LISTEN: On the latest episode of Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast, the first in a series recapping NAB Show 2023 in Las Vegas, starting with a conversation with David Grindle, the Executive Director of SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), who took the helm of the organization last July. We also catch up with Paul Beck, President of the Museum of Broadcast Technology in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to talk about preserving broadcasting’s analog heritage and the museum’s move into providing props to the industry. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
SMPTE has announced the initial release of its Rapid Industry Solutions (RIS) On-Set Virtual Production Camera and Lens Metadata project. The RIS On-Set Virtual Production initiative seeks to achieve the interoperability of all on-set equipment. The initial release targets the use of traditional VFX as a step toward future releases that will cover camera and lens metadata for on-set virtual production and camera tracking metadata. The work is hosted in a public repository where SMPTE members and the public can provide comments and feedback. Additional releases are planned covering camera and lens metadata for on-set virtual production and camera tracking. SMPTE RIS is also working toward several other deliverables for 2023, including the Interactive Virtual Production Wall Chart, which will showcase how virtual production works from start to end.
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has launched the Future of Television Initiative, as announced by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The public-private partnership is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to ATSC 3.0 for broadcasters, other associated industries and the American public. NAB says it will establish and lead the effort with industry, government and public interest stakeholders “to establish a comprehensive roadmap for an orderly and expeditious transition to this exciting new viewer experience.” The Future of Television Initiative will incorporate three working groups, each designed to address critical components of the transition with a focus on addressing existing hardware, the technical aspects of executing the transition, and regulatory issues.
North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) released the NABA Insights on Hybrid Radio and Metadata for Broadcasters document at NAB Show during the Broadcasters and Hybrid Radio – It’s All About the Metadata session. The document was written by the NABA Radio Committee’s Hybrid Radio and Metadata Working Group, developed to help improve radio broadcaster’s awareness of hybrid radio technology and understand the importance of metadata usage. It highlights the changing automotive media and entertainment landscape regarding audio services, the role metadata and hybrid radio play in improving the broadcast product, and how broadcasters can position themselves for success. NABA says proper use of hybrid radio and metadata will help broadcasters maintain their dominant position in the automotive audio landscape and maintain listener interest.
WideOrbit has launched WO Fusion, described as “a next-generation sales platform that creates a scalable application for broadcast TV and radio, as well as cable and broadcast network sales teams.” Introduced at NAB Show, WO Fusion leverages secure, encrypted, browser-based toolsets, building on the company’s WO Media Sales product, presenting sales teams with a single, unified view of all incoming demand, across digital, linear, and reach extension buys from both automated and manual channels. WO Fusion’s open architecture is API-based, allowing for integrations with linear traffic and digital ad serving platforms.
Orbyt Media has entered the RADIUS HUB buying platform, allowing agencies across Canada to send digital RFPs and receive national campaigns across Orbyt Media’s network of more than 400 radio stations. Currently used by several other Canadian ad agencies, RADIUS HUB aims to improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of buying and selling network radio.
FEATURE: Our April update from WABE (Western Association of Broadcast Engineers) President Tessa Potter includes details of the association’s plans to hold a May 15 meetup in downtown Winnipeg and more details of its forthcoming conference in Vancouver this fall. Read more here.