Ericsson powers UKTV virtualised live event broadcast
September 8, 2016
Colin Mann @ IBC
Media and communications technologist and broadcast services provider Ericsson it is working with multichannel broadcaster UKTV to deliver the UK’s first virtualised live event broadcast.
Ericsson’s Virtualized Live Playout service will help UKTV launch and broadcast live events on its network of channels, which includes the UK’s most watched non-public service broadcasting channel, Dave. The product will be unveiled for the first time at IBC in Amsterdam.
Ericsson’s Virtualized Live Playout is an entirely software based, fully managed service that operates on a fully virtualized cloud environment. The service features a highly flexible commercial and operational model, which enables broadcasters and content owners the ability to ‘rent’ playout or channel capacity on a daily, pay as you go basis with no long-term commitments, capex, maintenance costs or on-going technology investments.
Virtualized Live Playout is designed to carry live content and support graphics and ad insertion, and is built and operated to the same standards of reliability as traditional linear services. The service can be used for ‘pop up’ or temporary live channels or as a disaster recovery service and is a part of Ericsson’s Virtualized Playout portfolio.
“Virtualized Live Playout is the product of a collaboration between UKTV and Ericsson to solve a real business problem – the delivery of a cost effective and flexible solution to support UKTV’s live broadcast ambitions,” explained Sinead Greenaway, Director of Technology and Operations, UKTV. “We are delighted to have been part of such an innovative project and look forward to the service becoming an integral part of the broadcast landscape over the coming years.”
“Our Virtualized Live Playout service is a real-life example of utilising advances in virtualisation and cloud technology,” noted Thorsten Sauer, Head of Broadcast and Media Services, Ericsson. “It will provide our customers with the flexibility and agility that their programming needs while having ‘linear equivalent’ reliability without the need for dedicated technology investment and the risk of under-utilised capacity. This new service complements our industry leading playout portfolio and leverages our vast experience in running live services including high profile sports, entertainment and news events, which we deliver every day for our clients through our playout centres across the globe.”
In July 2016, Ericsson announced the extension of its playout, video on demand (VoD) and access services contracts with UKTV. As part of the contract, Ericsson announced the migration of UKTV’s VoD preparation services to its end-to-end Package and Deliver managed service, which is powered by Ericsson’s cloud media processing service platform.