Last month, during my trip to Vegas for NAB, my Uber driver – an experienced sound and light professional, juggling gigs in theatre, live events, and film alongside his MBA studies – shared insights on how AI had transformed the audition process for artists. They no longer needed to attend auditions; their voice recordings were sufficient for AI to generate dialogue and emotions. When I asked if artists were concerned by this, he shrugged it off, emphasising how it freed up their time.
AI has indeed taken the world by storm, dominating conversations at every industry event. With the AI market valued at a staggering USD 200 billion in 2023 and projected to skyrocket to $1.8 trillion by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research, Inc., it’s no surprise that everyone is scrambling for a piece of the pie. Vendors and manufacturers across sectors are rolling out a plethora of AI-driven products and services to capitalise on this trend.
Just last month, Samsung unveiled its AI television sets for the Middle East market. These sets not only boast impeccable picture quality with their 8K displays but also feature AI elements that enhance motion clarity, upscale images in films and shows, and create lifelike depth in scenes, captivating viewers with every frame.
On the M&E front, AI’s significance is already palpable, and we anticipate its continued growth. With non-English content gaining traction, as noted in the report by Rise Studios and Parrot Analytics featured in the introduction to this edition, I foresee significant roles for AI, especially in content creation, translation and personalisation.
This edition of PRO2024 also features some manufacturers who have AI products and solutions. Additionally, our AI category for the Manufacturer awards this year received the maximum number of entries, a testament to the industry’s heavy investment in AI.
With AI’s rapid expansion across industries including entertainment and manufacturing, its transformative influence is undeniable. As we embrace these advancements, let’s ensure they’re harnessed responsibly, fostering a future where innovation benefits all.
Vijaya Cherian Editorial Director
FOREWORD 3
4 CONTENTS CONSULTANT 20 Master Media INTRODUCTION OTT 70 Comcast Technology Solutions 72 Viaccess-Orca PRODUCTION 76 ROE Visual Middle East DMCC Contents 28 Ateme Middle East 30 Autoscript 32 Broadpeak 34 Cleeng 36 Cobalt Digital Inc 38 FOR-A Company Limited MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR 06 The rise of global and MENA demand for non-English content 24 Advanced Media Trading LLC BROADCASTER 16 Blinx 40 Fujifilm 42 Guntermann & Drunck GmbH (G&D) 44 Lawo 46 Litepanels 48 Pebble 50 RCSMENA 52 Riedel Communications 54 Ross Video 56 Shure MEA 58 Synamedia 60 ToolsOnAir Broadcast Engineering GmbH 62 Vinten 64 Vizrt Middle East 66 White Peaks Solutions MANUFACTURER
CONTENTS 5 SATELLITE 80 Es’hailSat, Qatar Satellite Company SERVICE PROVIDER 84 Al Aan TV 86 Amagi 88 STN BROADCASTPRO AWARDS 98 Best Content Strategy of the Year Best Local Adaptation of an International Format 99 Best Regional Original Drama Series Best Unscripted Production of the Year 100 Best Sports Strategy of the Year Outstanding Tech Implementation 101 Best Studio of the Year Innovative Project of the Year 102 MENA Trendsetter of the Year Systems Integrator of the Year SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR 92 Assendive Communications 94 Qvest Media FZ LLC MANUFACTURER AWARDS 110 Best in Audio Production Best in Broadcast Playout 111 Best in Cloud Compute Best in Connectivity Solutions 112 Best in Content Management Best in Content Scheduling and Monetisation 113 Best in Content Storage Best in Digital Distribution 114 Best in Digital Distribution Best in Display Systems 115 Best in Facility Infrastructure Best in Linear Distribution 116 Best in Post-production Best in Video Content Acquisition 117 Best in Video Content Acquisition Best in Video Production BROADCASTPRO AWARDS 103 Streaming Service of the Year Broadcast Project of the Year 104 Saudi Project of the Year Sports Technology of the Year 105 CTO of the Year CEO of the Year 106 Outstanding Business Development Strategy Satellite Solutions Provider of the Year 107 Media Entrepreneurs of the Year Excellence in Broadcast Strategy
The rise of global and MENA demand for non-English content
The entertainment landscape is experiencing a major shift in consumer demand with nonEnglish content taking centre stage, according to new research from Rise Studios – an entertainment company driving investment in content from regional markets through datadriven insights, with expertise that precisely identifies the content that audiences want to see. The research was conducted in partnership with Parrot Analytics, an industry leader in global audience demand measurement, exploring audience preferences for content genres and formats in the MENA region.
