Secure home gateway distribution of next-gen broadcast TV brings convenience and choice to ATSC 3.0 viewers
January 5, 2026
A3SA, the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority, has announced that two electronics manufacturers are developing convenient Home Gateway content viewing options for ATSC 3.0 viewers who want to watch free secure broadcast NEXTGEN TV signals throughout the home.
Solutions from both BitRouter’s ZapperBox and ADTH are launching with new options that extend the reach of free over-the-air TV signals throughout a networked home. Often referred to as a “Home Gateway”, both solutions are designed to achieve A3SA verification to protect high-value broadcast content that is free, encrypted and distributed throughout the home.
Available now throughout the U.S. with more than 600 channels of content, NEXTGEN TV powered by ATSC 3.0 is a launching pad for enhanced local TV programming, news, weather, sports, and enhanced services for consumers to enjoy from local stations. ATSC 3.0 is the world’s first internet protocol (IP) based television standard, enabling broadcasters and manufacturers to use the same tools and technologies deployed for virtually all content distributed via the internet. And like the security tools and technologies used to secure internet content delivery, A3SA broadcast content security protects content owners, broadcasters, and consumers against viruses, hacking, and theft.
“Sports leagues and owners of premium content generally require their content to be delivered with content security which is why over-the-air broadcasting needs content protection to remain competitive with secure streaming options. We are very pleased that electronics manufacturers continue to work to extend the availability of ATSC 3.0 secure content throughout the home in the form of Set Top Boxes, Digital Video Recorders and now Home Gateways, so that one receiver can provide NEXTGEN TV signals to a variety of screens in the home. Both BitRouter and ADTH are working on unique solutions aimed at different price points and consumers, and both approaches can deliver content in a secure way that is seamless to viewers and yet also assure content producers that their valuable programming will be protected in a network environment.” said Joe St. Jean, managing director of A3SA, the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority.
ZapperBox Connects Miniature Device to Main Receiver
First announced at the 2025 NAB NY Show, the ZapperBox gateway approach is to send content from a main multi-tuner receiver with a single household antenna to ‘client’ miniature receivers connected to other screens. With the ZapperBox solution, content can be viewed, recorded and then played back securely on the main ZapperBox and other miniature devices. Content can also be streamed live to all ZapperBox devices in the home from the main multi-tuner ZapperBox.
“Support for protected content on home gateway connected devices means a seamless experience for viewers. In fact, ordinary consumers should never even notice that content protection has been applied. That’s exactly the sort of seamless experience we are developing with the ZapperBox unbound gateway,” said Gopal Miglani, CEO of Bitrouter, which makes and sells the ZapperBox family of receivers.
ADTH to Offer Multi-Platform Secure Gateway Approach
ADTH is testing a secure, Android-based home gateway solution that enables over-the-air ATSC 3.0 content received by an ADTH receiver to be discovered and viewed across a wide range of devices throughout the home, with support delivered to existing ADTH receivers through a software update.
Using a software-driven architecture, a single receiver and antenna can be installed where reception is optimal, while protected content is securely streamed over the home network to Android TV devices, tablets, and smartphones. The ADTH platform is designed to support additional consumer operating systems, with planned expansion to Roku, Samsung Tizen, and LG webOS environments.
ADTH NEXTGEN TV receivers are currently available for sale, with the home gateway functionality enabled through downloadable software updates as platform support expands. ADTH is working closely with A3SA to ensure that all content protection requirements are maintained while giving viewers a simple, application-based viewing experience that preserves broadcaster security and content owner trust.
“As viewers increasingly expect to watch content on multiple screens throughout the home, it’s essential that convenience and security advance together,” said Ivy Shou, President at ADTH. “Our goal is to let people enjoy the content they love on the screens they already own, without complicated setup, with protection handled seamlessly for an effortless experience.”