What's New

09/03/02

NPR Distribution Provides Support for the Public Radio Collaboration

The Public Radio Collaboration represents the first nationwide effort to coordinate a week of programming around a central theme or event. This experimental undertaking pools the creativity and resources of local stations and producers across the country. The first collaborative project focuses on �Understanding America After 9/11.�

Interest in the Collaboration�s programming has been high. �The response so far has been amazing. Stations from Buffalo to Sacramento and DC to Dallas have started to schedule programming for the national coordinated week of September 3–10,� reports Israel Smith, Logistics Manager for the Collaboration. Programming for the Collaboration comes from a group of anchor stations (WNYC, WBUR, WAMU, KQED, MPR and KPCC) and 25 additional producers from across the nation.

The Collaboration is using the Public Radio Satellite System�s (PRSS) ContentDepot Catalog as the content exchange mechanism for program-related audio samples, graphics, and metadata. The ContentDepot Catalog is a dynamic, multimedia guide to programs available from producers for broadcast over public radio stations. The Catalog also provides a test bed for some of the basic features of the ContentDepot, Distribution�s model for future program delivery services.

In support of the Collaboration, several enhancements were made to the ContentDepot Catalog, including:

• Enabling producers to upload their own audio, graphics, and metadata into the ContentDepot Catalog using a web interface
• Developing a scheme to allow each content provider to upload, update, and delete only its own programs based on individual user names and passwords
• Automatic virus checking of all producer-uploaded files
• An improved transitional interface design using the new PRSS logo

The Collaboration represents an exciting undertaking in the public radio community and a model for future content exchanges that can be supported by the ContentDepot. �The Public Radio Collaboration provides a real-world production environment to test the concepts, technologies, and interfaces that are at the core of the ContentDepot initiative,� says Marty Bloss, NPR Distribution�s director of technology.

As Bloss adds, �NPR Distribution is pleased to support the Public Radio Collaboration in this innovative and important public service programming effort.