2 March 2010
In the latest recognition of the quality and independence of its editorial content, euronews has been named the best foreign news channel in Russia.
The “Big Digit” prize, the National Award in the sphere of multichannel digital TV, in the category: Foreign Television in Russia was given at the 12th edition of CSTB, Cable Satellite Television Broadcasting Exhibition on 3rd February, 2010. The idea being to promote digital broadcasting technology.
euronews is broadcasting in Russian since 2001. The channel is available 24-hours a day in nearly 6.5-million Russian homes via IPTV, cable, satellite and on Moscow’s Channel 25. euronews is also broadcast part-time on the Kultura channel to 27-million households.
2 March 2010
Support services provider VT Group has expanded its network of short wave transmission customers with a contract to broadcast programming from the Australian Broadcasting Corporations International radio and online service, Radio Australia.
VT, which has over 40 customers for its broadcast services, will output ten hours a day of Radio Australia programming to audiences in South East Asia. The content will be in English, Indonesian, Chinese and Burmese.
VT has a worldwide network of transmitter sites and the programming will be broadcast from locations in the United Arab Emirates and Palau in the Pacific Ocean. The programming will be downlinked from Radio Australias satellite channels to VTs central London Media Management Centre for scheduling and frequency management. VT will then utilise its Global Media Network to backhaul the programmes to the two transmitter sites.
The contract will be for a year and follows VTs recent success in adding the Polish state broadcaster Polskie Radio to its global transmission customer base.
VTs John Prior, General Manager Broadcast and Security, said: Having previously transmitted Radio Australia programming until 2006, we are delighted that they have re-joined the network of broadcasters using VTs facilities. It extends our broadcast service customer base and we hope to increase our partnership with Radio Australia further within the scope of the contract.
Radio Australia comprises eight languages and focuses uniquely on Asia and the Pacific. It is the international radio and online service of the Australian national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
2 March 2010
More than 20 reporters from every country in Central America attended a two-day Voice of America (VOA) training session on critical health issues related to influenza and natural disasters.
Organized by VOA’s Office of Development in Panama City, Panama, the Feb. 24-25 training exercises included roundtable discussions, analysis and knowledge-sharing by panelists from several International Organizations including the Pan American Health Organization, (PAHO), the United States Agency for International Development and Disaster Assistance (USAID), the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/APHIS), among others.
Topics discussed included the creation of simple and direct messages in cases of critical health emergencies under a possible pandemic and during a natural disaster.
The main focus of the influenza crisis addressed how to inform the population on prevention, containment and information dissemination in the event of a crisis caused by the H1N1 or H5N1 virus. The unique challenges of reaching populations during crises caused by natural disasters (lack of clean water, food and medications) were also covered.
One of the mandates of the Voice of America is to provide training in critical journalism skills around the world, particularly in issues pertaining to health.
2 March 2010
Berlinale Forum 2010 honored AISHEEN STILL ALIVE IN GAZA produced by Al Jazeera Childrens Channel (JCC), co-produced and directed by Nicolas Wadimoff. The documentary was awarded the Forum prize of the Ecumenical Jury; in their decision, the jury members emphasized the films open and unbiased view of the perseverance of a people – like a dandelion breaking through the asphalt.
In a special ceremony for independent juries awards held today – Saturday, Fayçal Hassairi, Executive producer at JCC and Nicolas Wadimoff, Director of AISHEEN, received the award on behalf of Al Jazeera Childrens Channel.
The Ecumenical Jury awards its prizes to one film in each category of the festival: the main competition, the Forum and the Panorama. The films are selected based on their success in portraying actions and human experiences in the most respectful approach to human dignity and universal values.
In commenting on this accomplishment, Malika Alouane, Director of Channels Programming at Al Jazeera Childrens Channel said: The prize that AISHEEN Still Alive in Gaza received in Berlinale 2010 is a testimony to our strong production vision in adopting issues of concern to humankind; it also delivers JCCs mission in overcoming the challenges and bridging the gaps between people.
We proudly dedicate this prize to Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, for her continuous support to the Channel since its launch in 2005, she added.
