Broadcaster Magazine May 2016

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March 2016

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C A N A D A ’ S C O M M U N I C A T I O N S M A G A Z I N E

NEW PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADCASTERS IP Protocols, Corporate Partnerships Drive Video Consumption ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

CANADIAN INDUSTRY NEWS

NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICES AT NAB

ACHIEVER WILLIAMS CELEBRATED

Editor Lee Rickwood editor@broadcastermagazine.com Senior Publisher Advertising Sales James A. Cook (416) 510-6871 jcook@broadcastermagazine.com

Broadcaster® March 2016

Volume 75 Number 2

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IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 4 INDUSTRY Recent Developments in Canadian

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ACHIEVERS 22 CANADIAN No Shortcuts for Brian Williams

By Dick Drew

22 ON THE COVER: The master control room and transmission service centre at Pacific Television Center London connects to satellite platforms, fibre networks and BT Tower, the communication transmission tower of BT Group. PTC MCR Photo Credit: Tas Kyprianou.

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CRTC Website Preps Canadians for TV Changes The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) unveiled its new Communication Service Providers in Canada online search tool for phone, mobile, Internet and television services available.

The CRTC launched the website and online service with significant changes in store for the country’s television service providers.

“During our consultations with Canadians, we have heard repeatedly that consumers crave choice and affordability when it comes to choosing communication services,” announced Jean-Pierre Blais, CRTC Chairman and CEO. “We listened to what Canadians told us and many of our recent decisions have an important common thread: choice and sustainable competition. We know this is how we can ensure Canadians benefit from a world-class communications system. The new online tool that we are introducing today will help Canadians select service providers that make the most sense for their needs, their budgets and their realities.”

Effective March 1, 2016, Canadian TV service providers such as cable and satellite companies must offer a new affordable basic package that costs no more than $25 per month, not including rental equipment. Service providers also must offer either a selection of small channel bundles or give viewers the ability to select individual channels. Service providers must offer both small bundles and pick-and-pay by December 1, 2016.

The Commission also stated that it would require the entry-level basic service to be promoted in a like manner to the BDU’s first-tier offering so that customers are aware of its availability, price and content. It has also revised the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations to implement the requirements to offer an entry-level basic service and flexible packaging options.

The new online tool includes facts about switching providers and links to third-party websites that rate and compare the quality and value of communication packages.

Users can also access details such as how different kinds of providers work, and learn about the types of communication technologies they use.

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CMF National Director Named The Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada announced the appointment of Dominique Lapierre to the position of National Director, CMF Programs Administrator.

Having served in the position on an interim basis for the past year, Lapierre manages the team responsible for ensuring the efficient administration of the CMF’s funding programs. Since 2006, the CMF has entrusted administration of its programs to Telefilm.

A law graduate from McGill University, Lapierre started her career by working in business law at the Borden Ladner Gervais law firm. She joined Telefilm in 2002 as Legal Counsel – Feature Film. In 2006, she was promoted to the position of Deputy Director – Feature Film, French Market, and in 2009 to the position of Director, French Market – CMF Programs Administrator.

In addition to her extensive knowledge of the television, digital media and fea-

ture-film industries, Lapierre is an experienced manager who favours healthy communication and teamwork to achieve expected outcomes and results. She also holds a specialized graduate diploma in Management of Cultural Organizations from HEC Montréal.

New Line-up, Familiar Voice at NEWSTALK 580 CFRA

Bill Carroll is the new host of an all-new morning program in Ottawa

Toronto veteran radio personality Bill Carroll is the new host of the all-new morning program at NEWSTALK 580 CFRA OTTAWA, The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll, premiering Monday, March 7. In addition, NEWSTALK 580 CFRA announced a new

CBC Kids’ Nab TVO Grads

New Executives in Charge of Kids’ Programming at CBC

Marie McCann and Drew Mullin are the new executives in charge of production for Children’s Content at Kids’ CBC. In their new roles, McCann and Mullin will report directly to Martin Markle, senior director of Children’s Content for CBC Television.

“Marie and Drew have a lot of heart and creativity, and I’m thrilled to have them join Kids’ CBC,” said Markle. “Both have hands-on experience writing, directing and producing top-notch content for kids. Their artistic instincts will shine through as they work with our independent production partners.”

Mullin, an international award-winning writer, director, producer and composer, has been creating children’s media, performing arts programs and commercials for two decades. He has co-developed and directed more than a dozen multi-platform series for TVO and helped to shape its live programming block.

McCann returns to CBC after holding the same role from 2007 to 2012. McCann previously headed-up the preschool team at TVO, where she led the creation of programs Gisele’s Big Backyard and Kids’ Canada, which both received a Gemini Award and a YMA Award of Excellence. She is also the author of children’s book Larry the Dromedary: in the Zohar Sand.

Kids’ CBC programs are available commercial-free in the morning on CBC Television, online at Kids’ CBC 1 and Kids’ CBC 2, the free TV for Me streaming app for iPad, and at YouTube.com/KidsCBC. www.broadcastermagazine.com

evening line-up, welcoming well-known journalist, host, and columnist Brian Lilley as host of Beyond the News with Brian Lilley, also premiering Monday, March 7.

“We are excited to welcome Bill while celebrating the return of Brian to 580 CFRA,” said Richard Gray, Vice-President and General Manager, Radio and TV, Bell Media, Ottawa and Pembroke. “Both are exceptional talents, and their permanent addition to our inimitable line-up of strong opinionators reinforces our committed and ongoing investment in the future of talk radio here in the Ottawa market.”

The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll is slated to air weekdays from 6-10 a.m. on NEWSTALK 580 CFRA. Carroll will be joined by Trisha Owens to usher in weekday mornings for listeners across the region with a unique blend of humour, insight, and opinion on the hot-button stories topping the headlines.

“My family had decided late last year that it was time to come home – what great timing that a legendary station like CFRA is making some changes,” said Carroll. “I can’t wait to join the team in Ottawa and get started. And I hope the people of Ottawa will forgive my years of cheering the Kings and Leafs. I will adapt, slowly.”

