The executive director of the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology will talk about emerging cybersecurity threats; communicating with the C-suite about investing in security; and the latest technologies being used and developed to thwart cyber crime at TVNewsCheck’s second annual Cybersecurity for Broadcasters Retreat in February.

On Friday, Nov. 30, broadcasters in the first of a 10-phase post incentive auction repack must have completed their move to new channels and ceased broadcasting on their pre-transition channels. Phase two begins Dec. 1. According to the FCC, more than 140 TV stations in over 20 markets will have moved frequencies when phase one is over.

An Alabama meteorologist used Facebook Live and satellite imagery to pinpoint weather information for viewers affected by Hurricane Michael. Because of his creative efforts to serve the viewers during a difficult time, Josh Johnson of WSFA has won the Social Media Excellence Awards’ top distinction — the Innovator Award.

Under Mark Harrison, the U.K.-based Digital Production Partnership has been instrumental in extending the use of SMPTE’s Interoperable Master Format (IMF) standard for broadcast and online applications and focusing vendors’ attention on cyber security. He talks about how his group is helping broadcasters keep up with consumers’ ever-changing content demands. “We are, in effect, democratizing IMF.”

Simon Trudelle, NAGRA senior director, product marketing: “The solution is driven by a combination of technology, collaboration, and innovation to fight pirate services across all distribution networks. Sports leagues must partner with vendors and service providers, as well as providing their own OTT services if not already the case, to ensure all fans get the best experience possible, anywhere.”

Hearst’s KCCI Des Moines, Iowa, took top honors in the small-medium market category in TVNewsCheck’s inaugural Social Media Excellence Awards. Its social media producer explains how the station captured a “beautiful moment” to lift it above the pack.

The collapse of KOZK Springfield, Mo.’s tower in April that killed an engineer was caused by mistakes made by contractors, according to a report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

To honor innovative, creative and effective use of social media, this year’s NewsTECHForum on Dec. 10 will present the first Social Media Excellent Awards to WTVT Tampa, Fla.; KCCI Des Moines, Iowa; Josh Johnson of WSFA Montgomery, Ala.; and Kristen Hampton of WBTV Charlotte, N.C. After accepting their awards, winners will participate in a panel discussion moderated by Kim Wilson of Social News Desk.

At TVNewsCheck’s annual NewsTECHForum on Dec. 11 in New York, Michael Depp will moderate a discussion among four broadcast experts on how to make the most of OTT content, tech and monetization.

Used exclusively by NBC/Telemundo station meteorologists, the StormRanger radar trucks are honored for revolutionizing the timeliness and accuracy of local weather forecasting and reporting.

Wazee Digital’s Robin Melhuish: “Content creation companies that develop and produce film and television programs are continually working to make sure their asset management and distribution processes are as simple as they can be. Having a global archive/marketing distribution platform can help them eliminate distribution complexity, unify and streamline operations and maximize the revenue potential for each production.”

Making sure that 4K signals maintain their integrity offers big, new challenges. “It’s a change in physics, in the way you make the cameras and capture the images,” says Phabrix’s Phillip Adams. “We need new instruments to understand what is happing with the high-dynamic range.” And then there are issues when the signals are also being distributed over broadband and mobile networks.

At NewsTECHForum on Dec. 10 at the New York Hilton, Matt Danzico, NBC; Emily Kassie, The Marshall Project; Matt Pearl, Tegna’s WXIA and Frederic Roux, Dalet North America, will show and discuss examples of their, or in Roux’s case, his clients’ groundbreaking work.