Over half of U.S. consumers have expressed an interest in receiving features of a “NextGen Broadcast Emergency Information service.”
That’s among the key findings from new research unveiled this week by the NextGen Video Information Systems Alliance (NVISA), sponsored by Sinclair Broadcast Group subsidiary ONE Media 3.0.
Surveyed consumers selected features of a new advanced emergency information app that would motivate them to use it. Significantly, those features are already built into the NextGen TV rollout as the voluntary shift to ATSC 3.0 from ATSC 1.0 transpires across the U.S.
“Important findings confirm that targeted emergency information is highly desirable,” NVISA says.
Among the key findings:
- Almost two-thirds of American consumers want “the ability to receive geo-targeted alerts.”
- Over half chose “the ability to select only the alerts they want to receive.”
- Over half of Americans also chose “the ability to opt into a constantly updated stream of emergency information.”
- Almost half of consumers want “a system that keeps working when their Internet goes down.”
- More than a third want “a system that keeps working when their cellular phone service goes down.”
The costs of such targeted services were not seen as a deterrent, NVISA notes.
When asked how much more they would be willing to pay for their next mobile phone purchase so it could do an outstanding job delivering critical information in an emergency, almost two thirds of American consumers said they would pay an extra $5, and almost half said they would pay an extra $10.
The study also documented business growth potential for broadcasters and app developers in the mobile environment that NextGen Broadcast will enable. This, on top of information shared by Nexstar Media Group this week, ignited the share price of Gray Television, The E.W. Scripps Co. and Nexstar, given their significant roles in the rollout of NEXTGEN TV.
Nexstar shares were on the rise again in midday trading on Friday, hitting $170.25 in the 11am Eastern hour.
