A North Carolina-headquartered company serving the broadcast and AV equipment community as a technology services provider for 50 years has entered into a partnership with a broadcast tech specialist known for its professional radio systems, advanced video automation, cloud-based radio and video platforms, RF system engineering, and ongoing systems maintenance.
The result of this pact will be, SCMS and radioDNA hope, video automation systems offered to radio broadcasters seeking to expand their digital and visual presence — minus the challenges of a traditional television infrastructure.
To accomplish this, radioDNA’s visual radio design and integration skills will be meshed with SCMS’s sales and support capabilities, along with technologies from “leading” radio industry manufacturers.
SCMS will represent and sell radioDNA’s visual radio automation systems, providing broadcasters with end-to-end solutions that include system design, equipment sourcing, and deployment support.
“This partnership is about making visual radio practical and profitable,” Tharp added. “Together, we’re giving broadcasters tools that were once reserved for television studios, now optimized for radio workflows and budgets.”
SCMS was particularly intrigued by radioDNA’s visual radio systems, and its success with modern IP networking, digital audio, and automated camera control through the use of OBSBOT TailAir cameras.
“These systems are designed to meet broadcasters where they are,” said Fritz Golman, radioDNA’s Director of Video Systems and Automation. “Whether it’s a major market facility or a small-market studio, we’re using the same core technology to automate camera switching, integrate remote guests, and produce professional video content without requiring a full production crew.”
At the heart of the platform is a network-centric architecture that replaces traditional coaxial video wiring with structured IP connectivity. By utilizing digital audio backends from manufacturers such as Wheatstone and Axia, alongside IP-based video transport, stations can gain flexibility to scale, reconfigure, or expand their studios over time, SCMS asserts.
The systems integrate industry-standard NDI video networking with professional video production software, enabling centralized control and automation of multiple cameras. Then, radioDNA’s software layer connects directly with radio automation systems, allowing routine video switching and production tasks to occur automatically.
Support for remote guests and hybrid productions was also noted by SCMS and radioDNA. “Broadcasters can easily incorporate Zoom-based video feeds into live shows, bringing in guests, reporters, or contributors from anywhere, and presenting them as part of a cohesive, broadcast-quality production,” the companies noted.
For SCMS VP Doug Tharp, customers already experimenting with video led them to move ahead with the initiative. Rather than place a few cameras in the studio and stream to social media, the use of automation and networking can be used “to make the result look intentional, professional, and monetizable—without blowing the budget.”
In addition to live streaming, the systems enable automated content repurposing, allowing stations to quickly generate short-form video clips for social media and on-demand platforms. Advanced monetization options include visual sponsorships, branded elements, and dynamic insertion of video advertising into online streams—creating revenue opportunities beyond traditional on-air spots.
