(Raleigh, NC) A winter storm brought ice to the Raleigh area causing more than just travel problems. Numerous power and network outages were reported throughout the area. One network outage just outside the WRAL building severed the station's connetion to the Internet.
During this time, WRAL.com was unable to be updated with the most pertinent information - weather data and school closings. So, DTV Plus began datacasting this Web-specific content in the digital spectrum.
A receiver machine was set up in a separate location that still had and Internet connection. That box tuned to WRAL-DT and immediately began receiving the Web site information. A small script was then put in place to automatically forward that information via the Internet to WRAL.com's host where it was automatically publishied to the Web site. For over 5 hours, the site stayed fresh with data from WRAL.
This use of TotalCast demonstrates the potential of data broadcasts to local broadcasters. The flexibility of the technology allows for unique and creative solutions to problems that otherwise had no solution.