Born in Scotland and raised in Scarborough, ON, Carroll ruled the airwaves in Southern Ontario for twelve years before moving to Los Angeles to work at KFI-AM·640. He quickly captivated the talk-show scene as his ratings climbed to the top of his time slot. Recently called the fifth most influential host in the U.S.

by Newsmax, Carroll has ranked consistently in the Talkers Heavy Hundred ranking of the Top 100 most important talk show hosts in America. He is a former host of Focus Ontario on Global, a multiple RTNDA award winner for breaking news and television commentary, and has appeared on FOX nationally and in Los Angeles. Carroll also was a fill-in host on CBC’s Counterperson.

Beyond the News with Brian Lilley is scheduled to air weeknights from 7-10 p.m. on NEWSTALK 580 CFRA, delivering an informative and entertaining roundup of what Ottawa residents are talking about, including local, national, international news, sports, and pop culture. Most recently the host of Byline with Brian Lilley on Sun News Network for the past four years, Lilley writes a weekly column for Sun Media newspapers that norwww.broadcastermagazine.com

NEWS

INDUSTRY Alternate Host on The Agenda

Nam Kiwanuka will be the alternate host for TVO’s flagship current affairs program, The Agenda with Steve Paikin.

“We’re thrilled to have a journalist with Nam’s experience join The Agenda,” said the show’s Executive Producer, Stacey Dunseath. “Nam brings a diverse perspective and understanding of the issues The Agenda explores and she will be a great addition as we build the digital public space for Ontario-perspective in-depth current affairs.”

Nam has worked with CNN, BET, NBA TV, Sportsnet, ET Canada and Much/ MTV Canada. She has written for the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, xoJane.com, Upscale Magazine, the Hartford Courant, Jane Magazine, was the editor of the African Business Journal, and was a columnist for BBC Focus on Africa Magazine. Nam was also named Emerging Filmmaker for the Class of 2013 by the ReelWorld Film Festival.

“My family came to Canada as refugees and TVO introduced us to the world,” said Nam. “It was a distinctive part of my childhood because I learned so much from TVO. I’m looking forward to interviewing all of these phenomenal guests and to learning with and from the audience.”

Nam Kiwanuka, host of TVO’s The Agenda in the Summer (CNW Group/TVO)

mally appears Friday. He has also sat in for Glenn Beck on Fox News, reported on CNN radio and television, and CBS radio.

Lilley has written for outlets including The Blaze, Breitbart, The Hamilton Spectator, National Post, to name just a few.

The announcement followed the departures of Mark Sutcliffe, Ron Corbett, John Counsell, and Nick Vandergragt.

“Mark, Ron, John, and Nick have left an indelible mark on 580 CFRA and our listeners over the years,” said Gray. “We thank them for their valuable contributions to the station and wish them all the best as they take the next steps in their careers.”

Da-Ré Joins CBC to Rio CBC & Radio-Canada Media Solutions added Errol Da-Ré to its Olympic Games Sales efforts as the Head of the Olympic Games Sales Team. A well-respected media professional, Da-Ré had previously worked for Shaw Media as the EVP/SVP of sales, responsible for all aspects of the strategy and revenue growth.

“We are extremely pleased to have Errol join our team to bolster our great

start on the Road to Rio,” said Jim Kozak, Senior Director, Marketing and Olympic Games. “Errol brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership and sales strategy from his various past roles in the media industry along with his ability to build partnerships. There is no doubt that he will be a valued member of our team for CBC/Radio-Canada’s coverage of Rio 2016 as we continue to bring on sponsors and facilitate participation sales.”

Da-Ré’s appointment was effective early February. Working out of the Toronto office and reporting to Kozak, Da-Ré supports the Olympic Games sales team and its efforts. In his role as CBC/RadioCanada’s Head of Olympic Games Sales Team for the network’s coverage of Rio 2016, he will work closely with interested corporate partners, negotiating and bringing on board exciting sponsorship and participation sales opportunities.

CRFC Radiometres Awarded Funding The Community Radio Fund of Canada will award close to $3 million to camMarch 2016

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pus and community radio stations for the 6th round of funding of the Radiometres program. This funding envelope, larger than for previous rounds, supports 61 projects by 69 stations.

“Nothing makes me happier than to see stations that are at the heart of our communities take advantage of Radiometres to undertake initiatives that will not only improve their capacities, but that will also benefit the communities they serve,” announced Roger Ouellette, president of the CRFC. This latest round of funding will make it possible to carry out projects that are necessary to the sustainability of community radio stations.

“The fact that our listener base is spread out over a large area affects not only our revenue potential, but our ability to do good outreach. Most of our volunteers live in or near Nelson, and it

is difficult for these Nelson volunteers to do outreach activities in our other listening communities. Added to this, we have only a small number of volunteers from other communities able to travel regularly to the station premises in Nelson to do shows or volunteer. This project will offer us, for a crucial period of time, staff and resources that will help us foster greater engagement in all of our listening areas,” said Catherine Fisher, president of Kootenay Co-operative Radio (CJLY) in Nelson, B.C. The projects are not lacking in originality and diversity when it comes to the local programming that will be created.

They include the creation of a series of special shows on youth; shows that will explore the evolution of Cap Breton music; recorded broadcasts of live community theatre stage productions; music shows taking place in a train car; and an

LaBerge Joins Calibre Richard LaBerge has joined Calibre as VP International Sales.

Based in Montreal, QC, LaBerge will expand the British manufacturer’s audio and video scaling and switching technology business for broadcast/ television, digital cinema and large venue projection into new markets. He will focus on increasing market share and presence in corporate AV and Calibre’s existing customer base as well as growing OEM and own-label business particularly in Asia.

LaBerge has more than 20 years experience in business management, leadership and product development globally. LaBerge co-founded Sensio Technologies Inc., where as VP he spearheaded the company’s success in licensing, business development and delivery of technologies to market. Prior to this LaBerge developed commercial marketing and lending at Richard LaBerge, Calibre VP International Sales is based Desjardins. He started his career in in Montreal. computer programming.

“LaBerge has the perfect mix of talent to lead Calibre’s international operations and to drive the company’s efforts in establishing itself as a worldwide preferred supplier of processing products,” said Tim Brooksbank, CEO at Calibre.

