NewsMaker Systems

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.

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

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

• Broadcast automation software
• Newsroom automation systems
• Production control room automation
• MOS protocol integration
• News production software

Headquarters

HQ city

Asheville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. NewsCaster Software Licenses: Sale of NewsCaster software products including CONNECT, CONTROL, and COMPOSE automation solutions for broadcast production.
2. 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.
3. On-site and Off-site Commissioning: Installation assistance, custom configuration of NewsStyle sets, and technical training for staff provided at customer locations.
4. NewsCaster Server Hardware: 1RU SuperMicro Industrial Server Class Computer included with all NewsCaster products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• NewTekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic 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)coreTechnology or IntegrationNewsCaster 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.
• AvidcoreTechnology or IntegrationNewsCaster products integrate with Avid iNEWS newsroom computer system. Products support full compatibility with Avid's newsroom ecosystem.
• OctopuscoreTechnology or IntegrationNewsCaster products are compatible with Octopus 8 newsroom system, enabling MOS-based integration for broadcast automation workflows.
• Ross VideocoreTechnology or IntegrationRoss 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 OpenMediasecondaryTechnology or IntegrationNewsCaster products are compatible with Annova OpenMedia newsroom computer system, providing MOS protocol-based integration.
• SCISYSsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationListed as partner on website alongside other newsroom system providers.
• NewBlueFXsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartnership 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 DesignsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationNewsCaster production automation now supports BlackMagic Design ATEM family of Production Switchers, complementing existing Viz TriCaster systems. ATEM support enables SDI environment workflows.
• Edinburgh Napier UniversitysecondaryOthersEdinburgh 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/NewsMakerSys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NewsMaker Systems