Public Radio Satellite System
prss.org logo
 May 9, 2008

NPR Distribution, Managers of the Public Radio Satellite System

PRSS® ContentDepot®


NPR Distribution, as manager of the Public Radio Satellite System® (PRSS), is reengineering its services in response to station and producer needs. Public radio's new distribution system, the PRSS ContentDepot, takes advantage of technological innovations to streamline how stations and producers select, send, acquire, and automate programming.

The ContentDepot moves the PRSS distribution system from exclusively real-time to a subscription-based system for both live and pre-produced broadcasts. The ContentDepot continues to incorporate satellite distribution, as this technology is still the most cost-effective and reliable means of delivering high-quality, real-time audio programming to a national network of radio stations. The ContentDepot also provides alternative distribution methods that give stations flexibility in receiving and storing programs and other information from the PRSS.

Previously, all programming was distributed over the satellite in real-time. Stations needed to manage the programming using a variety of station-provided storage systems. With the ContentDepot, new transmission technologies and station hardware and software enable stations to streamline program management.

Both stations and producers have identified the need for a distributed content storage and management system to enable them to operate efficiently in today's changing media environment. The ContentDepot responds to this need by providing centralized storage and program retrieval. It captures and manages not only audio content, but also associated data and metadata.

Producers have asked for more information about program usage. The ContentDepot's subscription-based model will close the feedback loop and provide information to both stations and producers about program usage and carriage.

As we move into the future, the ContentDepot not only replaces an aging PRSS infrastructure but also lays the groundwork for NPR Distribution to explore new business ideas and technologies (such as HD Radio™) as they emerge.

For more information about the ContentDepot, please email prssplanning@npr.org.

basecamp
Log into ContentDepot Basecamp
Basecamp is a tool for collaboration, communication, and project tracking. This is a place for stations and for PRSS subject matter experts to share ContentDepot tips and technical information, to collaborate on solutions, and to enable you to have more insight into the ContentDepot issues and features that are being worked on. Please contact the PRSS Help Desk at prsshelp@npr.org or 1.800.971.7677 if you need a basecamp login.

ยป Log into Basecamp
training
Producer Tips for ContentDepot programs
Tips for creating automation-friendly programs for the ContentDepot are available.

» More
training
Technology Training
Training videos and materials are available to assist stations and producers in using the ContentDepot.

» More
 

© 2008 NPR®, Inc. · Distribution Division
635 Massachusetts Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20001-3753

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact PRSS | Site Map | Site Help