Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3rd, is a significant occasion that promotes awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities worldwide. Established by the United Nations in 1992, this day serves as a platform to celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals with disabilities while advocating for a more inclusive and accessible society. 

Theme for 2023: “Building Back Better: Toward a Disability-Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable Post-COVID-19 World” 

The theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2023 emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic is inclusive and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. It calls for building a world that is not only resilient but also prioritizes the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. 

Inclusion and Empowerment  

One of the key aspects of the day is to highlight the importance of inclusion. Inclusive societies recognize and embrace the diversity of their populations, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of life. This includes education, employment, social activities, and civic engagement. 

Empowering people with disabilities involves breaking down barriers and stereotypes by fostering an environment where individuals can reach their full potential. This empowerment is not just a moral imperative but also an economic one, as diverse and inclusive societies benefit from the unique perspectives and talents of all their members. 

Making technology accessible for everyone 

Another crucial aspect of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is advocating for accessible infrastructure and technology. From public spaces to digital platforms, it is essential to create environments that accommodate the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes accessible websites and communication methods, ensuring that no one is left behind in the modern, interconnected world. 

BroadStream is dedicated to helping create a more accessible digital world with the help of accurate captioning and subtitling. Our wide range of captioning solutions create captions for live and pre-recorded video content to help individuals with hearing impairments better understand the audio. If you are hosting events or posting online content to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities this year, make sure that they are accessible and include accurate captions.  

Generate quick and accurate captions for your content by visiting subcaptioner.com, our online ASR-driven captioning generator. SubCaptioner uses accurate ASR (automatic speech recognition) technology to convert speech to text in just minutes. Individuals with audio or video files can receive a text transcript and closed caption file within minutes and for only $0.25/minute. To get started, simply create a free account following this link. New users receive their first 40 minutes of captioning and transcriptions for free!  

To create accurate captions for a live event, consider our VoCaption live captioning software. VoCaption is a live, automated closed captioning software that’s easy to install and use! VoCaption uses the same powerful ASR technology as our SubCaptioner system to convert speech to text in real time and create a more accessible event for everyone in attendance. Learn more about our VoCaption software here. 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a moment to celebrate the achievements of individuals with disabilities, promote inclusivity, and advocate for a world where everyone can participate fully in all aspects of life. If you’re planning an event to celebrate this special day, rely on BroadStream Solutions for accessibility solutions.  

 

World Television Day: Celebrating the Power of the Global Screen

In the age of rapid technological advancements and digital media dominance, World Television Day stands as a reminder of the enduring influence and impact of television on societies across the globe. Established by the United Nations in 1996, this annual observance, celebrated on November 21st, recognizes the pivotal role television plays in shaping public opinion, fostering cultural exchange, and disseminating information. As we delve into the significance of World Television Day, let us explore the evolution of television, its cultural impact, and its role in shaping the world we live in today. 

The Evolution of Television 

The journey of television began in the early 20th century, marked by inventors and engineers experimenting with transmitting images and sounds over the airwaves. The first commercially available television sets emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, introducing a new era of communication and entertainment. Over the decades, television technology has undergone remarkable transformations, transitioning from black-and-white to color, and from analog to digital broadcasting. The advent of cable and satellite television expanded the reach of programming, providing viewers with an unprecedented variety of content. 

Cultural Impact of Television

Television has not only been a technological marvel but also a cultural phenomenon that has significantly influenced society. It has served as a powerful medium for storytelling, bringing narratives from different corners of the world into people’s living rooms. Iconic shows and characters have become embedded in the collective consciousness, shaping cultural identities and sparking conversations. From the gripping dramas of the Golden Age of Television to the groundbreaking reality shows that redefine entertainment, television has played a pivotal role in reflecting and shaping societal norms. 

Television as a Catalyst for Social Change

One of the most impactful aspects of television is its ability to catalyze social change. Through news reporting and documentaries, television has brought attention to critical issues, fostering awareness and mobilizing public opinion. Historic moments, from the Civil Rights Movement to the fall of the Berlin Wall, have been broadcasted to millions, uniting people in shared experiences. In recent years, television has been a platform for discussions on pressing global challenges, including climate change, inequality, and public health crises. 

