E.W. Scripps Company‘s broadcast division, Scripps Television Station Group, is finding a way to simplify and ease its Broadcast Auxiliary Spectrum (BAS) relocation thanks to Nucomm Inc., a leading provider of digital and analog microwave systems for the broadcast industry, common carrier, cable, government, military and international marketplace.
Nucomm is providing WPTV News Channel 5, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, new digital 2GHz hardware. WPTV is one of ten Scripps stations that have chosen Nucomm equipment for their BAS relocation.
Having used Nucomm‘s equipment and service since 2000, WPTV News Channel 5 Director of Engineering Dave McKinley says that Nucomm was the only vendor that came to mind for this task. ”Nucomm is our provider of choice. The company offers reliable and durable products, along with exceptional service and support.”
Over the past seven years, WPTV has relied on many of Nucomm‘s technological innovations, including its dual path equipment, to provide unequaled, uninterrupted coverage to its viewers. As part of the BAS process, Nucomm is updating equipment valued at over $1 million. WPTV will receive 15 new transmitters, eight receivers and a new control system.
When it came to selecting the ideal provider for administering the BAS process among all of its stations, Michael Doback, vice president, Scripps Television Station Group, says that Nucomm offered the most attractive package. “Nucomm has several functional advantages over its competitors. It offers aggressive product pricing with a strong service program, which is why we felt comfortable making this type of major commitment with them.”
Although the 10 Scripps Television Station Group networks are geographically dispersed and do not typically share equipment, Doback says having all stations linked with the same provider uncovers new benefits. “Now that everyone will be outfitted with the same technology, our staff will be able to move around the country in times of emergency in seamless fashion, without any adjustment period.”
The Scripps Television Station Group networks are in the midst of receiving their new equipment, which is expected to be fully installed and updated over the next 60 to 90 days.
Scripps Television Station Group includes six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent. Scripps operates broadcast television stations in Detroit, MI, Cleveland, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Phoenix, AZ, Tampa, FL, Baltimore, MD, Kansas City, MO, West Palm Beach, FL, Tulsa, OK and Lawrence, KS.
About Nucomm
Nucomm, Inc. is a worldwide provider of premier digital and analog video microwave systems (including COFDM and VSB) for the broadcasting industry‘s portable and fixed link applications. Offering video microwave transmission equipment for the military, law enforcement, telecom and cable television circuits, Nucomm‘s products have helped revolutionize live broadcast coverage of major outdoor events including sports, auto racing, marathons and parades. Nucomm, along with RF Central and Microwave Services Company, forms the Vitec Group RF Systems business unit, a part of Vitec Group Broadcast Systems Division. For more information about Nucomm, visit www.nucomm.com.
About The Vitec Group
The Vitec Group supplies a wide range of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries. Its products are distributed in nearly 100 countries, either through dealerships or direct to the end user or corporate customer. Vitec is based on strong, well known, premium brands that professionals rely on. Vitec is organized in three divisions: Imaging & Staging, Broadcast Systems and Broadcast Services. For more information, visit www.vitecgroup.com.
