3 February 2016
RT’s video news agency RUPTLY announces the launch of mobile application Ruptly Stringer, which allows newsrooms to access user-generated content (UGC) from anywhere in the world.
The Ruptly Stringer app allows the agency to obtain exclusive video content from eyewitnesses and citizen journalists in a matter of minutes.
In addition to video sourcing and distribution, the app can be used for live broadcasts, with the agency transferring content to its clients in real-time.
Built-in geolocation function not only allows newsrooms to place requests for footage in specific countries, but also alerts users of an event that is occurring nearby.
The instant-reward framework encourages repeated use of the application.
“The most popular videos are usually the ones shot by eyewitnesses on their mobile phones, and this UGC content is always of great interest to news agencies, TV channels, and other media platforms,” said Xenia Fedorova, the head of RUPTLY. “Ruptly Stringer not only allows us to exclusively access this content, but also helps news editors verify the authenticity of the footage received. Thus, all our clients can avail themselves of these unique user-generated video materials alongside RUPTLY’s own quality news content – which is what separates us from the competition.”
The Ruptly Stringer application was developed on the basis of Babo citizen journalism platform. It is available to Android and iOS users worldwide.
“Ruptly Stringer is a revolutionary step in citizen journalism,” commented Ashot Gabrelyanov, the founder of Babo. “Now, anyone who happened to be in the right place at the right time and recorded something interesting and unique can instantly submit the footage to the global news media and even get paid for it. RUPTLY’s clients, in turn, get a chance to report on developing stories through the eyes of the witnesses at the scene.”
Since RT launched RUPTLY in 2013, more than 600 media companies from 41 countries have used its services. RUPTLY provides clients with news videos from around the world, including live broadcasts of the most important events. (Source: RT press release)
2 February 2016
ARABSAT is organizing its 8th Telecom Forum in Cyprus during February 10 -11, 2016 to strengthen its professional and operational association with its customer base. This event will be addressed by Mr. Marios Demetriades, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus and will provide a platform for ARABSAT customers, technology and service providers to share their views on latest technological trends.
Eng. Mueid Al-Zahrani, CTO, said that the Forum presents a unique opportunity as ARABSAT will be presenting its future fleet and newly launched satellite, BADR-7, that contains Ku-Band, Ka/Ku Strap and Ka- payload providing coverage over Middle East, North Africa, North West Africa, Central Asia and South Africa respectively. ARABSAT is also taking advantage of the Cyprus venue and intends to show Hellas-Sat teleport facilities to its customers to capitalize on future business opportunities.
ARABSAT intends to host a live Demo at the show using Traveltronic All-in-one Systems with Newtec Dialog Hub using ARABSAT-5A Appendix Ku-Band Space Segment. Both Traveltronic All-in-One System and Newtec Dialog Hub are the latest products capable of integrating and complementing cellular, terrestrial and Satcom platforms. This exercise is to encourage the Satcom industry to use Appendix Ku-Band for their VSAT, Broadband and Broadcast Networks as this band is more immune to radio frequency interference.
2 February 2016
Rani R. Raad has been appointed to the new role of President, CNN International Commercial.
In this role, Raad will continue to be responsible for CNN’s commercial functions outside the U.S. In addition, the development of Turner International’s programmatic trading strategy will be facilitated under his leadership.
Previously as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, Raad has led the CNN International Commercial group since it was created in 2013 to directly align all of CNN’s international commercial activity into one organisation. This activity spans core business activities such as advertising sales, content sales and partnerships, business development, marketing and research.
Gerhard Zeiler, President, Turner International said: “Rani has a remarkable track record in leading a diverse portfolio of commercial initiatives across international markets. He has built a new digital team that is the authority in this space and has transformed the commercial operation for CNN internationally, bringing in a new leadership team to deliver best-in-class and award-winning ad sales solutions as well as re-setting the licensing and content sales businesses to yield a suite of new branded initiatives around the globe.”
Rani Raad said: “I’m excited and passionate about the role that CNN continues to play in today’s fast-changing news and media landscape. As the world’s news leader, our commitment to innovation underpins our commercial activities as well as the brand’s editorial output. I look forward to being part of this change as we bring to market even more sophisticated, data-driven and creative solutions for our wide range of commercial partners.”
About Rani Raad
Raad previously held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, and prior to that was Senior Vice President and Managing Director for CNN International Ad Sales. He will continue to have responsibility over Turner’s Kids and General Entertainment businesses across Turkey and the Middle East.
Raad began his career with CNN in New York and is now based in London. In 2013, Raad was listed at number 71 in the Arabian Business Power 500 list of the world’s most influential Arabs, and in 2015 Raad was named by Arabian Business as the 13th most powerful Arab under 40. In 2011, the World Economic Forum recognised Raad as a Young Global Leader, for his contributions to the media industry. In 2015, Raad was named as one of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications’ 50 Forward – 50 alumni selected from Newhouse School’s 50-year history for their achievements in the media sector.
Raad graduated with a B.S. from The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York.