LaBerge holds an MBA, Marketing & Finance at HEC Montreal and MBA Finance from the University of North Carolina. He is a board member of the children’s charity, L’Etoile de Pacho.

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annual festival putting artists from Alberta into focus.

Stations also had the opportunity of presenting projects in partnership. Two Francophone stations, among others, chose to do so. One is located in the North (CFRT 107.3 FM - Iqaluit, Nunavut) and the other in the East of the country (CJPN 90.5 FM - Fredericton, New Brunswick). The project will allow cultural sharing between two very different communities that nonetheless share several commonalities.

The Radiometres program was first launched in July 2012. Since then, it has awarded more than $9 million for the realisation of 288 projects, which brings the total of funds awarded by all of the CRFC’s programs to $10.3 million. Moreover, the CRFC is proud to have helped a total of 127 campus and community radio stations, nearly 70% of the sector.

The funding for Radiometres is provided by Canada’s private radio broadcasters through a portion of their Canadian Content Development (CCD) contributions, a funding mechanism established by the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). These contributions play an important part in strengthening the campus and community sector of the Canadian broadcasting system.

SMPTE Honoured With Scientific and Technical Award The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has received a Special Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

AMPAS presented the Special Award plaque to SMPTE at the Academy’s annual Scientific and Technical Awards presentation, in February in Beverly Hills, California.

The award citation reads, “For one hundred years, the Society’s members have nurtured technology, provided essential standards, and offered the expertise, support, tools and infrastructure for the creation and post-production of motion pictures.”

Barbara Lange, the Society’s executive director, noted in her acceptance speech on behalf of SMPTE’s 7,000 talented members and volunteers, “From deterwww.broadcastermagazine.com

Robert Seidel, SMPTE President and Barbara Lange, the Society’s executive director, accept The Oscar.

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mining the size and position of perforations in film to today’s work in areas such as high dynamic range in digital cinema, SMPTE’s work enables the motion picture industry to thrive the world over.

“It is the collective invention, enthusiasm, and dedication of all these individuals, past, present, and future that help make technical innovation possible.

Here’s to the next century!”

This is SMPTE’s third award from the Academy, fittingly bestowed in the Society’s centennial year. The first was an Oscar statuette presented by Bette Davis to the Society’s president, Barton Kreuzer, in 1957 in recognition of SMPTE’s first 40 years of “contributions to the advancement of the motion picture industry.” In 1989, SMPTE received an Award of Commendation (a plaque) for the contributions of the members of SMPTE engineering committees “to making film a primary form of international communication.”

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CBC Keeps on Laughing CBC‘s hit comedies have been renewed for 2016-17, with brand new seasons of Schitt’s Creek, Mr. D and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Also returning for its 14th season is Rick Mercer Report. The four original productions currently air back-toback on Tuesday nights.

CBC recently led the way with 164 nominations for the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards, receiving 15 nods for Schitt’s Creek, the most nominated TV series of 2016, 12 for Mr. D, six for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and four for Rick Mercer Report.

“We’re so pleased to announce that four of the finest comedic programs in the country are returning to the CBC,” said Sally Catto, general manager, programming at CBC Television. “While each is unique and brings its own distinct humour, together they have made Tuesdays on CBC a destination comedy night for Canadians from coast to coast.”

Season 3 premieres winter 2017 on CBC Television. The half-hour single-camera comedy is co-created by Eugene and Daniel Levy, who also star in the show

The Roses Keep on Blooming in Schitt’s Creek

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alongside celebrated actress Catherine O’Hara, rising star Annie Murphy and funny man Chris Elliott. Schitt’s Creek is commissioned by CBC, produced by Not A Real Company Productions Inc. and

"Fifteen CSA nods for Schitt’s Creek, the most nominated TV series of 2016..." created by Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy.

The executive producers are Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Andrew Barnsley, Kevin White, Fred Levy, and Ben Feigin. The show is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

Season 6 of Mr. D pre-

mieres in the fall. The show stars standup comedian Gerry Dee as the inexperienced and overconfident Mr. Duncan (Mr. D) and an all-star ensemble cast including Jonathan Torrens, Bette MacDonald, Wes Williams, Lauren Hammersley, Naomi Snieckus, Mark Little, Suresh John, Darrin Rose, Bill Wood and Kathleen Phillips. Mr. D is a co-production of Topsail Productions and Gerard ADHD Entertainment in association with CBC and is distributed by eOne Television International.

This Hour Has 22 Minutes Season 24 features cast members Mark Critch, Cathy Jones, Shaun Majumder and Susan Kent as they savagely satirize Canadian politics and world events. It was recently announced that the sketch/variety show will be honoured with the Academy Icon Award, presented during the Canadian Screen Awards in March. DHX

Cathy Jones is a founding member of the Codco theatre troupe from Newfoundland, and one of the original cast members on 22 Minutes.

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Media produces and markets a range of entertainment programming, including This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

This fall, Rick Mercer Report returns to CBC-TV for a 14th season. Rick Mercer’s highly anticipated topical rants, funny takes on the week›s top stories and Canada-wide adventures have made him a long-time audience favourite. A production of Island Edge Inc. in association with CBC Television, the show was created by Gerald Lunz and Rick Mercer. It is produced by Rick Mercer and the executive producer is Gerald Lunz.

Erlichman on BNN Jon Erlichman, formerly of Bloomberg Television, ABC News, and Headline News is set to join Business News Network (BNN). Erlichman assumes his duties as Anchor and Reporter, effective this March.

The Toronto-born Erlichman is a scoop-oriented reporter, an accomplished

interviewer of top global CEOs and executives, an engaging host, and a digital innovator. He was part of the launch of ROBtv, the precursor to BNN 17 years ago, eventually taking on duties as New York Bureau Chief. He then worked for Bloomberg Television in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, interviewing top CEOs and executives like Disney’s Bob Iger and IAC’s Barry Diller, along with celebrities like Kobe Bryant and Vince Vaughn, all the while breaking news on Apple, Google, Yahoo, and Twitter. He has also written columns and articles for Fortune and The Wrap, and worked as a correspondent for ABC News and Headline News.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Jon back in Canada as a core part of BNN’s on-air team,” said Grant Ellis, General Manager, Business News Network. “He is a dogged reporter who gets big scoops and exclusives, and an experienced television host who intimately understands global finance, technology, and media.

