29 October 2015
Reuters-TIMA – which launched in February this year – is expanding its network by adding studio hubs in major international cities in order to meet the demand for news services among its global clients.
The new studio locations will be based in Moscow and Rio de Janeiro and will provide unprecedented access to breaking news and events, together with logistical and editorial support. This will improve services for clients in the run up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as coverage of other major stories from the region. This comes hot on the heels of the opening of an office in New York’s Times Square, the heart of the city’s commercial district, to complement Reuters-TIMA’s existing UN facility in New York.
Reuters, the world’s largest international multimedia news agency, teamed up with TIMA (The International Media Associates) – a global facilities and content services provider – in order to deliver state-of-the-art location services, including studio facilities and logistical support, to broadcasters and online publishers. Over 30 major media outlets have used the service to date, including CNN, Nippon TV, Euronews and Seven Network.
Recent stories covered by Reuters-TIMA include the twin bombings in Ankara during the pro-Kurdish and labour activists’ rally, the Papal visit to Cuba and North America in September and the European immigration crisis. Upcoming events booked by global clients include the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) which will be held near Paris and the UN General Assembly in New York.
The partnership brings together invaluable local knowledge with strategically placed broadcast and mobile resources. From robust satellite uplinks in America, Europe and Asia, to live feed services via dedicated fibre circuits, Reuters-TIMA has the technical facilities in place to greatly improve services for clients.
Reuters-TIMA is set up to cover every major world event with a network extending from Washington to Singapore, with a number of Middle Eastern offices, including TIMA’s facilities in Tehran.
Tim Santhouse, Reuters’ Global Head of Video Products, says: “We are committed to providing a comprehensive international broadcast service which is well-placed to cover all major international stories. At a time when many news organisations are reducing their resources, we are actively investing in our services so we can effectively respond to our clients’ needs.” Alla Salehian, CEO of TIMA, says “We are creating an infrastructure to help broadcasters cover the news more cost-efficiently and are therefore proud to unveil the new studio hubs. Once these are fully operational, we will be looking towards Asia and Africa.”
Reuters-TIMA services include:
Breaking news facilities: Reuters-TIMA provide every aspect of newsgathering facilities and support services on the ground during breaking news stories throughout the year.
Event facilities: The partnership also provides coverage of key global events and unprecedented access to events that are also of regional significance, as well providing logistical and editorial services and dedicated customer support.
Studio space: The service also offers clients access to high-tech live studio facilities around the world, many with stunning city backdrops.
www.reuters-tima.com
28 October 2015
SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), one of the world’s leading satellite operators, announced today that lifestyle content producer Scripps Networks Interactive has signed a strategic agreement to expand and migrate its North American distribution platform to a pair of SES satellites at the centre of the North American orbital arc.
Scripps Networks Interactive has joined other media and entertainment leaders already leveraging SES’s optimized cable distribution neighbourhood – built on three reliable satellites (SES-1 at 101° degrees West, SES-3 at 103° degrees West, and AMC-18 at 105° degrees West ) and ideally located to serve the North American market. With a full line-up of popular network brands, including HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, and Travel Channel, Scripps Networks Interactive is utilizing a full transponder of C-band capacity on SES-1 to deliver HD content, while another C-band transponder aboard SES-3 is facilitating the distribution of standard definition (SD) feeds.
The centre of the arc cable distribution platform is a vital component of SES’s fleet optimization over North America. Scripps Networks Interactive is among the early movers to relocate to the platform, which enables programmers to reach more than 100 million U.S. television homes through virtually every cable TV, IPTV and direct-to-home provider across the region.
“Scripps Networks Interactive is looking forward to being part of the SES centre of the arc satellite fleet and home to the next generation of cable distribution for North America,” noted Mark Hale, Executive Vice President, Global Operations and Chief Technology Officer for Scripps Networks Interactive. “This new heart of the orbital arc platform location is an essential part of our distribution strategy going forward.”
“This important agreement opens a new chapter in a longstanding partnership between Scripps Networks Interactive and SES, which is dedicated to the reliable delivery of great programming to millions of television viewers across North America,” said Elias Zaccack, Senior Vice President, Commercial Americas for SES. “Leading networks and content developers such as Scripps Networks Interactive are signing on to join this new, vitally important cable distribution platform at the centre of the arc. SES has optimized this trio of spacecraft to meet the needs of cable operators, broadcasters and programmers for years to come.”
22 October 2015
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, today announced that Intelsat Chief Executive Officer Stephen Spengler was elected to the company’s board of directors, effective 22 October, 2015.
In announcing Mr. Spengler’s appointment, David McGlade, Executive Chairman of the board stated, “Steve is a proven leader with outstanding customer and deep communications industry knowledge and ability. During his tenure at Intelsat, Steve has been instrumental in driving Intelsat’s next generation strategy, and in incorporating satellite, ground and service innovation into Intelsat’s initiatives. We’re pleased to welcome him to the board – where he will continue to contribute to our efforts to build value for all our stakeholders.”
