The Musicians Channel (M-channel www.mchannel.tv), set to launch on BSkyB next week, is to use Kingston inmedias fully-managed playout, satellite uplinking and EUROBIRD transponder to ensure that its free-to-air, groundbreaking music education and entertainment programming reaches the UKs 7.3 million Sky subscribers, as well as digital homes across Europe.
The new channel, which will launch on May 26th, is the first and only digital television channel dedicated to encouraging, inspiring and educating all people with an interest in musical activity. M-Channels aims are to stimulate and promote mutual growth for all aspects of the music industry and to encourage participation in music through access and education.
Across the UK and Europe, playing a musical instrument enriches peoples lives at school, at home or in the pub. In fact, as many people play a musical instrument as play football. Our focus is on creating the highest levels of innovative programming, that inspires and educates our viewers and presents a raft of opportunities for our advertisers, says Jon MacDonald, CEO and co-founder of The Musicians Channel. We needed a broadcast delivery partner with a tried and trusted track record in channel launches. Kingston inmedias broad range of services, combined with the companys deep experience and its highly responsive team of people, means that we can be sure that our 24/7 playout and uplinking is conducted to the highest possible standard.
Kingston inmedia has worked with The Musicians Channel to design the most efficient solution for the new channel. By using Kingston inmedias complete DTH broadcast solution, The Musicians Channel can leave the ingest and playout of the new channel, as well as satellite services, in the hands of just one supplier. It is the latest of more than 30 BSkyB channels to select Kingston inmedia as transmission partner. Schedules will be supplied to Kingston inmedia, and the content will then be played out from the fully managed playout centre at Kingston inmedias Gerrards Cross facility. Kingston inmedia will also provide as-run logs as well as compliance recording. The programming will then be uplinked to Kingston inmedias transponder on the EUROBIRD satellite.
Kingston inmedias Director of Sales for Broadcast Services, Matthew Ivey, says: Were delighted to be working closely with The Musicians Channel and to be once again playing a key role in bringing innovative and fresh programming ideas to the Sky platform. Our services are helping to fill gaps in the market for channels like The Musicians Channel, reducing costs and taking them on air efficiently and on time.