Asharq News selects Icareus Playout EPG solution
October 7, 2021
Asharq News has selected Icareus’ broadcast platform Icareus Playout EPG platform to manage and distribute EPG data of the news channel distributed via satellite.
Asharq News, launched in November 2020, is a 24/7, multiplatform Arabic news service reaching across the Arab world and beyond with a unique approach: news and in-depth analysis reported through the prism of the economy to empower people in their everyday lives.
The Asharq News experience is delivered through a dedicated television channel, as well as multiple digital platforms, offering continuous insights into the people, events, organisations and ideas that impact the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as well as international markets.
Asharq News needed a best-of-breed EPG solution to manage the programme information of its dedicated news channel. Icareus Playout platform was selected based on its trusted PSI/SI and EIT generator that is adopted by other leading broadcasters and DVB operators in Europe and MENA including Arabsat, Arqiva, BVN, DialogTV, France24, Freesat, Mediaset, Telespazio, RAI etc.
Icareus Playout is a modular, secure and robust broadcast platform for managing multichannel EPG data. It enables distinctive configuration of EPG data sources, EIT tables, PSI/SI descriptors, and allows even custom configurations.
Icareus Playout allows Asharq News to manage its Electronic Program Guide in a flexible manner to offer a better TV experience to its viewers. Icareus Playout is tightly integrated to Asharq News’s’ BTS Traffic System to provide a seamless 24/7 fully automated EPG content workflow. In addition to Asharq News Satellite broadcast channels, Icareus EPG platform provides centralized EPG data management and ingestion to the station’s online environment with its automatic XML output generation.
Icareus’ Managing Director Mr Toni Leiponen comments: “High quality EPG data significantly increases viewer satisfaction and it is vital that our customers can rely on us to provide it. Icareus Playout offered Asharq News peace-of-mind to meet their high criteria for both delivery time and operations.“
Omran Abdullah, Director of Engineering at Asharq News commented: “We always look to invest in, and partner with, reliable technology providers that have a proven track record in the field. Icareus Playout will undoubtedly enhance our viewers’ EPG experience across the MENA region.”.