By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Hyper Local Loop.

Imagine a small‑town reporter who wants to share a story about the local high school football team but has to wrestle with Zoom glitches, separate editing software, and a confusing ad‑selling platform. Susan Hamilton and Larry Kortkamp are betting that their new Hyperlocal Loop studio tool can erase those obstacles, letting creators focus on the story itself.

Seamless Recording and Automatic Uploads

The core promise of the new system is simplicity. As Larry explains, “Most of the controls are set to where all you have to do is select your show from the menu item and then a lot of things are already imported for you. And then when the show completes when you’re done recording it automatically uploads the episode into our system.” This eliminates the need for manual file transfers and the separate OBBM Network portal that many hosts currently use.

Beyond the basic recording flow, the tool includes a background‑removal feature that tightens the visual frame around the speaker, and an NVIDIA‑powered eye‑tracking option that makes it appear the host is always looking directly into the camera, even when they’re glancing at notes.

Integrated Teleprompter for Professional Delivery

One of the standout additions is an interactive teleprompter. Larry notes that the teleprompter can either run on a fixed script timing or “follow my voice,” moving the text in real time as the host speaks. This flexibility allows solo podcasters to maintain a natural cadence while still benefiting from on‑screen prompts.

For hosts who struggle with pacing, the teleprompter offers a training function, helping users gauge how long a segment will run and where to insert pauses for effect. Susan adds that “many people are using some form of a teleprompter to help them have a more concise show,” underscoring its relevance for both new and seasoned creators.

Monetization Through AdRev Integration

The tool is not just about production; it also ties directly into AdRev’s revenue services. Susan explains that AdRev helps “take all those nickels and dimes it takes to do a remote show” by handling ad proposals, email outreach, and audience growth strategies for a nominal fee of $500. This bundle aims to reduce the overhead of multiple subscriptions—such as Zoom, StreamYard, or Linktree—by consolidating them under the Hyperlocal Loop platform.

According to Larry, the monetization features are part of a broader “host upgrade program” where paying clients receive the studio as part of their package. He emphasizes that offering the tool for free isn’t feasible because of the costs and learning curve involved.

Empowering Citizen Journalists and Local Anchors

Beyond technical convenience, the hosts see the tool as a catalyst for community journalism. Larry envisions a future where “local anchors…communicate with citizen journalists in the field” to produce hyperlocal news reports. By lowering the barrier to entry, the platform hopes to inspire more residents to submit articles, become columnists, or produce video podcasts for their neighborhoods.

Susan ties this mission to recent national events, noting that “if you think that your news is biased… citizen‑led journalism is the way we’re going to be able to change that.” The timing of the rollout—recorded on Veterans Day—highlights the creators’ intent to serve communities during pivotal moments.

Beta Launch and Black Friday Plans

The first rollout will be a beta test aimed at existing OBBM Network TV hosts who have already opted into the host upgrade program. While the team would love to offer the tool broadly for free, they acknowledge the financial constraints: “We just can’t offer it for free because it costs us some money in order to do it.” Instead, they plan a limited‑time Black Friday promotion for qualified participants.

Future episodes will explore the background‑removal and other visual features in greater depth, giving early adopters a chance to provide feedback before a wider release.

By consolidating production, editing, and monetization into a single, user‑friendly interface, Hyperlocal Loop’s new studio tool could reshape how community media operates, making it easier for local voices to be heard and supported.

The full episode of Hyper Local Loop is available on OBBM Network TV.