Harris Corporation announced at IBC that it has been awarded a contract to provide Sky News Arabia with an integrated solution for part of the playout automation facility at the broadcaster’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The Harris solution is part of a major integration project awarded to systems integration firm TSL earlier this year. The […]
Harris Corporation announced at IBC that it has been awarded a contract to provide Sky News Arabia with an integrated solution for part of the playout automation facility at the broadcaster’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The Harris solution is part of a major integration project awarded to systems integration firm TSL earlier this year. The construction of a new service, the first of its kind for Sky News in the Middle East, is underway within twofour54 and will launch in spring 2012.
The order highlights some of the latest individual product features from the Harris software portfolio. Harris ADC playout automation offers familiar operation and stability to operators while delivering new levels of dynamic integration to the Harris Broadcast Master scheduling and media management suite. This is achieved through BXF protocol messaging, which automatically relays last-minute changes and updates to ADC automation. Sky News Arabia also will install Harris Invenio Motion software for digital media management.
“Following a detailed evaluation of suppliers in this marketplace, we selected Harris for our playout automation requirement because the company offers a highly configurable solution, as well as a local presence in the region – including support fitting a fast-paced 24/7 news service such as ours,” stated Bevan Gibson, technical launch director at Sky News Arabia.
A 50/50 joint venture between BSkyB and the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC), Sky News Arabia promises to deliver news to the Middle East and North Africa region in a fresh and exciting way. The construction comprises three floors to accommodate the news multimedia center and news editor workstations, production facilities, graphics and live studios. Sky News Arabia expects to base 180 multimedia journalists out of the facility.
TSL MD David Phillips said: “We are pleased to work with a company like Harris, which has a long, established heritage in automation and media management. With TSL and Harris both having a strong local base in the UAE, including support organisations, both companies are well positioned to meet the installation and commissioning, training and ongoing requirements from Sky News Arabia now and into the future.”
“The Sky News Arabia service is a strong example of how broadcasters can take advantage of an automated playout solution to streamline operations and make better use of their digital assets as they grow,” added Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications.
“Local Harris engineers are working closely with Sky News Arabia’s team to ensure the successful deployment of this new service in advance of its launch.”
