October 19th, 2008 
joel On Deep Background this week we talked on issues from the meaning of kilowatts to missing hearing The Kingston Trio. This feature is created for that kind of randomness. Send your kudos and complaints, “heard on the streets” and opinions, all in a civil manner.
If you have a news tip or private question and you really want to go “deep background,” don’t hesitate to email me at joel@nataliemedia.com.
Embrace the chaos!
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Here’s a question. How does a computerized automation system know when to plug in a station id during the broadcast of a football game? I’m listening to the Steelers-Bengals game today on WJET. Announcer gives audio que.. “And now it’s time for a station break, you’re listening to the Pittsburgh Steelers Radio Network….(Followed by Station ID).
In my day, some 15 years ago, this was the job of a board op. Now, I understand that computers are elimiting the need for the human element
How does a computer know when to insert that station id? Is there a signal sent from flagship station?
There are times when the Id comes after a brief pause. There are other times when the id is NOT heard at all. So, I’m puzzled. Is this a computer error, or are human board ops messing up?
I believe that the flagship station sends “cue tones” or “relay signals” to the affiliates, which is recognized by a piece of equipment (detector, receiver, etc.) that tells the computer automation software to play a station ID.
Different “cue tones” or “relay signals” are used for different purposes. One may be used for the legal ID, another sent to trigger local commercial breaks, and others play liners. The computers have to be programmed to recognize these signals and play the appropriate audio.
Syndicated programming (such as The Big Time with Whitney Allen on 93.9 The Wolf weeknights, Delilah on Classy 100 weeknights) use relays to trigger liners and commercial breaks. The talk shows heard on WJET 1400 and the sports radio programming found on AM 1260 and AM 1330 also use these signals in order to play IDs, liners, and commercials.
Does anyone know what software the local radio stations use to automate their stations?
I believe Joel said that WCTL uses Scott Studios (now Google Radio Automation) and Rocket 101/Star 104 of Connoisseur Media were using AudioVault from Broadcast Electronics at one time, too.
I heard from a WSEE staffer that plans are now to move TV35 facilities to WICU on State Street. I thought that WSEE was in for a major renovation at 12th and Peach, one that would include a Jumbotron monitor and condos, etc. Anyone? Bueller?
If the rumor (TV-35 to WICU) is true, then where at Channel 12 would everything go??? The newsroom doesn’t have anymore room for another news staff. The studio is quite cramped and wouldn’t be able to have another large set.
Unless they plan on picking and choosing the TV35 reporters and move them to 12 and get rid of everyone else? And perhaps not have overlaping newscasts???
It will be interesting if this rumor is true. The late, great Jack Tirak reported this same exact rumor over a year ago and was promptly attacked by the WSEE “Truth Squad” for reporting false rumor and innuendo.
Perhaps Scott bremner could shed some light on this latest juicy nugget to come out of 1220 Peach???
Forever Broadcasting in Meadville, Franklin, and New Castle utilizes Maestro for its FM’s and Wavestation to automate its AM station.
Any reason Channel 12 in HD..(channel 412 on city TW Cable)..isn’t in Doby 5.1 like the other Erie HD Channels on Time Warner cable
WSEE sure knows how to find the hotties!
Cheryl Scott
Jacqueline Policastro
Raychel Vendetti
Jen Mobilia
Stephanie Schelkun
Kelly Gaughan
It doesnt get better than that!
Plus all the formers…
Kelly Curran
Jen Bazylak
Lisa Zompa
Leila Feinstein
Jen Boraz
and countless others….
thought I would still some things up!
In response to the above posts yes, cue tones are used (or were when I was in radio) to trigger local IDs. And “back in the day” (I guess it’s a Southern thing), Froggy used Selector and Linker (1995).
Chris