7 April 2014
Globecast has today announced details of its multiple OTT service delivery packages, developing three distinct packages to ensure high quality deployment, cost-effectively: OTT Live; OTT VoD; and OTT Live-to-VoD. Globecast provides either end-to-end or modular solutions, both of which can be easily and quickly deployed.
OTT – over-the-top – video delivery is a dominant industry trend and Globecast has structured its packages and modularity to reflect industry requirements. OTT Live is for simulcast delivery of linear channels; OTT VoD ingests individual programme assets into the online video platform for VOD services and delivers the content over the Internet; and OTT Live-to-VoD creates a VOD package from entire linear channels.
Depending on the precise nature of the service and the broadcaster’s commercial aims, content can be viewed on iOS and Android devices, connected TVs and PCs. Live content can be monetised with advertisements with support for any VAST or VPAID server. In-player content payment is also available as an option, supported by an easy-to-use subscriber management console.
Sonia Missul, OTT Product Manager, Globecast, says, “We are able to target all kinds of customers: big broadcasters with complex requirements where we can integrate our technology with existing infrastructure if required; to smaller customers who need end-to-end solutions that can be quickly deployed. Our customers can then satisfy audience demand for content when they want it, where they want it. Our OTT services allow broadcasters to increase their audience and monetise that reach. Our OTT solutions benefit from our powerful heritage across the broadcast market.”
As well as deploying its own expertise and existing infrastructure, Globecast has selected leading technology suppliers to create these premium quality, cost-effective OTT distribution packages. Globecast has partnered with Akamai as its preferred CDN supplier. Akamai is a leading provider of cloud services for delivering, optimising and securing online content and business applications. At the core of the company’s solutions is the Akamai Intelligent Platform™ providing extensive reach across the world.
Kaltura is supplying its OVP and app technologies as well as providing the video management (metadata, catalogue creation) layer of the solution. Anevia is supplying its Viamotion Plus solutions suite that interoperates with all transcoders currently available. Globecast is deploying technology from Thomson Video Networks and Elemental to provide transcoding solutions for linear and non-linear content.
This combination of equipment also meets two further requirements outlined by Globecast as high priority for its OTT infrastructure: massive scalability to support future service delivery and the support of new formats like HEVC and Dash.
Missul says, “Globecast has looked very closely at the rapidly expanding OTT market developing a clear understanding of the deployment challenges. The technical and business solutions that we’ve created allow broadcasters and other content providers to concentrate on what they do best: develop quality content and strong brands.” (Source: Press release)
25 March 2014
Benie TV and Ouest TV, two recently launched African channels, have chosen Globecast to distribute their programming via satellite to new audiences in West Africa. Via the Globecast service, Benie TV and Ouest TV are now part of the CANALSAT bouquet available on the SES-4 platform.
CANALSAT is a satellite pay-TV package including +150 channels, covering more than 30 countries in West and Central Africa. Ouest TV is a regional news channel, and Benie TV is a Christian channel.
“Viewers in French-speaking African countries are hungry for news programming and specialized content, so joining SES-4 platform is a tremendous opportunity for Benie TV and Ouest TV,” said Lionel Antoine, Sales Manager Africa for Globecast. “The diversity of CANALSAT offer and our leadership position in the African market, enable us to provide the service levels these channels need to achieve a maximum visibility with their target audiences.” (Source: Press release)
17 March 2014
Globecast has been chosen as the content delivery service provider for London Live, a new TV channel dedicated to London scheduled to launch on 31 March 2014. Globecast will provide turnkey connectivity for London Live, including satellite capacity and uplink, for UK subscribers of the Sky DTH satellite service. London Live will be available to Sky customers on channel 117.
London Live is London’s first dedicated 24/7 TV entertainment channel, offering Londoners the latest in arts, news, current affairs, sports, and events as is part of a wider trend towards localised content. London Live is owned by ESTV. ESTV won the London television franchise auction in February 2013, launching 31st March 2014. It will be available on Freeview 8, YouView 8, Sky 117 and Virgin 159 as well as being available in non-linear digital formats. ESTV is 100 per cent owned by Lebedev Holdings.
“We are extremely excited to be involved with the launch of London Live, the first 24-hour channel devoted exclusively to London and Londoners,” said Juliet Bayliss, Sales Director for Globecast UK. “In entrusting us with its new flagship channel, this is providing strong market validation of Globecast’s industry leadership and technical excellence. We’re looking forward to applying our experience and content delivery expertise to make London Live a resounding success.” (Source: press release)
10 March 2014
Globecast, global content management and distribution provider, and ARABSAT announced today that they have extended their relationship for the distribution of the Global Arabic Bouquet (GAB), a grouping of premium Arabic channels from the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) that has been made available across the world since the establishment of this relationship in 2004.
Since the launch of their partnership, Globecast, ARABSAT and ASBU have expanded the Global Arabic Bouquet’s potential viewership and footprint, offering a single global coverage to ASBU members. Arabic language channels are now able to join the bouquet and reach viewers on all five continents free to air. Globecast – ARABSAT and ASBU’s partner for the worldwide distribution of the GAB – is providing all the technical services required for end-to-end delivery.
Georges Baroud, CEO Globecast Middle East said, “It’s pleasing that this partnership is being extended for a further five years. This is a reflection of our continued technical leadership and also our customer service. We look forwards to another five years as we believe that in partnership with ARABSAT and ASBU we have created a strong, global platform for expats and newcomers to the Arabic world alike.”
Khalid Balkheyour, ARABSAT President and CEO, added “We need to ensure both quality of service and cost-effectiveness and partnering with Globecast achieves this. This has been proven across the years of our relationship. We are proud to bring a flavor of the Arabic world to the world.” (Source: press release)
10 December 2013
Mezzo Live HD Asia will soon be available in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time, after a deal between Globecast, MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd (MEASAT), and Mezzo to deliver the channel via the MEASAT-3 satellite.
Mezzo Live HD Asia is a new around-the-clock TV channel for the Asia-Pacific region. Dedicated to classical music, jazz, and dance, the channel will broadcast some of the world’s most prestigious concerts, operas, jazz, and ballet. Broadcast in French, Mezzo Live HD Asia will be subtitled in 11 regional languages and adapted to the tastes of local markets in Asia to ensure it reaches the broadest audience across the region.
Soo Yew Weng, Senior Vice President of Sales of Globecast Asia, said, “Globecast prides itself on helping channels expand to new regions. To this end, we are happy to partner with Mezzo and MEASAT. For Mezzo to expand its presence and bring such high- quality content to the Asia-Pacific is great news indeed.”
“MEASAT is pleased to expand its partnership with Globecast with the agreement to distribute Mezzo Live HD Asia across the Asia-Pacific,” said Raj Malik, Senior Vice President, sales and marketing, MEASAT. “Mezzo Live HD Asia’s addition to the 91.5°E video neighborhood is a reflection of the growing popularity of HD content that is available over this region via our hotslot.”
The MEASAT 3/3a platform at 91.5°E covers 102 countries from Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The platform currently leads HD channel distribution in Asia with 47 channels.
Globecast receives the signal for Mezzo Live HD Asia at its technical operations center in Paris. From there, the channel is sent via fibre to Globecast’s Hong Kong teleport for uplink onto the MEASAT-3 platform.
