H4UL4U 127 Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 There is a story on FTVLive this morning saying the master control operators at KYW in Philadelphia have been informed their jobs are going to be eliminated and that CBS plans to hub the master control for their network-owned stations Q2 2018. AFAIK, CBS was the last of the Big Four O&O station groups to not hub their MC. This begs the question, will their new MC hub like KYW's? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeters 1916 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Wonder if they could have timed this a little better so it didn't get announced a week before Thanksgiving. That's gonna make for some fun family dinners next week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=TQXuazYI_YU;t=46 As for the bulletproof glass, these facilities are usually pretty secure. The inside of a TV station is really a semi-public area where guests come and go frequently. These centralized master control facilities? They don't really have random guests... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189195 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtFromGulfcoast 709 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 In some markets they did for some of the CW stations and some CBS O&Os. Under CBS, KEYE/Austin had it's master control come from WTOG/Tampa until KEYE was sold in 2008. WTOG and WUPA/Atlanta both came from WGNT/Norfolk until 2012 when GNT got sold to Local. Meanwhile, KSTW/Seattle currently has it's master control coming out of San Francisco. I think they've been doing that since 06? IIRC. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFTV 527 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 I’m guessing KCBS/KCAL may be the hub for all of the O&O’s since they have massive property and have room to expand or build. Does NBC hub all of its Master Control for the O&O’s? Or is it only for the California Stations that hub out of Burbank for KNSD, KNBC and KNTV? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted November 18, 2017 Author Share Posted November 18, 2017 Does NBC hub all of its Master Control for the O&O’s? Or is it only for the California Stations that hub out of Burbank for KNSD, KNBC and KNTV? The hubs have been re-hubbed over the years, but yes, since the early 2000s. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadcowatbk 149 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Wonder if they could have timed this a little better so it didn't get announced a week before Thanksgiving. That's gonna make for some fun family dinners next week. this wasn't something unexpected? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189212 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkolsen 1684 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Does NBC hub all of its Master Control for the O&O’s? Or is it only for the California Stations that hub out of Burbank for KNSD, KNBC and KNTV? When NBC operated their own master control (they were a pioneer this started in 2001) they had regional ones - like the California cluster you mentioned. Miami and New York were the other two. A few years they shifted to Encompass (may have a new name) but appears they have since moved “in house” to the Comcast Media Center in Centennial. The CMC already handles playout for other non NBCU channels so I guess it made sense to do it there. When NBC was using Encompass six of their Telemundo stations were ran out of there as well. The rest may have been run locally or possibly from other stations. The latter wouldn’t surprise me because at that time NBCU had several of their Telemundo stations in larger markets produce separate newscasts for other stations. Plus with the language differences it may be easier to do in house than have cost of Encompass hiring a Spanish speaking employee. I imagine the six that were at Encompass were non news producing stations with very limited local content where the operator just had to make sure the ads were played in the right slots. Based on the job postings it appears the all Telemundo stations moved to Comcast Media Center as well. I believe when ABC hubbed they went with Encompass as well. Fox is out of a facility in Las Vegas. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eat News 4745 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 When NBC operated their own master control (they were a pioneer this started in 2001) they had regional ones - like the California cluster you mentioned. Miami and New York were the other two. I believe when ABC hubbed they went with Encompass as well. Fox is out of a facility in Las Vegas. You don't want to hub out of NYC,LA, SF or any other major city or else you are paying unions and higher labor rates. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189221 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColDayNews 438 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 NBC’s first master control was at 30 Rock and opened in 2000. It included many of the east coast O&Os in Columbus, Providence, Chicago, Philadelphia, Hartford, New York, and Raleigh. The stations bought by Media General in Columbus, Providence, and Raleigh were still hubbed out of 30 Rock until 2008-ish. WTVJ hubbed themselves and Birmingham, while KNBC hubbed themselves, San Diego and San Francisco. Will CBS' master control be at the Broadcast Center or Television City? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189255 Share on other sites More sharing options...
