AI-Media signs 5-year deal with CME
December 4, 2024
AI-Media, a global player in live and recorded AI captioning and language technology, has announced a strategic 5-year agreement with Central European Media Enterprises (CME), its first major Central and Eastern European broadcast customer win.
AI-Media will deliver live captioning services via its state-of-the-art LEXI solution, powered by its SDI encoder network, across CME’s six flagship television stations located in Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechia and Slovakia.
Under this multi-year agreement AI-Media will provide AI-generated, live captions for each station, catering to CME’s goal of advancing accessibility and meeting its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.
“This partnership with CME is an exciting milestone, representing our first major broadcaster in Eastern Europe and results in millions of CME viewers receiving increased access to content via our LEXI captioning solution in six distinct languages,” said John Peck, Vice President of International Sales at AI-Media. “CME’s commitment to accessibility is aligned with AI-Media’s vision, and we’re proud to support their goals with our industry-leading captioning technology. We look forward to supporting CME as they drive accessibility across Central and Eastern Europe.”
CME’s decision to implement live closed captioning is motivated by both strategic and legislative priorities. By adopting live captioning, CME is setting a new standard for accessibility in regions with limited access to human captioning resources. The initiative is part of CME’s broader commitment to more equitable society, aiming to enhance inclusivity and reach a wider audience for its programming.
“Our research indicates that over 10% of viewers in our markets have some form of hearing difficulty. By addressing the needs of people with impairments, CME ensures equal access to information and entertainment for all, regardless of ability,” explains Hana de Goeij, CME Head of Social Purpose and Sustainability.
With the flexibility to scale across additional content in CME’s portfolio, AI-Media’s future-proofed products empower CME to expand its accessibility offerings over time. Together, AI-Media and CME are setting a new benchmark for inclusivity in broadcasting, making a lasting impact on millions of viewers across the region.