14 December 2004
Inmedia has integrated IMDs advanced digital advertising delivery with the Inmedia playout system to simplify the ingest of commercials for its playout customers. The first clients to go live using the system are Reality TV, The Horror Channel, London TV and Musicians Channel with Bonanza Bonanza TV to go live after 20 December.
The advantages of integrating digital advertising delivery with digital playout, include:
o Keeping advertisements in the digital video domain from ad agency through playout saves time and money;
o Saving on couriers Inmedia estimates that a busy channel could save over £20,000 solely in couriers, tape dubbing and stock per annum;
o Enabling a channel to more easily accept ads late or even accept spot sales just hours from airing.
Inmedias playout system with IMDs digital advertising delivery eliminates time and money wasted on chasing tapes from advertising companies and ensures the picture and sound quality and integrity of the advert itself, says Bonanza Bonanzas director of content and operations Simon Ingram. This new system delivers the reassurance that adverts will be with us in minutes rather than days and the digital transfer makes the process of advert acquisition more efficient, cost-effective and pain-free.
By integrating IMDs ad delivery service with our playout we can ensure that our advanced digital playout continues to improve the efficiency of operations, says Matthew Ivey, Inmedias sales director for Broadcast Services. Presently companies playing out ads spend thousands of pounds a year to courier tapes around, which are then ingested. Our implementation of the IMD service means that an advert is already here before you need it and remains in the digital video domain throughout its life – theres just no better way of distributing and playing out adverts.
Its critical for us that we work closely with all of the leading TV playout centres, says John Bolton, Technical Director, IMD. By integrating with Inmedia we have the double benefit of being able to service a number of new TV stations and offer a more inclusive service to ad agencies, while Inmedia stays ahead of the game by allowing its playout customers to save time and money. This really is a win-win deal for both parties.
14 December 2004
Dutch-language TV service BVN-TV, as well as the three audio streams of Radio Netherlands, are available throughout North America free-to-air 24 hours a day via the Intelsat Americas 5 satellite. The start date (originally 1 January 2005)was brought forward because of the funeral of HRH Prince Bernhard. Anyone with a suitable satellite dish and receiver in the US, Canada and Mexico can now watch BVN-TV and listen to Radio Netherlands round the clock. The 24-hour English stream is labelled RNW1. RNW2 is in Dutch, and RNW3 carries, amongst other things, Radio Netherlands Spanish output.
For technical details and a map showing the recommended dish size visit www.bvn.nl/html/n_amerika.html.
14 December 2004
Transponders on the Intelsat-Americas-7 satellite have been tested, are performing normally and are available to be put back into service.
Until the IA-7 investigation report is completed, Intelsat has temporarily delayed the launch of its IA-8 satellite. Given the current condition of IA-7, Zeus Holdings Limited, Intelsat’s prospective acquirer, would have the option not to consummate the acquisition of Intelsat if the loss is not remedied in accordance with the terms of the agreement with Zeus. Zeus has been advised of Intelsat’s decision to delay the launch of IA-8 and continues to evaluate the extent to which the IA-7 anomaly and the IA-8 launch delay could impact the pending acquisition.
9 December 2004
Harris Corporation announced on 8 December that its Broadcast Communications Division has struck a multi-million dollar business relationship with Cox Radio for the provision of digital transmitters through 2008. Cox Radio, with 78 stations in 18 markets, is the eighth largest radio broadcasting company by number of stations, and the fourth largest by audience and revenue. Cox has committed to Harris for its HD Radio transmission needs over the next four years as its stations convert to digital and HD Radio.
“HD Radio conversion is important to the radio business in order to remain competitive with other content providers,” said Sterling Davis, vice president, engineering, Cox Radio. “We don’t want to be the only analog service in a digital world. Our relationship with Harris allows us to develop a roadmap for implementing HD Radio, including additional benefits such as supplementary audio and data services. We’ve always had a good business relationship with Harris, and are extending that relationship into the digital radio world.”
The decision to install low-power or high-power transmitters will depend on the individual station’s physical layout and power requirements. In addition, some stations will not need transmitters or may simply add a second transmitter rather than replace a main unit, according to Davis. In this scenario, a station would simply add a Harris exciter to initiate a digital stream within the existing transmitter. Davis added that Harris provides excellent customer service, which was a leading factor in Cox Radio’s decision to commit to Harris for HD Radio transmission.
“Harris’ Radio Broadcast Systems business unit is privileged to continue its ongoing relationship with Cox Radio, one of radio’s premier broadcasters,” said Debra Huttenburg, vice president and general manager of the Harris Radio Broadcast Systems business unit. “We are organized as a smaller company within a large corporation, which allows us to provide immediate feedback and interaction to Cox Radio while offering the business and engineering benefits of a large company. We look forward to working with Cox Radio to provide a clear path to HD Radio as they develop their digital strategy leading to 2008.”
On 8 December Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications Division announced that Tony Morelli has joined the Television Broadcast Systems business unit as senior manager, TV Business Programs. Morelli’s position is designed to create business development and growth opportunities within the Television Broadcast Systems business unit, utilizing his skills in program and financial management to drive success. Based in Mason, Ohio, he reports to Dale Mowry, vice president and general manager of Harris’ Television Broadcast Systems business. Morelli becomes responsible for television programs including pursuit management of major contracts, development of adjacent market opportunities, expanded customer satisfaction programs, assessment and integration of television offerings into the division’s eCommerce initiative, and other initiatives that enhance the television business unit’s speed and effectiveness in capturing growth opportunities.
9 December 2004
As reported on the EBU web site, France’s international news channel which the government had planned to launch in 2004 will eventually go on air in the last quarter of 2005.
Some 30m euros will be allocated for the launch, half the 60m euros yearly budget needed to run the channel. The project brings together, on an equal footing, TF1 and Francetélévisions, to create a rolling-news channel drawing on the resources of TF1, LCI (La Chaîne Info), France 2 and France 3.
The European Commission is not opposed to the project which, being primarily aimed at Africa, the Middle East and Asia, will not have a significant impact on the EU broadcasting scene. The channel will broadcast in English and French, Arab-language programmes have been put on hold for the time being. Partnership agreements are reportedly planned with AFP, RFI and possibly EuroNews.
