19 September 2014
Vizrt, together with Sky Sports and ChyronHego, win the IBC 2014 Innovation award in a ceremony held at the Amsterdam RAI during IBC 2014.
Vizrt’s Rex Jenkins accepted the award along with Mike Ruddell from Sky Sports, and Mark Bowden from ChyronHego.
Vizrt worked with Sky Sports and ChyronHego to create a unique studio production for their flagship production “Monday Night Football” (MNF). The production that aired first on August 19th 2013 is a game-changing evolution of the show which premiered in 1992 when Sky Sports first obtained English Premier League rights. The key innovation that led to the award was the creation of a virtual set that gave the illusion of having a much larger physical set in the MNF studio.
The award ceremony, held Sunday, September 14th at the Amsterdam RAI, featured several awards for innovation in broadcasting. Vizrt’s Rex Jenkins accepted the award along with Mike Ruddell from Sky Sports, and Mark Bowden from ChyronHego.
Building a new studio
A unique requirement of the Sky Sports studio is that the virtual studio graphics should sit alongside and be visually-indistinguishable from the physical-set elements. This meant that not only must the graphical rendering be ‘photo-real’ but the tracking must be accurate enough so that when cameras move, the rendered virtual graphics would exhibit a seamless blend between reality and virtual.
Sky’s creative team have been designing Vizrt 3D graphics for live coverage for over 10 years, so they are accustomed to designing in Viz Artist. However, the concept of Virtual Studio design to this degree of photo-realism was new. Given the design-complexity of the 3D studio design and required functionality built into it, care had to be taken to ensure graphics-rendering performance was optimised to run in real-time.
The result was a genuine collaborative effort, not just on implementing the design, but also with the Sky Engineers who needed to learn how to operate and support the new technology. From the time when the installation started and to the first live-broadcast show in August 2013, regular training-sessions were conducted for Sky designers and technical staff at Sky and the Vizrt UK staff.
The final on-air product is a studio which appears massive in size but also very flexible, allowing the Sky MNF presenters to have several set locations. The presenters could utilize data driven-graphics displayed in monitors or immersed into the studio as part of the virtual set. Using a tracking system by MotionAnalysis, the virtual set was able to be tracked with extreme precision, allowing the physical and virtual set to appear seamless as the camera pans from one part of the set to another.
19 September 2014
Bloomberg is one of the world’s premier multi-platform business information providers. MIPCOM and MIPTV offer the opportunity to not only present Bloomberg Media’s programming assets to global television and digital networks and airlines, but also provide the opportunity to increase awareness of the Bloomberg Media brand, meet with the distribution and carriage platforms and connect with the growing network of international broadcasters we have localisation agreements with. This is why this year we’ve decided to take a booth to host all these meetings in our own branded environment.
The syndication of our long-form programming catalogue, mainly to international broadcast networks, has long been a successful model for Bloomberg Media at MIP. In-flight is also an important part of our syndication business and agreements are signed at MIP and at the more airline-focused APEX Expo.
Our Bloomberg Game Changers series which gives an insight into business leaders and entrepreneurs who have climbed to the top of the ladder is a perennial favourite. This year on the programming side, we’re presenting a new series – C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett – and our Inside… series is also a fairly new addition to our offering, which takes viewers into the inner sanctums of Fendi, Pixar, Lego and others.
Perhaps less well-known is the fact Bloomberg creates thousands of pieces of news, photos, footage, data and content from the Bloomberg Professional service each day that can be licensed for use by broadcasters, publishers and digital media companies through our Bloomberg Content Service team who also attend MIP each year.
Adam Freeman, MD, Bloomberg Media, EMEA
16 September 2014
VEEDO sp. z o.o. [Ltd.] a company owned by TVN, has launched Veedo.pl – an entertainment video portal featuring outstanding talents,
remarkable events and web’s best videos from all over the world. The website enables its users to upload their own short-form films.
Veedo.pl will serve as a platform for talent promotion. The website is aimed at people eager to share their passions and interests and to reach a wide audience of the internet. The service enables the authors to share short-form videos featuring their remarkable skills in multiple categories: from artistic talents through sports stunts to lifestyle tips.
The cooperation with Veedo opens numerous opportunities for the users: the most talented will be offered a chance to showcase their achievements on air or even to sign an advertising contract. Owing to cooperation with Veedo the authors of the most popular films will also be able to earn money by receiving a revenue share of the advertising displayed next to their videos.
Veedo will also include a comprehensive stock of web’s best hits from numerous sources – contributed both by Polish television channels, as well as international media and published by the x-news service.
Each website’s user can act as a juror. Veedo encourages user involvement and interaction through dedicated stickers that are unique on the Polish market and serve to express one’s judgments and opinions on particular videos based on emotions they arouse. Such a system
of assessment enables users to communicate a wide spectrum of personal impressions and emotions as well as to categorize the content.