east-tx-tv 121 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 What about 1 (or 2) of the O/O's? If the west coast is picked as a hub, would it be TV City or the Studio Center? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northerner 32 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 What about 1 (or 2) of the O/O's? If the west coast is picked as a hub, would it be TV City or the Studio Center? If they're planning on building the hub in house and in the Los Angeles area, I'd suspect they may opt for the Studio Center since there has been speculation that Television City is up for sale. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cbs-television-city-20170928-story.html Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189277 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeters 1916 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Before this speculation gets too far: It's my understanding that they are outsourcing the hub. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189278 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundershock MN 169 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Before this speculation gets too far: It's my understanding that they are outsourcing the hub. Ditto. Encompass in Atlanta is my understanding. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 When NBC operated their own master control (they were a pioneer this started in 2001) they had regional ones - like the California cluster you mentioned. Miami and New York were the other two. A few years they shifted to Encompass (may have a new name) but appears they have since moved “in house” to the Comcast Media Center in Centennial. The CMC already handles playout for other non NBCU channels so I guess it made sense to do it there. When NBC was using Encompass six of their Telemundo stations were ran out of there as well. The rest may have been run locally or possibly from other stations. The latter wouldn’t surprise me because at that time NBCU had several of their Telemundo stations in larger markets produce separate newscasts for other stations. Plus with the language differences it may be easier to do in house than have cost of Encompass hiring a Spanish speaking employee. I imagine the six that were at Encompass were non news producing stations with very limited local content where the operator just had to make sure the ads were played in the right slots. Based on the job postings it appears the all Telemundo stations moved to Comcast Media Center as well. I believe when ABC hubbed they went with Encompass as well. Fox is out of a facility in Las Vegas. Correct, the NBC and Telemundo O&Os are hubbed from Centennial. Any jobs posted prefer candidates that are bilingual. With regards to the Fox facility, is it owned by Fox or do they outsource? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189290 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northerner 32 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Correct, the NBC and Telemundo O&Os are hubbed from Centennial. Any jobs posted prefer candidates that are bilingual. With regards to the Fox facility, is it owned by Fox or do they outsource? My understanding is that Fox owns their facility in Vegas. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189314 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkolsen 1684 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 My understanding is that Fox owns their facility in Vegas. From the looks of a quick google it appears they do. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189319 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eat News 4745 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 From the looks of a quick google it appears they do. Interesting read on the Union battle between the LV hub and NABET 53 in LA.... http://www.nabet53.org/images%5CKTTV-11-05-Ruling.PDF Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189323 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkolsen 1684 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Interesting read on the Union battle between the LV hub and NABET 53 in LA.... http://www.nabet53.org/images\KTTV-11-05-Ruling.PDF We think a like. I just read that case file. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189324 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Master Control staffers at KVOR/KMAX were also given the same notice. And that is a interest read on the the Union battle. Wonder if there will be a similar battle at some of the CBS O&O, since a lot of those stations are likely Union shops. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189355 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newstudent 43 Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 This is quite sad indeed. When I went through the KYW Newstudies program (same place as CBS3) a few years ago I met those who were working in master control on a Saturday morning. They all were nice people who loved what they had been doing for many years. I asked them a bunch of question, which they all answered. In particular I learned from them how they get the signal from the network. I didn't know at the time that there were certain times of the day that they expected they would lose the satellite signal and that they were in face affected by weather. I assumed these issues went away years before. They also told me there were some commercials that really got on thier nerves becuase of their low quality. Something that I'm wondering about is the CWphilly master control. Are they also being centralized. This is more interesting especially as CWPhilly is technically the CW's flagship station, something that those in the master control said didn't effect them. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189747 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeters 1916 Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Something that I'm wondering about is the CWphilly master control. Are they also being centralized. This is more interesting especially as CWPhilly is technically the CW's flagship station, something that those in the master control said didn't effect them. All of the CBS-owned stations are being centralized, including the CW ones. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189750 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 In particular I learned from them how they get the signal from the network. I didn't know at the time that there were certain times of the day that they expected they would lose the satellite signal and that they were in face affected by weather. I assumed these issues went away years before. Indeed rain fade still occurs a couple of times a year, and stations can lose their network signal during heavy rain or snow, just as your home DirecTV system would. In snow-prone areas of the country station engineers still need to keep dishes clear of snow and ice. And having previously worked in master control, I too can speak to being annoyed at bad quality commercial spots running over and over again. I learned to not get too annoyed because those local businesses pay for time on the station which "pays the rent" so to speak for local TV. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-189776 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 NBC’s first master control was at 30 Rock and opened in 2000. It included many of the east coast O&Os in Columbus, Providence, Chicago, Philadelphia, Hartford, New York, and Raleigh. The stations bought by Media General in Columbus, Providence, and Raleigh were still hubbed out of 30 Rock until 2008-ish. WTVJ hubbed themselves and Birmingham, while KNBC hubbed themselves, San Diego and San Francisco. Which hub had KXAS? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-194570 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkolsen 1684 Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Which hub had KXAS? I want to say Miami. Edit: Here’s a list from Broadcasting & Cable of all the hubs, their “spokes” and how things worked. New York: WNBC - New York City WCAU - Philadelphia WCMH - Columbus WJAR - Providence WRC - Washington WVIT - Hartford Miami WTVJ - Miami WNCN - Raleigh KXAS - Dallas - Fort Worth WVTM - Birmingham Los Angeles KNBC - Los Angeles KNSD - San Diego KNTV - San Francisco Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-194573 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 I want to say Miami. Edit: Here’s a list from Broadcasting & Cable of all the hubs, their “spokes” and how things worked. New York: WNBC - New York City WCAU - Philadelphia WCMH - Columbus WJAR - Providence WRC - Washington WVIT - Hartford Miami WTVJ - Miami WNCN - Raleigh KXAS - Dallas - Fort Worth WVTM - Birmingham Los Angeles KNBC - Los Angeles KNSD - San Diego KNTV - San Francisco Thanks for the article, however, its list is missing WMAQ. Either at that date its MC was still in-house or I'm guessing it was part of the NY HUB and they forgot to mention it. WCMH and WNCN should still use the same Florical automation mentioned in the article. The one Sinclair shop I worked at used Avid automation, but who knows what WJAR would use now. When Hearst picked up WVTM I would guess they switched them to Harris to bring them in-line with the other Herast stations. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16075-cbs-to-centralize-master-control-for-oo-stations/#findComment-195187 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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