21 October 2015
In its 30th anniversary year, CNN International’s anchor and correspondent Hala Gorani is to host the AIBs – the eleventh international awards for the best factual television, radio and online productions.
Taking place in London on Wednesday 4 November 2015, the AIBs celebrate the work of producers, editors and journalists from around the world. Entries from over 30 countries have been submitted to this year’s AIBs, and the shortlist includes work from major broadcasters, online video companies, and independent producers.
Hala Gorani is based in London and anchors The World Right Now, with Hala Gorani, which airs every weekday evening. As an accomplished international journalist, Hala frequently goes into the field to report on major breaking news stories. Most recently, she’s been covering the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East.
“It’s a great honour to be involved with this year’s AIBs,” said Hala Gorani. “The journalism and productions entered are remarkable, telling stories from around the world. I’m looking forward to meeting the people responsible for getting these important stories to viewers and listeners in so many countries.”
Hala, who was born in Seattle and raised in Paris, has worked for Agence France Press, the La Voix du Nord newspaper, Bloomberg Television and France 3. She speaks English, French and Arabic.
“We’re delighted that Hala Gorani has agreed to present this year’s AIBs, helping not only to celebrate these awards but also the 30th anniversary of CNN International,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “As someone who has worked on the frontline of international journalism, Hala knows exactly what’s involved in telling the most challenging and complex stories in the world. She will bring that knowledge and experience to this year’s awards as we celebrate the world’s best journalism and factual programming.”
The AIBs will be presented in London on 4 November 2015 in front of a truly global gathering of journalists, editors, producers and directors representing countries across four continents.
20 October 2015
SES Platform Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and one of Europe’s leading technical media service providers, today announced that its FLUID HUB solution is being utilised by more than 10 broadcasters – just a few months after its launch.
FLUID HUB, which provides a managed cloud service for the management and distribution of video content, was released in April. The FLUID HUB customer base currently includes broadcasters Fox International Channels Germany and Turner, as well as content creators and distributors such as Beta Film. Two customers are already using it to manage and distribute Ultra High Definition (UHD) content – including INSIGHT, the first-ever Ultra HD channel of Television Entertainment Reality Network.
“To have so many customers choosing the solution so soon after launch and for UHD content reinforces how vital the service is to the broadcasting market,” said Sophie Lersch, Chief Product Officer for Services at SES Platform Services. “The feedback from our customers is very positive, with many of them emphasizing the intuitive interface and easy-to-use workflow,
which enables content delivery via a few simple steps. In regards to UHD content, we are one of the first service providers capable of offering a full workflow chain all the way up to delivery to VOD portals, playout and uplink to our satellites.”
FLUID HUB is a professional, secure, managed cloud environment for efficient and secure video content and metadata management and distribution to any platform, including Video-On- Demand (VOD), streaming and satellite. Currently, SES Platform Services distributes more than 2,000 hours of video content per month to all major VOD portals in central Europe.
SES Platform Services will showcase its range of digital distribution technology at Medientage München at stand C1, Foyer, Basement. The event takes place at International Congress Center München (ICM) in Munich, Germany, from Wednesday, 21 October to Friday, 23 October.
For information on FLUID HUB (http://www.ses-ps.com/21436211/fluid_hub), visit the SES Platform Services website (http://www.ses-ps.com/10546113/en).
20 October 2015
On the 25th October 2015, Tanzanians will decide the future for their country and BBC Africa will be there with special programming on Radio, TV and online. BBC Africa will present the big national headlines as well as significant local stories throughout the election campaign.
The BBC Swahili audience can enjoy extensive coverage of the election via their mobiles and on social media. The coverage will focus on issues that are at the heart of the Tanzania election: corruption, water, education, health and the rising cost of living. There will be many special features that the audience can share and interact with, such as a look at women’s role in politics, Zanzibar and the state of the Union and the role of young voters.
Caroline Karobia, BBC Swahili Editor says: “This is an historic election for Tanzania. An estimated 23 million voters will be going to the polls to elect a new president and government. It’s perhaps the most competitive election between the ruling party and the opposition. Nobody can predict the outcome – so we will be there at every stage making sure our viewers share in the journey to find out.”
The Africa live page will be an important destination on the big day, Sunday 25th Oct. Throughout the day there will be commentary and analysis from our correspondents across the continent and updates will continue daily as the results come in.
BBCSwahili.com will host profiles of the candidates and articles on the key election issues.
A collection of stories on #Tanzania2015 can be found here: http://www.bbc.com/swahili/habari/uchaguzi_tanzania2015.
On this historic day both East and West Africa – in the Ivory Coast – will be hosting key elections for the continent and the BBC is uniquely placed to keep viewers accurately updated on both these happenings in real time.
18 October 2015
Arab Satellite Communications Organization – Arabsat holds its 8th annual forum for satellite TV broadcasting on 20th – 21st October 2015 at the Savoy Grand Hotel, Marrakech, Morocco, under the auspices of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morocco. Arabsat President and CEO Eng. / Khalid bin Ahmed Balkheyour expressed his thanks and respect for His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his generous patronage of the forum.
Balkheyour added that there will be many events and seminars attended by international experts in the field of TV satellite broadcasting , as well as sessions for direct dialogue with the participants.
Arabsat will launch its satellite Badr – 7 at the beginning of November. Badr – 7 is one of the newest satellites in the region, providing new coverage for Arabsat across the Middle East and the whole of Africa, with market specific spot beams across West and South Africa.
