20 January 2005
The Beijing News Awards Committee presented Voice of America (VOA) Mandarin Service China correspondent Kunghua Chang with the first-ever “Award for Excellence in Broadcast News” in a ceremony in China’s capital city on 19 January.
Chang, 57, was recognized for his report on a Mandarin language proficiency competition in August 2004. The report profiled some of the university students from 39 countries participating in the competition, focusing on their experiences studying Mandarin and how language can cross the divides between nations.
Chang, of VOA’s Mandarin Service, is one of two VOA correspondents in Beijing. A native Mandarin speaker, he has reported on a wide variety of subjects, including in-depth coverage and analysis of China’s political and economic developments.
VOA Mandarin broadcasts 13 hours a week of television programming and 12 hours a day of original radio programming to millions of viewers and listeners in China.
19 January 2005
The AIB’s quarterly magazine, The Channel, is read by more than 4,500 subscribers in 120 countries, with additional copies distributed at major trade shows around the world.
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19 January 2005
Harris Corporation announced the formation of a new Software Systems business unit within its Broadcast Communications Division. The new business unit brings together the resources of Harris’ automation business and Encoda Systems, a global leader in broadcast media software that was acquired by Harris in November 2004. The combined solution set enables Harris to provide total content delivery solutions to existing and emerging broadcast, enterprise and government markets. Serving call letter broadcasters, cable/MSO and satellite service providers, advertising agencies, media rep firms, and enterprises, the new Software Systems business unit will offer modular, standards-based workflow management and service management solutions engineered with open APIs for maximum ease of integration and future scalability.
“Today’s announcement comprises the next chapter of Harris’ mission to deliver systems that drive customer business results,” said Jeremy Wensinger, president and general manager of Harris’ Broadcast Communications Division. “The inception of the new Software Systems business unit – and the open, standards-based solutions it offers – represent an important proactive position for Harris in customizing solutions that increase functionality, productivity and revenue.”
The new software systems business unit expands Harris Broadcast Communications Division’s organizational structure and will be key to extending the top-of-mind position Harris already enjoys in broadcast transmission hardware to emerging software areas. Software Systems becomes the fifth business unit of Harris Broadcast Communications, joining Radio Broadcast Systems, Television Broadcast Systems, Networking and Government Solutions, and Broadcast Systems Europe (which develops European-standard transmission products). With the significantly expanded capabilities of the new Software Systems business unit, Harris will be able to offer end-to-end content delivery solutions across the distinct phases of content creation, distribution and transmission.
John Sorensen, former chief executive officer of Encoda Systems, has been named president of the new Software Systems business unit. Sorensen joined Encoda Systems in 1987 as the principal designer and developer of the company’s industry-leading traffic management and billing software systems for the cable/MSO market. He is a highly regarded IT industry expert who previously held positions with Unisys and Hewlett-Packard.
“It is evident that Harris is expanding from a hardware-focused, transmission system provider to a provider of integrated workflow solutions that are applicable to broadband, advertising, digital asset management, automation and ‘back office’ technology,” Sorensen said. “With Harris’ solutions set, we can facilitate the flow of content from its inception through delivery. The progress we’re making today continues to strengthen the breadth and depth of the solutions we’re bringing to market – and further positions Harris to capitalize on this evolving opportunity for comprehensive and nonproprietary next-generation automation and traffic platforms.”
18 January 2005
AIB Platinum Members – supporting the AIB, the international broadcasting industry association, and supporting the industry
18 January 2005
On 18 January Sony Europe announced the availability for download of operation manuals for the majority of its broadcast and professional products launched since 1997. Listening to customer requests for information, Sony has responded by up-loading more than 2,500 pdf files onto www.sonybiz.net, its website for broadcast, professional and business
customers. The manuals, in multiple languages, are freely accessible for
download following registration on the website.
The manuals, covering 1,780 different models, are accessible either from the relevant product information page for current models or by searching for the required product in the support section of the site. This approach allows manuals for both current and older, discontinued products to be accessed. In the broadcast industry where equipment is often hired, on-line access to manuals is most useful for customers, especially when out on location.
“Value-added content such as free access to Sony operation manuals is particularly important for pre-sales, giving potential customers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the products capabilities before committing to purchase,” commented Andy Harding, Senior Manager eBusiness Solutions, Sony Professional Solutions Europe.
18 January 2005
As reported in the UK Financial Times on 15 January, Walt Disney, the US entertainment and media group, has ousted the president of its international entertainment business in a shake-up of its channel content and distribution business.
David Hulbert, who led the international TV business for almost five years, left the company after Disney promoted two other executives and changed its reporting structure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Anne Sweeney, co-chairman of Disneys Media Networks division, who unveiled the changes commented: This reorganisation is simply the next step in our ongoing efforts to increase effectiveness and streamline communication among our television properties in these important territories.
