Cosmos Group signs with CRISPIN for Total Automation   

Raleigh, NC - May 24, 2000 -  Cosmos Broadcasting Group, a subsidiary of The Liberty Corp. of Greenville, S.C., has signed with Crispin's System 2000, total station automation package, for the group.  They are installing the system at three of their stations and have plans to complete three more by the end of the year.

Most of the remaining Cosmos stations will be installed within the next couple years.

"After an exhaustive due diligence on automation software providers, Cosmos selected Crispin, who for the last year, has been developing refinements in their automation products that we agreed were essential for NTSC multi-channel operations and mandatory for DTV Multicasting in the future…" says Steve Smith, Cosmos Vice President of Engineering and Technology.   Crispin is installing the System 2000 multi-channel automation systems at Cosmos  NBC affiliates WFIE-TV,  Evansville, Ind.;  KPLC-TV Lake Charles, La.; and WIS-TV, Columbia, S.C.  

According to Smith,   the group is using Crispin System 2000 Total Automation Systems to create automatic operation of  master-control functions—including  spot playback, and record and playback of syndicated and network programming for NTSC today and DTV in the future.     Crispin's System 2000 features database management, playlist management, and device control.  It accommodates network delays, long form recording  and playback operations,  and commercial record and playback operations.   

"Over the last three years, a group of Cosmos Chief Engineers have researched TV station automation systems and analyzed many concepts for 'tapeless' Master Control operations. Today,  Cosmos has 20 Profile PDR Systems, comprised of more than 80 channels across it's station group.   We started to use the second generation Grass Valley Profile when the opportunity to really invest in the digital future was created by the latest Profile XP generation.",  Smith said..  Using the Profile XP Media Platform PVS1044 System provides parallel redundant channels of master control at each of its 12 stations. 

"During SMPTE sessions at NAB 1999, I presented a paper on DTV automation and described a new concept in station break automation "Transition Anticipation", Smith said.   "Crispin uses 'Transition Anticipation' as part of their Scheduler's 'Schedule Analysis'.  These, along with several other Crispin products that have been enhanced or specifically developed for the Cosmos project, are now available to the industry."   

Crispin's Mapper and Scheduler will interface traffic control and the automation via a web browseable facility database and a flexible device server architecture.  This database uses a Microsoft SQL server with a total facility playlist and asset control.  Since the system uses a web browser interface, anyone authorized on the network has full access to the automation system with any standard web browser.  This flexibility brings data and control to the users, directly where they need it.

ABOUT THE COMPANIES:

Crispin Corporation is a leading provider of reliable, cost-effective, high-performance broadcast automation solutions.  Offering simple solutions to total automation, Crispin products are in use in broadcast facilities worldwide.  Additional information about Crispin products is available at www.crispincorp.com or call  919-845-7744.

Cosmos owns 12 network-affiliated TV Stations including seven NBC affiliates:  (WALB-TV, Albany, GA;  WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY; WIS-TV, Columbia, SC; WSFA-TV, Montgomery, AL; WFIE-TV, Evansville, IN; KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA; and KCBD-TV, Lubbock, TX);  Three ABC Affiliates (KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR; WLOX-TV, Biloxi, MI; and WWAY, Wilmington, NC); and two CBS affiliates (KGTB-TV, Harlingen, TX, and WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH).  Cosmos also owns CableVantage, Inc., a cables advertising sales subsidiary;  Take Ten, a video production facility; and Broadcast Merchandising Company, a professional broadcast equipment dealership.