11 March 2005
TV Globo, Brazils giant television network, has purchased three Quantel eQ editing/effects/grading/mastering systems, all equipped with the powerful QColor in-context grading option. All three systems will be assigned to the companys corporate promos Department.
TV Globo’s decision to choose Quantels technology was based on the networks many years successful experience with the companys systems, and was triggered by the networks decision to take the leap into HD. The addition of the new high-powered eQ resolution co-existent systems to its promotions production capabilities will enable TV Globo to take full advantage of the quality and versatility of HD to create the highest quality promos faster than any other system at just SD.
With more than 4,400 hours of production a year, the TV Globo network is the worlds largest producer of TV programmes not only for its home market, but also exported to 130 other countries worldwide. TV Globo is also the main TV network of Brazil for both its coverage more than 100 stations across the country serving a total population of over 184 million – and for its audience share, which is never less than 55% at any given time of the day. Promotions play a vital role in helping to maintain this dominant position, and as a result, TV Globo absorbs a staggering 75% of all Brazils advertising placement budgets.
Jose Luis Montero, Quantel Regional Sales Manager for South America, said, We are delighted that a company of such a high profile as TV Globo has once again chosen Quantel technology. HD is the new option in the Latin American market in terms of both advertising and long-format films. At Quantel we have been working for years to offer our customers the tools to let them adapt to new formats and to widen their business opportunities. This purchase demonstrates TV Globos clear commitment to an HD future, and were very happy that Quantel technology will be an integral part of that vision.
10 March 2005
DW-TV, Germanys international TV service, has entered into a cooperation agreement with Lebanese NBN, National Broadcasting Network. DW Director General Erik Bettermann and NBN Chairman Nasser Safieddine signed the contract in Beirut. Betterman sees the agreement as a further step towards improved cultural dialogue between Europe and the Arab world.
At the core of the cooperation agreement lies a comprehensive exchange of documentaries, features and reports. It is also planned to coproduce magazine programmes.
The cooperation agreement extends Deutsche Welles presence in the Arab world further. On 28 February 2005 DW-TV started broadcasting three hours daily in Arabic. DW-RADIO and DW-WORLD.DE also offer programming in Arabic.
DW-TV is an international source for news and information from Germany and Europe 24 hours per day. From Berlin programmes are sent to five continents by satellite. Thousands of cable operators and TV stations as well as over 5.800 hotels worldwide distribute DW-TV programming. DW-TV broadcasts in 4 languages and reaches more than 210 million households in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.
10 March 2005
Leading satellite services company GlobeCast and leading satellite operator Arabsat have announced that they will launch a new broadcast platform on Arabsats fourth-generation satellite Arabsat 4A in late 2005. This digital distribution platform in Ku-band will offer the first European gateway to an Arabsat satellite and will allow broadcasters from around the world direct access to the Middle Eastern and North African markets via GlobeCasts worldwide satellite and fibre distribution network.
GlobeCast President and CEO Christian Pinon stated, The new platform on Arabsat 4A will continue the spirit of partnership that GlobeCast and Arabsat share. GlobeCast works with all of the worlds major satellite operators, so launching a broadcast platform with Arabsat is a natural step and reinforces GlobeCasts status as the leading global satellite services company.
Arabsat CEO Eng. Khalid A. Balkheyour said, Arabsat is enormously proud of the success of the service to global broadcasters and the strong partnership we have developed with GlobeCast. The European Gateway on Arabsat 4A is another example of Arabsats commitment to quality, reliability and service to its customers, Balkheyour added.
10 March 2005
New generation Quantel technology has been adopted by all five of Frances free terrestrial channels as a key component in their transition to multi-format, multi-resolution and High Definition production and broadcasting. These systems were chosen after elaborate tests of competitors products and, in all cases, performance, reliability and users input tipped the scales in favour of Quantel.
The first French broadcaster to adopt Quantels new equipment was the public-service network France 3, which acquired an HD/multi-resolution Paintbox gQ for use in news production and close-to-air applications.
The next broadcaster to choose Quantel new generation equipment was Arte, the Franco-German cultural channel, which also opted for the multi-resolution Paintbox gQ last summer. Arte is a very arts-oriented channel, comparable to Channel 4 in the UK or PBS in the US, and the quality of its graphics allows it to enhance its image, well beyond its budgetary means. The Paintbox is used a great deal for what are known as Artes Thema evenings, an omnibus string of programmes (features, documentaries, chat shows, etc.) on a specific theme, all shown on a given day. Graphics created on the Paintbox, often the work of several artists, can be harmonised to link the various programmes and genres and thus generate audience loyalty.
M6, Frances youth-oriented generalist terrestrial broadcaster, was next to purchase new Quantel technology, opting for an eQ for their on-air promotions and station identification department, and to develop their transition to HD. M6, known for its snappy graphics and rapid-fire editing style, has always been an early adopter of Quantel equipment and the eQ was chosen for its versatility and ability to integrate multiple image sources. The openness of the system was the key factor in the selection process and the eQ is now the creative hub for station ID, integrating material generated on all types of graphics software, such as After Effects, Illustrator, PhotoShop, etc.
Private channel TF1, Frances (and Europes) leading free terrestrial broadcaster, ordered a series of new systems in November 2004, including two Paintbox gQs and three QPaintbox software packages for off-line work. TF1 will use its Paintbox systems as the core of its graphics creation department for its news operations. They will enable TF1 and its sister channel LCI, a 24/7 cable news broadcaster, to share material and increase synergy. Quantel kit was chosen for its close-to-air reliability and its workflow enhancement properties, as well as for its creative graphics tools.
To close off the year and make the Grand Slam, France 2, Frances leading public broadcaster ordered a Paintbox in December for use in its news programmes and other close-to-air applications.
What makes these wins particularly gratifying for us, comments Michel Lepretre, Quantel France Country Manager, is that we were chosen after very rigorous technical tests and trial runs. Broadcasters are particularly demanding, especially when it comes to live or close-to-air programmes. Quantels legendary reliability, speed and intuitive ergonomics really made the difference.
The other thing were really happy about is the incredible support we got from the graphic artists involved in the selection process, adds Jean-Luc Wolff, Quantel France Major Account Manager. Being on the front line every day, they know what our performance standards mean. They were really the key people in convincing the broadcast executives to go for Quantel. As several of them pointed out, Quantel is the only manufacturer to have 15 or 20-year old kit, such as Hals, first-generation Paintboxes and Editboxes, still working efficiently in their production and editing suites. They argued passionately for our systems as the best way to move forward without upsetting existing workflow and practices. We believe that this first round of victories is the beginning of a winning streak, as French broadcasters make the transition to HD.
9 March 2005
Radio Canada International has signed a new agreement with Radio Nacional Argentina (RNA), Argentinas national public radio broadcaster. Under the agreement, RNA will broadcast the weekly Spanish-language program La semana canadiense, produced by RCIs Latin-American section.
RCI already has over 30 partner stations in Argentina, which regularly rebroadcast program segments and reports. These are among the nearly 350 partner stations in 75 countries that air RCI programs for millions of listeners. RCI produces programming in English, French, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian. It is available worldwide via the Internet, analog and digital shortwave, and satellite. RCI is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