„Internet users browsing for the most attractive videos from all over the world will gain a quick access to the most popular and amusing clips on the net. The videos on this website will come from both professional and amateur sources. We want Veedo.pl to turn into a platform
that will help talented individuals to find an audience and inspirations as well as to network with other creative people with similar interest. We offer each user an opportunity to evaluate video content using an amusing scale of subjective preference.” – said Maciej Maciejowski,
Member of the Management Board in charge of Business Development at TVN and Veedo CEO.
(Source: TVN press release)
15 September 2014
Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) and leading broadcast network operator, MEDIA BROADCAST, announced today at IBC in Amsterdam that they have inked an agreement for the distribution of the satellite-based IP broadcast solution, NewsSpotter. MEDIA BROADCAST is optimising the NewsSpotter service by linking it with its Broadcast NGN (Next Generation Network) to offer the media industry new options for IP-based data transmissions and digital TV production. It will market the service under the name NewsSpotter+.
The NewsSpotter service operates in Ka-band using Eutelsat’s High Throughput KA-SAT satellite for cost-efficient, portable, IP-based Satellite News Gathering (SNG) services. The innovative service uses compact, lightweight and easy-to-carry terminals to enable fast and high quality transmissions from the field. MEDIA BROADCAST will market the service under the name NewsSpotter+ and combine the IP broadcast solution with its own operated Broadcast NGN (Next Generation Network) without using the public Internet to offer an end-to-end QoS without any shared resource. By combining its fibre network capabilities with access to a flexible, portable satellite-based contribution solution, MEDIA BROADCAST will be able to offer new options to the media industry for IP-based data transmissions and digital TV production.
“NewsSpotter+ is something new in the broadcast and media industries. By linking the complete BNS Community (Broadcast Network Services) to this satellite-based, mobile IP broadcast solution for portable News Gathering, we are closing a gap in the digital production chain,” explained Bernd Meinl, Head of Broadcast Satellite Services MEDIA BROADCAST, at the contract signing. “With this solution, we also meet the demand from our partners for cost-efficient, fast and flexible two-way solutions for signal contribution compared to Ku-band solutions. This will push the market for file-based IP broadcasts solutions as the importance of IP streaming within the digital production process continues to increase.”
Jean-François Fenech, General Manager Eutelsat Broadband said: “This agreement with our longstanding partner, MEDIA BROADCAST, once again underlines the critical role that satellites can play for news teams and broadcasters. The NewsSpotter service can be integrated easily into IP infrastructures and offers a wide variety of applications from coverage of live breaking news to sports and cultural events and contribution of footage direct from the field to a broadcaster’s master control room.”
MEDIA BROADCAST will market NewsSpotter+ with two-way dedicated bandwidth that is scalable between 512 kbps and 10 Mbps (Up- and Download, End-to-End). Signal contribution is made via the MEDIA BROADCAST NGN with fixed assigned bandwidth and at the customary high availability. This comes with high-performing Internet access from MEDIA BROADCAST’s own ISP. End customers will be provided with an optimised online management, reporting and booking portal that can be easily used via PC, smartphone or tablet. The price model for the service is flexible and transparent. It is based on volume of best effort and booked sessions for transmissions. High quality service with 24/7 technical support completes the service package. On the hardware side, MEDIA BROADCAST supports the complete range of KA-SAT antennas, from fully automatized SNG-solutions to portable flyaway bag solutions.
EUTELSAT’s KA-SAT is the first High Throughput Satellite (HTS) in Europe, offering throughput of more than 90 Gbps. Eutelsat and partners offer a range of innovative services through the infrastructure for broadcasters, business customers and consumers in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East under different brands including the Tooway™ consumer broadband service as well as NewsSpotter for professional applications.
14 September 2014
Selevision and Arabsat have announced today that they have entered into an exclusive long-term partnership to deliver the first Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) service to the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) The Service will be provided to Arabsat customer base from three different locations; Jordan Media City in Jordan, Du in UAE and Overon in Spain. The Arabsat Satellite based HbbTV service will be complimented by the Selevision OTT platform and content library of Selevision to provide different viewer experience for the 26deg Arabsat hotspot. Broadcasters will enjoy different standardized applications in addition to the wide possibilities of customized applications. The service will be available to viewers on all HbbTV compatible set-top-boxes in the market. Furthermore, Arabsat and Selevision will launch the first HbbTV Channel in the region as a pilot to present the concept to the customer base of Arabsat.
Dr. Raed Khusheim, Chief Executive Officer at Selevision said: “We are delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with Arabsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators. We are constantly looking forward and committed to delivering engaging new services for customers, The HBBTV service will be compatible with all available HBBTV-ready boxes in the market, furthermore, we have also announced REDO, Selevision new invention; the first hybrid android unit with approved C.A.S system platform: REDO unit will allow us to provide a variety of interactive new hybrid services to the market before any other provider in the region”.
