Joanna Shields in conversation at The AIBs

27 October 2009

In addition to the presentation of the International Media Excellence Awards, the gala evening on November 4th also includes a special guest in conversation with the AIB.

Joanna Shields (http://www.crunchbase.com/person/joanna-shields) has extensive experience of the use of social media and online platforms to expand broadcasting into the new world of multi-platform and multi-media broadcasting. She will be offering insight into how broadcasters need to adapt to this new and complex world, and will also highlight some of the opportunities that exist to exploit innovative ways to reach and interact with audiences.

Joanna was President of Bebo, responsible for all commercial aspects of the global social media network. Following the takeover of Bebo by AOL she became Executive VP for People Networks at AOL , charged with integrating and growing all of AOL’s social media platforms. During her time at Bebo, the company produced the Internet’s most successful serialized drama, “KateModern,” which was nominated for two BAFTA awards and secured the Broadcasting Press Guild Innovation Award for Outstanding Development in Broadcasting.

Prior to her time at Bebo, Joanna was at Google as Managing Director for Google Europe, Russia, Middle East & Africa, where she built partnerships with some of the world’s largest media and telecom companies. She had previously been with RealNetworks as Vice President, International, where she launched the company’s mobile business unit

Joanna has is now launching a digital media content company with Elisabeth Murdoch, chairman and CEO of independent TV production company Shine Group. The company aims to fuse television production with the power and reach of social media and will also focus on bringing Shine Group content online.

Details of The AIBs including how to book can be found here

Quantel first in the world to release RED Rocket support

26 October 2009

Quantel has just released a new version of software for its eQ, iQ and Pablo systems which, among a number of other useful new features, also includes support for the RED Rocket accelerator board. RED Rocket only became available in August, and Quantel is the first manufacturer to release software that supports it, allowing Quantel users to benefit from the much reduced loading and conform times RED Rocket enables with RED-originated material.

“The fact that we have brought the benefits of the RED Rocket to Quantel users in such a short timescale is just another example of how focused Quantel is on its customers’ needs and the fantastic speed with which our engineers are able to react to new technologies,” said Steve Owen, Quantel Director of Marketing. “If it matters to our customers, then it matters to us!”

The new software release – V4.1rev6 – isn’t just about RED Rocket support. It also includes the Cubebuilder, which enables Pablo users to build, manipulate and apply 3D Look-up Tables (LUTs) entirely within Pablo, and many other new facilities and features, including:

* Process re-ordering in multi-layer timeline effects – more flexibility in effects creation

* Nine new blend modes – more creative options

* New and improved conform and file handling features – more efficient workflow means more time for creative work

* New file export modes simplify Blu-ray and DVD generation

Cross-media, cross-border, cross-cultural – the AIBs

21 October 2009

This event is attended by leading programme makers, journalists, editors and
executives from all over the world and last year was over-subscribed!

Click here to reserve your place at the 2009 AIBs gala dinner on 4 November at LSO st Lukes, London – AIB member price is £160 plus UK VAT per person/non-member price is £210 plus UK VAT per person

India to tighten rules for new TV channels

16 October 2009

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is planning to put stringent entry-level restrictions on broadcasters launching new television channels, the Business Standard reports.

The move is to ensure only serious players enter the business and have effective use of the limited bandwidth available for broadcasting.

A top ministry official said: “We have already asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to give its recommendations on the various criteria and conditions on the basis of which scarce resources will be given.”

Currently, India has over 500 TV channels with another 70 requests for new channels pending approval. Another 50-60 channels have been given a licence but are not operational. The ministry has asked Trai to review the existing norms and prepare the minimum criterion for granting permission.

It said that Trai would also include conditions of commitment to run the channel for a certain number of years to protect against fly-by-night operators.

At the moment, broadcasters can get permission to run a new channel if they have a net worth of India Rupees $10 million (about US$21,600) for operating one channel and India Rupees $30 million (about US$64,800) for operating a bouquet of 15 channels.

The broadcasters also have to currently ensure they operate from India and the foreign direct investment is not more than 49 percent (26 percent in the case for a news channel). There are no other restrictions on them. (Source: ABU website)

Islam Channel goes Vectorbox for broadcast automation

15 October 2009

Vector 3™, a pioneer in graphics and playout solutions, announced that Islam Channel has installed 2 Vectorbox 8000 HD systems and Vector configured NAS system to manage automated, multi-channel playout and production storage of three Islam Channel signature channels; Islam Channel, Islam Channel Urdu, and Noor TV.

With headquarters in Central London, Islam Channel provides alternative news, current affairs and entertainment programming from an Islamic perspective. A popular and well respected channel, Islam Channel has a global viewership with simultaneous transmission to studios in South, West, and East Africa. “Our broadcast facilities will support up to 20 channels,” comments Mr Kiarash Bodouhi, Head of IT, Islam Channel.
“Knowing this, we went through a rigorous qualification process to ensure the playout automation technology we installed today would support the imminent growth of our operation with the same capabilities and reliabilities. Vector3 technology scored high when it came to adapting and supporting this rapid expansion.”

Islam Channel has two locations in London; a production center where all programming is created and a broadcast centre for continuity and live program playout and transmission. The broadcast Centre houses the 2 new Vectorbox 8000 HD automated playout systems and a custom Vector 3 NAS system to facilitate continuity playout of pre-recorded programs and live playout of thematic magazine format shows with fully integrated production storage.

Czech Television upgrades to Genetic Engineering and adds eQs to streamline graphics and promotions production

15 October 2009

State broadcaster Czech Television, already home to six Quantel eQ finishing systems in its award-winning graphics department, has purchased two Quantel Genetic Engineering systems to provide a shared workflow infrastructure to further boost productivity and enhance project sharing. Czech TV has also purchased three additional eQ finishing systems bringing the total complement of eQs at Czech TV to an impressive nine workstations.

One of the Genetic Engineering systems is for the Graphics and Post Department, the second for Promotions. The Graphics and Post system includes 18 hours of uncompressed HDRGB shared workspace to three eQ finishing systems providing editing, compositing and finishing tools. The Promotions system provides 12 hours of shared storage to two eQ systems. All connected workstations have simultaneous access to all stored material at all times. Czech TV has also purchased Sam, which provides open read/write access to all shared media for 3rd party applications. This means that all the eQs, plus additional VFX workstations, can be working on creative, front-line operations for 100% of the time, providing massive productivity boosts compared with conventional SAN-based systems.

“The decision to purchase the Quantel system was driven by the need for additional workspace to accommodate our increasing workload,” said Zbynek Louda, Graphics Department Manager at Czech Television. “Furthermore the Genetic Engineering GenePool provides instant project sharing for all our editors which saves time, and significantly increases productivity.”

“We’re delighted that Czech TV has once again restated its confidence in Quantel’s post production products by making this purchase,” said Aidan Sutcliffe, Quantel Area Sales Manager. “Czech TV Graphics department already has a reputation for quality and creativity. This new investment will reinforce this reputation and boost its productivity.”