Globalization of Television

World Television Day highlights the global nature of television, transcending borders and languages. The exchange of television programs across cultures has facilitated a more interconnected world, allowing viewers to glimpse into the lives and perspectives of people in distant lands. International collaborations in the entertainment industry have led to the creation of cross-cultural content, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Streaming platforms, with their vast libraries of diverse content, have further accelerated the globalization of television, making it accessible to audiences around the world. 

Television in the Digital Age

The 21st century has witnessed a digital revolution that has reshaped the television landscape. The rise of streaming services has challenged traditional broadcasting models, giving viewers unprecedented control over what, when, and how they consume content. This shift has also given rise to new forms of storytelling, interactive experiences, and innovative content formats. While the traditional television set remains a fixture in many households, an increasing number of viewers are accessing content through a myriad of devices, from smartphones to smart TVs. 

Challenges and Opportunities

As we celebrate World Television Day, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges facing the medium. The proliferation of misinformation, the impact of streaming on traditional broadcasting, and the evolving nature of audience preferences pose significant challenges. However, these challenges also present opportunities for creativity, innovation, and the exploration of new narratives. Television, in its adaptability, has the potential to continue captivating and informing audiences in the ever-evolving digital landscape. 

The Future of Television

Looking ahead, the future of television is marked by both uncertainty and excitement. Technological advancements such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) promise to redefine the viewing experience, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Interactive storytelling, personalized content recommendations, and artificial intelligence-driven production processes are poised to shape the next chapter in the evolution of television. As the medium continues to evolve, it will be crucial to preserve the values that have made television a powerful force for education, entertainment, and social change. 

World Television Day serves as a time for reflection on the journey of television, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global cultural force. As we celebrate this day, we recognize the enduring power of television to inform, entertain, and connect people across the world. In an era of constant change, World Television Day invites us to appreciate the medium’s rich history, embrace its present diversity, and anticipate the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for the global screen. Television, in its many forms, continues to be a window to the world, reflecting the shared human experience and shaping the narratives that define our collective story. 

 

New ASR Solutions at IBC2023

BroadStream will showcase new ASR solutions at IBC2023 in Hall 2, Stand B11. ASR refers to Automated Speech Recognition and uses AI elements to convert speech to text. Our speech engine is provides accuracy in the high 90’s depending on the language and can be used to replace or supplement human captioners. These solutions encompass new automation, hybrid and traditional human driven applications. You will find a brief recap below. If you are planning to attend IBC2023 please use this link to book an appointment with our team for a live demonstation in Hall 2, Stand B11. If IBC is not on your schedule we can provide on-line demos using this link.

SubCaptioner is our new on-line, automated solution for captions, transcriptions and translation of file-based content. Available in over 40 languages this online portal allows the user to upload MP3 audio and MP4 video files, and receive SRT, WebVTT and transcriptions witin minutes for just 25 cents per minute for all three files. The system can also translate converted files into any of 40 plus languages for an additional 25 cents per minute taking a task that when provided by humans can cost hundreds of dollars and take several days and delivering highly accurate files for just pennies in minutes. New users can open a free account and receive 40 minutes free (20 minutes if using translation).

For enterprise users, WincapsASR is available as on-premise or private cloud as a bybrid solution to handle hundreds of hours of content with human editing as a bonus. Files are uploaded and converted by our speechengine. Once converted your staff uses Wincaps to QC the file and make any edits necessary to improve the already highly accurate conversion. WincapsASR is especially beneficial for clients needing higher security for their content or prefer to avoid moving their content outside of their domain.

Need live captioning or subtitling? VoCaption is our solution for low-cost, highly accurate live captioning. Using the most accurate speech engine available, BroadStream has added the necessary features to make it easy to turn on live captioning with just a mouse click or automation command from OASYS Integrated Playout.