The data reveals an increasing need for Asian-language TV as well as Arabic-language content, highlighting fertile ground for global and regional content producers. Asian-language TV led by Chinese, Korean and Japanese content has become prominent in global markets bridging the demand-supply gap with series such as The Glory taking the world by storm. Its captivating age-agnostic storylines are also appealing to MENA audiences showcasing a remarkable swing in
viewer preferences; it now makes up more than half the demand, emphasising the growing appetite for diverse Asian-language content in the region, and accounting for over 50% of the total demand within the MENA.
Overall, the share of global demand for non-English content grew to 40% in 2023, up from 23% in 2018. Specifically, Arabic content now represents over 25% of the total demand in MENA, almost doubling the demand seen in 2022.
Evolution of the Content Genre
Genres that appeal typically harness themes with relatable protagonists and gripping tales that breach cultural barriers to captivate a broad spectrum of viewers. Drama remains the most in demand genre by far, but MENA audiences have shown an increased interest in animation content, growing from 6% to 12% in the last five years, due likely to compelling storylines that appeal to both young and adult audiences. Exponential growth in demand for Arabiclanguage content also highlights opportunity for homegrown stories.
“The region is in a transformative era in entertainment and the report highlights the nuances of audience preferences, paving the way to fully harness the potential of the market. At Rise Studios, we work with strategic partners to scout for stories that resonate with the 375 million Arabic speakers worldwide while also appealing to international viewers,” says Amanda Turnbull CEO and Co-Founder, Rise Studios.
“By combining global appeal with local relevance, we produce content that is not only in high demand but also culturally rich, solidifying our presence in the global entertainment space.”
“Working alongside Rise Studios, we’ve uncovered the vibrant dynamics of MENA’s media consumption,” adds Wared Seger, CEO Parrot Analytics. “This partnership is more than a venture into analytics – it’s a commitment to elevating the narrative richness of the region.
“Together, we are unlocking the potential of data to craft stories that not only entertain but also connect and reflect the diverse tapestry of global audiences.”
6 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION 7
Crafting Content to Suit Evolving Preferences
Recent years in the MENA have seen a significant leaning towards Korean and Japanese content, the trend not solely originating from the fact that the region sees a lot of Asian expats. Asian-language encompasses content that transcends the Asian expat community due to its intrinsic appeal. It stems from the distinctive storytelling, cultural depth and high-
quality production values enthralling audiences everywhere. The cultural specificity of this content, including universally resonant themes explored through unique creative visions has allowed it to garner a broad audience. Concurrently, Japanese animation dominates as one of the most sought-after subgenres globally. The rise in anime’s popularity, and the global phenomenon of the Korean Wave (hallyu) are seen as
major drivers behind the spotlight on Korean and Japanese entertainment, indicating a significant demand that goes beyond just the Asian expat communities in the MENA. The traditional one-season format of Korean dramas is adapting to meet the demand for sequels, exemplified by the success of Squid Game.
Growing preferences for diverse content genres in non-English languages among the MENA audiences
TV content taste preferences have evolved over the past five years...
Drama’s Dominance: Drama remains the top audience choice reflecting the region’s rich storytelling traditions which include high-concept narratives, historical epics and more.
Consistent Appeal of Comedy: Comedy remains an evergreen genre exhibiting a consistent demand share over time.
Anime’s Ascent: The surge in animation demand, from 6% in 2018 to 11% in 2023, can be attributed to the rising poularity of anime, resonating with both younger and adult audiences in MENA.
Children’s Content Growth: Demand for children’s content has more than doubled over the last five years, indicating a focus on younger viewers.
Action and Adventure’s Dip: At a higher price point, networks and streameers have turned their attention to more cost-efficient alternatives, especially within the unscripted space.
