Broadcast News Control Room

It was time to upgrade the broadcast news control center, and the network wanted the best for the major-market station it owned and operated. That meant new equipment with next-generation capabilities, custom-designed technical furniture, and a new, more ergonomic and flexible layout for the production control room, as well as upgrades to the adjacent audio control room, secondary control room, tech core, and secondary rack room. Easy enough for an experienced solutions provider like Alpha. But there was a catch: Our work couldn’t interrupt daily broadcast operations. This was a news operation, after all. That fact transformed this project from a strictly technical undertaking to a true logistical challenge – exactly the kind of project that makes Alpha, Alpha.

Key elements of the system upgrades and additions included a new Sony XVS7000 switcher and Sony ELC news automation system, representing a significant leap forward in room capabilities and sophistication. New Calrec Summa and Type R audio routing/mixing systems were added, with the Summa serving as the main mixing system for both the main and secondary control rooms. New IP-based Dante audio was also added, along with an upgraded intercom system, new studio wireless mics, VOIP “phoner” system. Adding another level complexity, the main control room was re-oriented 90 degrees. Extensive pre-planning, on-site supervision, constant communication with both the affiliate and network technical teams, fanatic attention to detail enabled the Alpha team to keep the station on the air the whole time.

In order to maintain full broadcast facility operations throughout the process, the project proceeded in carefully orchestrated phases. Upon conclusion of the initial project, the client immediately gave the go-ahead for additional build-outs. In a further display of confidence, the station also awarded Alpha a new video wall project. Crediting Alpha with on-time, on-budget completion of the work, the client noted that the bulk of the work took place during the height of the COVID pandemic, when mask-wearing and social distancing were at their peak. “Not everyone can go in and essentially replace a broadcast news control operation while keeping it on the air the whole time,” said Alpha integrated systems sales leader Bryan Nelson. “Our ability to do so under highly demanding conditions is a great example of tackling and completing complex challenges ‘the Alpha way.’”