Mr. Spengler is a 30-year telecommunications and satellite industry veteran with experience in the media, broadband, government and internet sectors. He has been a key force behind the development of Intelsat’s next generation of satellite solutions, particularly the company’s high throughput satellite platform, Intelsat EpicNG®.
Spengler joined Intelsat in 2003, and has served in executive roles of increasing responsibility, including Deputy Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Strategy, and various sales management roles. He joins the Board filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Denis Villafranca.
Mr. Spengler earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University.
Biography and photo of Steve Spengler
21 October 2015
CNBC Africa – the pan-African financial and business news channel – will be syndicating its award-winning multimedia and video clips to Newstag, an innovative ‘mobile-first’ video news service. The multi-year deal grants Newstag the right to share and distribute CNBC’s news videos on its mobile and online platforms alongside current affairs and entertainment content from other professional content producers around the world, including AP, AFP and Reuters.
CNBCAfrica.com Chief Executive, Sid Wahi said: “Newstag is to professional video news what YouTube is to amateur video clips. They are the world’s largest online network based on videos only from trusted sources. CNBC Africa is the largest and most credible source of business content from around the continent with over 35,000 videos, interviews and clips available through its digital publishing channels. This partnership will extend our current reach and enhance our digital ecosystem.”
Newstag’s ‘mobile-first’ service enables users to create their own ‘tagstream’ (or personalised TV channel) in seconds, organising, consuming and sharing stories among their social networks using the latest web and mobile technologies. These stories are available from a number of different perspectives, resulting in a platform that allows converging viewpoints to be presented side by side, shedding new light on international news as it breaks.
Newstag CEO, Henrik Eklund, says: “Newstag is committed to providing global news coverage from truly distinct perspectives and we’re delighted that CNBC Africa has partnered with us to offer our users a refreshing insight into African news through an African lens. It’s a dynamic time for Africa and in less than a decade CNBC Africa has built a solid international reputation for providing credible and impartial news, presenting an exciting picture of a continent in development from nuanced reporting on the ground. We hope that combining these strengths with Newstag’s innovative news model will amplify Africa’s voice, allowing it to reach a large international audience.”
Launched on 1 June 2007, CNBC Africa celebrates its 8th anniversary as Africa’s first and only real-time Pan Africa financial and business news network. Part of the global CNBC family, which reports around the clock from major financial centres worldwide, CNBC Africa covers business and financial markets news from across the continent, telling the story of Africa on the move.
Since the channel’s launch, CNBC Africa has been breaking ground across the African continent and amongst many successes and achievements, is the only pan-African television network to report live each day across Africa. The combined reach of CNBC Africa and its affiliated networks is 390 million viewers around the world. Its reach on the African continent has been growing by the day through its distribution partnership with MultiChoice.
CNBC Africa has grown beyond all expectations since it was launched eight years ago, and everyone on the CNBC Africa team is justifiably proud of the respected media brand that they have all helped to create. Through accurate and incisive reporting and analysis, and an attractive and dynamic programme schedule, CNBC Africa has clearly positioned itself as the premier African news and information resource for CEOs and senior corporate executives, financial houses, investors and aspirational viewers across the continent.
This announcement follows Newstag’s selection as a top international start-up by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in an international contest to recognise the most innovative use of mobile technology in business. In addition to this, Newstag has recently been nominated for ‘best international news site’ by WAN-IFRA alongside Business Week and Singapore Press Holdings.
20 October 2015
SES Platform Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and one of Europe’s leading technical media service providers, today announced that its FLUID HUB solution is being utilised by more than 10 broadcasters – just a few months after its launch.
FLUID HUB, which provides a managed cloud service for the management and distribution of video content, was released in April. The FLUID HUB customer base currently includes broadcasters Fox International Channels Germany and Turner, as well as content creators and distributors such as Beta Film. Two customers are already using it to manage and distribute Ultra High Definition (UHD) content – including INSIGHT, the first-ever Ultra HD channel of Television Entertainment Reality Network.
“To have so many customers choosing the solution so soon after launch and for UHD content reinforces how vital the service is to the broadcasting market,” said Sophie Lersch, Chief Product Officer for Services at SES Platform Services. “The feedback from our customers is very positive, with many of them emphasizing the intuitive interface and easy-to-use workflow,
which enables content delivery via a few simple steps. In regards to UHD content, we are one of the first service providers capable of offering a full workflow chain all the way up to delivery to VOD portals, playout and uplink to our satellites.”
FLUID HUB is a professional, secure, managed cloud environment for efficient and secure video content and metadata management and distribution to any platform, including Video-On- Demand (VOD), streaming and satellite. Currently, SES Platform Services distributes more than 2,000 hours of video content per month to all major VOD portals in central Europe.
SES Platform Services will showcase its range of digital distribution technology at Medientage München at stand C1, Foyer, Basement. The event takes place at International Congress Center München (ICM) in Munich, Germany, from Wednesday, 21 October to Friday, 23 October.
For information on FLUID HUB (http://www.ses-ps.com/21436211/fluid_hub), visit the SES Platform Services website (http://www.ses-ps.com/10546113/en).
