14 September 2011
The Global Broadcast Summit, which is to debut in London in May 2012, has today announced Saleha Williams to join as Chief Executive Officer.
Williams, has over 22 years global business and strategic marketing experience within the broadcast, Telco and IT sectors; she joins the Global Broadcast Summit from London2012, where she has been leading the Olympic & Paralympic Inspire Programme across the UK. Prior to London2012, Williams worked as a business and strategic marketing director across Europe, USA and Asia, on behalf of companies including BBCTechnology, News Corp, BT, Siemens and One Caribbean Media Group. She has extensive experience in the media space, working with both public and private broadcasters, VC funded digital media and ICT companies, on a global basis, across the entire convergent media value chain.
Williams will be responsible for the leadership and management of the Global Broadcast Summit which will debut ahead of the Olympics in London, May 2012. The summit which already has the support of Boris Johnson Mayor of London, will bring together, by invitation only, Chief Executives of the worlds leading broadcasters, as well as regulators and government officials to debate and discuss the global broadcast industry from a strategic economic, technological and regulatory perspective. Moreover, against a backdrop of a rapidly changing media environment, the summit will look at television, its business future, regulatory environment and its role in society, in both the public and private broadcasting arenas.
Michael McEwen, Global Broadcast Summit Chair said, the GBS Board unanimously selected Saleha based on her extensive professional experience, management abilities, and knowledege of the broadcast industry. She has a track record of leading and delivering strategic media business programmes across the world and is uniquely qualified to lead and expand our support for the summit . Many within the industry will know Saleha for her passion for the industry, as well as her strong executive and personal qualities.
Saleha Williams commented, In the past 20 years conventional TV has gone from a position of overwhelming dominance to one of many competing entertainment and information choices. Faster broadband access, increased internet penetration, mobile devices and new digital technologies have enabled consumers to choose TV services that offer better quality, more choice, flexibility and mobility. As a result, social behaviour and the way audiences interact with television have changed. Until now there has not been a forum for the worlds broadcast leaders to come together and debate and discuss how these changes are impacting their organisations and how they are shaping their future business, creation of content, distribution platforms and changing the national and international context by which broadcasters are regulated and mandated. The Global Broadcast Summit will provide the opportunity for the conventional broadcast industry to assess the impact of digital technology, social policy, regulation and changing consumer demands on their businesses past, present and future: I am delighted to be given the responsibility for driving and leading the team that will make this happen.
About the Global Broadcast Summit
The Global Broadcast Summit, which will debut in London in May 2012, will bring together, by invitation only, Chief Executives of the worlds leading broadcasters as well as regulators and government officials to debate and discuss the global broadcast industry from a business strategy, economic, technology and regulatory perspective. The summit will create the opportunity for the conventional broadcast industry to assess the impact of digital technology, social policy, regulation and changing consumer demands on their businesses past, present and future.
14 September 2011
S4M Solutions for Media, a worldwide provider of software solutions for the television broadcasting and media industry, today announced the integration of S4Ms Media Asset Management (MAM) System, VPMS (Video Production Management System) and the studio production tool ClipJOCKEY, with Adobe® Premiere® Pro CS5.5 software to provide enhanced editing and video solutions for the broadcast sector.
VPMS acts as a cross-functional control unit for broadcasting processes within the infrastructure of the video server, editing, and graphics, and provides for easy and effective central controlling. The integration with Adobe Premiere Pro software allows video editors to search for video material within the MAM system and then directly use the clips in their Adobe workflow.
ClipJOCKEY supports the daily ingest and playout processes in the control rooms of TV broadcasters or post production companies and enables file-based production. The direct exchange of Editing Decision Lists (EDLs) between ClipJOCKEY and Adobe Premiere Pro provides for simplified workflows.
At IBC2011, the combined workflows of the Adobe and S4M solutions will be shown in the Harmonic booth (1.B20) as well as in the S4M stand (3.B26).
14 September 2011
Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi says the release of political prisoners in Burma cannot be separated from the process of democratizing the country.
In an exclusive interview with a VOA Burmese Service reporter in Rangoon, the Peace Prize laureate was asked how she could agree to cooperate with the government when about 2,000 political prisoners are still jailed.
