Coming soon to an NPR station near you: The next generation of public radio satellite distribution.
Radio World has learned that technology supplier ATX Networks has won a contract for a $4.3 million agreement with the Public Radio Satellite System to supply XDS headend and receiver equipment and an XDS Content and Management System to be installed at the system’s core headends in Washington and St. Paul, Minn.
PRSS is the distribution network through which thousands of hours of news, music and specialized programming is delivered to 400 U.S. public stations. It is managed by NPR’s Distribution division.
The project will begin this spring with deployment of headend equipment; deployment of receivers is scheduled to follow in the summer. Some 800 XDS-Pro receivers will be distributed to stations. Affiliates should expect new receiving equipment in fall, and delivery to the entire system is to be completed by the end of this year.
PRSS has planned for dual operation of existing receivers until March 31, 2020 to allow stations to install the equipment.
The announcement will be made by Michael Beach, vice president of NPR Distribution, and Jose Rivero, general manager, chief technology and strategy officer, media broadcast, at ATX Networks.
A major objective of the project is to assist the PRSS in the construction of a “unified and futureproof” broadcast network infrastructure for the management, distribution, scheduling, playout and verification of radio programming across its nationwide network.
Look for coverage of this project in more detail in Radio World next month, with more details of the system including advanced broadcast services that the planners say will simplifyoperation and enhance the performance of the system. Our coverage will also explore what to expect in your installation and preparations for how to utilize the new system features.
