"We needed a stable, easy-to-use solution that consistently output high quality video content with minimal lift for our newsrooms," said Denise Yost, Director of Digital Content at Allen Media Broadcasting. "BLOX Digital provides just that: a system that makes it easy and efficient to create compelling and engaging digital content."
Allen Media Broadcasting sites cover 21 markets targeting university towns and state capitals. Photo courtesy of AMB.
The Allen Media Broadcasting (AMB) group consists of 27 "Big Four" affiliate television stations in 21 markets across the United States.
"AMB is passionately focused on our role as strong local news operations deeply ingrained in the fabric of our communities," Yost said.
As part of those daily operations, producers, reporters, anchors, photographers, and digital content staff are responsible for creating video content. "With such a wide range of users, it was critical for AMB to have a video solution that is both simple and advanced at the same time."
Getting started with BLOX Digital
AMB partnered with BLOX Digital for video in 2021 when the group was in search of a Video on Demand (VOD) solution. "We needed to onboard a new platform quickly without disrupting service or losing necessary functionality."
The sites started with BLOX Digital's BLOX VMS (formerly Field59 VMS) and Blackbird, an optional third-party integration that provides advanced video editing in the cloud. AMB then added BLOX CMS later that year.
According to Yost, BLOX Digital's solutions have addressed some "basic gaps" in other vendors' offerings.
"The inability to select a thumbnail was a major miss from other vendors. Another gap was the general clipping workflow where users would have to identify the exact time a segment aired in a newscast to begin," Yost said. "The organization of the previous workflows left much to be desired."
AMB stations can select thumbnail images, edit video, and publish to their site with BLOX Digital.
Eliminating the need for third-party hosting
Since launching with BLOX Digital's video solutions, Yost reports that video on demand traffic on AMB sites has grown 57%.
AMB newsrooms upload long-form or digital exclusive video content directly into BLOX VMS. There is no need for a third-party video host—such as YouTube—or for users to leave the site to view videos. Videos can be published to the website, mobile, CTV/OTT, social, and more.
Allen Media Group uploads videos directly to BLOX VMS for seamless ingestion into BLOX CMS and onto their sites
"One of the biggest selling points is the integration with BLOX CMS," Yost said. "Whether our video creators use BLOX VMS or Blackbird, the process is completed in BLOX CMS by surfacing the video content to our digital platforms."
Empowering video producers with easy tools
Video creators can have the power to rapidly access, navigate and manipulate video content no matter their location.
"With BLOX Digital, we get comprehensive solutions simple enough for everyday video publishing but with advanced features for our more technical video creators."
AMB newsrooms use the optional integration with Blackbird to create clips from live newscasts and to publish video content using captures. This integration gives their newsrooms the power to rapidly access, navigate and manipulate video content no matter their location.
"The clipping workflow is also a high point," Yost said. "While the video solutions include very advanced editing features, it's easy to teach to our new producers, especially those whose digital video responsibilities are straightforward newscast segments."
"From CMS to video, we've had great success with the content platforms from BLOX Digital," Yost said. "The platforms provide us with flexible page design and customization opportunities that more than suit our needs at both the local and corporate levels."
In partnership with BLOX Digital, AMB has been able to take advantage of the technology and the streamlined BLOX CMS content creation process to take their digital strategy to the next level.
"BLOX Digital has become the backbone on which we are building and delivering on our digital growth strategy," said Lisa Bishop, Chief Digital Officer at Allen Media Broadcasting.