Aung San Suu Kyi said one of the aims of trying to democratize the country is so that there may be no political prisoners. She said their release should not be a condition for talks, but that by talking to each other and sorting out our differences, that could help us to hasten the release of political prisoners.
The interview with reporter Khin Soe Win was made possible after the Burmese government allowed a VOA Burmese Service journalist into the country for the first time since 1995. The radio and television interview was conducted in English and Burmese.
Asked if it was time for western nations to consider lifting sanctions against Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi said if the reasons for the sanctions no longer exist, it would indicate that real change has taken place, and that its time for a new approach.
Questioned about what political role she would like to play in the near future, the opposition leader said she wanted to help establish a healthy political culture in Burma. Its not enough to have a transition to a democratic government she said, what we need are for democratic institutions to take firm root in this country and I would like to be able to help in this process.
Voice of Americas Burmese Service is carrying the interview on radio, television and the web. The English interview is available at www.voanews.com.
5 September 2011
As reported by AFP, US online video service Hulu.com has begun streaming movies and television shows in Japan in its first expansion outside the United States.
Hulu, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co., NBC Universal, News Corp. and Providence Equity Partners, a private equity firm, said the popular video service will cost Japanese subscribers 1,480 yen ($19) a month.
Unlike in the United States, where Hulu provides both free and premium services, the offering in Japan is subscription-only.
Japanese subscribers can watch advertising-free Hulu programming using personal computers, tablet computers, Web-connected TVs, video game consoles, Blu-ray players and smartphones.
Hulu senior vice president Johannes Larcher said in a blog post that Hulu’s launch in Japan is part of the service’s plan to become a “global brand.”
“We are taking a first, but important step to make good on our aspiration to serve customers all over the world,” Larcher said. “This is just the first of more markets outside of the US for Hulu.”
Hulu said it plans to eventually add Japanese-produced content and content from across the Asian region to the service in Japan.
“We are in Japan for the long term, and excited to continue building our product for Japanese consumers,” Larcher said.
Hulu’s owners have reportedly been seeking to sell the company and potential suitors include Google, Yahoo!, Amazon and DirecTV, according to the Wall Street Journal.
5 September 2011
During the IFA international trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, in Berlin, euronews announced the signing of international agreements and predicts that the merging of television and internet will revolutionize the future of traditional channels.
After Panasonic in 2010, euronews is consolidating its progress in 2011 by integrating the offers of global giants of connected television: Philips, Samsung, Toshiba and LG as well as Vestel and Loewe via NetRange MMH, Europe’s # 1 independent manufacturer of white-label portals.
euronews is becoming the most distributed international channel on connected television in an exponential market estimated to reach over 123 million sets by 2014 and cover 100% of the market by 2016.
Panasonic
Since June 2010, owners of Panasonic’s Viera Connect range have had access to the English, French, German, Italian and Spanish editions of euronews.
Viewers can access all the latest news in ‘News’, as well as the magazines ‘Cinema’ and ‘Le Mag’ as well as the programme ‘No Comment’, one of euronews’ most symbolic programmes with its award-winning and unique concept: striking images of current events from around the globe, unedited with their original sound.
This service has been available with Panasonic for over a year now and has proved a great success with viewers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Philips
euronews has launched on Philips Smart TV products in June 2011. With the exception of the USA and Canada, owners of Philips connected Blu-Ray televisions and Home Theatre Systems around the globe can access 4 editions of euronews: English, French, German and Italian (other editions will be gradually added). Across Europe, Russia, and in Argentina and Brazil, euronews is placed in premium position on the manufacturer’s Smart TVs.
Viewers can consult the latest events via ‘News’ whenever they want, they can also watch the magazines ‘Cinema’ and ‘Le Mag’. Furthermore, they will have access to the channel’s most recent episodes of ‘No Comment’. euronews is also part of Philips’ new offer, MediaSuite, aimed specifically at the hotel sector.
Samsung
Samsung Electronics, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, and euronews have signed a partnership agreement, which will see the channel join Samsung’s Smart TV application offering. The euronews App will be rolled out across European markets in the coming months. euronews broadcasts will begin with 4 programmes: ‘News’, ‘No Comment’, ‘Le Mag’ and ‘Cinema’ in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish editions. euronews programmes will also be part of the Samsung Smart@TV solution for the hospitality industry.
