18 October 2005
AP Television News can now send news stories directly from the heart of Beirut to anywhere in the world thanks to the installation of a fixed satellite dish on the roof of its eight-storey building in the city.
Independent systems integration specialists Megahertz Broadcast Systems carried out the installation to AP requirements and specification, which involved positioning a 2.4m Ku-band transmit/receive antenna on the roof and linking this to an equipment rack on the 4th floor where AP has its offices. Apart from the antenna, the system comprises a Tandberg MPEG encoder and a pair of redundant 750W outdoor Xicom HPA controllers with built-in linearizers enabling it to simultaneously uplink multiple channels. The complete system can be remotely controlled from anywhere in the world.
This enhancement to our technical infrastructure demonstrates the APs commitment to providing customers with the material they require in the quickest possible time frame said Nick Evansky, APs Director of International Services & Technology.
Steve Burgess, Megahertzs technical director, adds: The system we have installed has multi-channel capability, which makes it future-proof.
13 October 2005
Since August 1, 2005 AXN (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.) has been using RR Satellite Communications Ltd’s playout center for transmission of their 24 hour per day channel.
RRSat’s playout center was chosen after a rigorous selection process. RRSat’s playout center now transmits more than 60 TV channels 24 hours per day.
A partial list of the satellite company can be found at: http://rrsat.com/clients.php
13 October 2005
Christian Visions media arm, CVC, is increasing the number of broadcast hours on VT Communications digital AM transmission platform, which utilises Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRMTM) technology. Until recently, CVC were broadcasting one hour a week as part of VT Communications AM broadcast pilot service from the UK to Western Europe, which has now been running for over two years. CVCs new development sees transmissions from mainland Europe into the UK, resulting in an increase to 7 hours per week, highlighting CVCs commitment to DRM and the distribution capability offered by VT Communications.
The programming is being broadcast from transmission facilities in Western Europe reaching the whole of CVCs target market in the UK and demonstrates the exceptional coverage offered by the AM DRM technology platform, as well as the exceptional quality of reception that is now available. VT Communications has already demonstrated these benefits through its broadcast trials in the UK to CVC and other major commercial broadcasters including Classic Gold Digital and Virgin Rock.
Christian Visions Head of Engineering, Andrew Flynn said: DRM is an ideal platform for bringing additional digital radio content to the UK. As DRM-capable receivers emerge the time is right to make the popular CVC International English service available to listeners in UK. We have been delighted with the transmission quality and service reliability VT Communications has been able to deliver from mainland Europe.
CVC UK Pilot Transmission Schedule
Frequency Times Day
11815kHz 1000-1100UTC 7 days / week
About VT Communications
VT Communications is a leading critical communications services company at the forefront of new technology, providing innovative, totally managed end to end solutions and systems integration in over 100 countries from 29 locations to customers in the broadcast, defence and government sectors worldwide. VT Communications transmits over 1,000 hours of both short and medium wave broadcasts every day utilising its global network providing broadcasters with exceptional coverage of the worlds most populous regions. Broadcast customers include BBC World Service, NHK (Radio Japan), Radio Canada International, Radio Netherlands, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Voice of America. VT Communications is a founder member of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a consortium of broadcast related organisations working to bring digital radio to the market place.
About CVC
CVC is the new name for the media arm of DRM Associate Member Christian Vision, which has been broadcasting with DRM in Europe since the inaugural broadcasts in June 2003 using the facilities of VT Communications. CVC International English replaces the services formerly known as Voice International and The Voice Africa. A new style of interactive radio, CVC blends all types of popular and Christian music, predominantly hip hop, rap and R n B, with engaging talk and features “All About Real Life.
The new CVC brand, which will launch officially in October 2005, brings together the six language streams currently being broadcasting globally by Christian Vision, plus additional media content. Christian Vision and its subsidiary companies operate studio and transmission facilities for CVC in UK, USA, Chile, Brazil, Zambia and Australia. More information can be found at www.cvc.tv
About DRM
DRM revitalises radio with clear, FM like audio quality and excellent reception, free from static fading and interference. While DRM currently covers short wave, medium wave/AM and long wave, the DRM consortium recently voted to begin the process of extending its system into the broadcasting bands up to 120 MHz. This will enhance the range of non proprietary, digital radio solutions offered worldwide by the DRM consortium and the World DAB Forum, which work together on projects of mutual interest. DRMs European commercial launch took place in September this year.
