News | August 31, 2000

Ackerley taps Digital System Technology for multi-channel broadcasts

Source: DST - Digital System Technology Inc

Seattle-based DST - Digital System Technology Inc has implemented its centralized, automated station design for multi-channel broadcasting for The Ackerley's Group's television stations throughout New York state, California, and Oregon.

Dubbed "Digital CentralCasting," by Ackerley, the system delivers digital programming to several stations from a centrally located system. Six of The Ackerley Group's seven New York state stations – WIXT-TV, Syracuse; WIVT-TV, Binghamton; WUTR-TV, Utica; WETM, Elmira, WBGH, Binghamton and WOKR-TV, Rochester – have begun to receive and transmit digital network programming and commercials. All six station's signals are transmitted through a central station in Syracuse at WIXT, designed by DST.

The new station design centralizes multiple broadcast operations and eliminates the need for multiple master control centers by using central server and automation technology. The system delivers local and network programming and spot insertion for one or multiple stations.

The master control center for several stations is established at one studio and designated the central station. Master control is then equipped with a video server that downloads one or more network feeds to its broadcast video server. All programming, with national and local spots, is transmitted from the central station to its satellite stations for local broadcast under the control of an automation system.

"We are providing broadcasters optimal capability when converting to SDTV or HDTV," said Mark Siegel, DST VP. "It is an opportunity to significantly increase efficiency at a time of steadily increasing workloads. The design makes a great deal of functional and financial sense."

DST is also in the process of integrating all ParkerVision PVTV Studio News automated systems for the production of all live and local news within 11 of The Ackerley Group stations. All stations will have PVTV systems installed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2000.

Edited by Tom Butts