MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, September 18, 2025 – Tightrope Media Systems today announced Cablecast Version 7.10, the latest software upgrade for its multiplatform playout automation, which features the new Cablecast Content Submission Portal to streamline content intake. Plus, new Subscription Paywalls and Pre-Roll Messaging options for Cablecast Internet Channels can turn content libraries into revenue streams for community media organizations.
Subscription Paywalls provides a flexible solution that gives Cablecast Internet Channels users the ability to charge for access to content. Stations have the option of making only certain videos or the entire channel paywalled. Subscription Paywalls can be applied to live and/or VOD content. It’s an ideal solution for educational content, local sports coverage, or other premium programming that goes beyond government meetings.
A simple, email-based system for viewer access means no custom development or complicated setup. Plus, magic links make it for viewers to access content without logins or passwords. Subscription Paywalls helps create a sustainable revenue stream for stations without the overhead.
Cablecast’s new Pre-Roll Messaging offers another option for generating revenue. Assign a playlist of short underwriting or sponsor shout-outs in Cablecast, and the system randomly selects a message to play before each on-demand program on websites and embedded Cablecast players. Pre-Roll Messaging requires no extra coding or third-party integration, and full playback reporting provides a turnkey tool for acknowledging support and sponsorship for streaming audiences.
“As cable subscription numbers continue to fall, PEG operations are struggling with smaller and smaller budgets,” explained JJ Parker, co-founder and CEO of Tightrope Media Systems.
“Version 7.10 of our Cablecast software introduces ways to help these stations highlight supporters and create revenue streams using video assets they already have.”
Collecting show files from community producers can be a time consuming and chaotic process. Between email threads, Google Forms, flash drives, and various cloud storage platforms, community media stations have created their own makeshift solutions. Unfortunately, these methods can result in inconsistent metadata and questionable video QC, even from trusted sources, adding to the stress of delivering recurring shows on schedule.
The new Cablecast Content Submission Portal brings structure, consistency, and control to the content intake process. It offers a station-branded interface that provides producers a simple, direct portal for uploading shows and custom metadata. The result is programming without missing fields or mystery file formats, reducing busywork for staff. Plus, the Cablecast Content Submission Portal adds an extra layer of security, as content remains in the cloud until it has been approved.
“Municipal media teams have been asking for a tool like the Content Submission Portal, and it was a big hit when we demoed it this summer at the ACM [Alliance for Community Media] National Conference,” Parker said.
“Basically, we’re streamlining the content upload process from outside sources. That means no more patchwork solutions and no more wasted time. And the station keeps control of the content, so now you’ve got automation and quality control.”
Version 7.10 is the company’s second significant upgrade to its Cablecast software this year. Demonstrated at the 2025 NAB Show, Version 7.9 introduced a new Bulk Actions feature that makes changes to multiple shows simultaneously and launched the AI-powered Cablecast Smart Summary, which automatically creates chapters as well as summarizes searchable transcriptions for government meetings. Other improvements included a redesign of the Show Record feature and improved video accessibility for its Cablecast Internet Channels to support the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
The Cablecast Content Submission Portal is available for Cablecast customers with a Gold Support contract, while Subscription Paywalls is available for REFLECT users of Cablecast Internet Channels with a Gold Support contract. Version 7.10 will be available this fall.
About Tightrope Media Systems
For more than 25 years, Tightrope Media Systems has been providing video distribution and media accessibility solutions that help government and community organizations deliver timely messaging to the right people in the right place at the right time. Its Cablecast community media multiplatform playout automation simplifies video distribution for cable channels, websites, and mobile and OTT streaming devices. And its MediaScribe all-in-one solution provides broadcast and in-room captioning, real-time translation, and meeting transcription. Find out more at www.trms.com or call (612) 866-4118.
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