Clear Channel Satellite Celebrates 20 Years of Service

by Monty Dent on December 05, 2008

1988
National Supervisory Network Ltd, adopted a new Ku band VSAT technology to implement a broadcast radio transmitter data acquisition system. At the same time, National Supervisory Network engineers began experimenting with the transmission of ADPCM compressed digital audio over their early low speed BPSK digital VSAT network. Non-real time results were acceptable, but a real-time method of transmitting CD quality audio over the VSAT’s relatively low data rates was not available at that time.

1992
The National Supervisory Network, adopted the new name NSN Network Services

1993
NSN Network Services installed the first MPEG digital audio network in the USA. Within 3 years, NSN and ComStream had sold and installed over 300 MPEG digital VSAT audio networks, with thousands of low-cost integrated receiver/MPEG decoders worldwide. Most of these new mini and micro networks are used by broadcasters who previously would not have been able to afford networking at all, yet today originate daily programming and production from various sites across the country and around the world with ease.

1997
Jacor acquires NSN Network Services and its assets for $11 million.

1999
Clear Channel Communications acquires Jacor Communications for $4.4 billion in stock, including NSN Network Services

NSN Network Services expands the data services internationally and implements the first disaster recovery services on a new IP, two-way delivery platform.

2000
NSN Network Services began transmission of programming for Premiere Radio Networks on Satcom 5. NSN’s SuperCarrier provides the first improvement of radio network delivery in almost twenty years. Utilizing advances in technology, the service offers real-time audio, text and IP delivery, as well as sophisticated store-and-forward audio/data delay devices in the receiver.

2001
NSN Network Services adopted the new name of Clear Channel Satellite Services Inc.

2003
Clear Channel Satellite Services implements the first DVB/RCS platform that supports first responders, remote connectivity and recovery services.

2004
Clear Channel Satellite patents the name XtremeSat. XtremeSat represents the entire DVB/RCS platform used by Clear Channel Satellite and its end users.

2006
Clear Channel Satellite moves its operations into a new, 19,200 sq ft, State of The Art facility that has the ability for expansion while meeting the needs of the Colocation industry.

2007
Clear Channel Satellite adds the X-Digital Hub Platform to their audio distribution system. X-Digital is the first true IP broadcast delivery platform for delivery of audio, video and data to the affiliate stations incorporating store and forward technology as well as spot insertions from the local receiver.

In conjunction with Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO), Clear Channel Satellite deploys the XtremeSat DVB/RCS platform to support the day to day operations of CCO’s Digital LED billboard project. The XtremeSat platform makes it possible to remotely manage and monitor the content displayed on billboards.

2008
DVB S-2 Carrier technology is added to the XtremeSat DVB/RCS System reducing the occupied bandwidth of the satellite carrier by 30%.

Clear Channel Satellite celebrates 20 years of sales and service.