Toshiba
euronews will also integrate Toshiba Places, Toshiba’s connected TV solution. On the menu: ‘News’, ‘No Comment’, ‘Le Mag’ and ‘Cinema’ available in English, French, German, and Italian in France during the launch phase, and then later across the rest of Europe.
LG
euronews is joining LG connected TV offer, to be launched primarily in France and then expected to be extended to all Europe. The manufacturer will offer euronews’ application in 5 editions – English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish – within all LG NetCast TV sets. Owners of connected LG devices such as LCD TV, Plasma TV, BD Player and BD HTS will have the opportunity to watch 4 euronews programmes: ‘News’, ‘No Comment’, ‘Le Mag’ and ‘Cinema’.
Vestel and Loewe via a NetRange MMH solution
And last, but not least, euronews will be integrated in the NetRange offer by MMH, Europe’s largest independent operator of white-label portals for online interactive services and television. This agreement makes euronews accessible worldwide with Vestel (leader in mass-marketed white-label LCD TVs) and top-of-the-range Loewe.
These key partnership agreements mark an important phase in the international news channel’s progression its brand deployment. The strategy was presented at the beginning of the 2011 during a European tour and will be significantly reinforced in 2012.
This also represents new opportunities for the channel’s advertisers with new spots and new target audiences, both globally and locally.
euronews is currently under discussion with all major world manufacturers of connected TV and will specify new partnerships in upcoming communications.
5 September 2011
Vizrt and LiberoVision announce the launch of a sports analysis tool with unparalled speed the Libero Playbook at the IBC 2011 convention in Amsterdam (Hall 2, Stand A31). From September 9th to 14th, LiberoVision will showcase its new Libero Playbook, an ultra-fast version of Libero Highlight, offering 3D game analysis in less than 60 seconds.
Analyze the action as the game unfolds
Depending upon setup, in-game analysis can go live, on-air in as little as 30 seconds. LiberoVisions powerful 3D annotations work in the same way as Libero Highlight, seamlessly combining live camera feeds. All major annotations are included, such as arrows, areas, player marks, etc.
Instead of a typical replay, Libero Playbook provides its users with the option of telling the viewer at home exactly why a players movement disrupted his teams entire offensive or why a tiny movement of the ball prevented his defense from conceeding, said Stephan Würmling Stadler, CEO at LiberoVision. The product is our direct response to a huge demand in the market. We feel confident that both new and existing customers will appreciate the extra dimension it adds to in-game analysis.
Key Features of Libero Playbook:
· In-game 3D replays
· Typical turnaround time of 30-60 seconds
· Fast playbook analysis
· Powerful 3D annotations
All LiberoVision products come as one-box-solutions for easy integration into a production environment. No additional infrastructure is required inside the stadium.
Tighter Integration with the Vizrt workflow
In addition to the new Playbook features, LiberoVisions incorporation into the Vizrt workflow will reach new levels in Amsterdam. Through its Viz Engine real-time renderer and Viz Trio CG software, Vizrt already supports bringing Libero Highlight clips into a Vizrt workflow. With Viz Anchor, on-air talent can start sports analysis from an iPad. And as of September 2011, Vizrt will also offer an interactive sports studio application enabling the Viz Engine renderer to smoothly interact with Libero Highlight clips. Analysts and presenters can interact with the Libero clips using a touch screen, for example showing arrows on the field, highlighting certain players, and describing their movement, all in perspective and tied to the field.
With this product integration, sportscasters can deliver Libero clips with defined starts/stops and annotationsinto the Vizrt workflow. They can then control the playback of the clips from any Vizrt control software and play it out, embedded in graphics, through the Viz Engine. Metadata, such as short text, can be exported and then rendered by Viz Engine. LiberoVision analysis can reach videowalls, virtual sets and can be distributed to mobile devices by using the device-optimized delivery of video to all devices.
About LiberoVision
Fully acquired by Vizrt, LiberoVision provides integrated hardware and software products to generate unique 3D imagery for several types of sports broadcasts. LiberoVision’s Emmy nominated technology is available for football, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, rugby, and handball. Broadcasters around the world such as ESPN, NBC, Univision, ZDF, Canal+, and Globosat use LiberoVision to enhance their sport analysis.