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His experience, digital expertise, and relentless drive to improve have equipped him with an incredible skillset. We are excited to have him join us in advancing the future of the station he helped build.”

“As Canada’s #1 news operation, we are constantly reimagining news delivery in a digital world,” said Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News. “Jon’s cutting edge technology skills, along with his track record for breaking key stories, make him an excellent fit for BNN as we continue to embrace innovation for our viewers.”

In 2014, Erlichman’s path as a digital innovator led him to create Parachute TV, a product that applied scheduled programming to Twitter’s live-streaming service, Periscope. Erlichman has been profiled in the International Business Times, was named by Business Insider as one of “The 100 Tech People You Have To Follow On Twitter,” and tapped by Ad Week as one of the “Livestreaming Stars Every Brand Should Know About.”

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Dialogue Search Software Used in Global Video-Production Operation Vancouver-based TELUS Studios is using Nexidia Dialogue Search software in its migration to a new digital asset management (DAM) system. The software helps users locate content in its large content library more efficiently and find assets that might otherwise have gone unused.

TELUS Studios is an internal creative agency at parent company TELUS Communications, producing videos for various business units across Canada and around the world. Over 300 video productions a year are completed, with hours upon hours of digital content per project including extensive interviews and b-roll imagery. From its postproduction facilities, TELUS Studios adds roughly 500 hours of content each year to a DAM that already occupies about 100 terabytes of storage.

“The economy of video production is such that we need to reuse video whenever possible, and Nexidia Dialogue Search helps us do it. We don’t have to add metadata manually and, unlike search solutions from other vendors, we don’t have to create a user interface. Instead we get a simple yet full-featured user experience,” said Ronald Knol, senior technology consultant at TELUS Studios.

Users can simply type a search term into the intuitive interface to search the entire DAM and find every single clip in which those words were spoken. From there, they can instantly check the clips to see if any portion is reusable.

It works in the background and continuously indexes the proxy storage in TELUS’ DAM, ensuring that the DAM not only contains all of the company’s most recent assets, but the metadata that enables users to find specific sound bites quickly.

Proper Rights Announces New Sales Proper Rights has new sales wins in Australia and Canada, with interior design series Real Designing Woman, crime series Fear Thy Neighbor (sic), and documentary special Holmes in New Orleans.

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Real estate expert Todd Talbot and designer Jillian Harris on Love It or List It Vancouver.

All-New Episodes of Love It or List It Vancouver Big Coat Productions’ Love It or List It Vancouver is back for Season 3 on the W Network, and production on Season 4, set to premiere in the fall, is currently underway.

The TV series is hosted by designer Jillian Harris and real estate expert Todd Talbot.

Episodes take viewers on a real estate roller-coaster as homeowners across the lower mainland welcome the co-hosts into their homes to battle it out for bragging rights while the family decides whether to “love it” or “list it” – to take on a show-stopping renovation or head out to market in BC’s largest metropolitan city.

“Fans were thrilled with the first half of year three and we can’t wait to see where the remaining 13 shows will take us. It’s a new year and the perfect time to cozy up on the couch and catch the latest episodes, which continue to share compelling family stories, set against the breathtaking backdrop and architecture of Vancouver,” Executive Producer Catherine Fogarty described.

The franchise is one of the strongest Canadian TV formats selling worldwide, with signed deals in the UK, France, Belgium and Australia.

Love It or List It Vancouver is produced by Big Coat Productions, established in 2000 by executive producing partners Fogarty and Maria Armstrong, in association with W Network.

Produced by Firvalley Productions Real Designing Woman (10 x 30’) was picked up by NBC Universal’s Style Network in Australia. Investigation Discovery in Canada purchased the rights to Season 2 and 3 of Cream Productions’ Fear Thy Neighbor (23 x 60’). In Quebec, TVA picked up Make It Right Productions’ Holmes in New Orleans (8 x 60’ and a 1 x 60’ special.)

“We work very closely with our clients across the lifestyle, factual-entertainment and documentary genres, and we’re so pleased to continually bring in returns

for our third-party producer partners,” said Natalie Vinet, VP of Proper Rights. “We’re looking forward to continuing these sales and to bringing our catalogue to MIPTV in April.”

Proper Rights, based in Toronto, operates domestically and internationally.

Previously BuzzTaxi Communications, in 2014 the company joined forces with Proper Television. With over 40 years of combined industry experience between President Guy O’Sullivan and Vice President Natalie Vinet, Proper Rights Inc. has an extensive client base and catalogue. www.broadcastermagazine.com

Portfolio Secures International Rights to New CBeebies Liveaction Preschool Series Portfolio Entertainment has acquired 7 Wonder’s live-action preschool series Do You Know?, originally commissioned by CBeebies in the U.K. Produced by U.K.-based independent production company 7 Wonder, Do You Know? (25 x 15’) takes younger viewers on a journey to explore how everyday things around them work and are made.

It features YouTube star and technology vlogger Maddie Moate as she makes the leap from the Internet to TV. She’s been presenting popular science and tech content online for the past five years and has amassed over 16 million views across multiple channels. One of the only female “Edu-tubers” in the UK, Maddie also has her own successful YouTube channel.

“We are thrilled to add Do You Know? to our roster. Maddie Moate has an incredible online following and this series is non-stop fun,” said Joy Rosen, CEO and Co-Founder, Portfolio Entertainment.

The series uses advanced camera technology and graphics to explain the technical process behind everyday items and activities in simple terms, but with fascinating details for kids and parents.

“Do You Know? is such a unique and exciting series. It explores the world

Corus’ 102.1 the Edge Celebrates ‘New Music’ 20th Corus Radio’s 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM. Toronto) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Canada’s longest running radio documentary series, Ongoing History of New Music. Hosted by musicologist Alan Cross and produced by Corus Entertainment, the series chronicles the history of alternative rock, profiles musicians and examines musical trends.

