Posts tagged ‘public safety’
Latest Mobile TV Devices Will Bring Your Favorite Content to You Anywhere, Anytime
Wouldn’t it be nice to take your favorite morning show with you on the commute to work – not missing a minute of the breaking news or local weather?
With more than 120 stations across the country broadcasting mobile television signals, the future of TV is here – and it’s mobile. With numerous local broadcast stations transmitting mobile TV signals, and more consumer devices and adapters coming to the market, soon it will be very easy for consumers to get free mobile broadcast television on their laptops, tablets and smartphones. Best of all, the service does not require a data plan or hefty mobile data charges, because the signal is sent for free over-the-air.
Check out our new video that features mobile television providers Dyle mobile TV and the Mobile 500 Alliance demonstrating the devices and adapters built by manufacturers like Samsung and Belkin that run their mobile TV services. Watch the video below to see how you can get your local news, sports, weather, entertainment and lifesaving emergency information anywhere, anytime:
Mobile DTV from NAB Studio on Vimeo.
Congress recognizes broadcasters’ ability to reach mass audiences in times of crisis
The beginning of June marked the official start of hurricane season, and once again, local radio and television stations are ready to keep their communities safe and informed wherever and whenever weather emergencies strike.
Ten members of Congress delivered statements on the House floor acknowledging the vital role that broadcasters play during severe weather emergencies by providing early warnings and disaster relief when the unthinkable happens.
The following members delivered statements (view video of members’ statements):
Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-09), Hansen Clarke (MI-13), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Billy Long (MO-07), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Ted Poe (TX-02), Laura Richardson (CA-37), David Scott (GA-13), Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Todd Young (IN-09).
In addition, four members submitted statements to the Congressional Record:
Even Federal Emergency Management Association administrator Craig Fugate has acknowledged that broadcast radio and TV is the best way to stay up-to-date on severe weather information when disaster strikes. And broadcasters are now poised to deliver this lifesaving information to Americans on the go.
There are more than 100 TV stations nationwide delivering mobile signals to smartphones and tablets, and several models of smartphones feature broadcast radio. Because broadcast signals are sent “over the air,” even when cell towers are congested or down, local broadcasters are able to reach mass audiences with critical information through smartphones and tablets. Make sure you’re prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you this summer, and don’t forget to tune into your local broadcast stations to get all the information you need to stay safe.
Hold onto your hat – hurricane season is on the way
The bad news is that June 1 marks the start of hurricane season. The good news, however, is that you can stay safe by tuning in to your local TV and radio stations to get critical emergency information. And many of you can tune in on the go using your smartphone or tablet, even if power lines are down and cell networks are congested.
How is that possible? More stations than ever before are broadcasting mobile channels. Mobile TV is delivered from your local stations to your mobile device using over-the-air technology, not wireless networks. Not only does that mean you can still receive local emergency information even when cell towers are down, but it also means there are no additional data streaming charges.
Your phone will need to be enabled with a chip – check here to see if your device already has those capabilities built-in. If it is not, consumers in many areas can purchase a USB flash drive-sized mobile TV receiver for their laptop or tablet, like the DTV111 from Coby Electronics. Watch this short video to get a glimpse of how this technology works.
Radio-enabled mobile phones provide another way for consumers to get vital emergency information when storms are looming. Again, even when cell towers are down or congested, radio-enabled phones are able to receive local broadcasts over-the-air, keeping you informed and safe. For a list of radio-enabled phones from major wireless carriers, click here.
Broadcasters take their role as first informers very seriously and local stations around the country are innovating to keep viewers safe and meet your needs of on-demand information.
Remember, when the storms roll in your local broadcasters will help you stay safe and stay informed!
Stay safe out there!
In times of weather emergencies you need immediate access to information that will keep you and your family safe. And more than anywhere else, Americans turn to their local TV and radio stations to keep them informed.
Broadcasters understand better than anyone that seconds count when a storm is approaching. As first informers, local TV stations around the country are innovating to keep viewers safe and meet your needs of on-demand information.
One station, KWCH in Kansas, is an excellent example of the hard work of stations to deliver critical information in emergency situations. Incorporating Facebook, Twitter, mobile apps for news and weather, and of course over-the-air AND live-streaming free and local TV, KWCH brings information to viewers in numerous ways to keep people safe and save lives.
Watch what it takes to quickly pull all the information together in real time and keep viewers up-to-date on changing weather conditions.
Tell us—how do you stay informed during times of an emergency? Have local radio and TV been a lifeline for you?
And now for the weather
Your great-uncle may always know it’s going to rain because of the twinge he gets in his knee, but broadcasters need to take a little more scientific approach to the daily weather report.
New technologies are being debuted at this year’s NAB Show, many of them inspired by viewers just like you! These weather technology innovations include:
- More realistic 3D and virtual graphics.
- Closer integration of graphics engines with speedy data analysis.
- Improved speed and resolution of mapping and radar data.
- Hyperlocal and social media features added to storm tracking systems.
- A new product that combines traffic and weather visuals.
Read more about how local viewers helped broadcasters innovate their local weather reports.
What do you think? Which one of these new technologies interest or intrigue you the most? Is there anything you would add?
Your local TV and radio broadcasters take their role as first informers very seriously – whether that’s alerting you to take an umbrella when you head out of the house, or alerting you to take cover because a tornado is fast approaching.
