Radio538 is the number one hit music radio station of the Netherlands. They were the first Dutch commercial radio station on the internet, partly powered by VidiGo. Now 538 expanded their brand into the TV business. A small step as they were already familiair with the philisophy of VidiGo that making TV does not have to be complicated or technical, but can be an intuitive and creative job. Also for people with none or limited TV experience!
TV538 is not just a music video channel but mixes live programs with live events that the radio station organizes, response from the viewers and of course many popular music video clips.

The VidiGo building blocks enable automated audio and video production workflows. VidiGo software runs on standard IT hardware and does not require extensive training. We know that in the broadcast world creative people make the difference. That’s why our customers can get the job done without bothering about the technology. VidiGo’s innovative broadcast workflow does the trick.

VidiGo Works is used as an asset manager. Key features are XDCAM HD import, customizable meta data, accessible from anywhere anytime, and export to AVID. This functionality plus the support for Apple Mac OS X for the VidiGo Works clients, offers huge savings in time and money.

All on air graphics layers are built using standard web technologies including Adobe Flash. Content now comes straight from the standard toolkit for graphic designers.
VidiGo Live is used as production tool. Key features are automated camera control, macros, Flash based graphical overlay, and XML driven ticker support. There is no need for dedicated technical crew members. Any member can perform the simple, graphical, task-based operation. Using the VidiGo Audio director most of the program is created unattended.

VidiGo Playout is used for HD video playout. Key features are 24/7 unattended operation, embedded audio, mix video clips with live SDI input, playlist filling by drag-and-drop, and Adobe Flash command handling.

Alexander Josiassen on Blackmagic hardware combined with VidiGo automation software in a ‘Visual Radio’ application.

The world of radio is changing. Once concerned with listening figures alone, broadcasters are waking up to the reality of a connected generation. Tablets, smartphones, and other such mobile devices mean listeners are hungrier than ever for engaging content spanning multiple platforms. Dutch-based 538Group (538, SLAM!FM and Radio 10 Gold) is one such broadcaster waking up to this reality. Over the past few years we’ve seen radio and television content become more integrated, as radio stations offer more online content.

Knowing that we wanted to optimise our radio content for television, we approached VidiGo and Blackmagic Design reseller Maarten Sound and Vision. In particular, we wanted the ability to continue working with our existing automation software, which includes VidiGo Audio Director and VidiGo Live.

Flexibility was 538Group’s ultimate goal. We wanted creativity and technology to come together: motion graphic intros and outros are made in-house. The creatives consult directly with the DJs, taking the shortest possible line. The workflow is different but the outcome is more options for less money.

We are also very pleased with the clip starter. From a tablet a user can control VidiGo Graphics, allowing simultaneous work on Radio and TV. This is ideal for the DJ – he doesn’t even notice that he’s covering the visual elements of the show.

We also have T V538, an automated 24/7 TV music channel and SLAM!T V, a channel for the younger generation. VidiGo Works is used as an asset manager. Key features are XDCAM HD import, customisable metadata accessible from anywhere anytime, and export to AVID. This, plus the support for Apple Mac OS X, offers huge savings in time and money because content now comes straight from the standard toolkit for graphic designers.

Without VidiGo and Blackmagic Design, and the ‘madness’ of my team, we could not have made the 538Group what it is today. These partners think smarter than others and are market ‘fighters’, in a positive way.

Alexander Josiassen is Technical and Operations Manager at 538 Group.