“Alan Cross and Ongoing History of New Music are synonymous with the Edge brand,” said Mario Cecchini, President, Corus Radio. “Alan’s musical expertise and gift for storytelling is unparalleled.

The show’s sustained popularity represents our commitment to offering the very best radio content to our listeners.” www.broadcastermagazine.com

YouTube star and technology vlogger Maddie Moate

around us in such fascinating detail, which will appeal to children all over the world. Portfolio Entertainment is known for representing top quality series, so we are delighted that they will be introducing Do You Know? to international broadcasters,” said Liza Abbott, CEO and cofounder of 7 Wonder.

Portfolio founders Rosen and Lisa Olfman are celebrating 25 years in business, and their eclectic catalogue of high quality children’s, animation, factual and lifestyle programming.

Launched in 2014, 7 Wonder is a joint venture between Seven Network in Australia, Alexandra Fraser, Abbott and Simon Ellse.

With over 740 hour-long episodes under his belt, Cross has discussed everything from why people wave lighters at concerts to how a drugged chicken remixed Give it Away by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Highlights from Cross’ storied on-air career with CFNY/102.1 The Edge include breaking the news of Kurt Cobain’s suicide and creating a new academic term, Bandomynology, the study of band name origins.

Shaw Media Announces Brand Partnership for new Interactive Multiplatform Series Shaw Media’s new interactive multiplatform series Home to Win has a number

NEWS

PRODUCTION

of brand content partners for its HGTV Canada TV series and HomeToWin.ca companion website.

Brand partners include Leon’s, Toyota and Benjamin Moore, with in-show integrations, on-air promotion, custom online content and in-store appearances

by HGTV Canada stars.

For the first time in network history, 20 HGTV Canada stars including Mike Holmes, Bryan Baeumler, Scott McGillivray and Sarah Richardson pool their extraordinary expertise, creativity, and reno know-how.

“Home to Win’s unparalleled cast and complete home overhaul offers sponsors tremendous opportunities to showcase their brands and products while leveraging our renowned HGTV Canada talent,” said Barb McKergow, Head of Marketing Ventures, Shaw Media.

“Whether on-air, online or in-store, Home to Win engages Canadians on multiple platforms and provides a vast array of options for brands to reach their audiences.”

As the official furnisher, Leon’s provides furniture and décor along with Kitchen Aid and Maytag appliances, Samsung TV’s and Tempur-Pedic mattresses. The broadcast features online and in-store shopping scenes at a Leon’s location, product integrations, and six on-air ‘Get This Look’ spots driving fans to custom webisodes featuring hosts Rob Evans and Mia Parres.

“We are proud to furnish the home alongside our key vendors KitchenAid, Maytag, Tempur-Pedic and Samsung,” said Mike Walsh, President Leon’s Furniture Division. “With its new format and unprecedented cast, Home to Win is a unique opportunity to showcase our brand and it’s rewarding to know that one Canadian will win this home.”

Toyota Venza and Sienna vehicles help with the home search in the premiere while Toyota Tundra and Tacoma trucks are showcased throughout the series. The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid also makes a special appearance.

On the show’s microsite, Benjamin Moore hosts photo galleries and Sarah stars in branded content vignettes where she offers designer tips.

These and other brands will be featured in the show, integrated into multiple episodes and have branded content online. Home to Win premieres April 24.

March 2016

Broadcaster 11

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NEW Mobilimage Adds IP Live Production Capabilities Mobilimage, Quebec’s on-location services provider for sporting and cultural TV productions in North America, has made a significant investment in IP capability with its new GV Node and GV Convergent solutions from Grass Valley.

The company will use the IP networking solution for its Mi3 HD OB van.

“We’ve been considering our options for moving to an IP workflow, and the Grass Valley solution really meets all our needs, giving us the right equipment to operate our mobile production business more efficiently,” said Benoit Chartrand, director of engineering, Mobilimage.

“This will greatly enhance the connectivity for our truck, and we can scale the technology as our needs change.”

GV Node is a real-time IP processing and routing platform for live applications.

When GV Node is combined with common off-the-shelf (COTS) IP switches, large-capacity routing systems can be created with thousands of I/O. GV Node is designed to handle deterministic verti-

cally accurate switching within IP, supporting SDI, MADI and SMPTE 2022-6 IP inputs and outputs, as well as TICO visually lossless compression for 4K applications. For OB vans, GV Node can capture in 2K or 4K, with distributed architecture and built-in multi-viewing.

The GV Convergent IP router control and configuration system manages facility routing with new GUIs for configuration, management and control through software-defined networking (SDN). GV Convergent is infrastructure and signal format agnostic, and provides easy integration and control of IP edge devices and thirdparty IP devices.

Mobilimage worked closely with Applied Electronics Limited, a Grass Valley reseller and integrator, to

select and install the new IP solution.

“We’ve designed GV Node and GV Convergent to help broadcasters make a seamless, smooth transition to IP,” noted Kyle Luther, vice president of sales, North America, Grass Valley.

“Most importantly, the solutions are based on open standards, so customers can leverage existing infrastructure to minimize costs. This is the beginning of a major shift from SDI to IP, and we are committed to eliminating the obstacles many operations face.”

Real-time IP processing and routing with GV Node platform

Ki Pro Ultra Captures Ready to Edit 4K AJA Video Systems’ Ki Pro Ultra is a file-based 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD video recorder and player with a built-in HD LCD monitor. It can capture edit-ready 4K (4096 x 2160), UltraHD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080) and HD (1920 x 1080) Apple ProRes files.

With a newly designed half-rack wide 2RU-high form factor, Ki Pro Ultra has

14 Broadcaster March 2016

a variety of industry standard analog and digital audio connections, including 3G-SDI, HDMI, SFP Fibre, XLR audio, and more.

With two AJA Pak1000 (1 TB) SSDs, up to two hours of 4K 60p ProRes HQ recording can be achieved, with rollover functionality to extend that even further.

An integrated HD LCD display for

monitoring and playback includes transparent overlays that offer a feature rich and intuitive menu with onscreen keyboard functionality. Ki Pro Ultra also includes AJAs integrated web-based UI for control across a LAN from any browser.

