Tech Roundup

The 732 Advanced Dynamic RDS Encoder is now available from Inovonics. It promises to include "the latest RDS tools, along with the obligatory broadcasting song title, artist information, and station IDs."

The NAB technology innovation initiative launched a new program that provides grants to NAB members to establish paid engineering or media-technology internships at their radio and TV stations. The program will be launched in partnership with NABEF as part of an effort to grow technical and engineering talent for the industry.

Automation, content management and integrated channel specialist Pebble Beach Systems has further optimized its Marina playout system to ease the migration from legacy and aging EOL systems such as ADC, Omnibus, and Sundance automation systems.

New data from NPR and Edison Research confirm that new smart speaker owners are emerging as "a distinct audience" in terms of user profile, behavior and media habits, while the first movers in the space remain highly engaged with their devices. That's a key learning from the Spring 2018 edition of The Smart Audio Report.

The Next Gen TV local simulcasting rules have received the approval of the Office of Management and Budget. This means that permissive voluntary use of the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard is a go — another milestone for TV operators seeking an addressable advertising solution and superior audio and visual quality.

Don't think that Snapchat is a legitimate ad threat to your radio or TV station? Think again. Nielsen has confirmed that its premium audience segments will now be available on the social media app's ad buying platform.

A firm that has carved a niche for itself through measuring eyes-on-screen attention of TV programming and ads has gained access to millions of dollars in capital. As such, it has named its first president and COO.

There's a Class C 64kw FM facility serving the Seattle-Tacoma region's Hispanic audience by providing regional Mexican programming. It's a big stick, hence its moniker: "La Gran D." But, this station is licensed to Elma, Washington and uses a tower well to the southwest of downtown Seattle. The result: Signal holes in the metropolitan area. This issue has just been resolved in a big way, as the station is now the latest licensee of Maxxcasting technology.

Gray Television last week broke ground on its new 30,000 square foot facility in Augusta, Georgia for its two TV stations in the market. Upon completion in 2019, the new facility will use broadcasting technology that "has never been seen in the industry," allowing the stations to enter its next chapter following 65 years of service in the region.

Regardless of what transpires between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media -- if anything, given the revelation by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai that he has deep concerns over a merger of the two companies -- Tribune hopes it will remain highly attractive to advertisers thanks to a new programmatic advance.

A CBS affiliate serving Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, in the far northwest corner of California, was looking for a streamlined, non-hardware solution for switching between live and recorded content. It found just what it needed: a software solution that doesn't require an external router to change playout sources.

Telestream has developed a new version of its Wirecast live streaming and production software, designed to enable studio-grade production for live events in Microsoft Stream. Called Wirecast S, the new software will be available as a free 30-day trial download when Microsoft enables live event streaming and scheduling for its Stream customers, and as a monthly subscription thereafter.

Content owners and such video distributors as MVPDs, traditional networks and new over-the-top (OTT) networks are now empowered with the ability to create self-branded linear TV channels that can be personalized and customized by and for each viewer in the household.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has awarded PRX $1.5 million to fund a second round of Project Catapult, the podcasting development project that identifies and develops new talent while building public media’s capacity to create content across platforms. Project Catapult focuses on rural, Southern and Western public media stations.

The wireless speaker maker on Friday (7/6) filed for an initial public offering. Details are scant, but rising trade tensions between China and the U.S. could put a damper on its business. The company is backed by KKR Stream Holdings.