13 September 2013
At IBC2013, Globecast announced plans to offer IP/MPLS (MultiProtocol Label Switching) technology using the Globecast Backbone Network (GCBN) in 2014. An international DTM (Dynamic Synchronous Transfer Mode) network that spans five continents with 92,000 km of fiber, the GCBN reaches 32 points of presence around the globe. Globecast will operate IP/MPLS side by side with DTM technologies to provide its broadcast clients with the widest range of options for content delivery via more traditional linear services as well as non-linear and multi-platform offerings.
For permanent, full-time linear broadcast delivery, DTM is the current standard; Globecast allows its clients to reach new markets and connect to major bouquet operators, broadcasters, playout facilities, media centers, and teleports worldwide thanks to its extensive DTM network on three continents. However, as broadcasters continue to diversify and expand their offerings beyond linear programming to VOD and other non-linear services, they require reliable capabilities for delivering file-based content. For example, this file-based delivery will be especially useful for broadcasters that use Globecast for their playout operations.
“Globecast is network agnostic and aims to provide our clients with the best solution using the best adapted technology. Today we are responding to the growing trend towards file-based technologies and the use of IP networks by announcing that next year Globecast will be able to use IP/MPLS in addition to current terrestrial and satellite broadcast solutions to reach their audience in the most effective way possible.” said Philippe Fort, chief operating officer of Globecast. (Source: GlobeCast press release)
13 September 2013
A Discussion With Oliver Stone
– Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the United States –
Oct 12 Sat 0:10/ 4:10/ 8:10/ 12:10/ 16:10/ 20:10 (UTC)
NHK World TV invites filmmaker Oliver Stone to the NHK studios to share some of the insights that informed his unprecedented documentary series on US history. In it he questions the commonly accepted belief that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were necessary to end the war. He also talks about the need for people to face up to history, and his first-ever visit this summer to the two atomic bombed cities, where he spoke to A-bomb survivors.
Science View TAKUMI Special 2013
Oct 19 Sat 0:10/ 4:10/ 8:10/ 12:10/ 16:10/ 20:10 (UTC)
Extraordinary artisans called takumi are known for coming up with a range of ingenious products and for inventing special techniques for unusual situations. NHK World TV visits some takumi and witness the skill they put into their creations. These include a high-definition printing technique that makes images of objects that look just like the real thing; super comfortable braces for the knee; and a system for refitting broken sewerage pipes while they are actually in use.
Shima Kosaku’s Asian Entrepreneurs
– Odjargal Jambaljamts (Mongolia) –
Oct 26 Sat 0:10/ 4:10/ 8:10/ 12:10/ 16:10/ 20:10 (UTC)
NHK World TV looks into the successes of outstanding entrepreneurs based in Asia. Our navigator is popular Japanese manga-character businessman, Shima Kosaku, who guides us by means of a clever combination of animation and actual documentary footage. In this episode we meet the director of the largest group of companies in Mongolia and learn about his business strategies as he crosses swords with his country’s two big neighbors, China and Russia. (Source: NHK World TV press release)
13 September 2013
WRN Broadcast and MBC today announce a partnership that sees London’s leading broadcast managed services provider responsible for a range of broadcast services for the Dubai-based commercial broadcasting company.
WRN Broadcast, who secured the deal after initial discussions at NAB 2013, offers tailor-made end-to-end broadcast solutions as well as a comprehensive range of individual services from their four core broadcast areas – Manage, Originate, Deliver and Store – across TV, Radio and Digital. The London-based company has a strong reputation for global broadcasting projects, having worked with NHK World for almost a decade, enabled the launch the East African triple-play provider Zuku and most recently agreed an international distribution deal with UK-based Channel 4’s Box TV.
MBC was the first private free-to-air satellite broadcasting company in the Arab World, launching in London in 1991 and later relocating to UAE (in 2002). The MBC Group network includes both commercial radio and television services and reaches over 77% of MENA satellite households.
