ABS Wraps Integration Project for Cowles

Advanced Broadcast Solutions completed a project for Cowles California Media Group in which ABS centralized master control for six stations at a single facility, implemented a file-based workflow and maximized automation.

Traffic and master control were centralized at the facility in Salinas, CA, for four Cowles-operated channels serving the Salinas/Monterey market: KION-DT (CBS Channel 46 and The CW on 46.2), KCBA-DT (Fox 35) and KMUV-LP (Telemundo Channel 23). Salinas also handles traffic and master control for Santa Maria-based KCOY-DT (CBS 12) and KKFX (Fox 11), carried on KCOY’s dot two channel.

Under the new system, syndicated programming is received via satellite onto a Pathfire server in Salinas and then flipped to the ProCast server, which distributes shows to Santa Maria’s ProCast server. The traffic department uses VCI software to generate a daily operations log that interfaces with Avid Sundance Titan automation, resulting in fully automated master control and playout to air.

News operations in both markets are now based on Bitcentral’s Precis file-based news-production system, with acquisition on Panasonic P2 HD cameras and editing on Grass Valley Edius NLE systems.

Cowles acquired the four stations from Clear Channel Communications in mid 2008 and tapped ABS, which completed the project in 15 weeks.