NBCUniversal Relies on The Video Call Center for Production of The Steve Wilkos Show, Karamo

The Video Call Center (VCC) has been selected as a production technology partner for the third consecutive year by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios. VCC smartphone-based, remote contribution services will continue to bring live remote guests to Stamford Studios for season 16 of The Steve Wilkos Show and their new talk show Karamo, set to air in Fall 2022.

“VCC provides our Stamford Studios live productions with a very reliable remote contribution solution that enables our showrunners for The Steve Wilkos Show and Karamo to book compelling guests anywhere in the world,” says Stamford Studios’s Vice President and General Manager, Vinnie Fusco. “The remote production workflow has proven to be a convenient and easy solution for our busy guests and a platform that gives our producers tremendous flexibility to pursue the best storylines.”

VCC smartphone-based, remote contribution services provides NBCUniversal’s Syndication Studios-based shows with virtually unlimited remote capacity and the highest-quality low-latency audio/video to ensure a natural conversation between guest and host. For the coming season, the studio set of The Steve Wilkos Show has been redesigned to take maximum advantage of VCC-powered guest remotes. In the new configuration, an on-set monitor has been positioned to enhance the face-to-face interaction between host Steve Wilkos and his remote guests. In addition to the remotes, VCC provides shows with pre-production call-producing services, technology, and live support during production hours.

“We are very proud of our years working alongside the production teams at NBCU Syndication Studios,” says VCC CEO Larry Thaler. “It is thrilling to be invited to continue our support of The Steve Wilkos Show and their exciting new talk show, Karamo. Our goal is for VCC technology and our call production staff to serve as a seamless extension of NBCU Syndication Studios production team and for the guests to feel as comfortable as they would be in the studio. This new agreement represents a tremendous validation of VCC’s approach focused on creating ease for the contributor and the producers.”

VCC Technologies in Use at NBCU
VCC’s Caller Cloud is a complete live remote contribution solution that features hands-on support from VCC’s expert video call producers using VCC’s AirFirst platform. To date, Caller Cloud has been used to deliver more than 20,000 remotes for streaming, cable, and broadcast programs.

AirFirst removes complexity for busy, remote guests by eliminating the need for them to download anything to their device. Connecting is as easy as clicking a link sent to them by text or email. This link connects them with an experienced VCC Call Producer who utilizes VCC’s Tenaciti feature and a choice of connection technologies to optimize the connection for each guest’s device and bandwidth for the best possible audio and video during long-duration shoots. VCC’s exclusive technologies and processes are used to enhance the connection between guests and the production so that the guest is comfortable, looks great, and can engage in uninterrupted two-way conversation with a show’s cast. VCC Call Producers also take cues from NBCUniversal’s Stamford Media Center creative team to ensure that guests are fully prepared for their appearance, know what to expect, and look their best.

All VCC systems are available via the AirFirst SaaS (Software as a Service), which is offered as a do-it-yourself platform or as part of the VCC’s white-glove, full-service Caller Cloud service as utilized by NBCU.