IRVING, Texas—Trilogy NextGen has unveiled details about its work on a private 5G network deployment at the new Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) studio in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The facility will be used by Dr. Phil's new network and TBN. 

As part of its work on the new studio, Trilogy NextGen fully integrated a private 5G edge network and 5G-enabled cameras throughout Trinity Broadcasting Network’s state-of-the-art facility, which has also attracted Merit Street Media, a new network from acclaimed television personality Dr. Phil McGraw.

"As the new home for many of TBN's most popular news and entertainment programs, as well as 'Dr. Phil Primetime' and Merit Street Media, it was essential to create a facility that delivers the ultimate state-of-the-art experience," said Russell Hall, senior vice president of production, TBN. "Our partnership with Trilogy NextGen helps us invigorate the world of broadcasting, as we push the boundaries of content creation to inspire, inform and uplift audiences around the world."

The Trilogy NextGen private 5G network, which is powered by Microsoft Azure private multi-access edge compute (MEC) and the Ericsson 5G Radio Dot System, delivers secure, seamless, high-speed connectivity over Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum throughout the broadcasting facility, the companies said.

At launch, The PLEX, TBN's state-of-the-art broadcast center, will be capable of hosting up to 20 different live and recorded broadcasts at any given time. By fully integrating a private 5G edge network and 5G-enabled cameras throughout the 215,000-square-foot facility, Trilogy NextGen enabled wireless capture of digital content with near real-time latency, reliable mobile communications for production crews, and mission-critical security operations for their staff and emergency personnel. 

The PLEX broadcast center also has attracted a new media network tenant, Merit Street Media from television personality Dr. Phil McGraw, which launches on February 26.

Based on the Microsoft Azure private MEC solution, the 5G network empowers multiple use cases via ready-to-deploy applications. For example, once the 5G network was live, TBN chose to add a CBRS-enabled, push-to-talk (PTT) application, allowing secure, real-time coordination between production trailer security and building facilities teams with greater reliability than previously used Wi-Fi devices.

"In collaboration with TBN and Merit Street Media, Trilogy NextGen has unleashed the agility, speed and security of private 5G networking to streamline and transform the broadcast studio of tomorrow," said Parag Shah, president, Trilogy NextGen. "This next-generation 5G network powered by the edge compute capabilities of Microsoft Azure eliminates the constraints of wires and cables that limit creativity, reinventing the world of film and television."

"Trilogy NextGen's integration with Microsoft Azure private multi-access edge compute is delivering solutions that make a difference for people, organizations and industries around the world," added Rebecca Thompson, partner director, product management at Microsoft Azure for Operators. "With the high performance, low latency and security of private 5G connectivity at the edge, the PLEX broadcast center epitomizes the next wave of digital transformation in entertainment."

"In today's hyper-connected world, high-performing, secure indoor connectivity is an essential utility," concluded David Green, vice president and key account manager, Ericsson North America. "The system enables companies such as TBN to modernize and expand their operations in order to deliver use cases such as 5G video, security robots, digital intercoms, and push-to-talk through the use of indoor 5G networks."

WASHINGTON—NBC News pulled the curtain back on its new Washington, D.C., Bureau, which spans six stories, 80,000 square feet and seven state-of-the-art studios for use by NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC News Channel, Noticias Telemundo and Sky News.

Nine NBCU News Group programs will broadcast from the new bureau in 2021, including “Meet the Press With Chuck Todd,” which was the first program to use the new space on Jan. 24. MSNBC primetime, dayside, morning and weekend programming will originate from the new studio as well. 

The D.C. bureau will also serve as the home base for special programming for “TODAY,” “NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt,” NBC News Special Reports and MSNBC special coverage for major Washington events, like inaugurations, State of the Unions and others.

The bureau’s design was inspired by neoclassical and federal-style architecture seen throughout D.C. The space features 14-foot high ceilings, modern lighting, contemporary finishes and technology that NBC News says reflects modern newsroom aesthetics and advances in broadcast production. This includes 650 square feet of tracking LED walls.

A main first floor studio has 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the public to look in on the live news production. There is also exterior-facing LED screens that show live programming and running news tickers on the facade of the building.

In addition, the space features what NBC News describes as heightened technology for the expansion of CNBC Digital’s politics team and improved direct broadcast coverage of news from D.C.

More than 400 NBCU News Group employees will work from the new bureau, including the network’s White House, Capitol Hill and political units; the investigative, national security, Pentagon, Justice Department, foreign affairs and transportation reporting teams; the Washington-based NBC News Digital operations; and producers of “TODAY,” “NBC Nightly News” and MSNBC.

NBC News’ D.C. operations had taken place at 4001 Nebraska Ave. for more than 60 years prior to this move to 400 North Capitol St. NW. WRC-TV NBC4, the D.C.-area affiliate, will continue to broadcast from 4001 Nebraska Ave.

For more information, visit NBC News’ website. 

The COVID-19 crisis has forced many broadcasters to send their on-air and support staff home; minimizing the infection risk to these vital employees while keeping their programming, advertising and back office functions in service.

