‘All about price,’ NextGen TV hits Boise with channel package for $20 month. Want in?

Minutes into a Zoom demonstration of Evoca, Todd Achilles is on the verge of going full-on propellerhead.

Showing off the new, cutting-edge NextGen TV service, he’s mentioned ATSC 3.0, internet protocols, multiple audio tracks, redundant feeds, “the first converged broadcast/broadband system” — and Philo Farnsworth, the inventor who helped create television.

“Maybe I’m nerding out too much,” confesses Achilles, CEO of Meridian-based Edge Networks.

Nah, man. I’m all ears — rabbit ears, actually.

Created by Edge and made in Idaho, Evoca requires an old-school TV antenna. And a modern-day broadband connection. It’s sorta trippy technology. It all boils down to one thing, though: A fresh choice for TV consumers.

Yes, it’s an impressive, hi-tech blend of entertainment siphoned from various sources and funneled into the Evoca interface. But, ultimately, it’s still TV — affordable TV. That’s more than enough to pique my interest.

On Sept. 1, Evoca will mail set-top boxes to its first batch of customers. All will be in Boise. Evoca is charging a short-term discount price of $20 monthly for more than 55 channels, plus streaming content. Only 200 people get in on the deal, which lasts through the end of 2020.

After adding channels, Evoca plans to welcome more Boiseans in December and bump the price to $49 — challenging larger, established pay-TV providers such as Sparklight, DirecTV and Dish Network. Longer-term, Evoca plans to expand to choice-starved markets in other cities and states.

“We’re all about price,” Achilles says. “We want to be the best value.”

Evoca’s set-top box doesn’t offer DVR capability. That’s coming, Achilles says. Also in the future: More channels, more apps, more on-demand content, more 4K-resolution entertainment.

“This is one of the world’s most sophisticated broadcast systems,” Achilles says proudly, “and it’s in Boise.”

Evoca has the familiar look onscreen of a traditional TV provider. There’s a Guide with live channels, including all the locals. Or click On Demand, a place for movies or other content stored locally on the set-top box. Apps and Games is where users choose from free video-on-demand apps or specialized content that costs a little extra. (Love British television? Better drop $4.99 monthly for that sweet Acorn app.)

It’s all part of an approach that Achilles hopes will differentiate Evoca from competitors on more than just price.

“By being able to put together broadcast and broadband, we can build a different bundle,” he says. “We don’t want to just re-create that cable bundle or just create a slightly smaller version like YouTube TV.” (Anyone notice that YouTube TV recently raised its price to $65, by the way?)

“What we’ve built is this system that’s optimized for live news, sports, weather, and also optimized for the VOD apps — whether it’s Pluto or Netflix, whatever it may be,” Achilles says. “What that lets you do is, we can focus our dollars, as we acquire content, on that live stuff: news, sports. And then we’ve got more of an a la carte experience that consumers have been asking for from the cable companies since the beginning of time — and they’ve never gotten it.”

There’s still work to be done, Achilles says. Put bluntly, Evoca has a unique, limited channel lineup. Along with the locals, there are a handful of recognizable cable favorites such as The Weather Channel, A&E and History. Then there are niche options such as CuriosityStream, BYU TV and Laff.

Sports, subscribing

Sports fans will light up when they see CBS Sports Network. But there’s no ESPN. No SEC Network. Right now, Evoca is more interested in gaining rights to programming involving high schools and regional college and pro teams, Achilles says. ESPN is a goal, not an immediate priority.

Still, anyone frustrated with Boise’s current TV options needs to give Evoca a look. Potential is clearly there. And the price is right.

Sign up at Evoca’s website for future opportunities. (There’s even a small chance you might even squeeze into that initial 200 at $20.)

Even if you really have no clue exactly how this stuff works.

“Some of these channels we’re delivering over the internet connection, and some of these channels we’re delivering over the air,” Achilles says. “Our objective is to hide all that stuff. It doesn’t matter. You should just flip through the guide and all the channels are there.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 4:00 AM.