26 September 2013
Globecast today announced that it is providing services to NHK WORLD, delivering the channel via satellite to new audiences in Central and Western Africa. NHK WORLD, the international broadcast channel of Japanese national public broadcaster NHK, launched the new service on July 30 as part of Canalsat, a package of more than 130 channels, radio stations, and services operated by CANAL+ Afrique on the SES-4 satellite at 22 degrees west orbital position.
Carried as part of the Canalsat Afrique direct-to-home schedule, NHK WORLD is being offered free-to-air for these new African audiences, in keeping with its global brand philosophy for other markets. Globecast is providing a complete solution to bring NHK WORLD to the point of uplink, including contribution, encryption, and encoding.
“With its excellent coverage of the whole Central and Western Africa region and a compelling path to entry into the hotel chains there, SES-4 offers NHK WORLD a solid platform for its initial launch into Africa and future expansion moving forward,” said Juliet Bayliss, UK Sales Director for Globecast. “We’re glad we were able to leverage our close ties with Canalsat to integrate our client NHK WORLD in its service plan, despite the very tight schedule. Our ability to negotiate effectively with our satellite partners is a large part of the service we offer to content providers.” (Source: Press Release)
25 September 2013
In its mission of focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as one of the Group’s core values through “MBC Hope”, MBC Group has recently launched “Doing Good” initiative which aims at nurturing, empowering, strengthening and fostering creativity among the Arab youth. This annual initiative will provide young individuals in the region with the opportunity to showcase their positive contributions towards their communities via spreading virtuousness and integrity among their societies.
The initiative will empower youth of different ages to participate and bring forward their best creative ideas to undertake all sorts of goodwill activities while demonstrating their ongoing commitment to helping others.
Youth are invited to participate in the “Doing Good” initiative by uploading their videos, studies, research papers, projects, etc. on www.mbc.net/alamal and entering them into one of the following 4 categories:
– “Humanitarian Issues”: Such as Poverty, Education, Health and Prevention, Helping the needy, etc.
– “Social entrepreneurship and Start-Up companies”: Includes commercial and industrial small projects with a good and positive return on society.
– “Creativity and Innovation”: Production of short movies/films that highlight positive “individual achievements” and “entrepreneurship” in favor of the society.
– “Environment”: Such as the development and implementation of small local projects involved in recycling, water preservation, sustainable energy, waste reduction, etc.
The deadline for submitting entries for “Doing Good” initiative is 31st of October 2013. Once submitted, all entries, projects, research, etc. will be studied and analyzed in details by a specialized judging panel (to be announced at a later stage). A winner from each category will then be chosen and all winning projects (total of 4) will be highlighted and communicated on all of MBC Group’s Platforms to monitor the progress of the projects, while also further empowering and encouraging the youth behind it. (Source: MBC press release)
23 September 2013
PRESS RELEASE
London, 23 September 2013
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has announced five new members who bring unique strengths in reporting, production, broadcasting and media technology:
- Africa24 – the leading international news channel for Africa presenting African news, culture and sport to a worldwide audience
- Intelsat – the leading provider of satellite services worldwide, delivering information and entertainment to media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers and governmental agencies.
- Rivinet – developing a worldwide news source with a community of viewers who are rewarded for their involvement
- Sunset+Vine – the multi-award-winning independent supplier of sports programming which is also a world leader in international Advertiser Funded Programming
- Vision247 – providing broadcasters, TV channels and content owners with a complete, end-to-end internet TV solution
“Our new members cover the whole ecosystem of production, distribution and broadcasting” said Simon Spanswick, CEO of the AIB. “With its increasing membership the AIB has an ever greater pool of expertise for knowledge sharing. These new members strengthen our contacts and insights in fields including new technologies, new methods of audience involvement, programme commissioning, distribution and the increasingly-important and vibrant African market.”
For more information, contact Simon Spanswick at the AIB in the United Kingdom on +44 (0) 20 7993 2557, e-mail simon.spanswick@aib.org.uk.
About Africa24
Africa24 is the leading international news channel for Africa. It is committed to embodying the voice, the vision and the views of Africa throughout the world. Africa24’s mission is to give a voice to Africans, their news, their expertise and their ideas; to help the continent’s development by increasing links internally and with the outside world; and to enhance the image of Africa in the world by presenting a fresh look at the political, economic, cultural and sports news from the continent.
About Intelsat
Intelsat (NYSE: I) is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For almost 50 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world’s leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fibre infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.
About Rivinet
Rivinet is an exciting new venture creating worldwide sources of unique, professional news videos that allow groups such as brands and NGOs to publish their stories and opinions. It creates a community of viewers who not only receive free content but are rewarded for their participation.
