Redefining the Game: The Evolution of 'Page Six'

Redefining the Game: The Evolution of 'Page Six'

Rebuilt and Rebekoned: The NY Post's Studio Evolution with KMH Integration

For years, the entertainment realm has been eagerly flipping through the pages of "Page Six" in the New York Post. Now, this tabloid staple isn't just a read, but a captivating mix of media - a must-see, must-share digital experience after undergoing a transformative studio and control room upgrade managed by KMH Integration.

Raising the Digital Bar

The Post isn't merely a top-tier U.S. daily newspaper; it's amongst the leading news and information providers online, with millions following its social media presence. Their media operations have evolved beyond print journalism, branching into online and social media content. With video taking priority as the preferred vernacular for all digital platforms, the Post recognised the need for a video overhaul.

Warren Cohen, Vice President and Head of Video and Audio at the New York Post, explained the motive: "We had a key market imperative to translate our journalism into video. That was the basis for developing the new studios. We wanted to keep what Page Six is known for but also offer new formats, live production, you name it - everything to reach the consumer with immediacy."

Determined to embark on this new chapter, the Post enlisted KMH Integration in fall 2022 to help navigate the project from its inception, planning through design. The goal was to digitize the iconic print page while retaining the flexibility to meet the Post's ever-evolving production requirements.

Unifying Production Platforms

The Page Six project leveraged emerging IP and cloud services for archiving, media management, and accessibility. Editors can collaborate seamlessly, regardless of their physical location, benefiting from the same on-prem workflows as their peers at the studio.

Kevin Henneman, President of KMH Integration, shared, "We developed an entirely new look with capabilities that matched their future vision. We worked closely with their management and technical teams to define all the requirements and build out these spaces for a higher quality output."

Initially, the Post had a studio only suitable for static recording lacking live video capabilities. KMH discarded the old setup, crafting Studio 1 - a versatile virtual production space featuring both a green and white cyclorama, as well as a standup position. The outcome is a flexible multipurpose recording space with a comprehensive control room.

Studio 2: The Hub of Page Six

Studio 2, dedicated to Page Six, boasts the essence of a traditional production space, complete with hard sets, monitors, and camera positions. This studio offers the Post the ability to record podcasts while distributing video content to social media and streaming platforms.

KMH designed a unified production platform enabling the Post's video production capabilities to integrate with other News Corp media properties, increasing flexibility and content-sharing potential to extend News Corp's reach. Turnkey, cloud-capable production workflows provide the Post's creative teams the freedom to work on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid setup.

Furthermore, KMH integrated the Post's media workflow with other News Corp business units based in Manhattan, facilitating effortless content access and sharing between different media groups.

"This project is a testament to the power of embracing cloud services for archiving, media management, and accessibility and integrating them with an on-premise production system," Henneman said. "Now, Post editors can work from anywhere in the world given the correct credentials and security clearance, enjoying the same access as their on-site colleagues."

Revamping Workflows

The Post reinvented its entire production workflow, working with the KMH team to choose the right equipment necessary for acquiring, ingesting, editing, and distributing content to an expanding number of platforms. "We aim for speed, flexibility, and a strong presence on as many output channels as possible," Cohen said. "Our audience depends on us for trusted and timely information, so we needed a flexible production environment built on a seamless system that worked swiftly and was easy to use."

The KAIROS live production platform from Panasonic Connect is a key ally facilitating the Post's journalism presentation, according to Cohen. This system bolsters flexibility by enabling secure, reliable video streaming, capitalising on advancements in software-defined networks and software-controllable systems, plus IP protocols like ST 2110 and NDI.

KMH's selection of the KAIROS system was due to several factors, including support for multiple formats like NDI, Dante, ST 2110, and SDI. It also offers resource sharing, enabling multiple control points to utilise inputs, outputs, and on-board graphics, as well as incorporate video files into simultaneous independent productions.

"In the case of the New York Post, we were able to expand our production capabilities by creating two studios - both sharing the single KAIROS through a licensing model," Henneman said. "This allowed the creation of a second control position effortlessly to support virtual production on a green and white cyclorama and take advantage of KAIROS' internal virtual set library. Custom sets can also be built and loaded into the switcher as needed."

The KAIROS system is complemented by three Panasonic AW-UE160 PTZ robotic cameras, ready for ST 2110 and flexible enough to function within the Post's hybrid SDI/baseband plant. Additional control room equipment includes Samsung studio displays, Allen & Heath Avantis audio mixer, Shure Axient Digital wireless mics, RTS Odin intercom, Cinedeck video servers, Ross Ultrix 12G router, Evertz master sync generator, and NETGEAR AV line network switches. KMH led the entire Page Six project, developing technology budgets and managing specialized technology providers.

The Page Six studio completed in January 2024 has since been actively employed, capturing headline and news coverage, celebrity interviews, reporter interviews discussing their scoops, and premium franchises such as "Virtual Reali-Tea."

"Our success is measured in seconds," Cohen said. "We aim to be the first to disclose news, and we want to develop new products for various platforms. With the right infrastructure, we now have the foundation to achieve that."

1. The New York Post's studio evolution, spearheaded by KMH Integration, has transformed the Post into a digital powerhouse, offering a blend of news, information, and entertainment products across various online and social media platforms.
2. In the process of redefining its media operations, the Post has integrated advanced technology features such as IP and cloud services into its archiving, media management, and accessibility systems. This allows editors to collaborate effectively regardless of their location, ensuring a seamless workflow for the business.
3. KMH Integration has played a crucial role in equipping the Post with state-of-the-art production facilities, including the creation of Studio 1 and Studio 2. Studio 2, dedicated to Page Six, serves as a hub for podcast recordings and video content distribution, while Studio 1 offers a versatile virtual production space suitable for live video events and various production requirements.

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