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News Service Utilises On Call Communications' QuickSPOT Automated SNG System

QuickSPOT enabled 7NEWS to have their news and sports anchors live from the stadium while reporters went live at different venues in and around Phoenix.
by Staff Writers
Irvine CA (SPX) Mar 10, 2008
7NEWS (WHDH-TV) is a fast-paced news organization in Boston that often travels around the country covering big news stories. At the Super Bowl, in Arizona, WHDH used an exciting new piece of technology that allowed them to be live not only from the stadium where they had positioned their satellite truck but also from celebrity parties and team practice facilities that were miles away.

7NEWS turned to On Call Communications (OCC) of Orange County, California for their Fly and Drive Portable SNG System called QuickSPOT. The QuickSPOT is a .96m antenna that can attach to any vehicle with roof racks. The portable system has a GPS on board so finding the satellite only takes a push of a button. There is no need to call for satellite time or contact an access center to transmit.

Satellite time is offered by Intelsat's OnDemand Platform. Broadcasters only pay for the satellite time they actually use. Instead of buying a 5-minute block and using 1 minute to feed video they pay for 1 minute. Turn the knob and you are transmitting. It's as easy as turning on a 2 Ghz microwave transmitter.

And they didn't have to pay to ship the system; it was compact enough to fit into their satellite truck heading to Arizona. Upon arrival, it took less than 45 minutes to build and test the system which was mounted onto a rented mini-van.

QuickSPOT enabled 7NEWS to have their news and sports anchors live from the stadium while reporters went live at different venues in and around Phoenix.

After using QuickSPOT for a few days, veteran 7NEWS reporter Dan Hausle e-mailed the News Director and Operations Manager saying, "Just wanted to let you know that the QuickSPOT system under the operation of Mike Howley is wonderful! It's opened logistical options so smoothly and simply it's hard to appreciate how revolutionary it is. Mike's set up in the mini-van is quick and comfortable to use. I love it. In a word, WOW!"

The QuickSPOT system was such a success that they included it in their "Super Tuesday" coverage as well. The system was packed up and shipped from Arizona to Chicago so 7NEWS could report live from Sen. Barack Obama's campaign headquarters.

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