Khalid Balkhyour, President & CEO of Arabsat said: “ Arabsat is always keen to deliver new experience to its viewers and facilitate access to new technology for its broadcastors base customers; this partnership with Selevision will add value to Arabsat hotspot at 26deg E with its growing neighborhood that will benefit both the broadcaster and the viewer. This platform will leverage on Arabsat reach and on Selevision extremely competitive offerings and services. Both Parties have invested in this platform to provide an excellent cooperation model in the industry’
About HBBTV
HbbTV is a global initiative that brings together broadcast and broadband TV services into one ideal user experience through connected TVs, set-top boxes and multiscreen devices. The HbbTV standard utilises existing standards and web technologies including OIPF (Open IPTV Forum), CEA, DVB, MPEG-DASH and W3C. (Source : Arabsat press release)
10 September 2014
- 63% expect 4K UHDTV consumption to be mainstream within five to seven years;
- 42% have made the decision to launch a 4K UHDTV service and have a specific timeframe for its rollout, with 23% planning to launch in less than four years;
- 35% of non-technical executives expect Direct-to-Home (DTH) will be the first segment to gain momentum as compared to 60% of technical executives who believe Video on Demand is where 4K UHDTV will first take hold.
Since it was first announced, 4K Ultra High Definition Television (4K UHDTV) has been met with both excitement and skepticism within and outside of the media industry. According to new research from Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, 4K UHDTV will be main stream within 10 years. In fact, 42% of Intelsat’s survey respondents stated that they have made a firm decision to launch a 4K UHDTV service and have a specific timeframe for its roll out (23% within the next four years). The main driver cited by media companies was the ability to provide the competitive differentiation necessary to attract new subscribers to their linear broadcast and cable television channels.
Intelsat surveyed technical and non-technical (primarily marketing) media executives from its global customer base, which is comprised of many of the world’s largest media companies that conduct business on a regional and global basis. The nearly 80 respondents represent a statistically significant sample of the pool of potential respondents.
While the majority of respondents believe that 4K UHDTV adoption is inevitable—in stark contrast to initial views of the 3DTV trend from several years ago—there is disparity in terms of what segments and business models are regarded as likely to adopt 4K UHDTV first, with non-technical executives having significantly different views from technical executives. Digital cinema (38%), over the top (OTT) and direct-to home (DTH) are the most widely mentioned segments for 4K UHDTV to gain momentum and those views differ sharply between technical and non-technical participants. In addition, 60% point to video on demand as the business model expected to first gain momentum, almost double the 34% stating that linear channels will be the first to do so.
“While it is becoming more evident that the transition to 4K UHDTV is highly likely, the road to adoption will take many paths, given the business model evolution resulting from the multi-screen viewing environment,” stated Peter Ostapiuk, Vice President, Media Product Management, Intelsat. “As with high definition television, socio-economics, demographics and technology infrastructure will determine the adoption timeline. This time, however, media companies are more focused on building the right business model that will enable them to deliver high quality and reliable content delivery across multiple platforms and, at the same time, achieve a strong return on their investment.”
Media professionals surveyed believe that the pace of 4K UHDTV adoption will vary by region. For example, 47% believe 4K UHDTV will first take hold in Asia Pacific; 34% expect North America to be the early adopter and only 16% believed Western Europe would be the first to roll out the new technology.
While Media Professionals are Optimistic about 4K UHDTV, Critical Factors Necessary for Accelerated Timeline to Take Hold
Respondents cited higher transmission and content production costs (67%), availability of more efficient transmission technologies (62%), affordable television sets (51%) and ability to achieve a return on their investment (71%) as issues of greatest concern to them going forward.
Roughly a third of those surveyed stated that a critical mass of content (38%), sufficient household penetration (35%) and available 4K UHDTV-enabled set top boxes (31%) are important factors in accelerating the roll-out of 4K UHDTV. Movies (53%) and sports (42%) are the most widely identified types of 4K UHDTV content expected to gain momentum first.
“Satellite will positively impact the adoption of this new and exciting technology and serve as a strategic partner to media customers,” continued Ostapiuk. “It’s clear that our customers will introduce 4K UHDTV as a way to distinguish their brands, and the ubiquitous and extremely high quality of satellite will deliver an immersive experience with cost efficiency. With the ability to easily handle transmission of multiple viewing formats across a hybrid distribution infrastructure, Intelsat is prepared to support this emerging growth opportunity for our global media customers.”
Supporting Resources:
Note to Editors:
Intelsat commissioned independent market research firm Market Connections, Inc. to survey Intelsat’s media customers in July 2014 on awareness of and plans for 4K UHDTV content demand, development and distribution. The statistically valid response from 77 media professionals features the opinions of content and platform providers from 24 different countries. (Source: Intelsat press release)