Ki Pro Ultra’s integrated HD LCD display with transparent overlays

www.broadcastermagazine.com

NEW SAM’s 4K and IP Solutions SAM is showing a host of technologies in 4K, IP, HDR, software/virtualization, and solutions for monitoring and workflow, including the new Kula switcher range that’s making its debut at NAB 2016.

It’s capable of 4K/1080p/HD and SD in 1M/E and 2M/E versions, and can handle multiple formats. Kula provides a choice of three control panels expandable with additional control modules from the Kahuna Range. There’s up to five key layers per M/E, 20 channels of DVE and floating/auxiliary keying resources and up to 36 inputs and 18 assignable outputs, plus an internal clip and still store.

Also on show will be the Kahuna switchers, suited for larger scale HD, 4K and now IP environments.

The Alchemist XF standards converter now supports 4K and HDR material and several times faster than real-time processing for HD content. SAM is also introducing the UHD1000 for real-time 4K conversion, the latest addition to the KudosPro signal processing line-up.

Kula switchers can handle multiple video formats in 1M/E and 2M/E versions

slomo.tv Shows New 4K Servers Blackjack is a three-in, two-out 4K50P server and the new BlackJack 3G offer from slomo has options for 16 channels 3G recording with independent crossfade outputs – or it may just work as a 5-channel 4K 50p slow motion machine. It has 12 TB SSD on board, enough to record 266 hours of HD at 100 Mb/s. With BlackJack, all material is available in many popular codecs, including Apple Pro Res HQ 444, and the servers can create Quick Time ProRes full res files natively.

Arrow is a new 2RU server that supports simultaneous recording of two channels 4K 50p/4K 60p, with search and playback of both.

All slomo.tv 4K servers support a standard full HD display for interface and built-in multi-viewer viewing. All available transmission options are available, including 4K 50p/4K 60p signals via 4 x 3G SDI, with quadrant transmission using 3G Level A / 3G Level B and SMPTE 425-3. slomo.tv’s new servers offer HD and 4K options

www.broadcastermagazine.com

March 2016

Broadcaster 15

NEW Alliance for IP Media Helps Broadcasters, Media Companies Benefit from New Workflows A group of broadcast and media industry suppliers have come together to form the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), and to bring new open standard IP solutions to into broadcast and media workflows.

The independent trade association will promote the adoption, standardization, development and refinement of protocols for media over IP, with an initial emphasis on VSF TR-03 and TR-04, SMPTE 20226 and AES67.

Montreal-based Grass Valley, a Belden brand, has become a founding member of the Alliance along with Imagine Communications, Lawo, Snell Advanced Media and Nevion.

As broadcasters and other media companies look to use IP workflows to speed and streamline the movement and management of increasingly complex content and adapt their businesses to better compete with other content options such as over-the-top (OTT), open standards are the key to protecting current investments and ensuring long-term interoperability, the association maintains.

AIMS says it will prioritize three key strategies: • Initiatives that facilitate the education and adoption of open standards • Facilitation of activities that accelerate the development of solutions that support these open standards • Nurturing the creation of new standards by supporting standards bodies with participation and testing in realworld environments “The mission of the Alliance for IP Media Solutions is to endorse open standards and protect the choice that broadcasters and media companies must have when selecting the right solution for their particular needs,” explained Steve Reynolds, CTO, Imagine Communications.

Open standards work for the IP transition is already underway by the 74-member Video Services Forum (VSF), with the support of organizations such as SMPTE and the EBU. AIMS has endorsed the work of the VSF and development of a 16 Broadcaster March 2016

The switchable HD, 3G and 4K camera from GV, the LDX 86, enables flexible production options.

standard approach to IP. More than 30 broadcast equipment manufacturers are actively testing and validating the VSF’s approach today.

A number of solutions are already on the market to help media companies begin the transition by introducing IP components to an SDI workflow. The transition represents a significant investment and will not happen overnight.

An open standards approach can allow media companies to implement the technology over time and transition at the pace that makes sense for their business.

“Our customers need the flexibility to implement the solutions that work best in their environments, with the confidence that all equipment will speak the same language and work together seamlessly,” said Mike Cronk, senior vice president of strategic marketing, Grass Valley. “With the IP transition, thanks to the collaborative work already done in SMPTE and VSF, our industry has the opportunity to avoid the mistakes of the past where multiple proprietary approaches were adopted, adding cost and complexity for everyone—such as in the tape and file format wars of a decade ago. AIMS is dedicated to an

open standards approach and Grass Valley fully supports its mission.

As an AIMS member, Grass Valley is demonstrating products for live production, infrastructure and media workflow, including GV Node, the first true realtime IP processing and edge routing platform. With GV Node, common offthe-shelf (COTS) IP switches can be used in broadcast and media facilities with the assurance that the combined solution offers transparent broadcastcentric operation and processing, supporting SDI, MADI & SMPTE 2022-6 IP inputs and outputs, as well as TICO visually lossless 4:1 compression for 4K applications.

Its LDX 86 Universe System Camera offers ‘universal format’ support with switchable 1X/3X/6X HD, 1X/3X 3G and 1X 4K, as well as extended colour gamut supporting ITU-R BT.2020 and a software upgrade to enable 15 F-stops of high dynamic range (HDR) in singlespeed operation.

“Thanks to the collaborative work already performed in SMPTE, VSF and AES, our industry has built a solid basis for a sustainable transition to IP. AIMS’s support of open standards and technical recommendations such as TR-03, TR-04 www.broadcastermagazine.com

NEW The Lawo Remote Production Kit features V__line and A__line processing technologies for IP transport.

Live, IP-based multi-camera program broadcasting, based on SAM’s SDI-to-IP transition solutions

and AES67 afford us an opportunity to eliminate the fragmentation of implementations that our industry has endured over the last 20 years. It’s our big chance to avoid repeating expensive and timeconsuming mistakes of the past,” said Andreas Hilmer, Director Marketing & Communications with Lawo.

Lawo is showing its IP-based V__line video interfacing, processing and routing devices, including the V__remote4, a bidirectional multichannel video/audio to IP-interface for remote production.