Andy Palmer, Group Director of Technical Operations, MBC, said: “WRN Broadcast have been appointed to work with MBC on a number of key projects moving forward. The company’s in-house expertise and leading technology are highly impressive and were a contributing factor to our decision.”
WRN Broadcast has seen consistent business growth over the past five years which has been supported by regular large-scale investment over this time – the most recent being £1m in January this year. This has enabled the company to strengthen and develop existing and emerging technologies and in the process future-proofing their London-based facility, whilst also developing new services such as OTT Delivery and building a dedicated Broadcast Data Centre, all to better support its client’s requirements.
David Treadway, CEO, WRN Broadcast, said: “WRN Broadcast is privileged to work with some of the greatest broadcasters in the world and we’re all thrilled to have the opportunity to include MBC in this as we partner with them on a range of broadcast managed services over the coming years. This project shows how we work with a client to understand their broadcast objectives and how our flexible and fast approach, alongside our expertise in certain key areas, can be used to realise the ambitions of the world’s major broadcasting powers.”
WRN Broadcast’s continued growth and heavy investment has been supported by staff numbers doubling, primarily focused on the operational and engineering teams as well as the dedicated account teams, now under the leadership of Andrew Davies, who joined WRN Broadcast in August from TSL’s Dubai office. (Source: WRN Broadcast press release)
11 September 2013
Further to the recent release announcing the launch of the new UEFA youth club football competition, UEFA announced today that international broadcaster Eurosport has been awarded media rights to the 2013-15 UEFA Youth League.
Eurosport has been awarded the exclusive European media rights to the first-pick match each matchweek. In this respect, Eurosport will produce the first-pick matches (including the semi-finals and final) and broadcast them across its pan-European network of channels (Eurosport or Eurosport 2). As of the semi-finals, the UEFA Champions League rights-holders in the countries of the participating teams will have the possibility to acquire the media rights of the matches co-exclusively with Eurosport.
Eurosport is the first official broadcast partner of the 2013-15 UEFA Youth League, however UEFA Champions League rights holders will also have the opportunity to produce and broadcast UEFA Youth League matches.
Commenting on the awarding of these rights, Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, said: “UEFA is delighted to announce Eurosport as the first rights holder of the 2013-15 UEFA Youth League. UEFA is looking forward to working with Eurosport in order to build and promote this newly created competition. Eurosport’s wide reach and promotional and production expertise are key assets for the exposure of the competition and as a long-term partner of UEFA’s other youth competitions, Eurosport is a natural fit for the UEFA Youth League.“
The first match to be produced and broadcast live on Eurosport will be Manchester United FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 17 September at 17.00 CET.
11 September 2013
Japan International Broadcasting (http://www.jibtv.com/), the distribution company of NHK, and Foxtel, one of Australia’s most dynamic media companies, have announced a new partnership which brings NHK WORLD TV (www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld) to more than 2 million residential subscribers, as well as commercial subscribers, including hotels, restaurants and hospitals, throughout Australia. The stand-alone, 24-hour, English-language television news and lifestyle network produced by NHK, Japan’s sole public, independent broadcaster, launched on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 on channel 656.
“For several years, we have been watching Foxtel grow to become one of the most exciting and forward-looking media companies in Australia,” said Yoshihiko Shimizu, president and CEO, Japan International Broadcasting. “We are pleased to partner with them to deliver a variety of high-quality and compelling international news and entertainment to their audience.”
NHK WORLD TV provides a 24-hour programming cycle, including the network’s news show, “NEWSLINE.” Complementing Australia and Japan’s shared democratic values, NHK’s objective reporting, particularly in news originating from Asia, provides balance for a more complete perspective on world affairs. The channel also offers a variety of lifestyle and cultural shows, such as “TOKYO EYE,” “Journeys in Japan,” “imagine-nation,” “ASIAN VOICES” and “Dining with the chef,” as well as an assortment of documentaries and specials. “
As Australia’s leading subscription TV platform, Foxtel is always striving to bring the latest and most relevant content to our viewers,” said Richard Freudenstein, CEO, Foxtel. “We recognize Japan as one of Australia’s most important economic partners and are thrilled to work with Japan International Broadcasting to bring vital financial and world news, as well as lively entertainment from Japan and the rest of Asia to our audience.”
