Page 21 - AIB | The Chanel | Issue 1 2012

THE CHANNEL | ISSUE 1 2012 | 21
with that because we do have a
global network. A broadcaster
sending say 2,000 staff over to cover
the Games could spend £3‐4m,
whereas it might only cost half that
amount to send all the pictures
produced by host broadcaster OBS
back to base, and produce the final
programme in the US, for example.
London will be the first live 3D
Games. What does thismean for you?
We have been asked to deliver 3D
content all over the world, so it
means extra provisioning. But
ultimately, 3D over satellite is just
another channel within a multiplex.
If a broadcaster is going to be
transmitting in 3D, it will be in a
mix with its HD channels – there
won’t be any stand‐alone 3D.
Do you make it easier for
broadcasters to service multiple
platforms?
Many of the major broadcasters
today have the resources in house
to manage the multi‐platform
aspect of what they do. That said, if
a broadcaster asks us to do it, we
are equipped and we do have the
tools and resources to make that
happen. So far we have not been
asked to provide any reduced bit
rate services for mobile or tablet
devices.
Anything that a broadcaster
takes will be derived from the
highest possible bit rate, because
even though the Games is a multi‐
device event, the TV broadcast
platform is the most important one
for the broadcasters.
What is interesting is that this
time you are going to see more data
feeds being delivered, such as live
scoring and results. These data
feeds allow broadcasters to do
more with that information back at
their base – perhaps with enhanced
graphics or interactive platforms
for connected devices such as an
iPad application that can show
video alongside scores and other
information.
How do you make sure there is not
a single point of failure?
We build great resiliency into the
systems. We will have two dark
fibre links between our various
sites in London, and also between
our sites and the IBC. Weʹll also
have satellite feeds out of Grayʹs
Inn Road and Brookmans Park and
the IBC. So if the fibre goes down
between Brookmans Park and the
IBC we can route the signals
through Grayʹs Inn Road to the
IBC, and there is also a satellite
backup. Itʹs a ring structure with
multifunctional methods of
delivering content via satellite and
fibre optic cable.
Are broadcasters opting for fibre
or satellite?
Itʹs still a combination of both, to
give them resiliency. The main
feeds are coming via fibre, but
satellite is still being used as
backup. Itʹs not a technology that is
disappearing.
In terms of business done, how
important are the Games for you?
Very important, not only in terms
of a commercial stand‐alone project
but also for our reputation as a
delivery provider. GlobeCast has
established its reputation as a tried
and tested partner by delivering a
quality service on these big events,
and broadcasters turn to us again
and again as a result.
We have huge resources in
London dedicated to the Olympics
but we are also delivering these
feeds worldwide to the different
technical operations centres that
GlobeCast runs around the world.
I think this is where GlobeCast
stands out – we are a global
company with a presence in 15
countries on 5 continents. So for
example the South Africans can
speak to our Johannesburg office
and have a direct link to our
London operations, we have people
who are in touch with OBS London
on the ground, and our office in
London can give customers support
should anything go wrong.
The 2016 Olympics will be in Rio de
Janeiro – give us a preview.
First, you have the Football World
Cup in 2014 which from a logistical
point of view will prove really
tough just because the distances
between some of the venues and
the IBC in Rio are massive. For
example, from Recife down to Rio
there is no fibre optic cable so they
are going to have to lay new cable
through the Amazon.
Thinking about all the upcoming
major events, we have been
building our infrastructure in Latin
America, connecting South America
to our global fibre network and our
teleports. By 2016 technology will
have moved on – in Rio we may be
broadcasting super high definition
or 4K, or 3D in 4K!
Thank you, Simon Farnsworth.
ww
w.globecast.com
For the
Games,
the TV
broadcast
platform
is still the
most
important
one
“
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