Advanced Television

Telstra provides broadcast distribution of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 via a full fibre contribution network

March 13, 2019

Telstra Broadcast Services has confirmed its role in the successful broadcast distribution of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where it designed, delivered, and operated the professional live contribution media network.

Contracted by Lagardere Sports – the commercial partner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – Telstra built a professional overlay media network to deliver all audio, video and data services from the eight world class stadiums in the UAE to the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The network carried stadium camera and production feeds along with data and communications between the stadiums and the IBC, including the video and audio feeds required for the video assistant referee (VAR) to ensure each game was officiated to the highest standards.

Telstra also provided Lagardere Sports with the international fibre and satellite teleport network to deliver the World Feed from the IBC to AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 rights holding broadcasters around the world. It also provided unilateral international contribution feeds to beIN Sports and Al Kass Sports, which allowed these broadcasters to create unique content and programming on their channels.

Andreas Eriksson, Acting Head of Telstra Broadcast Services, said the collaboration marked a significant milestone in the way football content was produced in the UAE. “This was the first time that a full fibre contribution network of this type had ever been deployed in the UAE.”

“The AFC Asian Cup is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world and we were delighted to deliver not only essential game day video and data but help millions of fans around the world enjoy the competition. With 51 matches, 24 teams, eight stadiums and four host cities, our broadcast services ensured every pass, goal and celebration was not missed,” continued Eriksson.

Telstra Broadcast Services brings to its customers high performance media networks, teleport and satellite services, online video and cloud platforms, and 24/7 bookings, operations and engineering support. The Telstra Broadcast Operations Centre manages over 400 video, satellite and data services for leading Australian and international media and sports companies, facilitating over three million permanent channel hours and 20,000 event bookings every year.

Telstra will be present at CABSAT 2019 in Dubai from the 12th – 14th March in Hall 4, Stand 403 to discuss this and its ongoing telecommunications projects in the region along with its latest product announcements.

Categories: Press Releases