About Sunset+Vine
Sunset+Vine is a multi-award-winning independent supplier of sports programming to broadcasters and a world leader in international Advertiser Funded Programming. It jointly produced all of Channel 4’s 2012 Paralympic Games output (winning the 2013 BAFTA for Best Sport Production and an RTS Special Award) and has been the Host Broadcaster of the Dubai World Cup since 1997. Among its extensive portfolio are also the world’s most watched weekly sports show “Gillette World Sport” (shown in 180 countries) and Mobil1The Grid.
About Vision247
Vision247 provides broadcasters, TV channels and content owners with a complete, end-to-end internet TV solution, from broadcasting services through to end-device applications. Its online video platform helps unleash the power of online video, monetize online video and expand audiences. It can deliver content to web TV portals, internet connected TV sets (Over-The-Top TV), IPTV set top boxes and mobile devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad).
About AIB
Established in 1993, the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is a non-profit, non-government, industry association founded to represent, promote and assist its members. It currently has a membership of over 50 companies in around 30 countries, including major broadcasters serving audiences of hundreds of millions of people each week.
With a reach of over 26,000 communicators and media professionals, AIB is a unique centre of information about international broadcasting, covering TV, radio, online and mobile. AIB researches regular market intelligence briefings for its members and provides client-specific consultancy and project support. Members receive an extensive package of services throughout the year. AIB publishes the comprehensive AIB Global Broadcasting Sourcebook and the international media magazine, The Channel. AIB hosts the annual AIB International Media Excellence Awards – the “AIBs”. For more information, visit www.aib.org.ukand theaibs.tv or call +44 (0) 20 7993 2557
AIB | PO Box 141 | Cranbrook | TN17 9AJ | United Kingdom T +44 20 7993 2557 F +44 20 7993 8043 www.aib.org.uk
17 September 2013
RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST), a leading provider of comprehensive digital content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industry, announced today that it has been selected by Synterra Media, the largest Media Content Logistics operator in Russia, to distribute live broadcasts of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season games through April 2014. Synterra Media was selected by KHL to distribute live KHL game broadcasts internationally and will continue its partnership with RRsat for the European distribution, which was initiated last year.
To support the HD transmissions from Synterra Media’s Moscow headquarters to RRsat’s Middle East facility, RRsat created a dedicated fiber connection comprising five parallel fiber lines. From its state-of-the-art facility, RRsat will distribute live content through a syndicated channel as well as ad hoc requests, to millions of European viewers via the RRsat capacity on Eutelsat E10A satellite. Transmissions will utilize HD video and DVB-S2 modulation to ensure a superior viewing experience.
“Synterra Media is pleased to choose RRsat as a distribution partner for the second year and to expand our relationship to include support for ad hoc requests,” said Valery Krylov, General Director of Synterra Media. “RRsat’s winning combination of state-of-the-art distribution solutions, around-the-clock technical support and excellent service enables KHL fans across Europe to experience exciting hockey matches seamlessly, in real time.”
“RRsat’s enhanced ability to deliver sports and live event programming, thanks to our top-of-the-line infrastructure, global facilities and commitment to providing 24/7 support, make us the ideal distribution partner for sports content,” said Lior Rival, Chief Commercial Officer of RRsat. “We are glad that Synterra Media recognizes RRsat’s expertise and has decided to continue partnering with us for the distribution of KHL broadcasts for a second year. “ (Source: RRsat press release)
16 September 2013
Eurosport, leading international sports media group, announced today an agreement with its new stakeholder, Discovery Communications, that will bring its flagship Eurosport TV channel to U.S. viewers for the first time in its 24-year history.
From September 28, a new Saturday afternoon programming block “Eurosport on Velocity” featuring motorsports highlights will air from 1-3 PM ET/PT, with encore presentations airing every Sunday morning on Discovery’s Velocity channel, the first U.S. cable network targeting an upscale male audience.
Eurosport Group CEO, Jean-Thierry Augustin, comments, “This is the first programming agreement with Discovery since our partnership was forged at the end of 2012. It’s a great example of the powerful synergies and opportunities we can create together. For the first time in Eurosport’s history, American viewers will have a sight of our channel’s expert sports TV production and best-in-class commentary. We’re delighted our TV channel’s initial programming steps into the U.S. will be on our stakeholder’s channel, Velocity.”
“Eurosport on Velocity” is one more way we are strengthening Velocity’s connection with our target audience,” said Bob Scanlon, general manager of Velocity. “As the only home for Eurosport in the U.S., Velocity is delivering unique programming that no other U.S.-based network can offer to viewers. We’re excited to be the American flagship for such a well-established, high-quality brand like Eurosport and look forward to working with the Eurosport team.”