About Turner International
Turner International operates versions of core Turner brands, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, and TCM, as well as country- and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. It runs Pay- and Free-TV-channels, as well as Internet-based services, and is a commercial partner with various third-party media ventures; it teams with Warner Bros. and HBO to leverage Time Warner’s global reach. Turner operates more than 180 channels showcasing 38 brands in 34 languages in over 200 countries. Turner International is a subsidiary of Turner, a Time Warner company. (Source: CNN press release)
28 January 2016
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, today announced that Intelsat 29e, the first of the Intelsat EpicNG high throughput satellites, was launched successfully from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 vehicle. Liftoff occurred at 6:20 pm EST. The Intelsat 29e satellite separated from the rocket’s upper stage 38 minutes after launch, at 6:58 pm EST, and signal acquisition has been confirmed.
Manufactured by Boeing and equipped with the most advanced digital payload on a commercial spacecraft, Intelsat 29e will bring high throughput capacity in both C- and Ku-band to North and Latin America and the North Atlantic region. Intelsat 29e will be placed into service at 310° East, where it replaces Intelsat 1R.
Intelsat 29e is the first satellite of Intelsat’s next generation, all digital EpicNG satellite platform, which combines wide beams and spot beams with frequency reuse technology and the sector’s most advanced digital payload. The digital payload will provide customers with unprecedented security and flexibility, enabling customers to seamlessly access and shift capacity to match their usage needs in a particular region or timeframe. Intelsat EpicNG is optimized to provide satellite connectivity for applications including the Internet of Things, enterprise, wireless infrastructure, aeronautical and maritime mobility, and government, which are expected to provide a combined $3 billion incremental opportunity by the year 2020.
“Today’s launch represents a truly ‘epic’ moment in communication’s history, as we begin a new era of high throughput satellite services for our customers,” stated Stephen Spengler, Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat. “This is a testament to the innovation and creativity of the Intelsat team who envisioned the Intelsat EpicNG platform nearly four years ago. Through design expertise and a deep understanding of our customers’ requirements, the Intelsat EpicNG platform will deliver high performance, improved economics and simplified access that will expand the addressable market for our solutions.”
The Intelsat EpicNG platform design reflects the company’s innovative approach to introducing high throughput technology into the world’s largest community of enterprise-grade satellite networks which operate on the Intelsat fleet. Intelsat EpicNG is backwards compatible and fully interoperable with Intelsat’s existing satellite fleet and terrestrial infrastructure, allowing customers to use currently deployed network hardware to access the high performance connectivity. The platform’s open architecture allows customers to have control over service offerings and hardware selection, providing differentiation of service offerings.
The payload will deliver carrier-grade services to fixed and mobile network operators, and broadband for applications such as enterprise, aeronautical and maritime mobility, and government throughout the Americas. The satellite also features spot beams for mobility customers serving the heavily trafficked North Atlantic region. Companies such as Harris CapRock, Panasonic, EMC (formerly MTN), Axesat and leading national telecom operators in Latin America will be among the first to deploy services on the platform.
Intelsat 29e is the 56th Intelsat satellite launched by Arianespace. Intelsat expects to launch the second Intelsat EpicNG satellite, Intelsat 33e, which will serve Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, in the third quarter of 2016, also aboard an Arianespace launcher. (Source: Intelsat press release)
26 January 2016
CNN International is offering a comprehensive CNN Politics package to international TV and digital publishers that will enhance their coverage of 2016’s biggest news event – the US Presidential Elections.
Through CNN International Commercial, publishers around the world can access exclusive CNN content and reporting about the race for the White House, taking in all of the major events, debates and news stories, including:
- Daily video packages from CNN’s Ryan Nobles and his team on the political news of the day. One of Politico’s “50 to Watch” list during the 2012 campaign, Nobles will provide news coverage and analysis of the day’s events
- Text and picture content from CNN Politics – the #1 political news site, which finished 2015 with 25 million unique visitors in December alone
- Elections graphics to provide greater depth to reporting and data visualisation
- Live shot opportunities to use CNN facilities and reporters, and access to CNN guests and commentators for live talkback
All of these products and services are available to existing CNN affiliates as well as new linear and digital publisher partners.
“Without doubt, the 2016 elections is lining up to be a truly international event, with foreign policy and the US’s global economic, cultural and diplomatic role at the heart of the debate,” said Greg Beitchman, Vice President, Content Sales and Partnerships, CNN International. “CNN has developed this CNN Politics product to give our linear and digital publisher partners the opportunity to utilise our journalism and
SIMI VALLEY, CA – SEPT 16: The CNN Republican Candidate Debate at the Reagan Presidential Library on September 16, 2015. Jake Tapper will be the moderator for the CNN Republican Presidential Candidate Debate from the Library on the 17th.
expertise in telling the story of the elections. Adding our dedicated reporters, multi-media content and the power of the CNN Politics brand will give publishers an edge over the competition.”
“The engagement and interest in this election cycle is unprecedented. And CNN Politics has been the number one political news destination since the campaign officially kicked off in March of 2015, outranking all other competitors month after month,” said Ed O’Keefe, Vice President, CNNMoney and CNN Politics. “We’re using every tool in the toolbox to tell this story in striking and compelling ways and it’s resonating with our audience all over the world.”