14 October 2015
TIMA – The International Media Associates – will be celebrating the third anniversary of its Washington DC offices this week. The global facilities and content services provider launched from the US capital in October 2012, premiering its services in the run up to the re-election of Barack Obama.
Since launching its Washington bureau, TIMA has covered other landmark events from the city, both from the studio – with its roof top view of the White House for live positions – and from key locations across the city. The wide-ranging breaking news and feature stories covered for international clients have included the US presidential elections and the inauguration, Camp David summits, White House press briefings and special events, and state visits to DC.
As well as unrivalled live positions and studios, TIMA’s Washington bureau has 5,500 square metres of fully-equipped workspace for journalists and producers, and editing facilities and a master control room. Satellite and fibre circuits connect TIMA studios across the US to London and to South America – including studio facilities and logistical support, to broadcasters and online publishers. In addition to this, TIMA’s new Flydrive satellite uplink unit can be deployed quickly to breaking news and special events across Central and South America.
Alongside its own global facilities and content services, TIMA also provides enhanced location services in partnership with Reuters – the world’s largest international multimedia news agency. Reuters-TIMA Location Services launched at the 87th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles in February 2015. As such, TIMA’s Washington bureau is part of a network across the US which includes Reuters bureau in New York’s Times Square and TIMA’s dedicated UN facility, also in New York.
In Washington, the combined forces of Reuters and TIMA provide access to locations that include The Pentagon, Capitol Hill, White House Lawn and Press Briefing Room, IMF and the World Bank. Reuters-TIMA recently covered events for international clients from their Washington and New York offices, including the papal visit to the US and the 70th United Nations General Assembly. Reuters-TIMA are also preparing for 2016, when they will be offering live facilities to broadcasters and online publishers in the run up to and duration of the United States presidential election.
Alla Salehian, CEO of TIMA, says: “With so much activity in North and South America, it’s important that we’re able to offer coverage of key events, from breaking news and special events, to cultural events and features. Our investment in the latest technology shows our commitment to meeting the needs of our global clients and we’re delighted to be marking our third anniversary in Washington DC this week.”
12 October 2015
Infront Sports & Media, the leading international sports marketing company, will collaborate with Vizrt, to jointly launch a cutting-edge virtual overlay solution – to be expected for the 2016/17 season. The fully-fledged version of the Viz Eclipse product will be exclusively distributed by Infront as part of its sports services portfolio, enabling rights holders to regionally tailor and streamline their marketing and commercialisation of sports events on a global basis. Though still in a testing phase, Infront and Vizrt will offer a preview to the Viz Eclipse product at the Sportel exhibition in Monaco as of today.
No board or camera adaptations required
Vizrt, a leading provider of virtual sports production tools, introduced Viz Eclipse at the 2015 International Broadcast Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam. Viz Eclipse is a virtual replacement technology that allows field-side advertising boards to be virtually overlaid with unobtrusive (region-specific) advertising into television feeds of sports events, substituting traditional perimeter advertising. Most innovatively, the solution does not require any physical camera or board installations onsite, and works both on static or LED boards.
Infront will support Vizrt in further developing and refining the technology, based on its substantial experience in the fields of media production and advertising technology – e.g. as long-standing host broadcaster and provider of LED advertising solutions to various major sports properties. Both partners will offer rights holders a game-changing virtual overlay solution that guarantees fully reliable, high-quality performance.
Powerful combination of skills
Working with 170 rights holders in sport as well as hundreds of sponsors and media companies, Infront will contribute its profound market insight and sports marketing know-how to the new partnership. Furthermore, it will provide access to testing environments and leverage its proximity to rights holders, sponsors, broadcasters and media production entities. Vizrt will bring on its superior technical capabilities and production know-how to further drive the engineering process of its in-house product.
Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront, commented: “We have been monitoring the development of virtual overlay technology for many years to ensure we can provide our clients with an effective solution, once technological progress meets their high quality standards. Viz Eclipse is a ground-breaking move forward and we are ready to invest in the refinement of the product. Jointly with Vizrt, we will soon bring a perfected and fully reliable solution to the market, which will allow rights holders to monetise their events on a global basis. Viz Eclipse will open up a new era of sports advertising.”
Primary focus on football
Martin Burkhalter, CEO of Vizrt, added: “Infront has proven its foresightedness in the area of sports advertising and production already in the past and we are glad to partner with a company that is so close to the needs and expectations of the sports industry. Our technology is now ready for the next level and we are convinced that it will transform the marketing capabilities of modern sport. While the initial focus will be on pitch-side advertising in football, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the marketing of many sports disciplines in the long run.”
Viz Eclipse has thus far been tested with licensed footage from national and international football matches, and will soon enter a live-testing phase. Infront and Vizrt expect market entry throughout the 2016/17 season. Based on image-based camera tracking, the solution does not require additional physical installations onsite, which makes it very flexible and easy to implement. It works on multi-colour backgrounds such as LED and static boards, and rendering filters allow for seamless blending of virtual signage with the stadium’s environmental conditions. Using advanced keying techniques, the ads appear natural in the background, allowing freedom of camera movement. Broadcasters will continue to be provided with a ready-made TV-signal, since the virtual advertising will be integrated smoothly and unobtrusively in the production process.
