ATSC 3.0 Security Authority

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.

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

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

• Broadcast content security
• ATSC 3.0 standards
• Signal signing technology
• Content protection encryption
• Broadcast DRM licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Beaverton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Airwavz.tvcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 April 2026Airwavz.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 TVcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 April 2026MyVelo 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.
• ZapperboxcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 April 2026Zapperbox 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 WidevinecoreTechnology or Integration · 17 April 2026A3SA 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.
• EonticoreTechnology or Integration · 14 February 2022Eonti 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 TVflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearl 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.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerABC 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.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS 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 StationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFox 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, LLCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCUniversal 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.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnivision 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

Emerging 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atsc-3-0-security-authority-a3sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ATSC 3.0 Security Authority