ABS Network

PROFICIENT NEWS GATHERING SERVICES

ABS Network is one of the largest broadcast services companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Working closely with medium-to-large broadcasters as well as smaller clients, the company delivers the most comprehensive set of content production and delivery services. Owing to years of hard-gained regional expertise and strategic investments into the latest technologies, the company has developed the ability to expertly manage every aspect of the production process from filming in SD and full-HD to postproduction editing and distribution via satellite, fibre and online streaming.

ABS Network’s formula for success has been the combination of experienced personnel and professional expertise with the latest production and transmission

Mohammed Al Ajlouni, Chairman of ABS Network.

solutions. Through its expansive network of 22 offices, 10 of which are in MENA capitals and hotspots, ABS is capable of providing industry-leading services to major Arab as well as international broadcasters.

Company Roots ABS Network was founded in 1993 by Mohammed al Ajlouni, a JordanianAmerican media entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in broadcast production and services across the Arab world. Having successfully built media businesses and hosting channels such as Al Jazeera, BBC, Fox News, ABC News, CNN, KSA TV, Sky News Arabia and many others in his Amman-based production house, he saw the opportunity to establish a news gathering service to deliver coverage of the Gulf War. As one of the few production

companies to have access to Iraq during this time, ABS Network was quick to support many international broadcasters in their coverage during and after the war. They were also the first company to gain permission to set up an uplink in Jordan.

The challenging circumstances under which ABS Network was established and the ability to overcome every obstacle and become the largest broadcast services provider in the region has led them to subscribe firmly to the belief that ‘If one combines courage and resolve with high professional standards, then, he/she is on a winning formula in the field of television.’ This is precisely what ABS Network has been able to achieve on a consistent basis.

Vision ABS Network’s vision is to provide clients with a definite competitive advantage. As their broadcasting gateway from the Middle East to the world and vice-versa, the company aims to spearhead the development of the region’s media industry through innovative, ground-breaking services.

Expansive Network ABS Network headquarters is based in Dubai, UAE. They also maintain a strong presence across the region and have offices in key cities including Baghdad, Beirut, Benghazi, Cairo, Amman, Irbil, Manama, Ramallah, Tripoli, Tunis, Damascus and Kabul. ABS Networks has established bureaus in Manhattan and Washington DC, giving them the ability to engage deeply with broadcasters based in the USA. They have 22 offices in all, 10 of which are wholly owned by ABS Network and are located in major regional hot-spots including Erbil, the Green Zone and Gaza.

Commitment to the Latest Technologies In an age where viewers demand the highest level of production quality, ABS Network spares no expense to ensure that the equipment it provides is state-of-theart. Today it operates more than 34 mobile Satellite News Gathering (SNG) trucks with full-HD capabilities and can supply mobile real-time feeds of news and raw footage to clients across the globe. Systems are upgraded to ensure the availability of HD/SD application technology at all their offices, and it has purchased fully redundant HD systems to cover all types of high-profile events across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council).

In 2014, ABS Network advanced its

capabilities and competitive edge with the establishment of a quick deployment operations department that is supplied with special production equipment for rapid response purposes.

Having the best technology is only beneficial to an organisation that can also draw from a resource pool of expertly trained and enabled staff. The company invests heavily in hiring and training the most professional staff. This ensures that they are capable of utilising cutting-edge equipment to its utmost potential. ABS Network employs over 250 professionals and its production staff includes over 60 producers, 50 editors, 100 cameramen and production support staff operating in over 20 countries. 2015 Highlights The last year saw the network expanding its horizons further with the opening of a new office in Istanbul, Turkey. The new office which was set up in Yenibosna is expected to serve the area better and support the existing office in Besiktas. Another office that was also newly established was in Aden, Yemen at the start of 2015. ABS Network hopes to open a new office in Kuwait in the coming year.

Services ABS Network prides itself on being able to deliver end-to-end services for the broadcast industry. Over the years, it has tailored its portfolio of services to meet the needs of regional and international broadcasters often addressing gaps in the market. They include:

Live Studios and Production From a simple interview to complex multicamera studio set-ups, ABS Network is fully equipped for live studio productions. The offices offer panoramic views of some of the most iconic regional scenery, be it the blue dome of the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut or the sunkissed skyscrapers of Dubai. Facilities to cover complex, multi-camera broadcast requirements are also provided. These cover: • Outside Broadcast Vehicles. • Portable Studios. • Portable (FLY/DRIVE-away) SNGs with

the latest technology. • Remote studio set up and control rooms. • Multi-camera sports production. • Studios all over the branches for DTL - 1,2 or 3 cameras (capability).

Event Coverage ABS Network can rapidly deploy a skilled team to cover any event in the region or the world. Be it entertainment or war, highly trained professionals are ever ready and provide world-class coverage services. Live event coverage include: • Filming and editing. • News packages. • Live stand-ups. • Studio set-up. • Logistics. • Content delivery. • Consulting. • Editorial services. • Rushes. they can facilitate transmission to and from any location and act as a turnaround in the middle.

News Room A dedicated team of news producers stay abreast with the latest events, both locally and regionally and are ready to cover news as it breaks, giving ABS Network unmatched news gathering capabilities. They have also built a comprehensive list of contacts through years of diligent research and work in the field and can find guests on any topic for their customers anytime, anywhere.

News Packages ABS Network produces a number of scripted news packages in Arabic and English with script, interviews and shortlists. ABS Network is highly flexible - special requests are accommodated and suggestions given for content.

Transmission Clients are provided with uplink services to European and Middle Eastern satellites or fibre to and from the USA. In essence, Archive ABS Network maintains a repository that contains over two decades’ worth of archives, translating to countless hours of priceless footage. This includes extensive coverage of wars, revolutions, invasions, protests and much more. This is expertly tended to by a skilled archivist who has developed a superbly efficient system which gives customers almost instantaneous access to this rich library.

Clients While the company’s capabilities speaks for itself, it is the impressive number of industry bigwigs who have placed their trust in ABS Network for their broadcast needs that are the true testament to the quality of their services. The company’s experience and expertise have enabled them to serve the region’s and indeed the world’s biggest broadcasters. Their clients include Sky News Arabia, ABC News, CNBC, Al Arabia News Channel, BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, Al Hurra TV and the MBC Group.

Irrespective of the size or scope of a client’s engagement with the company, ABS Network remains deeply committed to every customer, treating each project as its own entity and ensuring that meticulous detail is paid to every aspect in order to achieve success.

CONTACT

ABS Network Dubai Media City Thuraya 1 Tower Floor 18, O ce 1802,1801

Booking Department: Tel: +962791501550 Tel: +96264600700 Ext: 123 Email: bookings@absn.tv

Anas Athamneh Tel: +962797000919 Email: anas.a@absn.tv