Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, has announced that AMC Networks International – UK (AMCNI UK), based in London, UK, has selected Globecast to provide comprehensive playout and distribution services for its EMEA roster of 21 channels. AMCNI UK is a new customer for Globecast.
Juliet Bayliss, Sales Director, Globecast, said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with AMCNI UK on such a major and complex project. All our years of experience in both playout and distribution came to the fore and we are happy that AMCNI UK recognised our ability to rise to the challenge.”
Playout is handled using a combination of software-based technology, the cloud and playout servers, located at Globecast. AMCNI UK supplies long- and short-form content from its operations in London, uploading directly to the playout system, and that content is then stored in the cloud. When the content is required for playout, it’s downloaded onto the relevant servers. Once the content is in the cloud, it’s managed by Globecast. Globecast also supplies full channel monitoring via a dedicated team and ensures that all content is where it should be, when it should be. AMCNI UK has full visibility via the software-based playout system.
Advertising is also managed via the cloud, using Infrastructure as Code. The script is written by Globecast, which handles the ad sending, acceptance and delivery into the playout system.
Globecast also handles the distribution of the channels to a wide range of AMC partners and affiliates, using traditional means such as satellite, IP and ASI fibre as well as newer technologies such as Zixi and SRT.
Andreea Buga, VP of Operations at AMC Networks International – UK, said, “We aimed for an innovative model that allowed us to take advantage of the modern broadcast technologies and helped us converge our linear and non-linear workflows. Globecast’s flexible and technically creative approach, combined with their well-established satellite and terrestrial distribution infrastructure, has provided the ideal solution for us.”
Bayliss added, “AMCNI UK had a particular way that they wanted this to work in terms of the playout system and we were more than happy to work to those requirements. We then architected an overall solution that is technically elegant, robust and provides them with exactly what they need. The distribution side highlights the variety of ways that Globecast can supply channels or content to partners around the world, depending on each specific requirement.”