NHK WORLD TV is part of Foxtel’s basic subscription package and available on channel 656, which sits among a section of the television dial dedicated to English-language international news networks. The pay-TV company distributes programming via DTH, Cable, IPTV and other services to subscribers throughout Australia. NHK WORLD TV is currently available in 260 million households across 140 countries and regions.
5 September 2013
At IBC 2013, Vizrt, booth 7.A10, will showcase several new solutions for sports broadcasters to enhance their live sports coverage with virtual graphics as well as analyze key plays of the match.
Image-based camera tracking for live sports enhancements
Vizrt will demonstrate a new live image-based camera tracking technology and integration with its live sports enhancement product Viz Arena. Based on state-of-the-art image processing technology that is also applied in Vizrt’s sports analysis system Viz Libero, Viz Arena tracks cameras in real-time based on a clean video feed. This makes it possible to apply graphics to the field without the need of mechanical tracking heads. Live sports enhancements include virtual advertisements, distance measurements, record lines, player pointers, team badges or starting grids. Replay effects are possible using the new EVS integration.
The Harvester – Bridging studio and remote
Another new Vizrt technology showcased at IBC is the Harvester: A component that enables studio access to multi-angle footage of a live production, seamlessly integrated with Viz Libero, Viz Engine, and Viz Media Engine in the broadcast center. The Harvester allows events to be logged of a sport game together with the desired camera angles – from the stands, the studio or from home using a tablet or mobile device. Multi-angle footage will then be instantly encoded and transferred to the studio where it is directly ingested into Viz Libero for rapid and synchronized processing of 3D analysis. Multi-angle data can also be smoothly used by other Vizrt applications, such as Viz Engine for enhanced, multi-angle interactive highlights shows or for archiving the multi-angle data with Viz Media Engine. As a one-box solution in a fully automatic workflow, the Harvester can be easily integrated into any existing OB truck.
Virtual Presenter
The Virtual Presenter will be part of the Viz Virtual Studio demonstration at IBC. The Virtual Presenter places your talent among the players and action on the field of a sport analysis clip and as a unique solution for interactive and immersive post-game shows. It is easily implemented on top of an existing Viz Engine and Viz Libero installation and creates a new way for presenters to be literally on the pitch with the players.
Interactive studio solution for World Cup 2014
The World Cup 2014 in Brazil is fast approaching and at IBC 2013, Vizrt will display an interactive package that covers all aspects of a studio show for the tournament. An interactive Viz Artist scene will be controlled from a touchscreen and iPad and will include pre-game elements like team formations and stadium maps for Brazil, in-game content, such as highlight and analysis clips with telestration, post-game elements like player and team statistics, and the tournament schedule. A series of 3D World Cups stadiums, created by Vizrt partner Rakete, will be part of the Viz Virtual Studio presentation. The complete set of scenes on display at IBC are available for broadcasters to use and are easily customized for a unique look and feel.
Latest sports analysis enhancements
Vizrt will present the new features and workflow improvements in Viz Libero. Viz Libero now offers Virtual SloMo, which uses an advanced image-based algorithm to generate ultra-slow motion (up to 1500 fps) footage rather than relying on high-speed camera systems. Virtual SloMo and other Viz Libero 3D replay tools can be used on any live camera image or remote video feed. Viz Libero also includes in-game 3D virtual sports toolsets geared to motorsports, tennis, cricket, field hockey as well as Australian football. The system already supports many others, such as football, American football, ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and volleyball
