Pinnacle Systems Inc. and Pathfire, a digital media content distribution and management provider, signed agreements with Warner Bros. Technical Operations to help digitally deliver syndicated programming from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) and The WB to broadcast stations, and to localize content for specific markets.
Pinnacle and Pathfire will provide content management tools in various areas of station workflow to over 800 WB affiliates and WBDTD syndication clients. The ability to automatically distribute and localize content and programming from a central hub promises to help increase revenue and save on costs, according to Pathfire.
Pathfire's Digital Media Gateway will enable Warner Bros. to deliver content via store-and-forward technology. DMG is an automated digital IP-multicast distribution platform that eliminates the need to monitor and roll tape on scheduled satellite feeds. Users will be able to view frame-accurate timing information of show elements, route content to downstream gear and manage the incoming content from a desktop. Pinnacle servers will be a component in the expansion of the DMG.
The WB will also localize its network feed with Pinnacle's VBase centralized management system. The WB will be able to provide regionally specific commercial content directly into individual broadcast regions. VBase will be installed at Warner Bros Technical Operations' Los Angeles headquarters, where it will interface with The WB's existing automation and traffic systems.
