Radio station unveils new technology

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — WEGP 1390 AM, “The Talk of the County,” initiated the live video streaming of its high school basketball schedule on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Caribou High School.     The station aired its traditional radio broadcast of both the girls’ and boys’ games against John Bapst on the airwaves, with Jim Carter and Steve Shaw at the microphones. In addition, the audio of both games was available on WEGP’s website – www.wegp.net for fans who tuned in to listen to the broadcast by clicking on the station’s “Listen Live” link.
WEGP’s newest technology, unveiled for the first time, was the live video streaming of the games.
“We are very pleased with the results of our first video stream broadcast,” said operations manager Bryan Lawrence. “We rolled it out without any bugs or glitches. In fact, I spoke to the station owner in Vermont during the games, who was watching, and listening, on both his computer and his smart phone.”
“There are a couple of variables that can impact the quality of the presentation, including the speed of the Internet connection available at the school we are broadcasting from, and the speed of the connection and the computer being used by the viewer. We are pleased that connection speeds have been very good at the locations we have tested so far as seen in the broadcast [of the Dec. 7 games]. The quality of the picture was very good,” he added.
“The option to see, as well as hear, the games adds a whole new dimension to our broadcasts. We recognize the important role of high school basketball in The County. It brings communities together as they rally around their teams. WEGP is committed to bringing the games over the airwaves, and now by video stream, to those who are not able to be in the bleachers on game day, but don’t want to miss the game.”
WEGP general sales manager, Carla Thibodeau, commented on the advantages the video stream offers to listeners as well as sponsors.
“We think this adds great value for our listeners and sponsors,” Thibodeau said. “For grandparents down south for the winter, a parent away on business, or siblings and friends away at college, the video stream is a great way for them to keep up with County basketball.
“In addition, if anyone misses a game because of work or other conflict, they can go to www.wegp.net and click on our County Basketball link to watch because the game will be available for viewing online for a time after each game.”
She said DVDs of games will also be available for purchase and the station will give a DVD copy of each game to the schools for their coaching library and to the “WEGP Player of the Game.”
Fans can find a schedule of games at wegp.net.