Broadcastpro – Page 27 – Virtual BroadcastPro Tech Summit | 14 – 15 Jun 2022

SawaTechnologies, a subsidiary of Sawa Group of Companies, has announced a strategic partnership with Triax, a global supplier of products and solutions for the reception and distribution of video, audio and data signals.

As part of the agreement, Triax will provide Sawa Technologies with headend solutions and channel distribution systems including coax and IP. Triax’s products and solutions are used in homes, businesses and operator networks by broadcasters, satellite, cable and telecom operators.

Commenting on the partnership, Suheil Zurub, Managing Director of SawaTechnologies, said: “Our partnership with Triax is in line with our overall strategy to continue expanding the range of products and services we can offer to all our customers and hospitality partners regionwide.”

Triax’s headend and distribution solutions are an integral part of seamless hospitality solutions. They are easy to install and can help improve the guest experience while maximising revenues.

Henrik Lindskou-Mouritsen, Regional Director – Middle East, India & Africa, added: “The partnership with Sawa Technologies will secure one of a kind pre-configured Triax headend solution with Sawa TV packages to the hospitality market.”

Sawa Technologies manages the commercial rights for Sawa Group of Companies in over 700 hotels, hospitals, Restaurants, Cafes, MUDs, CAMPs, offshore sites, public viewing venues and airports across MENA and Europe.

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TV Media Sport (TVMS) has partnered with Kenyan media company Nation Media Group for the World Athletics U20 Championships, which will take place in Nairobi in August. The deal gives NTV, the NMG-owned commercial channel, the status of exclusive free-to-air broadcaster in the host country.

The event will take place from August 17-22, 2021 at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Hédi Hamel, President of TVMS, said: “Worlds Athletics U20 Championships is a fantastic event to discover the upcoming stars of Athletics. We are grateful for World Athletics to have decided to grant Kenya the privilege to hold such an attractive event. The atmosphere in the stadium will be amazing thanks to the performances on the field of play of all these athletes coming from all over the world. I have no doubt that through the marketing expertise of the NMG the whole host country will be cheering for their athletes and for the sport they love.

Stephen Gitagama, CEO of NMG, added: “It is exciting and a great honour to be awarded the exclusive World Athletics U20 Championships free-to-air media rights in Kenya, the first time ever for such a major athletics event to take place on the African soil. Kenya is recognised globally as a sporting powerhouse, and we are committed to using our platforms to make this event a must-see event and also to use this opportunity to bring Kenyans together to celebrate our sports heritage during these difficult times. This partnership is a demonstration of our continued commitment to provide our audiences with high-quality sports entertainment content while playing our critical role in the development of sports in Kenya and Africa.”

TVMS holds the free-to-air distribution rights in sub-Saharan Africa to the World Athletics Series event from 2019 to 2023. The deal was struck with ESPN Media Distribution, which acquired the World Athletics Series rights in sub-Saharan Africa in a long-term agreement that saw the European Broadcasting Union consortium awarded rights in Europe.

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Turkey’s media watchdog has warned Spotify to regulate its content in line with Turkish legislation or risk critical items being removed or cut.

The Radio and Television Supreme Council ( RTÜK) said that it will consider removing or cutting all content found inappropriate – a term that is open to interpretation when applied to high-profile critical podcasts that attract large audiences.

Spotify was granted an operating license by Turkey for 10 years after applying on October 15. But its digital content is open to monitoring by the country’s media regulator.

“With this granted license, the platform has to regulate its content in line with our laws,” RTÜK president Ebubekir Şahin told pro-government newspaper Sabah.

“Now it [Spotify] will be able to operate in our country for a period of 10 years in a legal way. Spotify has to now comply with the broadcasting principles indicated explicitly in the law numbered 6112. If they do broadcasting outside this, we will do what is necessary as the RTÜK,” Şahin said.

Spotify offers a relative free space in a media environment in which almost 90% of companies are related to pro-government conglomerates.

Digital platforms are under the authority of RTÜK as part of a regulation that was passed on August 1, 2019. Broadcasting corporations can’t operate without getting licenses from RTÜK as part of the amendment.

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Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE), a major provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for worldwide mobility markets, has renewed and expanded its multi-year, multi-transponder agreements with satellite operator ABS.

Besides securing existing ABS capacity on ABS-6 C-band, ABS-3A C-band and ABS-2 Ku-band beams, GEE has also expanded its services on ABS-2. Combined, the ABS capacity provides GEE comprehensive coverage across continents and oceans, from the Americas, across to Western Europe, the Middle East, North-East Asia and into the Pacific Ocean. The capacity will be optimised to provide reliable connectivity and seamless connections for mobile communications and entertainment for a wide variety of mobility customers and their end-users. The connectivity network supports the provision of services such as Wi-Fi, VoIP, multi-media live and on-demand video streaming, and greater bandwidth for crew applications.

