26 June 2013
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, today announced the availability of Eurosport on Samsung Smart TV, the first regional sports broadcasting service available on the platform. Leading pan-European sports channels Eurosport and Eurosport 2 broadcast live streams of internationally renowned sporting events such as the Tour de France, the Africa Cup of Nations and Grand Slam tennis, among many others, equating to over 5,000 hours of live sport every year.
“We are delighted to welcome Eurosport onto Samsung Smart TV further demonstrating our commitment to broadening our key content partnerships to deliver a rich and varied experience for our customers. We are proud that live sport is now part of our portfolio across Europe,” said Lee Epting, Vice President of Media Solution Centre Europe for Samsung Electronics Europe.
The Eurosport Player goes beyond linear live broadcasting giving viewers a selection of content and programming options during leading events. For example, at three tennis Grand Slams, the U.S. Open, Australian Open and French Open fans can choose to watch one of seven different courts ensuring they never miss the chance to see their favourite players. Likewise, Eurosport’s coverage of World Snooker tournaments will also allow for multiple tables to be viewed. Other prestigious sporting events include cycling’s Tour of Spain and Tour of Italy, World Championship Athletics, 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championships and the full 2013/14 wintersports season.
“Eurosport has been delivering innovative programming for many years; ensuring sports fans get the best live sports experience possible. We are very proud to be able to bring our services onto Samsung Smart TV and look forward to introducing viewers to a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience,” said Arnaud Maillard, Eurosport’s Director of Internet & New Media.
Eurosport Player is available to download from Samsung TV Apps Store in 40 European countries and 13 languages: German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Dutch, English, Danish, Romanian, Russian, Swedish, Czech, Finnish and Norwegian.
26 June 2013
Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of satellite services, and Ericsson today announced the successful demonstration of a true 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD), end-to-end video transmission over satellite to Turner Broadcasting’s facilities in Atlanta,Ga. This was the first transmission of a UHD signal over satellite in North America, and the demonstration proves that the satellite delivery chain can accommodate the next-generation signals as soon as broadcasters are ready to offer them.
During the demonstration, Intelsat’s Galaxy 13 satellite delivered a 4:2:2 10-bit, 4K UHD signal at 60 frames per second, which resulted in an immersive viewing experience. The 100 Mbps video feed was encoded and decoded in real time by Ericsson, using its AVP 2000 contribution encoders and RX8200 receivers, capable of 4K UHD operations as well as HD and SD contribution at the highest quality. Newtec provided the modulation and demodulation hardware, featuring Clean Channel Technology®, and the satellite downlink antenna was provided by Turner Broadcasting.
An earlier test between Newtec and satellite transmission provider PSSI Global Services, which was conducted in preparation for the UHD demonstration, achieved 140 Mbps over a 36 MHz transponder on Galaxy 13 to a 4.6-meter antenna.
“4K UHD is the next evolutionary step for television broadcasting, and just as Intelsat supported the smooth transition from SD to HD, so too will we be ready to support the transition to full-time distribution in this new format,” said Peter Ostapiuk, Intelsat’s vice president of media product management.
“We are tremendously pleased with the outcome of today’s demonstration,” said Giles Wilson, head of TV compression business, Ericsson. “It shows what is feasible in terms of meeting consumer demand for the highest quality possible. Demonstrations such as this show operators that it is possible to start building the necessary ecosystem and a library of UHD TV content now as the industry readies itself for the roll-out of commercial services in the coming years. Ericsson has always been a pioneer of next-generation compression systems, and we are pleased to have worked with Intelsat to lead the way for UHD TV over satellite.”
26 June 2013
AIB, the international industry association for TV, radio and online broadcasting, has published its latest global media briefing.
Covering news from the AIB, its members and the wider industry, the briefing reaches 26,000+ media leaders and professionals around the world.
Read the briefing here.
18 June 2013
Geolink Satellite Services, part of CETel Group, has signed a multi-year transponder contract with Arabsat on 5A satellite, located at 30°5 East.
