TVUPack Lets KSBI Deliver Live Coverage

Family Broadcasting’s independent KSBI Oklahoma City (DMA 44) has deployed TVU Networks’ TVUPack to broadcast live with professional-quality video from virtually any location.

In late 2010 adjusted its programming strategy to focus on providing local live entertainment mixed with syndicated programming. According to Jerry Hart, vice president of operations for KSBI, the move to focus on live local entertainment was a strategic move to keep the station viable in a competitive marketplace.

“KSBI is one of the last independent TV stations in the region. Our whole purpose is to be a local station. We don’t do news. We want to do local entertainment mixed with syndicated programming. No way you can do this kind of TV without live capabilities and TVUPack is one of the critical elements for making the goals of the station happen,” said Hart.

By deploying TVUPack, KSBI was able to broadcast local events including high school sports, the Oklahoma State Fair and more. KSBI’s coverage of local high school football has become one of the station’s flagship programs. “TVUPack enables us to broadcast live from six different high schools each night. If you can get a cameraperson to the game, you can get a live feed. It’s so simple to set up, nobody has to run cable or configure the pack to broadcast,” explained Hart.

TVUPack also allowed KSBI to eliminate the cost that would result from upgrading the station’s satellite and microwave ENG infrastructure. According to Hart, KSBI saved more than $200,000 in operational costs by deploying TVUPack. “Sat trucks are traditionally expensive,” explained Hart. “In addition to the cost of the equipment, they also require an engineer to run them and a driver with a CDL to drive them. On top of that, you need to buy airtime and you can’t miss your broadcast windows. TVUPack has eliminated all of those expenses.”

TVUPack gives broadcasters satellite microwave TV truck functionality in a lightweight backpack. TVUPack is powered by TVU’s proprietary Inverse StatMux technology, which dynamically segments a live video signal and transmits the segments through multiple independent 3G/4G/WiFi/WiMax connections. TVUPack provides broadcasters with low-latency, HD-quality signal that enables them to broadcast live at any time and from any location.