This approach is a responsible ad hoc response to COVID-19, but it doesn’t address the central issue: How can broadcasters ensure that their facilities are virus-free, or at least as minimally contaminated as possible?

The answer to this question is disinfection: Using cleaning techniques developed for schools and other institutional settings, broadcasters can kill COVID-19 (and other germs) that may be on their premises and equipment today, and be brought in by employees and clients tomorrow. 

The information contained in the following article explains how to achieve this goal. It is drawn from various sources, including a very complete and helpful webpage hosted on CloroxPro.com.

CLEANING IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP

The road to disinfection starts with cleaning; namely removing obvious surface dirt and grime from surfaces, equipment and floors. The reason cleaning is the first step is because it ensures that germs are not hidden in dirt or organic matter from the disinfectant when it is applied. 

As a result, broadcasters need to proceed with their existing cleaning regimes, but they must do more; including keeping food and drinks out of control, production, office and engineering spaces as much as is humanly possible. Since on-air talent often needs to refresh their parched throats, liquids should be allowed in reusable water bottles. But the days of eating lunch over the console have to end.

Warning: Once something has been cleaned, it has to be rinsed to remove the cleaning solution so that it does not interact with the disinfectant. Otherwise, toxic gases can occur. For instance, when an ammonia-based cleaner interacts with bleach, it can produce deadly chloramine gas. Similarly, mixing vinegar and bleach can create toxic chlorine gas.

DISINFECTION COMES AFTER CLEANING

After surfaces have been properly cleaned, it is time to disinfect. This means using the right cleaning fluids to do the job; such as CloroxPro and other bleach-based professional products, Lemon Quat (Quaternary ammonia) and Virox 5 liquid/wipes (accelerated hydrogen peroxide).

The secret of using these products is time: Liquid disinfectants have to be left on surfaces for a series of minutes and then wiped away for the germs to be killed. A case in point: The free downloadable disinfection chart offered for CloroxPro and Clorox concentrated bleach products specifies a wait time of five minutes before rinsing. 

Once the disinfectant has been applied, it will have to be rubbed into the surfaces to ensure proper distribution. To minimize wear-and-tear on cleaning staff, it is possible to use handheld surface scrubbers.

Remember: The staff who apply disinfectant will require gloves, eye shields and breathing protection. In some cases, protective clothing may also be needed; check the manufacturers’ labels for information before usage.

WIPE, DON’T SPRAY

Disinfectants need to be applied using reusable, washable microfiber cloths or disposable paper towels/wipes; not sprayed. Spraying disinfectant can dislodge germs from surfaces and put them into air. This can lead to these germs contaminating already-disinfected areas and being inhaled by cleaning staff and others in the immediate vicinity.

The only exception to this rule is when the entire area can be safely disinfected at once. When this is the case, a spraying option like the Clorox Total 360 System with electrostatic spray gun can be used, without the need for rinsing afterwards. Electrostatically charging the bleach droplets (and firing them using compressed air) ensures that the spray will cling to all surfaces consistently for maximum disinfection power. 

WHAT ABOUT COMPUTERS?

It goes without saying that computers don’t take kindly to having cleaning solutions dumped into their circuits. 

In many cases, products like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Wipes can be used for disinfection wipe downs—but only after broadcasters have verified this assumption with equipment manufacturers (who may have their own products and procedures to suggest). As well, the equipment needs to be powered off first.

In a pinch, rubbing alcohol on microfiber cloths can be used to computer keyboards, mice and touchscreens; but only after this assumption has been checked with equipment manufacturers. Again, turn off the computer first and use liquids sparingly.

FINAL POINTERS

Disinfection is just the beginning. Wherever possible, broadcasters need to do whatever they can to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection.

A case in point: At iHeartMedia, before their staff was dispatched to work at home, “we gave staff their own removable foam microphone covers, for use in the studio,” said Charles Wooten, the company’s director of Engineering and IT in Panama City, Fla.. “We also kept gallons of hand sanitizer everywhere and encouraged everyone to maintain social distancing at all times.”

As well, it is possible to hire outside cleaning companies with the expertise and equipment to disinfect broadcast facilities and equipment properly; using electrostatic spraying and steam cleaning machines.

PLUS: WRAL Keeps News Staff, Viewers Connected

“Once the full disinfection has been down, stations can do maintenance themselves to keep germs down,” said Reuven Noyman, owner of NYC Steam Cleaning in New York City. (One of his disinfectant products, Noroxycdiff, is used by hospitals to kill the C.Diff [Clostridium Difficile] virus in just two minutes. It also works on COVID-19.) “We recommend keeping a sign-in logbook in each room, by the way, so that management can see who’s been using the space in case an outbreak occurs.”

Fremont, CA - June 7, 2018 - Blackmagic Design today announced that Ocala, Florida-based NOW Church has installed an URSA Broadcast professional broadcast camera, ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K live production switcher and ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel hardware control panel. The products will be used to help capture 4K footage of NOW Church’s high energy worship and concert like productions, as well as interviews, video announcements, and music segments viewed by its global audience.

