SiliconDust Seeks Unencrypted EAS Access for November Test
SiliconDust asks TEGNA to disable encryption on 22 stations ahead of the national Emergency Alert System test.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Safety
Live Poll
Should broadcasters be required to disable encryption to ensure emergency alerts reach all public viewers?
SiliconDust has requested that TEGNA remove DRM encryption from 22 broadcast stations prior to the national Emergency Alert System (EAS) test on November 17, 2026. This request aims to ensure that viewers using various receivers can access emergency messages during the scheduled alert.
Why it matters
DRM encryption currently prevents some viewers from seeing or hearing critical emergency broadcasts. SiliconDust intends to document potential access barriers during the test to verify that the public successfully receives these essential safety messages.
SiliconDust requested the disabling of DRM encryption on 22 broadcast stations by November 10, ahead of the national Emergency Alert System test scheduled for November 17, 2026, at 2:20pm Eastern.
The players
SiliconDust
Based in Glendale, Arizona, this technology company manufactures hardware for receiving and recording television broadcasts.
TEGNA
This media company operates a large portfolio of broadcast stations and digital media properties across the United States.
Federal Communications Commission
This independent U.S. government agency regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
The details
In an ex parte submission filed on October 5, SiliconDust argued that current encryption protocols limit the reach of alert transmissions. The company plans to observe selected ATSC 3.0 services during the November 17 test to gather data on transmission reliability.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: SiliconDust submitted an ex parte filing with the FCC.
November 10, 2026: The requested deadline for TEGNA to disable DRM encryption.
November 17, 2026: The Emergency Alert System test is scheduled for 2:20pm Eastern.
December 3, 2026: The backup date for the Emergency Alert System test.
Seasonal Patterns
This request highlights how proprietary encryption technologies within the modern television landscape can conflict with the operational requirements of the Emergency Alert System. It underscores the challenges of maintaining universal access to public safety messaging across evolving digital broadcast standards.
The public test on November 17 serves as a vital reminder to ensure that your home receivers are properly configured to receive emergency notifications. If you notice an inability to receive broadcast alerts, contact your local station or check for firmware updates on your specific receiving hardware.
The takeaway
Universal access remains the cornerstone of emergency communication systems, regardless of the underlying digital encryption used by broadcasters. Ensuring that alerts reach every device is essential for maintaining the integrity of the national safety network.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure behind public alerts in the United States Safety section.
Live Poll
Should broadcasters be required to disable encryption to ensure emergency alerts reach all public viewers?
