Cloud-based IP live video distribution reduces satellite reliance without additional hardware
Hackensack, NJ, March 29, 2016 — Seeking a more efficient and timely solution for distributing live content to its network of broadcast stations, Cox Media Group (CMG) is now employing LiveU’s MultiPoint IP video distribution service. Cox implemented the solution to reduce costs and eliminate the reliance on satellite uplinks.
MultiPoint is fully integrated into the LiveU Central, a unified, browser-based cloud management platform that enables broadcasters to share high quality, live video between multiple broadcast locations over the public Internet. The service seamlessly integrates into the daily workflow, and provides broadcasters with a highly cost-effective way to replace most of their satellite operations. Now they can share content across groups with minimal delay and without incurring satellite re-transmission fees.
CMG’s Washington, D.C. news bureau distributes live content multiple times each day to 14 of its call-letter broadcast stations across the country. Before MultiPoint, CMG distributed news stories to each of the stations via satellite uplink during scheduled feed windows, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
“For our one-man distribution operation, the steps involved in getting content out to our stations were complicated and challenging,” said CMG News Operations Manager, Kevin Johnson. “MultiPoint has effectively replaced the morning satellite window, saving both labor and expenses,” Johnson said. “We’re now able to transmit to multiple stations at the same time and not have to worry about bringing the system down and back up while configuring for each station, greatly reducing the cost of our morning shots.”
A key advantage of MultiPoint is it allows centralized web-based switching between destination stations, enabling a CMG news photographer to quickly move to the next station and set the configuration faster and with fewer steps. Before incorporating LiveU MultiPoint, CMG operations had to bring the transmission down, set the configuration for a station, bring the transmission back up and establish the connection – then repeat the process nine times. “It was stressful and presented more chances for something to go wrong,” Johnson explained.
For CMG’s coverage of the March 1 Super Tuesday primary elections, MultiPoint enabled the Washington bureau to send its news stories to multiple stations at the same time and to transmit those “live shots” one after another quickly and easily.
“Normally, we don’t transmit to all 14 stations at one time, but MultiPoint gives us the capability to do so when needed,” Johnson adds. “Our stations are happy with the quality of the transmissions and, because they receive our live shots with more lead time, they’re able to increase quality control and ease news room stress.”
The LiveU MultiPoint system will be on display in the LiveU booth #C1717 at the 2016 NAB Show®, April 18 – 21 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
About LiveU
LiveU is the pioneer and leader in IP-based live video services and broadcast solutions for acquisition, management and distribution. LiveU’s award-winning technology enables live video transmission from any location around the world with lightweight, easy-to-use equipment. From backpacks to smartphones, and satellite/cellular hybrid to external antenna solutions, LiveU offers a complete range of devices for live video coverage anytime, anywhere. In addition, LiveU offers extensive cloud-based management and video distribution solutions. With top-tier customers in 80+ countries, LiveU’s solutions are being utilized for breaking and developing news and high-profile events, such as the FIFA World Cup™, Winter and Summer Olympic Games, Presidential Campaigns, Super Bowls, US Collegiate Championships and red-carpet events. LiveU’s solutions include multiple 4G LTE/3G, HSPA+, WiMAX and Wi-Fi cellular links, which are optimized for maximum video quality based on the available network conditions. To learn more about LiveU, visit www.liveu.tv, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.
About Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps. Additionally, CMG owns Cox Target Media, which operates Valpak, one of North America’s leading direct marketing companies, and Savings.com, a leading online source for savings. The company’s operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 60 radio stations, six daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG currently operates in more than 20 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 31 million TV viewers, more than 3.5 million newspaper readers, and more than 14 million radio listeners. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.