CBS Affiliate KOAM-TV On Air with Harris Corporation NewsForce Digital Broadcast Newsroom Solution

CINCINNATI. — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, announces that KOAM-TV, a CBS affiliate in the Pittsburg, Kan./Joplin, Mo., market, is using the Harris® NewsForce™ digital news production system to meet the time-sensitive demands of its live news telecasts. KOAM-TV recently made the transition to digital broadcasting, having turned off its analog signal on February 17, 2009.

The Harris solution at KOAM-TV comprises two NEXIO AMP™ advanced media platforms, as well as members of the NewsForce family of MOS-enabled editors, including 10 Velocity ESX™ on-SAN high-resolution editors and three Velocity XNG™ field editors. KOAM-TV integrates the Velocity ESX editors with its AP ENPS newsroom computer system (NRCS). Finished clips are quickly and easily added to the NRCS rundown and then played to air with the NEXIO® MOS Playlist Manager application, resulting in a highly streamlined workflow. KOAM-TV is also using three NEXIO Media Gateway servers to facilitate high-speed file transfer of news content from third-party catch servers.

“The cost savings we realized by running the Velocity ESX software on our existing workstations allowed us to purchase more editing software,” said Bret Falcetto, news operations manager, KOAM-TV/KFJX-TV. "These additional editing seats enable more users to edit simultaneously and result in less downtime, as there is no waiting for an open edit booth. Our reporters and editors can also multitask by editing video and writing and editing scripts all at the same workstation. When finished with the story, the user simply hits one button and the piece is ready for air.

“The time savings is also very apparent, as we can immediately begin to edit the feed as it is being ingested. Since going live with Harris, we are able to produce more content for newscasts, employees are able to use their time more efficiently, and our newscast is visibly tighter and more polished,” continued Falcetto.

“Harris is dedicated to providing interoperable solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing news operations and allow a smooth transition to digital broadcasting,” said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications. “The Harris NewsForce family of editing systems enables broadcasters to achieve greater cost efficiency and operational flexibility, while delivering the industry’s quickest time to air.”

Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Harris ONE™ solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models.