12 October 2005
GlobeCast announced today that it has signed an agreement to deliver Russian-language channel Planeta Sport to audiences in Europe via the Hot Bird satellite. GlobeCast WorldTV Americas premier international direct-to-home satellite television provider also announced today that it has added RTR-Planeta and Planeta Sport to its channel line-up in the United States.
GlobeCasts Hot Bird platform at 13°East delivers more than 98 million television homes across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and 99% of cable operators in the region. In addition to Planeta Sport, other leading channels on the satellite include MTV, BBC, CNN, EuroNews, Bloomberg, TV Romania and TPS, among many others.
Planeta Sport provides premiere coverage of a wide range of international sports including the top Russian teams and athletes. From the Russian Premier League in football, ice hockey, basketball and volleyball, to the National Championships in billiards and rugby to gymnastics, figure skating and bowling, Planeta Sport includes everything for Russian sports enthusiasts.
In addition to distribution on Hot Bird in Europe, Planeta Sport and RTR-Planeta have also been added to GlobeCasts WorldTV DTH service in the United States. RTR-Planeta is an amalgamation of the best of RTRs leading channels Kultura and Rossiya and offers Russian-speaking viewers prime time news, made-for-television and feature films and documentaries as well as an array of general cultural programming. The channel helps viewers stay connected to Russian culture through a varied slate of programs about subjects such as history, art and theater.
Planeta Sport is downlinked to GlobeCasts teleport in London and uplinked to Hot Bird for distribution in Europe. For delivery on GlobeCast WorldTV, the two channels are downlinked at GlobeCasts teleports in Paris and London, and then are transported via the companys global fiber network to its facilities in Los Angeles for uplink to the Intelsat Americas 5 satellite for distribution across North America.
RTR is the leading Russian language broadcaster in the world. The company is comprised of two national television channels, Kultura and Rossiya; two national radio stations as well as 90 affiliated television and radio stations. More than 200 million viewers enjoy RTR programs.
GlobeCast WorldTV a subsidiary of satellite service provider GlobeCast is the leading source for international programming via satellite in America, delivering almost 150 market leading television and radio channels in 30 languages representing 40 countries from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, via Direct-to-Home KU-band satellite on Intelsat Americas 5.
11 October 2005
Arqiva, formerly Inmedia, is to launch the UKs first dedicated Asian shopping channel, Apna Bazaar, on 26 September. Arqivas Satellite Media Solutions division is providing satellite space segment and uplink services for the Bradford -based channel.
Arqivas reliable services are essential for reaching maximum viewers who wish to purchase quality Asian goods and textiles from their armchairs, says co-founding director of Apna Bazaar Nadeem Malik. Arqivas affordability for a start-up channel allows us to help pioneer Bradford as a broadcast district.
Apna Bazaar is an innovative service for UK and South Asian audiences and Arqivas satellite broadcasting is the most cost-effective means of reaching them, says Arqivas head of broadcast sales John Bozza.
Arqiva Satellite Media Solutions has operational bases in London, Gerrards Cross, Winchester, Feltham and Bedford. A diverse range of international customers trust Arqiva Satellite Media Solutions to develop and deliver high quality and flexible solutions that include permanent and occasional broadcast services as well as IP, voice, data and digital media networks.
11 October 2005
Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle is responding to the natural disaster in Pakistan by extending its Urdu service on DW-RADIO by 30 minutes daily.
Head of the Asia Service of DW-RADIO, Sybille Golte-Schröder, said that DW wants to inform listeners in the affected areas about the situation, and about help on offer. DW targets specifically listeners in Kashmir where many villages are completely cut off from the outside world.
The additional programms in Urdu are broadcast daily in the morning between 5.30 und 6.00 (local time) on 7130, 9505 und 9825 kHz. DW was already broadcasting twice daily news, reports, commentaries and analysis in the region. About one million listeners tune into the DW programmes in Urdu.
