Cable channel Comedy Central is automating its graphics system with Pinnacle Systems' DekoCast Power Promo tool suite, which integrates a Pinnacle DekoCast system with the network's automation and traffic management system to automate graphics insertion while saving network operations resources. The DekoCast Power Promo tool suite consists of four modules: Asset Mapper, Scheduler, Previewer and Automation Playout.
Comedy Central purchased four DekoCast systems to deliver the channel's lower third messaging for its New York City and Smithtown, N.Y. operations. Comedy Central relies on third lower messaging to promote its own programming. The channel has used DekoCast Power Promo to free up time in the breaks for other material, eliminate expensive and time consuming pre-production of menus and increase the number of navigation messages aired to over 5,000 a month.
"The creative team creates an inventory of navigational messages which can be programmed directly into the traffic system. DekoCast then automatically plays out material at the correct time. As an added quality control benefit, we can now preview our entire rundown for the next day by 5:00 p.m. and see exactly what is going out to air," said Debbie Beiter, vice president of production, on-air creative for Comedy Central.