Alouane emphasized that being awarded the prize of the Ecumenical Jury in such a prestigious and internationally renowned festival proves that AISHEEN Still Alive in Gaza succeeded in depicting the daily life of the people of Gaza post the Israeli attack in late 2008 in an honest and objective manner.
I am deeply moved by this award and would like to dedicate it to all the people in Gaza who helped make this movie a reality by allowing us into their lives, said Nicolas Wadimoff, director of AISHEEN; I hope that their courage and dignity will touch hearts everywhere as they have touched mine, he concluded.
AISHEEN Still Alive in Gaza had witnessed an unprecedented success during the five screening sessions – tickets were sold out and some watched it standing or sitting on the cinema hall stairs.
The Ecumenical Jury for the Berlinale 2010 consists of six members from all churches of Germany, NGOs, academics, and Cinema & TV content makers.
(Source: JCC press release)
2 March 2010
GlobeCast teams are on site in Vancouver to provide service including playout, live positions and HD/SD delivery to clients from around the globe at what promise to be very exciting Winter Games.
GlobeCast is providing:
o Fiber backhaul from Vancouver to Los Angeles for a major American DBS satellite operator
o Playout services on site as well as global satellite turnaround for Chinese broadcaster Beijing TV
Several other international broadcasters have ordered significant service for the length of the games, and GlobeCast is receiving walk-in requests for ad-hoc playout and delivery from Vancouver.
GlobeCasts broadcast center is located at The Waterfall Building, 5 minutes from downtown Vancouver, in a very accessible area with striking views and no accreditation or media passes required.
Broadcasters requiring service are requested to call GlobeCasts 24/7 Bookings Hotline at 1-877-Globecast or +1 310 845 3939
2 March 2010
Vizrt Ltd., a leading provider of content production tools for the digital media industry, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved in principle the purchase of the remaining 71.01% of the issued share capital of privately held Adactus A.S. (“Adactus”). The deal values Adactus at NOK 30 million (approx. USD 5.1 M). Vizrt currently holds 28.99% of the issued share capital of Adactus, with the first investment made in September 2005 as a commitment for joint development projects.
The proposed transaction is subject to a financial, legal and commercial due diligence review to the satisfaction of Vizrt and reaching an agreed upon definitive agreement with Adactus’ shareholders. The Board of Directors of Vizrt has authorized the management of Vizrt to conclude the proposed transaction based on the above guidelines.
Adactus has developed a multimedia delivery platform based on the newly-evolving ISO standard, MPEG-21, as well as a mobile content gathering and delivery solution.
The proliferation of mobile and other content access devices, such as smart phones, tablet PCs and smart TVs, means that content has to be delivered in conformity with the different (screen)formats and capabilities of each of these devices. Adactus was founded with these requirements in mind, and the company has developed the tools that are needed to serve this fragmented market. The Company’s solutions ensure that, for instance, the video you see on your Nokia mobile is optimized for that device, and that people using the iPhone can get that same video, from the same source, in a size and quality that is optimized for their screen.
Significant resources have been spent by content providers on testing various solutions available to meet with this need to deliver content to various mobile terminals each with different specifications. Turner from the US (CNN, Cartoon Network, etc) and Norway’s NRK are two of the many companies that have selected Adactus as their video delivery platform.
Another aspect of Adactus’s business is their content gathering solution, where journalists (or private individuals) record and gather content on their mobile phone and deliver this to news organizations, enabling many exclusives and breaking news content where otherwise there would be no content.
Bjarne Berg, Vizrt’s CEO, stated, “The market for content delivery to mobile terminals is increasing in importance and is fast growing. Fully integrating this capability with Vizrt’s other content production and distribution capabilities, allows further strengthens our offering to content delivery houses. They know, as we do, that offering the best viewing experience is critical to growing market share and related revenues.”
He continues, “The decision to acquire the rest of Adactus was an easy one. We have worked with the Company for some time, already hold a significant stake and have two serving Board members. As a result, we know Adactus, its capabilities and markets well. Following satisfactory due diligence and Board approval of the take-over, we therefore anticipate a smooth integration with Vizrt’s operations.”