Speaking about the deal, Jim Frownfelter, Chairman and CEO of ABS, said: “We are delighted to have negotiated this multi-year contract renewal and expansion with GEE, which is a testament to ABS’ reliability of connectivity and attractive service offering. ABS is proud to be part of GEE’s satellite network that brings reliable connectivity and entertainment to vessels around the world.”

Mike Pigott, Executive Vice President, Connectivity Operations at Global Eagle, added: “Our emergence from Chapter 11 and subsequent restructuring has improved our ability to deliver great user experiences to our wide range of maritime and aviation customers and their passengers. This agreement showcases our ability to meet our customers’ needs today while helping them prepare for the future and we are thrilled to be able to continue to partner with ABS.”

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Virgin Orbit has scheduled its next LauncherOne mission carrying payloads for the US Department of Defense, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and SatRevolution in June.

The launch will take place at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California and will be the first since Virgin Orbits successful Launch Demo 2 mission in January, which carried 10 CubeSats for NASAs Venture Class Launch Services programme. The LauncherOne vehicle will take its payloads to a destination circular orbit at 500 km, 60 degrees inclination. Virgin has named the mission Tubular Bells, Part One after the first track on the first album ever released by Virgin Records.

The US Department of Defense is launching three CubeSat sets on Tubular Bells, Part One as part of its Space Test Programmes (STP) Rapid Agile Launch (RALI) Initiative. The Royal Netherlands Air Force is sending the Netherlands first military satellite, a CubeSat called BRIK II, to space. SatRevolution is launching the first two optical satellites, STORK-4 and STORK-5 (A.K.A. MARTA), of the companys 14-satellite STORK constellation.

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Netflix has cut ties with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group behind the Golden Globe Awards, until it makes stronger commitments around diversity and inclusion.

In a letter to the HFPA, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos blasted the group’s recent proposal for improving diversity among its ranks, and said Netflix will stop “any activities with your organisation until more meaningful changes are made. Like many in our industry, we’ve been waiting for today’s announcement in the hope that you would acknowledge the breadth of issues facing the HFPA and provide a clear roadmap for change.”

This came after a number of members of the HFPA voted for inclusion and overhaul proposal that includes adding at least 20 new members in 2021 and boosting its ranks by 50% over the next 18 months.

“Today’s vote is an important first step. However, we don’t believe these proposed new policies – particularly around the size and speed of membership growth – will tackle the HFPA’s systemic diversity and inclusion challenges, or the lack of clear standards for how your members should operate,” Sarandos wrote.

He added: “We know that you have many well-intentioned members who want real change – and that all of us have more work to do to create an equitable and inclusive industry. But Netflix and many of the talent and creators we work with cannot ignore the HFPA’s collective failure to address these crucial issues with urgency and rigour.”

The proposed changes follow an investigation published in February by the Los Angeles Times that noted there were currently no black members among the 87-member group of foreign entertainment journalists who make up the HFPA.

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Eutelsat Communications is expanding its use of the Express Wi-Fi platform in partnership with Facebook to provide broadband services via satellite across several regions in Sub-Saharan Africa. With Express Wi-Fi, Eutelsat aims to connect thousands of people in rural and underserved communities spanning Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

Express Wi-Fi is a platform developed by Facebook Connectivity that enables partners to build, grow and monetise their Wi-Fi businesses in a scalable way, while providing their customers with fast, affordable, and reliable internet access. Express Wi-Fi is used in more than 30 countries, including in multiple Asian, South American and African markets, helping millions of people connect over Wi-Fi.

Eutelsat and Facebook have previously conducted pilots in rural and underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) enabling local businesses to offer affordable internet access to customers on a pre-paid basis.

Speaking about the partnership, Philippe Baudrier, General Manager of Konnect Africa said: We are delighted to partner with Facebook in this ambitious scheme, aimed at getting more people online in the most underserved areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative is the perfect example of the power of satellite connectivity to bridge the digital divide, with unmatched economic and social benefits. We are proud once again to leverage the unparalleled coverage of Eutelsat Konnect to satisfy this growing demand.

Fargani Tambeayuk, Head of Connectivity Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, Facebook, added: At Facebook, were committed to working with partners to help expand connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, which continues to be the region with the highest coverage gap. Connectivity is essential to ensuring access to jobs, education, healthcare and more. Were proud to partner with Eutelsat to combine the power of the Express Wi-Fi platform and Eutelsat Konnect, with the goal of increasing satellite broadband coverage across rural and underserved areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Vox Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, has announced that it will reopen its multiplex at The Avenues during Eid al-Fitr in compliance with government guidelines on Covid-19.

In adherence with the Ministry of Health, guests must be vaccinated and registered on the Immune App to gain entry. Vox Cinemas has also undertaken precautionary measures and put in place an all-encompassing sanitisation and physical distancing plan, said the statement from Majid Al Futtaim.

