Avid Technology which claims to be one of the world's leading providers of broadcast news software solutions for television, radio, and the web has announced that it has reached an agreement with NBC.

As per the deal, NBC has extended the use of Avid's award-winning iNEWS newsroom computer system across its operations. The agreement also expands the use of Avid iNEWS systems beyond all of NBC's owned-and-operated US-based news stations to its recently acquired Telemundo facilities.

Key benefits of Avid iNEWS include:

-- Second-generation, 32-bit architecture with familiar Windows-based user interface, customisable folders, forms and toolbars, and WYSIWYG script editing

-- Tight integration with news editing systems

-- Broad access via LAN or WAN to scripts, wires and databases in the newsroom or in the field

-- Scalable configuration that supports up to thousands of users

An official release informs that NBC is among a growing group of broadcasters in the United States to purchase and install Avid iNEWS technology for its operations in recent months. Since September, iNEWS systems have been installed by 19 different broadcasters, including Sinclair Broadcast Group, Baltimore; The Golf Channel, Orlando.

Avid Broadcast claims that no other computer system in the world offers such full control of a newscast. The 19 new installations add to the existing installed base of more than 700 Newsroom Computer Systems worldwide.

The iNEWS newsroom automation system is a key component in Avid's end-to-end digital news production environment, and offers seamless integration with Avid's other broadcast products, including Avid NewsCutter nonlinear editing systems, AirSPACE video servers, and Avid Unity for News shared-storage and media asset management systems.