21 October 2015
CNBC Africa – the pan-African financial and business news channel – will be syndicating its award-winning multimedia and video clips to Newstag, an innovative ‘mobile-first’ video news service. The multi-year deal grants Newstag the right to share and distribute CNBC’s news videos on its mobile and online platforms alongside current affairs and entertainment content from other professional content producers around the world, including AP, AFP and Reuters.
CNBCAfrica.com Chief Executive, Sid Wahi said: “Newstag is to professional video news what YouTube is to amateur video clips. They are the world’s largest online network based on videos only from trusted sources. CNBC Africa is the largest and most credible source of business content from around the continent with over 35,000 videos, interviews and clips available through its digital publishing channels. This partnership will extend our current reach and enhance our digital ecosystem.”
Newstag’s ‘mobile-first’ service enables users to create their own ‘tagstream’ (or personalised TV channel) in seconds, organising, consuming and sharing stories among their social networks using the latest web and mobile technologies. These stories are available from a number of different perspectives, resulting in a platform that allows converging viewpoints to be presented side by side, shedding new light on international news as it breaks.
Newstag CEO, Henrik Eklund, says: “Newstag is committed to providing global news coverage from truly distinct perspectives and we’re delighted that CNBC Africa has partnered with us to offer our users a refreshing insight into African news through an African lens. It’s a dynamic time for Africa and in less than a decade CNBC Africa has built a solid international reputation for providing credible and impartial news, presenting an exciting picture of a continent in development from nuanced reporting on the ground. We hope that combining these strengths with Newstag’s innovative news model will amplify Africa’s voice, allowing it to reach a large international audience.”
Launched on 1 June 2007, CNBC Africa celebrates its 8th anniversary as Africa’s first and only real-time Pan Africa financial and business news network. Part of the global CNBC family, which reports around the clock from major financial centres worldwide, CNBC Africa covers business and financial markets news from across the continent, telling the story of Africa on the move.
Since the channel’s launch, CNBC Africa has been breaking ground across the African continent and amongst many successes and achievements, is the only pan-African television network to report live each day across Africa. The combined reach of CNBC Africa and its affiliated networks is 390 million viewers around the world. Its reach on the African continent has been growing by the day through its distribution partnership with MultiChoice.
CNBC Africa has grown beyond all expectations since it was launched eight years ago, and everyone on the CNBC Africa team is justifiably proud of the respected media brand that they have all helped to create. Through accurate and incisive reporting and analysis, and an attractive and dynamic programme schedule, CNBC Africa has clearly positioned itself as the premier African news and information resource for CEOs and senior corporate executives, financial houses, investors and aspirational viewers across the continent.
This announcement follows Newstag’s selection as a top international start-up by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in an international contest to recognise the most innovative use of mobile technology in business. In addition to this, Newstag has recently been nominated for ‘best international news site’ by WAN-IFRA alongside Business Week and Singapore Press Holdings.
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.”