The additional capacity is required to enlarge Geolink’s VSAT satellite networks and to serve the growing demand in the African market.
With over 4000 active terminals worldwide, state of the art teleport facilities in Germany (CETel) and NOC in Paris, Geolink satellite Services is a leading provider for satellite communication on C, Ku, L and Ka band.
Khalid Balkeyour, President & CEO-Arabsat said ”We are delighted to team up with Geolink on this deal, we view this contract as a continuation of a decade old successful partnership with CETel and CETel Group”. “We are now committed more than ever to grow and strengthen this partnership as we execute our strategic plans to expand geographically through acquisitions and building and launching of new satellites.” Balkeyour added.
“We are pleased to work with a top-tier satellite operator like Arabsat on a long term basis” said Christophe Pacilly, President of Geolink Satellite Services. ”The 5A satellite coverage over the African continent for C band gives us a unique opportunity to service our customers from the energy industry, mining, media and humanitarian sector. In the region where capacity is scarce, 5A allows us to meet the growing demand of the African telecommunication market.” (Source: Arabsat press release)
18 June 2013
PRESS RELEASE – LONDON 18 JUNE 2013
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) today announced that Kazakhstan Republican TV and Radio had joined the association as a gold member. This marks an important step in highlighting the increasing role of Central Asia and of Kazakhstan in global broadcasting and the involvement of the AIB in this region.
‘We are delighted to welcome Kazakhstan Republican TV and Radio as AIB’ s first member in Central Asia, ‘ said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB.’ We look forward to working with the whole team in Astana as the broadcaster develops and modernises its operations throughout the country. It is great that this major Central Asian broadcaster is the first to get involved with AIB as we greatly expand our work across Asia.’
‘We are glad to join the Association for International Broadcasters that bridges key players on the global media market. As a part of the AIB community we look forward to benefiting from our membership and contributing to the development of the broadcasting media worldwide’, said Nurzhan Mukhamedzhanova, chairman of the “Kazakhstan” Republican Television and Radio Corporation.
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 Kazakhstan Republican TV and Radio
“Kazakhstan” Republican Television and Radio Corporation is a state-owned media company that brings together the “Kazakhstan” National TV channel, “Madeniet” (Culture), “Balapan” (Kids), “KazSport” TV channels, Kazakh Radio, Radio “Shalkar”, Radio “Astana” and Radio “Classic” as well as “Kazinform” News Agency and 14 regional television companies. The Corporation originates from the first airing of Kazakh radio in 1922 and first regular TV channel of Kazakhstan, established in 1958. For more information, visit www.kaztrk.kz
About AIB
Established in 1993, the Association for International Broadcasting | AIB is a non-profit, non-government, industry association founded in 1993 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.uk and 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
18 June 2013
European public service media (PSM) today welcomed a ruling by the top administrative court in Greece ordering the Greek government restore national broadcaster ERT to air immediately.
The Council of State suspended the government decree ordering the closure of ERT last Tuesday (11/6). It also recognized that the Greek public service broadcaster has a key role to play in providing information, education and entertainment to the Greek people and the diaspora.
The Council of State ordered the Greek government to restore the ERT signal and take all appropriate organizational measures to continue broadcasting through the ERT frequencies and internet sites until a new public service broadcaster is established.
Jean Paul Philippot, President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – which has been at the forefront of international efforts to return ERT to air – said that the court had delivered the right result.
“This is a positive turn because it means public service media will return to Greece,” he said. “We welcome the news that ERT will reopen, and we offer our support to build a new, successful, independent and sustainable public broadcaster that will contribute to pluralism and diversity in Greek society.”
Since ERT’s dramatic shut-down, the EBU has consistently called for its Greek Member to be allowed to resume broadcasting services and give the Greek public rightful access to public service information.
The case against the government closure of ERT was brought by POSPERT, a union representing ERT employees – 2,700 of whom were laid off at a stroke last Tuesday night. (Source: EBU press release)