Stations are constantly innovating to deliver the critical information you need… anytime and everywhere you are. Stay tuned as the future of TV unfolds!
TV for your tablet? It’s on the way!
Local television stations are bringing your favorite programs and local news alerts to you the way you already live—on the go!The newest addition to the mobile technology market is this new tablet coming soon to retailers. What does this device have that others do not? For starters, it has a built in TV tuner and antenna.
This is something never seen in the mobile tablet space until now—a TV ready device. It’s been a high priority for broadcasters to develop new and innovative ways to deliver the content you rely on for emergency information and seek for entertainment, in ways relevant to you and your family. And more than 100 stations are already broadcasting directly to mobile devices, with more coming soon!
And while there’s been much discussion about Apple’s iPad 4G and the potential data costs to stream video , we think this new tablet is even more exciting as it delivers HD video content into the palm of your hand from local stations. Live, local, over-the-air TV is delivered for free—no expensive wireless data required!
What do you think? Has the Future of TV arrived?
Local TV and Radio – Always on. Always there.
Spring may bring April showers and May flowers, but it can also bring some devastating weather. When tornadoes recently tore through communities in the Southeast and Midwest, local TV and radio stations were there to help keep their viewers and listeners safe every step of the way.
Viewers of KY3-TV reported they first received a text alert [warning a tornado was coming] from the TV station in the middle of the night, and turned to the station’s website for live radar. One viewer said after turning on the TV, ‘you were the only ones on the air. You saved my life.’”
After the storms, broadcasters swung into action to support their communities. Country music star Rodney Atkins partnered with local radio station WRIL in Pineville, Ky., to broadcast a concert –on local radio to raise funds for towns in Kentucky and Tennessee that had been devastated by the storms. WTHR-TV in Indianapolis and their viewers helped raise more than $500,000 for relief funds after tornadoes ripped through Indiana. And the list goes on and on. Even broadcasters not directly impacted by the tornadoes have pitched in to help.
WGAL-TV in Pennsylvania covers the area of Lancaster, Harrisburg, York and Lebanon. When they noticed that a number of towns in the Midwest that had been hit hard had the same name as towns in their area, they “decided to launch [a] fundraising drive to support the American Red Cross in its work to bring relief to those who lost so much in these ‘sister towns.’”
Local TV and radio broadcasters are a lifeline for their communities before, during and after times of crisis . For critical information to stay safe during an emergency, turn to those who are always on and always there for you.
Keeping the focus where it belongs – on the viewers
Americans love their TV, but some depend on it more than others. Minority groups – such as Africans Americans, Hispanics and Asians – rely on free, local TV that is accessible with an antenna. As the government looks at ways to address the nation’s spectrum needs, broadcasters believe we must ensure these groups are not negatively impacted.
Just yesterday the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) sponsored a summit where broadcasters had the opportunity to discuss how to be sure minority groups are protected as the government discusses changes to the television spectrum.
Chris Ornelas, chief operating and strategy officer of the National Association of Broadcasters, participated in the panel “Spectrum Reallocation: How Will The National Broadband Plan’s Goals Be Realized?,” along with James Winston, executive director of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, and representatives from the wireless, telecom and cable industries.
Ornelas, who is of Hispanic and Asian descent, pointed out that approximately 15 percent of Americans get their TV exclusively from free, over-the-air broadcast and an even greater percentage of African-American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino viewers depend solely on free television via antenna. Because minority audiences rely heavily on broadcast television, it’s important that any development in spectrum reallocation protects those audiences and the services they currently enjoy and rely on for important news and emergency information.
Read more about the panel discussion here:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/479688-Spectrum_Policy_Gets_Diverse_Treatment_at_Broadband_Conference.php
Get your favorite TV shows to go!
Having your favorite TV shows in the palm of your hand without racking up outrageous data charges just took a giant leap forward!
Samsung has just introduced a new smartphone that includes built-in mobile DTV capabilities. And MetroPCS, the nation’s fifth largest wireless carrier, will be the first to offer the phone later this year. Not only that, but mobile DTV receivers for the iPad could be available in the near future.
This is big news for consumers as starting later this year, you will be able to get your free and local television on-the-go!
You can get a live weather or traffic update, watch your favorite morning show on the long commute to work or catch a show on your lunch break, all on your smartphone via your favorite local TV channels . And did we mention, because it’s free, local over-the-air TV, you won’t be eating up your data streaming minutes or incurring extra fees? While not all wireless carriers offer this service yet, this is a very important first step toward bringing all your favorite TV content right to your fingertips. Never miss an emergency notice (or a favorite show!) again. Now there really IS an app for that.
Check out the article to learn more about this new way broadcasters are bringing you the programming you already know and rely on. We think you’ll agree – the Future of TV is now!
Eye of the storm
When Hurricane Irene began to bear down on the East Coast, local radio and television broadcasters were on the front lines delivering the most up-to-date information to keep their TV viewers and radio listeners safe.
From South Carolina to Massachusetts, storm-battered broadcasters placed themselves in the middle of the hurricane so others could remain sheltered. America’s local broadcasters are first informers and are proud to work hand in hand with first responders in times of crisis.
As one caller told his local broadcasting team, “You are doing an awesome job by getting good information out.”
You can’t always plan for the storms of life, but isn’t it nice to know you can always rely on your local TV and radio teams to be there for you during them?
