NewsMaker Systems
NewsMaker Systems, LLC provides the NewsCaster Suite — broadcast news automation software designed exclusively for NewTek TriCaster, BlackMagic ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers, integrated with leading MOS-based newsroom computer systems — serving TV broadcast stations globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersAsheville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What NewsMaker Systems does
NewsMaker Systems, LLC is a privately held broadcast automation technology company founded in 1974 by Dean Kolkey and Tony Chick, headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina. The company began in newspaper production technology — producing the world's first electronically composed full-page newspaper layout in 1982 — before pivoting in 1989-1990 to television and radio news automation with the NewsMaker Electronic Newsroom (NEN) system, which was deployed at 120+ broadcast stations worldwide and powered CBS's Winter Olympics broadcasts from 1992 to 1998. In 2014, the company executed its second platform pivot, partnering directly with NewTek's development teams to build the NewsCaster Suite around the NewTek TriCaster integrated production system.
The company's current product is the NewsCaster Suite, a modular automation platform consisting of three offerings: NewsCaster CONNECT (a bridge that automates loading and re-sequencing between MOS-enabled newsroom computer systems and TriCaster), NewsCaster CONTROL (full style-based automation with site-specific NewsStyle macros enabling single-operator broadcasts), and NewsCaster COMPOSE (a standalone rundown manager, script editor, and style automation package). The technology integrates with the five major newsroom computer systems (AP ENPS, Avid iNEWS, Octopus 8, Ross Inception, Annova OpenMedia) via MOS protocol and ActiveX plug-ins, and supports NewTek TriCaster Family & IP Series, BlackMagic Design ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers. All products ship with a 1RU SuperMicro industrial server featuring redundant power supplies and RAID storage.
The business model combines one-time software licenses, recurring annual service packages (24/7 support and software updates after the initial year), bundled hardware sales, and professional services for on-site commissioning and training. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales: prospects schedule product demos, receive custom configuration proposals, and obtain on-site installation. Demand generation runs through major broadcast industry trade shows (NAB Las Vegas, IBC Amsterdam), the company website, and press releases. The primary customer segment is TV broadcast stations (local and network), with adjacent exposure to educational institutions through university journalism programs. The company is founder-owned, has no disclosed external funding, and reports no revenue figures publicly.
NewsMaker Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NewsMaker Systems
- Legal name
- NewsMaker Systems, LLC
- Website
- https://newsmakersystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- NewsMaker Systems, LLC provides the NewsCaster Suite — broadcast news automation software designed exclusively for NewTek TriCaster, BlackMagic ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers, integrated with leading MOS-based newsroom computer systems — serving TV broadcast stations globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NewsMaker Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Broadcast Automation Software
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33422)
- SIC
- Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Control Room Orchestration & Workflow Integration (NRCS/MOS, Automation APIs) (MPAHAKAK)
Keywords
Where NewsMaker Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Asheville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NewsMaker Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- NewsCaster Software Licenses: Sale of NewsCaster software products including CONNECT, CONTROL, and COMPOSE automation solutions for broadcast production.
- NewsCaster Service Package: Annual service coverage including hardware warranty, 24/7 support, software updates, and remote assistance. Extended Service Package available for purchase on per-year basis after initial one-year included coverage.
- On-site and Off-site Commissioning: Installation assistance, custom configuration of NewsStyle sets, and technical training for staff provided at customer locations.
- NewsCaster Server Hardware: 1RU SuperMicro Industrial Server Class Computer included with all NewsCaster products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Products described as affordable with demo-based sales approach |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
NewsMaker Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NewsMaker Systems sells the NewsCaster Suite, a broadcast automation platform consisting of three software products (CONNECT, CONTROL, and COMPOSE) that bridge MOS-enabled newsroom computer systems with NewTek TriCaster, BlackMagic Design ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers. Products are bundled with a dedicated 1RU industrial server and sold directly to television broadcast stations for live news automation, with installation, training, and ongoing 24/7 support services.
Product overview
NewsMaker Systems offers the NewsCaster Suite, a modular automation platform for broadcast television news production. The suite consists of three core products: NewsCaster CONNECT (manual-assisted workflow automation bridge), NewsCaster CONTROL (full style-based automation suite), and NewsCaster COMPOSE (standalone rundown manager and script editor with integrated automation). All products integrate with MOS-enabled newsroom computer systems (AP ENPS, AVID iNEWS, Octopus 8, Ross Inception, Annova OpenMedia) via ActiveX plug-in and support NewTek TriCaster Family, IP Series, BlackMagic Design ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers. Products utilize NewsCaster Server for centralized media asset management and NewsStyles for pre-defined visual sequence automation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NewsCaster CONNECT A seamless bridge between MOS-enabled newsroom computer systems (AP ENPS, Avid iNEWS, Octopus 8, Ross Inception, Annova OpenMedia) and NewTek TriCaster Family or IP Series production switchers. Automates the initial loading of TriCaster content and dynamically re-sequences to handle adds, drops, floats, or holds in the rundown. Sold to television broadcasters and media organizations.
- NewsCaster CONTROL A full style-based automation suite for NewTek TriCaster, BlackMagic Design ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers that enables a single operator to design, import, and put complete broadcasts on air. Uses a custom-developed site-specific macro system (NewsStyles) for pre-defined visual sequences and includes an Xkeys control surface. Sold to television broadcast stations.
