Leighton Media, formerly Leighton Broadcasting, is a media company that serves most of Minnesota and parts of North Dakota. “We originally only did traditional radio, but have diversified throughout the years to add digital components and become a one-stop shop for advertising,” said Tony Abfalter, Director of Engineering and IT at Leighton.
“My day-to-day involves keeping the place running smoothly, improving the systems we have, and staying on the forefront of technology,” said Abfalter. His role at Leighton led him to his discovery of Opal, an IP audio gateway by Comrex that allows remote guests and hosts to connect to the studio with their laptop or phone at the click of a link.
When asked how he uses Opal, Abfalter chuckled, “It would be easier for me to tell you what we DON’T use it for!” Leighton has used Opal units for morning shows to bring guests in and with the news department for airing breaking news and getting news reports. They’ve employed Opal at sporting events when their remote equipment is tied up. It has been used as audio backhaul, as an IFB for intercom back to the studio, and even as an STL once or twice in a pinch. “Opal is the Swiss army knife for broadcasters. I’ve lost count of how many units we have.”
A big part of Opal’s appeal is how simple it is to use. “The set up is incredibly easy. If you’ve got ten minutes and a web browser, you’ll be just fine.” Since engineers and talent tend to prioritize and value different factors when it comes to broadcast equipment, Abfalter was delighted to find Opal universally loved by the different departments at Leighton.
“It’s one of the very few products I can say has changed the game every time we’ve used it. Our news and sports departments all adore it. In fact, there’d be an uprising if I took an Opal away,” said Abfalter. “At the end of the day, I’m just the engineer and the guy who maintains it. But when you get glowing reviews from on-air people, they love the tool and really couldn’t imagine doing business without it, it makes you feel really good about finding those tools.”
Opal even appeals to management. “The price point is so d*** economical, you just have to take Opal for a spin yourself. And if you think there’s a better solution after trying it out, you need to get out of the business because there just isn’t.”
“Comrex units are very well designed, extremely reliable, and great for our toolbox. They allow our on-air staff to focus on their jobs. They don’t have to worry if they’re going to be able to connect to the station. They can focus on what’s relevant and important for their programming content, which results in a better performance out in the field. That adds value to our business.”