23 May 2013
RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST), a leading provider of comprehensive digital content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industry, announced today a long term agreement to enable Word Network, the largest African-American religious network in the US, to reach millions of viewers in Australia, New Zealand and the Arab world. The broadcast solution utilizes RRsat’s KU-band platforms on the Eutelsat 25C satellite and Optus D2 satellite. Under the agreement, RRsat will enable Word Network to reach cable headends and direct-to-home (DTH) viewers inAustraliaandNew Zealandas well as DTH viewers throughout the Arab world.
The Eutelsat 25C satellite, located at the Badr position, reaches viewers throughout the Arab world, in theMiddle Eastas well as North Africa (MENA). The RRsat platform on Optus D2 satellite provides coverage ofAustraliaandNew Zealand. RRsat currently provides turnaround and uplink services for Word Network from its platforms on the Galaxy 19, Eutelsat Hot Bird 13A and Thaicom satellites.
Kevin Adell, Word Network Chief Executive Officer, said, “The Word Network is excited to be working with RRsat to extend our reach in these new territories and we are committed to bringing The Word Network to all corners of the globe and remaining the largest African American religious network in the world.”
“RRsat is pleased that Word Network has chosen to deepen its relationship with RRsat by selecting to extend their content distribution to millions of viewers in the Middle East and North Africa, and toAustraliaandNew Zealandusing the RRsat solutions,” said Lior Rival, Chief Commercial Officer of RRsat. “We look forward to working with Word Networks to help them reach the maximum number of viewers worldwide with high quality, affordable broadcasts.”
4 April 2013
RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd., a leading provider of comprehensive content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries today announced several changes to the company’s operational leadership team, designed to support and accelerate growth. The changes include:
On April 1, 2013, Mr. Ohad Har-Lev was appointed president of the company’s U.S.subsidiary, RRsat America Global Communications Network Inc. Mr. Har-Lev most recently served as RRsat’s MSS Managing Director as well as Corporate General Counsel and Company Secretary. The appointment of Mr. Har-Lev, who has extensive experience as a leader in the communications technology field, reflects RRsat’s strong commitment to significantly expand its presence and activities in the US market. Mr. Har-Lev previously held senior positions as VP, Business Development and General Counsel of Kamor Ltd (TASE: KMOR); VP, General Counsel & Business Development fiber optics division of Gilat Satcom (TASE andAIM); and corporate counsel at Amdocs (NASDAQ:DOX).
RRsat also announced the appointment of Ms. Tzurit Golan as VP, Human Resources & Organizational Development. Ms. Golan has held executive HR positions in leading high-tech companies such as AudioCodes , where she served as Head of International HR, and VP HR at Orbit Technologies Ltd (TASE: ORBI).
In addition, RRsat has appointed Mr. Shmulik Koren as CFO as of May 1, 2013. Mr. Koren is an experienced executive leader who served as CFO and CEO of public companies. Prior to joining RRsat, Mr. Koren served as CFO and COO of Orbit Technologies Ltd. (TASE: ORBI) where over the last three years he was responsible for worldwide finance, facility, IT, legal, IR and operations departments. Prior to Orbit, Between 2006 to 2009, Mr. Koren served as President and CEO of Better Online Solutions (B.O.S.) Ltd. (NASDAQ & TASE:BOSC). Previously, from 1999 to 2006, he served as CFO and a director of Visonic Group (London & TASE: “VSC.L” & “VSC.TA”). RRsat’s CEO, Mr. Avi Cohen, and Mr. Koren worked together at Orbit as CEO and CFO for more than three years. Mr. Itzik Zion, who has served as the company’s CFO since December 2011, will be leaving the company in May to pursue personal interests. Mr. Zion will work with Mr. Koren to facilitate a smooth transition.
“We are excited with the appointments of Ohad, Tzurit and Shmulik, three talented and experienced executives,” said Avi Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of RRsat. “Each of these proven executives brings to the job outstanding industry knowledge as well as impressive leadership and professional abilities. Ohad’s new role and the addition of Tzurit and Shmulik, both of whom I had the pleasure of working closely together at Orbit, to the RRsat management team, are among the organizational changes we are implementing toward executing on our growth strategy in general. Specifically, our goal is to increase our North American business, and these appointments will facilitate our efforts to focus on target geographies, particularly the United States, create local leadership, expand our sales organization, and add local origination capabilities. These strategic initiatives will further improve our offerings and make us more attractive to major U.S.customers and support our increased focus on live sports and events, leveraging the SM2 acquisition. We are confident that they are the right people to help drive our successful journey going forward.”
20 February 2013
RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd, a leading provider of comprehensive digital content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, announced today that it has successfully wrapped up distribution of the 2012-13 NFL regular season games and playoffs to Europe and Asia including a live broadcast of the memorable 2013 Super Bowl.
In November 2012, RRsat acquired SM2 Sports & Media Solutions, a premier provider of international sports distribution and syndication services, and took over the main responsibility for delivering the NFL’s regular season games, playoffs, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl throughout Asia and Europe via its satellite and fiber networks.
During the regular season, RRsat delivered up to eight simultaneous games every Sunday, as well as Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football. During the 2012-2013 playoffs, RRsat delivered all games to Europe and Asia followed by the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLVII. The advantage of the RRsat solution was providing the NFL with complete Dolby audio remapping and very high data rates on both satellite and fiber for all their HD games.
“RRsat’s end-to-end solution allowed the NFL to deliver high quality, HD transmissions of season and postseason games to millions of fans across the world in real time, with 28 audio versions tailored for each market,” said Jeff Lombardi, Director of International Production Operations, NFL Films.
“RRsat is proud to have provided a live sports delivery solution that enabled the NFL to transmit the complete season of its iconic games, as well as the Super Bowl, to viewers worldwide in real time,” said Avi Cohen, CEO of RRsat. “We look forward to helping the NFL expand the international reach of both its season and postseason games. Our flexible infrastructure and advanced solutions proved equal to the rigorous demands of broadcasting the most exciting US sports event of the year to fans throughout the world.” (Source: Press Release)