In the first season, “Eurosport on Velocity” introduces four motorsport series to U.S. audiences:
- Running from January to November across Europe, the 2013 FIA European Rally Championship features eleven exciting events on asphalt, gravel and snow. Velocity will carry all the race highlights. The series is managed and promoted by Eurosport Events, the Eurosport Group’s expert division which delivers all aspects of sporting event management, ranging from TV production to media rights distribution, marketing and commercial investment.
- British Superbikes is one of the “big three” in motorcycle racing alongside MotoGP & the Superbike World Championships. Attracting 32 world class riders from all over the world and powered by 16 elite teams featuring leading manufacturers Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati, Kawasaki, BMW & Aprilia; the new “showdown” format to deliver intense racing all season long.
- The Silk Way Rally is the second largest rally event in the world. Kicking off in Moscow, over 130 rally cars and trucks race across the Russian Federation – covering more than 3000 kilometres over seven days.
- Considered one of the most prestigious international cross country rallies, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is a 5 day motorsport spectacular featuring motorcycle, quad-bike, four wheel and truck competitors. (Source: Eurosport press release)
14 September 2013
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, along with partners BT Group Plc, Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), Sony and Newtec, will demonstrate a true 4K Ultra High Definition Television (4K UHDTV), end-to-end video transmission over satellite to the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam during IBC2013. This milestone will mark the first time a full multi-camera production of a sports event has been captured in 4K UHDTV and transmitted live internationally via satellite and fiber. The demo will take place on Sept. 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Central European Summer Time) at the Intelsat stand (1.C71).
To make the transmission possible, BT will capture a premier league rugby match in London using three 4K UHDTV Sony cameras and mixers. The Ericsson AVP 2000 Contribution Encoders and RX8200 Advanced Modular Receivers, capable of 4K UHDTV operations as well as standard- and high-definition contribution, will encode and decode the four 3G-SDI feeds in real time.The demo will also take advantage of MPEG-4 AVC compression technology.
After the encoding process, the signal will be transmitted as a 100 Mbps video by BT’s outside broadcast unit over the BT Global Media Network to Intelsat, via the Intelsat point of presence at BT Telehouse West in London. The signal will be carried on the IntelsatOne terrestrial network to Intelsat’s teleport in Germany, where it will be uplinked to Intelsat 1W, Intelsat’s leading cable and DTH video neighborhood in Europe, using Newtec equipment. The resulting 4:2:2, 10-bit, 4K UHDTV signal at 60 frames per second will be displayed in the Intelsat, Ericsson and Sony booths at IBC2013, allowing attendees to view the rugby match live.
“4K UHDTV video programming represents an opportunity for our programmer customers to offer compelling, differentiated content to viewers around the world,” said Peter Ostapiuk, Intelsat’s vice president of media product management. “The powerful Intelsat 1W satellite is uniquely positioned to bring such attractive content to the millions of cable and DTH viewers served by our leading European video neighborhood. Intelsat’s demonstration of this technology emphasizes that satellite is, and will continue to be, a critical part of the global media distribution infrastructure, and underscores the importance of having a fully integrated terrestrial network such as IntelsatOne.”
“We are excited to contribute our compression technology to this ground-breaking live demonstration of 4K UHDTV video contribution at IBC2013,” said Dr. Giles Wilson, head of TV compression, Ericsson. “Compression solutions will be a critical enabler in the roll-out of 4K UHDTV services, helping to simplify the processes of content acquisition, exchange and distribution necessary to allow operators to deliver the highest possible video quality from remote, live events. Such demonstrations show we can already enable a truly immersive TV experience on today’s large sets, including such requirements as p60 frame rates and 4:2:2, 10-bit resolutions.”
“The BT Media and Broadcast MPLS/IP Network is traffic-engineered to a superior standard to support high bandwidth, live TV transmission around the world, and is ideal for these challenging 4K UHDTV sports broadcasts,” said Mark Wilson-Dunn, vice president of sales and marketing for BT Media and Broadcast. “BT has a wonderful history of supporting the cutting edge of international HD and 3D transmissions, so we are delighted to be involved in this milestone – delivering true, live sport 4K UHDTV to the screens at IBC2013.”
“This live transmission of premium sports content will underscore that Newtec’s M6100 Broadcast Satellite Modulator can reliably process and transmit any content, ranging from low bit-rate standard definition content up to very high data rates for 4K UHDTV,” said Steven Soenens, vice president of product management at Newtec. “Our Clean Channel Technology(R), which will be used in this demonstration, gives very high transmission efficiency – up to 15 percent better than standard DVB-S2 – while preserving interoperability with professional receivers.”
“We are delighted that Sony was invited to participate in this unique event as a technology partner,” said Katsunori Yamanouchi, vice president, Sony Professional Solutions for Sony Europe. “Sony is strongly committed to bringing 4K’s amazing viewing experience to consumers around the world. This, combined with our unique track record for innovation, makes Sony the natural choice for an event of this kind.”
