BT Broadcast Services, the Americas, the media and satellite solutions arm of BT, Monday announced that WVEN-TV, owned and operated by Entravision Communications, has purchased a BT Satnet unit, BT's fully automated satellite network system. WVEN-TV, serving the Orlando, Florida market, has purchased the BT Satnet unit to manage all their live news gathering needs.
With BT Satnet, WVEN will be able to provide its viewers with extensive, live coverage of news events affecting Central Florida communities.
WVEN will utilize the BT Satnet system during its live coverage of the 2004 Presidential election, which will be seen throughout Central Florida and serve as the live election newscast for all Entravision owned and operated television stations. WVEN will also provide a live feed to the Univision network.
The BT Satnet unit automatically deploys and locks on the PAS Horizon 1 satellite while the camera operator logs on and books available satellite capacity as needed minutes before the filming begins. The Satnet software dynamically allocates bandwidth, allowing the broadcaster to have additional transmission power during times of degraded weather conditions.
Jorge Friguls, WVEN News Director and Director of News Operations for Entravision's television station group, said, "The addition of this important news gathering tool reaffirms our commitment to providing our viewers with the best and most complete coverage of live, local news in Central Florida."
"We chose BT Satnet because of its flexibility and ease of use. WVEN made history in Orlando when we launched the first live, local Spanish-language newscast at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and again when the station became the first and only full-power Spanish-language television station in Central Florida."
"With the addition of BT Satnet, WVEN further establishes its position as the undisputed leader in Spanish-language television news in Central Florida."
Bill McNamara, General Manager of BT Broadcast Services, the Americas said, "It's imperative with today's fast-paced news reporting environment that broadcasters have the ability to quickly and cost effectively send out their crews to cover up-to-the-minute footage."
"With BT Satnet, broadcasters such as WVEN-TV are now able to transmit live news events with a solution that is backed by an experienced global solutions provider, giving them the piece of mind that their news feed will be delivered quickly and efficiently."
The US Satnet network is controlled by a central hub in Los Angeles and monitors and controls each customer terminal on the network. The hub in Los Angeles also services the geographical areas of the Continental US and Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