It is designed to provide a one-box solution for all the requirements of video and audio signal transport and processing in WAN-based remote productions, including everything from Video-over-IP coding to various monitoring and processing tools. The V__pro8 provides video processing, interconnecting signals in different video formats, as well as bridging between audio and video within a studio infrastructure via high-density audio connections. On the audio side, the company recently introduced its A__line series of high-quality 19”/1RU audio-to-IP interfaces, providing easy and reliable solutions for transporting analog and digital audio signals using IP network environments in broadcast, live and install applications.

And Tim Thorsteinson, CEO of Snell Advanced Media (SAM) added, “In this www.broadcastermagazine.com

transition to IP, we need one set of standards that become as ubiquitous as SDI. SAM is throwing its weight behind AIMS because it supports the only set of standards for IP that have been collaboratively developed and that meet the needs of future business models.”

The future is already now at SAM, based on its work with Dutch media group DutchView Infostrada, part of the NEP worldwide network. It successfully broadcast its first live, IP-based multicamera program using its Cloud Produc-

tion platform, which is based on SAM’s unique SDI to IP transition solution.

All production operations were centralized on Infostrada’s own Media Park data centres, fed by IP-streamed media over its own dedicated dark fibre-optic network links directly from the event location and studio facilities.

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Broadcaster 17

NEW

Next Generation LED Panel Series Litepanels is introducing the Astra Soft Bi-Colour LED panel.

With a new diffused lens, the one square foot Astra Soft BiColour provides a soft light alternative to the original Astra 1x1 Bi-Colour LED panel and mimics the effect of a softbox in a compact, portable design.

The Astra Soft Bi-Colour adjusts between daylight and tungsten to accommodate any lighting situation and supports smooth transitional dimming with no noticeable colour shift and a flicker-free performance at any frame rate or shutter angle. It offers a light output that is four times higher light output than the original 1x1 fixtures, the manufacturer reports. The internal microprocessor of the Astra Soft Bi-Colour includes dual cooling modes – active and passive- manages the temperature of the panel and assures long panel life.

The new panel is compatible with the new communications modules that allow the user to control the lights via 512DMX standard protocol with the DMX communications modules or wirelessly with the Bluetooth Communications Modules with an Apple device through the Litepanels SmartLite app. The app also lets users control multiple lights at once, with distinct controls for intensity, colour temperature, fan, and more.

Astra Soft Bi-Colour is Daylight Tungsten Adjustable

IP Transport from Artel Video Artel Video will feature the newest capabilities in its flagship DigiLink Media Transport Platform and Fiberlink fibre-optic transmission product line.

Artel offers standards-based solutions to meet the needs of broadcast, sports, and other markets looking to transition their networks to IP-based solutions, with IP- and hybrid IP/SDI-based capabilities in the company’s DigiLink Media Transport Platform.

The DigiLink Media Transport Platform is a fully integrated, modular solution for transporting broadcastquality media including 3G/HD/SDSDI and ASI plus Ethernet traffic over IP, direct fibre, and managed optical networks.

Artel also offers a wide range of 3500 Series Fiberlink products to support 4K/UHD at up to 60 fps one way, with versions that support 4K/ UHD at up to 30 fps on either a unidirectional or bidirectional basis. All 3500 Series Fiberlink products are SMPTE-compliant, equalized, and reclocked.

18 Broadcaster March 2016

Artel Video IP Transports Solutions

www.broadcastermagazine.com

NEW

New Steadicam Gear from Tiffen The new Steadimate gimbal adapter

Visit our website www.broadcastermagazine.com for all the latest news.

Tiffen is showing new Steadicam products, the Pilot 2 and the Steadimate gimbal adapter.

The new Pilot 2 is a Steadicam camera stabilizer can be purchased as the sled alone, or with two Arm & Vest options for varying classes of camera weight. With the SOLO Arm & Vest option it has a payload capacity of 4.5 kg, or with the Zephyr Arm & Vest option it has a payload capacity of 8.5 kg. Battery mount types for the Pilot 2 include standard mounts like V-Lock and Anton Bauer, as well as a variety of DV battery mount options. The Pilot 2 is offered with or without a 1000 nit HD Monitor and comes with a D-Tap power port on the stage for camera and accessory power.

The new Steadimate arm & vest adapter is for use with gimbals such as the DJI Ronin.

The Steadimate takes the load off the operator’s arms allowing operation for hours on end and allows for effortless tilting of the camera. Operators can interchange between hand held use or arm & vest use. It is sold as the adapter only or as a complete system with an Arm & Vest.

W ESTERN A SSOCIATION B ROADCAST E NGINEERS

OF

Please visit our website for details on our 2016 convention, WABE's Educational Initiatives and to download copies of our 2015 papers: www.wabe.ca Mark your calendar for Calgary, Alberta for our 66th Annual Convention at the Hyatt Regency

November 6th -- 8th, 2016 For information please contact: Kathy Watson, WABE Office Manager, info@wabe.ca. Or call 403-630-4907 www.broadcastermagazine.com

March 2016

Broadcaster 19

NEW

Shotoku SmartPed at NAB Shotoku Broadcast is introducing SmartPed, the latest addition to its wide range of advanced robotic camera systems, to the U.S. market at this year’s NAB Show.

The three wheel smooth-steer pedestal features a new height column without any need of pneumatic balancing, multi-zone collision avoidance and detection systems and precision engineered electro-mechanical steer/drive system A local touchscreen panel enables diagnostic and local operation functions to be easily accessed from the studio floor. Floor-level adjustable LED lighting subtly indicates the current status (moving, referenced, on-air, E-stop, etc.) of the pedestal adding both practical and aesthetic appeal to the system. Like all Shotoku robotics systems, SmartPed also offers a VR tracking option under local or remote control.

SmartPed is the latest addition to its line of robotic camera systems, ranging from lightweight PT heads through floor- or ceiling-mounted track systems to fully robotic servo/manual pedestals. It’s compatible with all Shotoku studio PT heads and integrates with the TR-XT touch control system.

Touchscreen control and LED status lights onboard the SmartPed

4K/UHD HDMI over IP from Barco Silex Barco Silex has introduced an OEM board for the transport of HDMI video/ audio over IP networks, including highresolution video up to 4K/UHD over a single 1 Gb Ethernet cable.

