How do DirecTV viewers get EAS alerts without local channels

[kenglish]

I see that DirecTV is now offering to sell service with no local channels, to "save their customers money".
I haven't had access to Pay Satellite in years, so I'm wondering....
Do the sat companies carry any EAS messages or tests (beyond the mandatory national alerts) on any channels beyond the locals?
If a customer discontinues all of their locals, and depends on streaming, will they essentially be out of the loop for local emergencies?
And, how many local TV and radio broadcasters even participate in EAS any more? I rarely hear any tests except on KSL Radio and a couple of other locals, any more.

[CAwasinNJ]

All radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers are required to participate in EAS. (The "voluntary cooperation" line in the test boilerplate is now, and has always been, complete BS. You can opt-out of EAS....by turning in your license.) That said, the only required parts of EAS are the weekly/monthly/national tests and the Presidential Alerts, which have never been used. According to the DirecTV website (https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-emergency-alert-system-disclosure/) they don't pass through any state or local alerts, but do pass alerts generated by local stations (like they'd have a choice there even if they wanted to suppress it.) They COULD pass state and local alerts if they wanted to. DirecTV knows the ZIP codes where the subscribers live and they could have the box automatically switch to the alert channel on demand whenever there's an alert aimed at the subscriber's county. With IPAWS I don't think it would even be that difficult for them to receive a copy of every EAS alert in the country to disseminate to whoever it was aimed at.

So anyway, as I understand it DirecTV doesn't mess with the local channels and only generates their own alerts on channels they operate. There are a number of YouTube videos of EAS tests generated by DirecTV if you're interested. (eg www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCXajmylbQ) If anyone cares, the SAME code that was sent at the beginning of that video is: ZCZC-PEP-NPT-000000-011001+0030-2191820-DIRECTV


(Side note: there's no doubt in my mind that dropping the local OTA channels will save money.)

[kenglish]

You can also be a non-participating station, but you have to sign off under certain conditions of alerts (mostly national, I think).
Sadly, EAS hasn't kept up with the times and technology. Too many non-broadcast distractions, too few people watching or listening to local broadcasts. It was great when everyone was watching cable or on an antenna. But, that all changed when DBS satellite came about.
I have to wonder how many stations actually can pass an alert, and if they ever test. They are supposed to, but I haven't heard much on enforcement since the COVID restrictions kept the FCC people at home.

[CAwasinNJ]

I'm almost positive it used to be the case back in the CONELRAD days that stations who didn't move to one of the designated frequencies (640/1240) would sign off. When EBS became EAS in 1994 participation in national alerts and tests became mandatory. Everything you never wanted to know about EAS is available at www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-11 for those who want more info.

Local station definitely test as they are required to. I do see them from time to time, but I suspect they try to schedule them as much as possible for when they would bother the fewest people. There are specific requirements on when the tests are run. There was and is a question about how well the EAS system would function if the President were to ever actually use it, which was the reason the National Tests started being done back in 2011. Those national tests are now required to be done at least every three years and all stations are required to submit reports to the FCC saying whether they were able to receive and retransmit the test.

As far as whether the population would see actual alerts or not, that was part of why EAS was extended with the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system that sends similar messages to cell phones. I'm not sure about whether the cell companies are required to participate in WEA, but all the major ones do AFAIK.