Adding a new level of intelligence to newsroom automation systems

As broadcasters continue to work in multiple formats and are increasingly controlled by tight budgets, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are expanding the flexibility and functionality of newsrooms automation systems

To suggest that today’s consumers are spoilt for choices when it comes to content consumption is, for all intents and purposes, an understatement.

Speaking with APB, Somu Patil, vice-president of sales, Asia, Grass Valley, says: “Consumers increasingly want access to news content in a range of formats — from social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, through to streaming live news on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

“In fact, consumer viewing time on social media channels is projected to overtake the time spent on linear TV for the first time this year.”

Media organisations thus have never been under greater pressure to deliver compelling news stories to their viewers anytime, and anywhere. To achieve this lofty goal, it is critical for media organisations to invest in newsroom technology that enables them to do this more effectively, Patil suggests.

He continues: “The right news automation system can help with cost-efficiency by automating simple processes. News broadcasters need to be able to offer real-time delivery of news and also support 24-hour multicasts.

“This is particularly difficult when it comes to unscripted news such as a sports game, an election or breaking news.”

Patil goes on to highlight how a news automation system built for the future of news, must be able to facilitate last-minute changes and allow production teams to deliver real-time cut-ins easily.

“With productions varying, news automation systems also need to be intuitive and customisable to address any need.”

Read the full story in the APB July 2018 issue.