5 September 2011
Andy Braddel has been appointed as director of Global Media Services, the video newsgathering facilities arm of The Associated Press. The GMS appointment was announced by Senior Vice President Daisy Veerasingham, who heads APs video business. Braddel reports to Veerasingham.
Braddel has worked with the AP since 1994. He has spent much of his career in the former Soviet Union, progressing from regional editor to head of Broadcast Services, Russia and the CIS. Before joining the AP, Braddel worked for ABC News and Channel 4 News in Moscow and Washington, D.C. He was part of the ITN team which won an Emmy in 1993 for reports exposing Serb-run detention camps in Bosnia.
“For the past year Braddel has been managing the GMS operation in the U.S. He takes over GMS at a crucial time: revenues are up this year largely due to the department’s excellent performance on major news events, such as the royal wedding, the Japan earthquake and tsunami, upheavals in the Middle East, and the Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal, Veerasingham said.
GMS provides editorial and logistical support to broadcasters and news platforms covering global or regional news stories on location. It has highly-specialised team of 155 producers, reporters, facilitators and technicians around the globe and has fixed facilities in AP bureaus in London, Washington, New York, Paris, Moscow, Cairo, Baghdad, Jerusalem and Kabul.
The challenge over the next year will be to keep growing the business at a time when broadcasters are under increasing pressure to make cuts in both foreign news coverage and delivery, Veerarsingham said.
AP is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of its newsgathering infrastructure in order to provide high-definition images to the broadcast and digital industries. At the same time, AP will also significantly increase the depth and breadth of video content available from around the world. The upgrade is the single biggest investment in the APs London-based video business since 1998, when the AP bought its competitor, Worldwide Television News.
Braddel will take up his new post in September and will split his time between London and New York.
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.
22 August 2011
twofour54 ibtikar, twofour54s financing and support pillar, has today announced new venture capital investment deals with two of the regions leading Arabic online games companies, Tahadi Games and Jawaker.
With global information technology research experts Gartner predicting significant growth for the gaming industry in the coming years, these strategic investments represent another important milestone for the regions indigenous digital gaming industry. The new agreements will help boost the development of a gaming cluster in Abu Dhabi, strengthening twofour54s position as the regions leading centre for game development in the Arab world.
Commenting on the new investment deals, Wayne Borg, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer at twofour54, said: Gaming represents a huge area of growth and these investments, with two of the regions most promising companies, clearly shows twofour54s commitment to supporting the development of an Arabic gaming industry.
The worldwide revenue of the industry is enormous with consumer spending expected to surpass $74bn by the end of the year, and online spend expected to double from USD11.8bn this year to some $28bn by 2015 (Gartner 2011). However until recently the gaming landscape in the Middle East was significantly under-developed, despite appetite from local consumers for games that they can culturally identify with, and good levels of local developer and entrepreneurial talent. Our new agreements, which combine Tahadi and Jawakers online gaming expertise with twofour54 ibtikars investment and strategic support, will help to strengthen the regional gaming industry in addition to Abu Dhabis position as the Middle Easts leading Arabic gaming hub.
Established in 2008 by the founders and previous owners of Maktoob.com, the regions biggest Arabic language portal, which was recently purchased by Yahoo, Tahadi aims to be the regions leading online games publisher for client and browser based massive multiplayer online (MMO) games that target the Middle East.
Mr. Steve Tsao, CEO of Tahadi, said: This investment partnership with twofour54 ibtikar will allow us to focus on our core strengths, whilst utilising their regional and international network and international industry experience to license, develop and publish tailored and relevant content that appeals and resonates with Arab gamers. With the support of twofour54 ibtikar our aim is to publish up to ten localised games over the next five years.
Jawaker is a multiplayer card gaming website developed especially for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Launched in April of 2009, the website does not require the user to download or install software and is regarded as the leading online card gaming community in the Middle East with over 500,000 registered users, 95% of whom use the site in Arabic. Jawaker serves over 17 million page views per month, and currently has approximately 100,000 visitors per month.
Mohamad Haj Hasan, Co-founder of Jawaker, said: twofour54 ibtikars investment in Jawaker will enable the company to capitalise on the rapidly expanding popularity of online gaming regionally. With the regions extremely high percentage of young people combined with increased broadband penetration, we will look to work with twofour54 ibtikar to expand our current offering and develop and publish a wide range of Arabic card games for the regions burgeoning online audience.
Tahadi and Jawaker have become established players in the Middle Easts rapidly developing online gaming industry – total user registrations are increasing at roughly 100% per annum for both companies. Investment from twofour54 ibtikar will not only see the companies have access to the capital required to grow, but it will also see them provided with the active support necessary to capture revenue and profit opportunities from within the twofour54 ecosystem and beyond. It is these factors that are vital for the development of a sustainable and indigenous digital games industry.
twofour54 ibtikar supports creative entrepreneurship through venture capital funding and operational support for start-up and early stage businesses and talented young Arabs across the Middle East and North Africa. twofour54 ibtikar investment activities focus on Arabic content creation businesses and creative individuals or entrepreneurs. ibtikar goes above and beyond equity investment to offer expertise and support, to facilitate the development of the media and entertainment industry across the Arab world.
22 August 2011
From September 09 to September 13 S4M presents its broadcast management and production systems at IBC 2011, the leading global tradeshow for professionals engaged in the creation, management and delivery of broadcasting media. For the 12th time the Cologne based software experts showcase the latest software developments for the broadcasting industry.
S4Ms solutions around Broadcast Management, Media Asset Management and TV Production always focus on more effective and cost saving processes.
For example, the Central Sales Order (CSO) module enables broadcasters to centrally control cross-media-sales-campaigns. Existing and new sales systems for diverse platforms can be combined and clients are enabled to deal with joined advertising campaigns for TV, mobile devices, the Internet etc.
S4Ms spot optimization engine S4AdOpt now also is available as “Software as a Service”. The module enables broadcasters to reduce the over delivery of manual GRP-bookings dramatically. And using less airtime opens up the opportunity to generate additional revenue.
S4Ms studio production tool ClipJOCKEY will be available as version 2.0. The system provides broadcasters with an easy and affordable path to file-based workflows and a way to get more functionality from their video server investments. With version 2.0 S4M has added support for Harris Nexio video servers as well as new functionality for hot-swapping server ports and simplifying advanced Live On Tape or Rollback Recording.
And there is even more to see for example professional Media Asset Management with S4M’s Video Production Management System (VPMS) as well as all in one Broadcast Management with Dynamics Media and Production Planning with S4Production.
Find S4M at IBC 2011 in Amsterdam, booth 3.B26. (Source: S4M press release)
