSC 3.0 standard; both are non-profit industry bodies serving broadcasters and device manufacturers in US digital television.
- MovieLabs: Joint venture of major Hollywood studios (initially Paramount, Sony, Universal, Disney, Warner) focused on content protection, security, and enhancement specifications for digital media distribution. Operates in the same content-security standards space that A3SA serves for broadcast.
Regional players
- Digital UK / DTG (Digital Television Group): UK-based broadcast standards body coordinating Freeview and DVB-T2 implementation in the UK. Functions as a neutral, broadcaster-led standards and certification administrator analogous to A3SA, but primarily serving the UK DVB ecosystem rather than North American ATSC 3.0.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority social profiles
Digital presenceATSC 3.0 Security Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ATSC 3.0 Security Authority
What does ATSC 3.0 Security Authority do?
A3SA provides device manufacturers and broadcasters with access to standardized protection and security credentials that enable secure delivery of high-value television content over ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV broadcasts. The organization funds the infrastructure that makes secure ATSC 3.0 broadcasts possible, creates and manages compliance rules, test suites, and market auditing programs, and facilitates interoperability for services and consumer devices.
Is ATSC 3.0 Security Authority a public or private company?
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ATSC 3.0 Security Authority founded?
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ATSC 3.0 Security Authority based?
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority is headquartered in Beaverton, United States, in the North America region.
How does ATSC 3.0 Security Authority make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are compliance and Certification Services.
Who are ATSC 3.0 Security Authority's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are DigiCert and Apple FairPlay. Others are CableLabs and DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting Project). Direct peers are ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) and MovieLabs. Digital UK / DTG (Digital Television Group) is listed as a regional player.
Does ATSC 3.0 Security Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for ATSC 3.0 Security Authority.
What industry is ATSC 3.0 Security Authority in?
ATSC 3.0 Security Authority's product category is Broadcast Content Security. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAMAJ, Device & Playback Security (Secure Video Path, HDCP, Trusted Execution). Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.