The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election is a major news event, and broadcasters are adjusting to the changing landscape of how news is consumed. Local news, in particular, remains a trusted source, and with the increasing reliance on social media and digital platforms, broadcasters are embracing new technologies to reach a wider audience.
Calrec, a leading provider of audio technology, has been at the forefront of these changes, working with broadcasters to transition to pure IP and cloud environments. This shift is evident in how broadcasters are approaching election coverage.
According to the Pew Research Center, television news remains the most trusted news source for American voters, particularly local television news. This aligns with findings from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), who concluded that most Americans trust local broadcasters for election news more than any other medium.
"In a rapidly evolving media landscape, broadcasters remain a vital bastion of the free press in communities all across the country — an especially critical role this election year," said Michelle Lehman, NAB Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. "As misinformation runs rampant on social media, journalists at local TV and radio stations continue to bring unbiased reporting, urgent emergency updates and accurate fact-checking every day. Broadcasters provide voters the facts they need to make informed decisions on Election Day."
To meet these demands, local news broadcasters are increasingly adopting remote and distributed production workflows, mirroring the practices already established in live sports broadcasting. This approach allows for centralized resources, cost savings, and enhanced efficiency. Calrec has been instrumental in facilitating these workflows, with companies like NBC Sports, Sky, and the BBC leveraging its technology to deliver live content remotely.
Gray Media, the largest owner of local television stations and digital assets in the United States, is another example of a news organization utilizing Calrec's Type R mixing console to streamline its audio infrastructure. This approach has enabled Gray Media to automate workflows and reduce reliance on physical control surfaces.
Global News, a Canadian news network, has also embraced Calrec's Type R for its remote connectivity capabilities. Ralph Carstens, Systems Specialist, Audio at Global News, commented, "We have the ability to adjust things like levels and dynamics remotely using VPN and the Calrec Assist GUI, if needed." He added, "The DSP cores are connected to Viz Mosart, an automation system that allows just one to two operators to control all aspects of news production such as the cameras, playout, graphics, and audio. All the cores handle live local news production. Global National is produced out of Vancouver and all three cores produce morning, noon, and evening news shows plus cover elections and other special events."
While traditional television news remains a significant source of political information, particularly for older demographics, the survey highlights a growing reliance on social media and digital platforms among younger generations. Broadcasters are facing increased competition for viewers' attention across multiple channels.
To stay ahead of the curve, broadcasters are adopting hybrid approaches that blend linear video and cross-channel content. This is where companies like Calrec are playing a crucial role. By providing solutions like True Control 2.0 and ImPulse V cloud DSP engines, they are enabling broadcasters to create more flexible workflows and embrace remote and distributed production, allowing them to generate more localized content and expand their digital reach.
In conclusion, the changing media landscape, fueled by the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election, is driving broadcasters to adopt new technologies and workflows. Remote audio production is becoming increasingly vital for news organizations to reach a wider audience and provide viewers with trusted content.