- NewsCaster COMPOSE An all-in-one standalone solution for show planning, rundown creation, script editing, and style-based production automation. Combines a rundown manager, script editor (with spell check in nine languages and dynamic broadcast timing), and NewsStyles automation in a single package that works with or without a separate Newsroom Computer System. Sold to television broadcasters and educational institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces TriCaster preparation time from an hour per broadcast to approximately 5 seconds
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use NewsMaker Systems
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
NewsMaker Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature9 records
NewsMaker Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- NewTekcoreStrategic partnership with NewTek for development of automation products specifically designed for NewTek TriCaster Family & IP Series. NewsMaker is a member of the NewTek Developer Network. The partnership enables exclusive integration that treats TriCaster as the primary platform rather than an afterthought.
- AP (Associated Press)coreNewsCaster products are fully compatible with AP ENPS, the world's most installed multimedia news system. MOS protocol integration enables seamless workflow between ENPS and TriCaster/IP Series.
- AvidcoreNewsCaster products integrate with Avid iNEWS newsroom computer system. Products support full compatibility with Avid's newsroom ecosystem.
- OctopuscoreNewsCaster products are compatible with Octopus 8 newsroom system, enabling MOS-based integration for broadcast automation workflows.
- Ross VideocoreRoss Video collaboration provides automation bridge between Ross Inception newsroom system and NewTek TriCaster. ActiveX interface enables TriCaster production elements to be placed directly into Inception rundown.
- Annova OpenMediasecondaryNewsCaster products are compatible with Annova OpenMedia newsroom computer system, providing MOS protocol-based integration.
- SCISYSsecondaryListed as partner on website alongside other newsroom system providers.
- NewBlueFXsecondaryPartnership with NewBlue, developers of NewBlueFX TotalFX, Titler Pro, Titler Live and Fusion products. Integration allows NewsCaster users to select NewBlue templates within the MOS Plugin for graphics playout.
- BlackMagic DesignsecondaryNewsCaster production automation now supports BlackMagic Design ATEM family of Production Switchers, complementing existing Viz TriCaster systems. ATEM support enables SDI environment workflows.
- Edinburgh Napier UniversitysecondaryEdinburgh Napier University uses NewsCaster Connect for student training in Film, Journalism and Media school to produce local content news programming.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NewsMaker Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ross Video: Ross Video is a direct competitor in broadcast production automation and newsroom computer systems; its Inception NRCS platform is a NewsCaster integration partner today and competes head-to-head with the NewsCaster Suite for live news automation workflows.
- AP ENPS (Associated Press): AP ENPS is the most-installed NRCS globally and a Core NewsCaster integration partner, but it is also a direct competitor in newsroom workflow automation for broadcasters and overlaps with NewsCaster's COMPOSE offering.
- ENCO Systems: ENCO provides broadcast automation solutions (including newsroom/radio automation) for TV and radio stations, directly competing with the NewsCaster Suite for live news production automation budgets.
- Octopus Newsroom: Octopus Newsroom is an NRCS vendor that competes with the newsroom side of NewsMaker's offering and is also a MOS integration partner, making it a direct peer in the newsroom computer system and automation category.
- Dalet: Dalet provides newsroom and media workflow solutions for broadcasters, directly competing with NewsCaster for live news production automation and story-centric workflow deals.
- Chyron: Chyron provides broadcast graphics and news production automation (e.g., CAMIO, PRIME) that overlap with NewsCaster's style-based automation and graphics workflow automation for live news.
Broad incumbents
- Avid Technology: Avid's iNEWS is one of the leading NRCS platforms that NewsCaster integrates with via MOS, but Avid also sells broader newsroom and production tools broadly competing with NewsMaker in the broadcast automation stack.
- Grass Valley: Grass Valley is a broad incumbent in broadcast infrastructure (production switchers, playout, automation) and competes with NewsCaster at the workflow/automation layer for full-stack broadcast newsroom sales.
- Vizrt Group (NewTek): Vizrt acquired NewTek and therefore owns the TriCaster platform on which NewsCaster is built. It is simultaneously a Core strategic partner and a broad incumbent that could build competing automation for its own hardware.
- Evertz Technologies: Evertz is a broad incumbent in broadcast infrastructure (routing, playout, automation) and competes with NewsMaker for control-room and news-production automation bundles at larger broadcasters.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NewsMaker Systems social profiles
Digital presenceNewsMaker Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NewsMaker Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
NewsMaker Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NewsMaker Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NewsMaker Systems
What does NewsMaker Systems do?
NewsMaker Systems sells the NewsCaster Suite, a broadcast automation platform consisting of three software products (CONNECT, CONTROL, and COMPOSE) that bridge MOS-enabled newsroom computer systems with NewTek TriCaster, BlackMagic Design ATEM, and Viz Vectar production switchers. Products are bundled with a dedicated 1RU industrial server and sold directly to television broadcast stations for live news automation, with installation, training, and ongoing 24/7 support services.
Is NewsMaker Systems a public or private company?
NewsMaker Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was NewsMaker Systems founded?
NewsMaker Systems was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NewsMaker Systems based?
NewsMaker Systems is headquartered in Asheville, United States, in the North America region.
How does NewsMaker Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. NewsCaster Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are newsCaster Service Package, on-site and Off-site Commissioning and newsCaster Server Hardware.
Who are NewsMaker Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ross Video, AP ENPS (Associated Press), ENCO Systems, Octopus Newsroom, Dalet and Chyron. Broad incumbents are Avid Technology, Grass Valley, Vizrt Group (NewTek) and Evertz Technologies.
Does NewsMaker Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for NewsMaker Systems.
What industry is NewsMaker Systems in?
NewsMaker Systems's product category is Broadcast Automation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAKAK, Control Room Orchestration & Workflow Integration (NRCS/MOS, Automation APIs). Its NAICS code is 33422 and its SIC code is 3663.