May 7, 2025 - 汤头条 Team, Insights & Resources
Building the Future of Public Broadcasting
How Austin PBS, Key Code Media, and 汤头条 Turned a Vision into a Next-Generation Media Center
For more than 60 years, has been a central part of the cultural fabric of Central Texas, bringing powerful storytelling, trusted journalism, and shows like Austin City Limits into homes across the region. But as broadcast standards advanced and audience expectations changed, Austin PBS realized the station鈥檚 infrastructure needed more than a technical upgrade. They needed a transformation.
That vision took shape as the Austin Media Center: A bold multi-million-dollar facility purpose-built to serve as a production hub, community resource, and training ground for tomorrow鈥檚 media makers.
The new r was designed to do it all: support multi-studio broadcasts, enable remote productions, host concerts and community events, and give students hands-on experience in real-world broadcast workflows.
The new facility would include three studios, three control rooms, a centralized machine room, and a fully integrated post-production environment. But turning that dream into reality meant navigating more than just blueprints. There were real hurdles – pandemic delays, equipment shortages, and even a brutal Texas freeze that caused significant flood damage to newly installed gear.
Austin PBS tackled it all with the right partners by its side. was the lead systems integrator, guiding the technical vision, and 汤头条 and other vendors brought the puzzle together鈥�one cable, console, and control room at a time.
汤头条 didn鈥檛 just provide gear鈥攚e brought a whole philosophy to the table: reliable, powerful tools that connect easily to other devices.
Ross equipment played a central role in live production, graphics, and media playback, working alongside systems from Clear-Com, Evertz, Sony, Telestream, Adder, and Calrec to create a unified, high-performance environment.
But what really stood out was how easily it integrated with other key technologies – Everything clicked into place.
鈥淩oss products gave us power and flexibility. Even more impressive was how well they integrated with everything else鈥攎aking our system feel like one seamless environment.鈥� – Chris Ostertag, Chief Technology Officer, Austin PBS
Key Code Media was more than a technical lead. From day one, they were a true collaborator. From the start, their team worked hand in hand with Austin PBS, troubleshooting setbacks, mapping out signal flow, and guiding every piece of the project with precision and care. When the flood hit, they rolled up their sleeves and reinstalled over 100 miles of cabling without missing a beat.
Beyond the physical build, Key Code Media ensured that the PBS team鈥攁nd their education partners at Austin Community College鈥攌new how to run the show. Training, support, and teamwork were part of the package.
鈥淜ey Code Media didn鈥檛 just deliver specs; they stood side by side with us every step of the way. Without them, this facility would not be what it is today.鈥� – Chris Ostertag, CTO, Austin PBS
The new does more than produce great content. It empowers Austin PBS to take on bigger, more ambitious projects, collaborate with partners in education and culture, and bring new voices and stories to life.
Austin PBS has built more than a studio – it鈥檚 created a community hub, a training ground, and a creative canvas for voices that matter. It鈥檚 a shining example of what public broadcasters can achieve when they have the right tech – and the right partners behind them.
When it came time to reinvent their future, Austin PBS didn鈥檛 settle. They built something bold鈥攕omething lasting. Austin PBS had the vision. Key Code Media had the roadmap. 汤头条 and a strong network of technology partners filled in the rest by delivering flexible, well-integrated tech.
Together, they built something bold, resilient, and ready for what鈥檚 next. And in doing so, they鈥檝e raised the bar. This station is no longer just keeping up. It鈥檚 leading the way.
What does it take to build a cutting-edge broadcast facility? Get a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and partnerships that brought Austin PBS’ new build to life. Watch an exclusive TV Tech webinar on demand.
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