Ali AlOqab, Regional Manager, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, said: “After being closed for more than a year, we’re extremely excited about reopening our doors at The Avenues and having the opportunity to reconnect with our valued guests. Safe distancing ambassadors have been introduced and instructional signage has been installed to guide guests on best physical distancing practices. Guests are encouraged to enjoy a queue-less experience by advance booking their tickets and doing top-ups online.

To further minimise physical contact and exposure, contactless payment options are available. The capacity in cinema auditoriums has also been reduced by 50% and seats next to, in front of and behind a guest’s selection will be left vacant to allow for physical distancing, he added.

According to him, Vox Cinemas has been reopening cinemas across the region since May last year. “So cinemagoers can rest assured that we are exceeding recommended guidelines to ensure that families can enjoy the collective experience of watching their favourite films on the big screen with added peace of mind,” he noted.

Vox Cinemas The Avenues will be screening a wide variety of movies including Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, Japanese anime Demon Slayer, Godzilla vs. Kong and Mortal Kombat as well as Arabic movies including Mesh Ana and Tawam Rouhi.

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The video software and data insights platform JW Player has acquired Vualto, a provider of live and on-demand video streaming and Digital Rights Management (DRM) solutions.

This acquisition arrives as the consumption of digital video continues its push to the mainstream. Video now comprises over 80% of all traffic on the internet, and according to JW Player data, people are consuming over two hours of digital video each day, a 40% increase since the beginning of 2020. As a result, a digital video strategy has become a ‘must have’ not only for broadcasters and media companies, but also for organisations of all types. These new entrants have a diverse range of needs and require a scalable and flexible video platform that allows them to connect and engage with their audiences on the screens of their choice. Given these dynamics, the addressable market will grow from $14bn today to $50bn by 2027, a 20% CAGR.

Commenting on the acquisition, Dave Otten, CEO and co-founder of JW Player, said: “Over the past two years, digital video has become ubiquitous. We now live in the digital video economy, and as a platform company that empowers our customers with independence and control, JW Player is uniquely positioned to succeed in this environment. Joining forces with Vualto further solidifies our position. Their world-class technology stack expands our platform to include broadcast-level live streaming and content protection services, which are critical for today’s customers. We could not be more excited about this partnership and look forward to innovating together with the highly talented Vualto team.”

JW Player’s platform combines video delivery with data insights from 2.7bn monthly devices to help its customers achieve their business goals with video. Vualto complements JW Player’s offering with high-end live streaming and DRM services for broadcasters. The combined result is a single platform for high-quality live and on-demand video delivery across mobile, web and OTT platforms; secure content delivery; and insights, intelligence and monetisation features to help customers grow their revenue.

Camilla Young, CEO and co-founder, Vualto, said, “This is a huge growth opportunity for us as a business, as well as for our team. Our successful partnership with JW Player over the past year has given our teams the opportunity to successfully go-to-market under real-world circumstances. Through this, a natural culture match between our teams has already developed, which gives us incredible confidence that together we will be hugely successful. As we embark on this new chapter, our commitment to our existing broadcast customers and our DRM service remains, and we will continue to provide the same high level of support and service that our customers have come to expect from Vualto.”

Vualto will expand JW Player’s customer base with prominent customers in the European market and elsewhere, including the UK’s ITV, French national public broadcaster France TV and the European Parliament.

These broadcasters join over 12,000 media companies already using the JW Player platform, including Fox, BBC, CNBC, Eurosport and Vice.

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In the Arab world, sport has played an increasingly significant role as a soft power. Not only has it helped launch small nations onto the international arena, it has also played a significant role in contributing to a country’s economy.

The UAE recognised this a long time ago and has gradually been adding more sports events to its annual calendar. Qatar began this journey a few years ago and is prepping to host the 2022 World Cup, while Saudi Arabia has been playing catch-up over the last two years since the Kingdom opened its doors to various forms of entertainment.

At BroadcastPro Middle East’s virtual Future of Sports Broadcasting Summit, we had some interesting conversations on how sports is being tackled both on the world stage and more uniquely in the Arab world. With streaming services having scored a big win during the lockdown and enjoying greater appeal among younger audiences, stakeholders agreed that rights contracts would need to be revisited and renegotiated. An interesting fact brought to our attention by UK-based piracy expert Synamedia was that in MENA alone, the loss of potential revenue in sports only to broadcasters, TV operators and others was a whopping $3.25bn. That gives an idea of the money at stake in this region for sports, and why it is held in such high regard by governments. We had a fantastic line-up of high-level speakers at our sports conference, discussing new trends and challenges in light of Covid-19

Our issue this month is almost entirely focused on various aspects of the sports broadcast business and the discussions at our conference. Our exclusive cover story this month also sheds light on a new set of combat sports that has been brought to the UAE with all the fanfare that can enable it to be monetised.

In the meantime, I am sure all of you have heard that CABSAT has been postponed to October. But every cloud has a silver lining. CABSAT will be back during the Expo and promises to bring along an additional element that will especially be interesting to the content market. But until then, watch out for the Broadcast Tech Conference that we will be hosting in June. Stay tuned.

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