Best known for its creativity and stewardship, NOW Church is a fast growing multicultural Christian church located in Ocala, Florida. With its active local congregation and international reach, the church’s weekly Sunday sermons and other events are aired via local Florida broadcasters, as well as online through its broadcast quality online campus that’s viewed in more than 125 countries.

Ricky Perinchief of Proton Global Media Group installed the URSA Broadcast, ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel, and ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K at NOW Church and helped integrate the system to accompany its existing workflow that included URSA Mini Pro, Micro Studio Camera 4K, Blackmagic Studio Camera, and other ATEM production switchers. The URSA Broadcast with a Video Assist 4K and the URSA Mini Pro with an URSA Studio Viewfinder act as the main cameras, alongside five Micro Studio Camera 4Ks that are set up around the church to capture all angles of the pastor and band for sermons, concerts and other church events. Two of the Micro Studio Camera 4Ks are wireless, including one on a track on the ceiling controlled by a remote control chassis, and one on a DJI Ronin M Stabilizer.

The cameras are fed into the ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K, two via wireless transmitters, with the ATEM located 120 feet away from the main stage. All of the outputs of the switcher are fed into a Smart Videohub 20x20 and routed to the return camera outputs and campus televisions in the pastor’s study, the nursery, and the church lobby. The team also uses two HyperDeck Studio Pros to record the program output and a clean feed output to use for B-roll.

“We are very impressed with the URSA Broadcast,” said Ricky. “The full length of the zoom range is awesome. We use it with two different HD B4 lenses, and there’s no softness on the edges. We are able to use the entire zoom ratio even at F1.7. I think that opens up a whole other market of churches. Even those that aren’t lit properly for broadcast, with this camera they would be able to gain down the lens at F1.7 to give them the brightness they need. We’re very happy with the camera’s native 2/3” sensor and the abundance of buttons and switches. Whether you’re in the studio world or ENG world doing remote work, this camera has everything you need, and the price point is unbeatable.”

Using the ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K to switch the camera feeds has allowed NOW Church to be more flexible than ever before. “In the church world having something that is more versatile, like the ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K, is great,” said Ricky. “Our clients use the different M/Es for things like broadcast, IMAG and in house projection. Having the ability to do more with different feeds for different places is a very cool option. It is very easy to go between the M/Es on the ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel, because everything is laid out so well.”

In addition to operating during the weekly sermons on Sundays, NOW Church’s control room doubles as a recording studio during the week. By using the ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel to control the ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K, Ricky has streamlined the switching process during broadcasts, as well as the process of converting the control room to a recording studio. The panel’s mobility and power over Ethernet allow his team to easily move the setup between rooms.

“We love the T-bar, the shortcuts with the macros and how everything is laid out on the panel,” said Ricky. “It’s very user friendly and everything is where it needs to be. For the church world, having something at this price point is huge. For the functionality it has, I think it’s a no brainer. Then when our broadcast is over, we can easily move the ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel from the desk in the control room to a separate engineering room. That way, everything stays on the network and we only have that one cable to plug in for the panel, which gives us everything we need. It’s super lightweight and well built. This would also be a great feature for mobile trucks, or other control rooms like ours that are multi-purpose.”

He continued, “We also have Micro Studio Camera 4Ks at various points in the room, and beingable to have the ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel control the PTZ type functions of the pan and tilt heads for these cameras is incredible. I think macros are where it’s headed in the industry. With this panel, that’s easy to do.”

Ricky concluded by saying, “What these products do is give the user options with their price points and 12G-SDI features. You can have SDI across the board. You can convert SDI to HDMI if needed. You can do 4K now or in the future. Blackmagic Design really connects the dots and gets what people need. That’s a huge plus for churches, especially those run by volunteers. To have everything talk to each other, to be able to recall your template and have everything snap back to the way it was, to load your graphics, to get your DSKs programmed, to get your cameras colored and matched up the way they need to be, and then have it snap back with one button is great. Blackmagic Design takes the guess work out of it.”

Press Photography

Product photos of URSA Broadcast, ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K, ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel, URSA Mini Pro, Micro Studio Camera 4K, Blackmagic Studio Camera, Video Assist 4K, URSA Studio Viewfinder, Smart Videohub 20x20, HyperDeck Studio Pro and all other Blackmagic Design products are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/images.

About Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.

Press Contact

Nick Govoni
Zazil Media Group
(e) nick@zazilmediagroup.com
(p) +1 (978) 866 7354

CHESHIRE, CONN.—The stars are night are reportedly big and bright in Texas, and few shine brighter than the star of the Dallas Cowboys. Now, the NFL team has a brand new broadcast studio courtesy of Creative Dimensions to emphasize that.

The Connecticut-based company was tasked with building a new broadcast studio for the Cowboys’ Star facility in Frisco, Texas, which serves as a basis of operation for much of the organization. The studio was completed back in late October.

Creative Dimensions is a provider of permanent and traveling broadcast set options.