For broadcasters needing live captioning with human intervention Q-LiveASR is our enterprise solution that combines live, automated captioning with human editors to deliver an application that provides users with the ability to correct or edit live captions before they are published thus providing the ability to improve accuracy on-the-fly.

If you are a Polistream customer and interested in adding live, automated captioning to your channels, VoCaption can be integrated with many of the existing versions of Polistream. Please contact our Sales Team for details. If you use another caption inserter and would like to know if VoCaption can work for you our Sales Team or Support Team can help you our.

 

Introducing our new partnership with Broadcast Pix

BroadStream Solutions is happy to announce our newest partnership with Broadcast Pix, a global company that offers integrated production solutions for live video production and streaming.

The partnership between BroadStream Solutions and Broadcast Pix officially began in May 2023 and both teams are currently working together to integrate BroadStream’s live captioning software into Broadcast Pix’s live streaming software. By integrating these two solutions, customers will be able to create, caption, and stream live video all in one place with one easy-to-use audio-visual solution.

ABOUT BROADCAST PIX:

Broadcast Pix has over 20 years of experience in the audio-visual space creating integrated production switchers as well as cloud-based solutions for media management, collaboration, and distribution. They recently updated their line of integrated production solutions to provide customers with the most user-friendly, easy-to-install, and flexible 4K live production system available today. With over 5,000 installations in more than 100 countries, Broadcast Pix is an innovative company that provides customers with easy-to-use solutions backed by feature-rich capabilities and future-proof technology.

With this new partnership, both businesses hope to create a better range of audio-visual solutions for customers both inside the broadcast industry and outside of the broadcast industry. Customers will have the opportunity to live stream their content with Broadcast Pix’s new ‘Hybrid Series’ of user-friendly, easy-to-install, and flexible 4K live production solutions that come integrated with BroadStream’s powerful and accurate live captioning software to create live captions at the click of a button.

Our team is excited to work together with Broadcast Pix to offer our advanced solutions to a wider market. To learn more about Broadcast Pix and their new Hybrid Series of integrated production solutions, visit their website here.

Meet with our team at CABSAT 2023

Our team is excited to be heading back to CABSAT 2023 to meet with customers, partners, and resellers in the region.

We’ll be at stand S1-F24 showcasing some of our new products and features for 2023. We’ve added new features to our VoCaption live captioning software and our OASYS Integrated Playout Solution. We’ve also created new, ASR-driven captioning solutions such as WincapsASR, Q-LiveASR, and SubCaptioner designed to help broadcasters and content creators create and edit caption files faster.

To schedule a meeting with our team at the CABSAT 2023 show, fill out the form below and a sales team member will reach out to you as soon as possible. If you’re unable to attend CABSAT 2023 but would still like a demo of one of our products, fill out the form and let us know you’re interested in an online demo.

CABSAT 2023

Appointment Request

Please advise the topic for our meeting and indicate a few times you are available. Our team will contact you to firm up the details.

Meet with our team at ISEurope 2023

Our team is excited to be attending the ISEurope 2023 show in Barcelona, Spain. The Integrated Systems Europe show is known for showcasing some of the best audio and video systems from around the world, and we’re excited to be a part of the conversion.

If you’d like to meet with our team in Barcelona and learn more about our various solutions, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to schedule a time to meet.

ISE Barcelona 2023

Appointment Request

Please advise the topic for our meeting and indicate a few times you are available. Our team will contact you to firm up the details.

Meet with us at Broadcast India – 2022

Our team is heading to Broadcast India 2022 and we would love to see you there!

This year, we’ll be partnering with Cineom to showcase our products and new updates. Stop by and see us at booth E3, or schedule a meeting with our VP of sales, Shelinder Sachdeva, using the form below.

We look forward to seeing you in Mumbai!

Broadcast India - 2022

Appointment Request

Please advise the topic for our meeting and indicate a few times you are available. Our team will contact you to firm up the details.
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KTSF26, Asian-American Broadcaster in the San Francisco Bay Area, Goes Live with OASYS, BroadStream’s Integrated Playout Solution