ABS Completes Newsroom Upgrade at KBCI-TV, Boise, Idaho

October 24, 2007

Source: Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS)

Systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) has completed an extensive upgrade of the newsroom production environment at KBCI, the CBS affiliate in Boise, Idaho. KBCI began broadcasting live newscasts from its upgraded facility on June 23, 2007.

At the heart of the upgrade is a Grass Valley Ignite integrated production system that links KBCI’s production control room with its AP ENPS newsroom computer system as well as a new, dual-channel Avid Deko live graphics system. Through their seamless integration, these systems enable KBCI to realize greater efficiencies through an automated newsroom production workflow.

This upgrade represents a significant investment in KBCI by its parent company, Fisher Communications, Inc., in Seattle, WA, a station group comprised of 12 full power TV stations, seven low power TV stations, and eight radio stations. “Fisher recognizes the value of investing in KBCI’s facilities and the growing Boise TV market. We projected a return on investment within 1.5 years due to new found efficiencies in this automated news production workflow,” said Kelly Alford, Fisher Communications’ Vice President of Engineering. “The KBCI upgrade was also motivated by the desire to boost the station’s ratings from third to first place for local news in the competitive Boise market.”

The upgrade represented a quantum leap forward from the aging video production infrastructure that KBCI had been using for decades. Before being acquired by Fisher Communications, the station ran on an antiquated Grass Valley 1680 production switcher and single channel Chyron Max, both of which have been discontinued by their respective manufacturers. Fisher Communications called upon ABS to remedy this dire situation because of the company’s specialized expertise and proven track record in systems integration for broadcast.

“At the time we stepped in, KBCI was technologically exposed and gambling with every live broadcast. If that ‘1680’ switcher ever went down, there would be no way to get it back up and running and live production would invariably come to an abrupt halt,” said Mark Siegel, president of ABS.

“The need to replace the ‘1680’ was so urgent that we and Grass Valley loaned KBCI a Grass Valley Kayak production switcher to hold them over for six months until the new Grass Valley Ignite system could be installed in the Spring of 2007.” Since the Ignite system has a built-in 2-M/E Kayak enhanced by automation and control software, the loaner Kayak was removed and returned to Grass Valley when the Ignite installation was completed.

“There was also a pressing need to replace the single-channel Chyron Max because the legacy character generator imposed many technical and creative limitations that detracted from the appeal of the live newscasts,” said Siegel. “The addition of the new, dual-channel Avid Deko was huge because it allows graphics operators to compose contemporary, multilayered 3D animated graphics with full motion video, and employ automated graphics composition tools, such as templates for generating realtime driven data displays.”

With the Ignite, Deko, and the ENPS in service, KBCI was able to reduce its head count in the production control room from nine to three people, freeing up resources that could be used for further station improvements. Fisher also hired a new producer, director, news director, and general manager who would bring a fresh approach to daily station management.

Alford said, “This fully automated newsroom production environment has given us greater control over the look, quality, and consistency of the elements in our live newscasts resulting in a dramatically improved on-air presentation.”

About Fisher Communications, Inc.:

Fisher Communications, Inc. is a Seattle-based communications company that owns or manages 12 full power and seven low power TV stations, as well as eight radio stations. Fisher has a tradition of serving the community and setting the standard for innovation and journalistic excellence. The Fisher station group includes: KOMO-TV (ABC), Seattle, WA; KUNS-TV, (Univision) Bellevue, WA; KATU-TV (ABC) in Portland, OR; KUNP (Univision) in LaGrande/Portland, OR; KVAL-TV (CBS) in Eugene, OR; KCBY (CBS) in Coos Bay OR; KIMA-TV, (CBS) in Yakima, WA; KKFQ-CA, (Univision), Yakima, WA; KEPR-TV, (CBS) in Pasco WA; KVVK-CA, (Univision), in Kennewick, WA; KLEW, (CBS) in Lewiston ID; KBCI, (CBS) in Boise ID; KIDK, (CBS), in Idaho Falls, ID; KPPP, (Telefutura), in Pocatello ID.

Fisher envisions making life better in the communities it serves by connecting and empowering people through local news and information. More information about Fisher Communications can be obtained at the company website at: www.fsci.com, or by calling (206) 404-4000.

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