To deliver two high-quality audio channels to its affiliates and company-owned radio stations, KSBJ has recently adapted the XtremeSat Media satellite broadcast distribution platform.

The new system came about after KSBJ inked a multi-year agreement with Clear Channel (News - Alert) Satellite to provide satellite capacity for the distribution of its programming. Clear Channel Satellite deployed the XtremeSat Media satellite broadcast distribution platform which offers large network functionality at a small and medium-sized network price point.

The XtremeSat Media system works on C or Ku Band uplink systems and is capable of a single stereo audio channel or can be easily expanded to deliver up to 64 stereo channels in an MCPC configuration. The XtremeSat Media Media Content Receiver (MCR) comes with one or two stereo analog and AES/EBU outputs, balanced, high-quality audio on XLR connectors.

The unit also accompanies eight tightly audio-synchronized relays, expandable to 16, two AAC formats (and several MPEG choices), and the ability to seamlessly transition from SCPC (single channel) to MCPC (multiple channels) for expanding networks.

Apart from this, the receiver also inherits Smart Fallback to alternate RF carriers or Shoutcast Web stream, Web interface for settings and status, outbound IP audio stream for monitoring and FTP upload of receiver status reports and event logs.

“Recent technology advancements have made it much less expensive to operate your own multi-channel satellite network,” remarks Mike Hagans, president, Clear Channel Satellite, referring to the XtremeSat Media platform exclusively distributed by CCS.

Hagans said that the new uplink and receiver platform allows syndication providers who have their own uplinks to replace their aging and inefficient receivers and head-end gear with a system that is much more bandwidth efficient.

“The new system has dramatically reduced monthly recurring costs, while providing advanced features like AAC audio, spot insertion, and an intelligent fallback feature that automatically uses an alternate carrier, streaming audio or receiver-stored content when needed,” Hagans added.