Fisher Communications centralizes master control

Fisher Communications is relying on Omneon Spectrum media servers for a single remote shared master control facility for three CBS affiliates and four Univision affiliates.

Coordinated by Seattle-based systems integrator Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS), the project connects KIMA-TV in Yakima, WA; KEPR-TV in Pasco, WA; KLEW-TV in Lewiston, ID; KUNP-TV in La Grand/Portland, OR; KUNB-TV in Boise, ID; KKFQ-TV in Yakima, WA; and KVVK-TV in Kennewick, WA, to a master control hub located in downtown Seattle.

Commercial and programming content is centralcasted to the regional stations from a 12-channel Spectrum system holding 300 hours of 12Mb/s MPEG-2 content. Meanwhile, smaller Spectrum systems operate as edge transmission servers at the stations themselves, transferring local and interstitial content to the central server via FTP. The edge servers also provide backup for the regional stations in the event of a loss of communication. The centralcasting operation is controlled by Sundance Digital automation.

For more information, visit: www.omneon.com.