The built-in hardware compression/ decompression (SMPTE 2042 VC-2) combines lossless quality with ultralow latency. Designed for seamless integration and configuration, the new board supports a wide range of network topologies with multiple sources and displays.

The board is suitable for real-time AV applications such as video conferencing, residential distribution, digital signage and information boards in hotels, airports, or sports venues.

Built around a SoC FPGA, the board features a unique combination of speed, quality, and flexibility. The video/ audio path is processed in real-time in the FPGA fabric while the processor is handling all the control and configuration of the board. Both the FPGA firmware and the CPU software can be upgraded. The transport and compression are based on Barco Silex IP cores.

20 Broadcaster March 2016

DFT Scanity HDR Film Scanner DFT is announcing new technology developments for its latest Scanity HDR film scanner, including a full wetgate system that provides a real-time solution for ingest and management of a range of problematic and historically-aged film transfer issues, such as dust and scratch removal.

Scanity HDR new key features include a patented black and white HDR function, a new triple exposure – executed once – in real time 2K or 4K data ingest.

DFT has an optional “16plus” LGA for its Scanity and new Scanity HDR models, and it is demonstrating the latest Scanity software release. Scanity HDR features include: film archive scanning for mass digitisation; EDL/conform scanning; low resolution browsing for archive and restoration; short-form commercials; and 4K UHD ready and digital intermediate scanning.

DFT Scanity HDR Film Scanner

www.broadcastermagazine.com

Brian Williams has reached the ‘Olympic’ heights of sports broadcasting during his celebrated career.

There are no shortcuts...

BY DICK DREW

“K

id, I will give you some advice.

The best ad-libs are prepared and rehearsed. And remember, there are no shortcuts!”

That was the advice the late ABC sportscaster Howard Cosell gave to Brian Williams and the late Don Chevrier during the 1976 Montreal Olympics. They had just watched in amazement as Cosell delivered a live-to-air, five-minute sportscast without a script. Cosell had rehearsed and prepared every word.

The advice Cosell gave stuck with him, but Brian got his grit, determination, honesty and likable personality from his now 100-year-old father Ken Williams. Like Brian, Ken is a very high achiever himself (and his remarkable story is in my book The Canadian Achievers now available free on my Canadian Achievers website) Brian was born in Winnipeg 69 years ago, he realised he wanted to be a sportscaster while his family lived in Edmonton in the late 50’s. He would listen to Don Chevrier on CJCA. The two would team up later on CBC and remain lifelong

www.broadcastermagazine.com

friends until Don’s Sudden death in 1970 at age 69. Brian’s first play-by-play gig came in the late ‘60s on a campus radio station; he attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI (he majored in History and Political Science, hardly what you would call radio, TV or sportscasting electives. But then what is?)

His first TV sports job was hosting the Memorial Cup between the Toronto Marlies and the Medicine Hat Tigers in the early ‘70s. From then on his career was sports, sports, and more sports. His bio reads like a racetrack bookie’s tout sheet: 70-73, CHUM-AM/FM; 73-74, CFRB /CKFM; 1974-2006, CBC-TV; and 06 to the present, CTV & TSN. All sports all the time.

Over the years Brian has always done a masterful job while following the advice, education and example set by his Dad, and great sportscasters like Cosell, as well as two of Canada’s best, Dave Hodge and the late Bill Stephenson, and surely near the top of his list of inspirations is his 32-year relationship with

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Broadcaster 21

several years ago. Afterwards we went across the street to Fran’s for a sandwich and what Don calls “a few pops”.

It was a truly enjoyable and memorable experience for this humble reporter.)

Of course, from a pure sporting perspective, working the Olympics is the highlight of his 45-year career. But over the years, of course, he counts many other achievements. Brian has volunteered as host/emcee for a very long list of benefits, fundraisers, and Hall of Fame inductions; if he can fit you into his schedule he’ll be there. His respected broadcast style has endeared him to millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and garnered

Brian Williams is named to the Order of Canada for his distinguished broadcasting career and extensive community work.

His respected broadcast style has endeared him to millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast

him much praise and accolade, including eight Gemini Awards, two Foster Hewitt awards, one Canadian Screen Award among them. The ultimate award came in December 2011 when he was named to the Order of Canada for both his distinguished broadcasting career and extensive community volunteer work across Canada.

But if you want to see his eyes really light up ask him about his rockThumbs up is right! Iconic Canadian faces and voices at play and at work on a 30-year-plus partnership. solid 41-year marriage to Geraldine who he met while at CFRB, or their hockey icon Don Cherry and Prior Smith on the syndicated radio three daughters, two grandsons and one granddaughter. show Don Cherry’s Grapeline – the longest-running, most sucHis Canadian Achievements are obvious, and near and dear cessful syndicated radio sports show in Canadian radio history! to his heart.

“Dick,” he explained, “As producer, Prior Smith brought Don and myself together back in 1984. The three of us are still work- Dick Drew is a long-time radio industry consultant and broading together 32 years later and remain close friends. Don is an cast executive. He`s an author and regular contributor to Broadamazing storyteller with an encyclopedic memory and we have caster Magazine and Sportscaster Magazine, where this article a truly great time doing these shows. Prior keeps us both in line first appeared as a web posting. while we have a ball.” (This writer can attest to the fact that do indeed ‘have a ball’. I sat in on one of their evening tapings 22 Broadcaster March 2016

www.broadcastermagazine.com

F65

F55

F5

FS7

α7R II

FS5

α7S II

With you every step of the way At Sony, we’re committed to providing every level of production with the best possible creative tools. That’s why all these cameras deliver the phenomenal exposure latitude and color gamut of Sony’s proprietary image sensors. Plus the power of our image processors, the efficiency of our codecs, clever ergonomics and a choice of Sony’s lenses optimized for moving pictures.

From the full-frame 4K of the α7S II to the 8K capability of the F65, we bring the science. You bring the art.

Meet them all at NAB 2016 -Las Vegas Convention Centre - Central Hall, April 16-21 © 2016 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Sony and the Sony logo are trademarks of Sony.

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