8 INTRODUCTION Source: Rise Studios and Parrot Analytics
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 49% 16% 6% 5% 10% 8% 3% 47% 15% 6% 6% 11% 9% 3% 48% 14% 8% 7% 9% 7% 2% 45% 13% 11% 10% 9% 6% 2% 45% 13% 13% 10% 8% 6% 3% 46% 14% 11% 10% 6% 6% 3% Drama Comedy Animation Children Action Reality Documentary Variety Other
Figure 1: MENA’S rich culture and traditions drive genre content
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
reflects the global trend towards inclusive, multi-cultural entertainment.
Predominantly, content creation is about connecting with audiences through stories that reflect their experiences and emotions. Insights from the report can help producers and storytellers with their content production and acquisition strategies, giving a clear understanding of audience preferences and how that is everchanging. Leveraging this data is crucial for creators so they can craft content that strikes a chord across different cultures.
The research identified high-demand genres primarily drama, comedy and anime, that resonate deeply with viewers, suggesting an appetite for fresh narratives and perspectives. By tapping into this demand, content creators can produce work that is both compelling and authentic. An
abundance of remarkable, skilled talent in the region can weave meaningful, entertaining narratives that not only satisfy the evolving tastes of MENA audiences but also has potential to engage viewers globally. This intersection of data-driven insights and regional creative flair can drive content to wider acclaim and success.
Opportunities for Growth Within the Global Entertainment Market for Non-English Content
Regional efforts to meet the demand for non-English content have traditionally involved collaborations with Turkish productions as well as adaptations and co-productions. These have resonated across the MENA with Korean and Japanese being added to the list more recently, often as formats filtered through Turkish adaptations before being re-adapted
INTRODUCTION
9
Globally, the demand for non-English content has nearly doubled since 2018, now at an all-time high. This is due to greater access supported by worldwide platforms and international production requirements.
Even demand for non-English content in the USA has leapt more than 50% over the past three years thanks to improved dubbing, subtitling and cultural adoption.
Technology is making the world smaller but a viewer’s entertainment ecosystem larger, influencing viewer preferences.
for Arabic. Rise Studios is bringing to market a direct-from-Japanese series towards the latter half of 2024.
In navigating the global entertainment landscape, a wealth of opportunities lies in store to bring non-English content to the forefront. It is about strategically expanding the distribution networks, not just to scale up reach but to ensure that stories from different cultures find their place in the international spotlight.
In this regard, co-productions offer fertile ground for innovation. They are the crossroads where diverse cultural themes can be woven together, producing content that resonates with a wider audience and celebrates diversity.
At this point it is imperative not to overlook the power of data and analytics. By tapping into these insights, it is possible to make smarter
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Figure 2: Global demand for non-English content on the rise
60% 40% English Non-English 77% 77% 72% 69% 64% 23% 24% 29% 31% 36% Source: Rise Studios and Parrot Analytics
strategic decisions that align with evolving trends. This is the way to transform the playing field and set the pace, and lead the charge with innovative, resonant content that knows no linguistic barriers.
Future Potential and Economic Impact for Local Content Creators in the Global Entertainment Landscape
The future landscape for non-English content consumption both in the MENA and globally looks exceedingly bright. What is being witnessed is a powerful movement towards a more inclusive media landscape. The rise in demand seen doubling globally speaks volumes about the universal desire for stories that reflect a spectrum of human experiences and emotions.
As content creators and distributors become ever more attuned to what audiences around the globe are seeking, what is clear is seeing a
vibrant array of culturally specific content. This is not just about offering variety – it is about crafting content that resonates on a personal level, that allows viewers to see their lives and cultures reflected on the screen.
This trend will not only continue but pave new roads for creative expression in the future. It is an opportunity for storytellers within the MENA and beyond to connect with audiences in meaningful ways and for distributors to be the conduit for rich, varied narratives that have the power to touch hearts and minds across continents.
The increasing demand for nonEnglish content and specifically for Arabic and locally produced programming, indicates a potential economic shift within the broader MENA entertainment industry. For local content creators, this trend translates into an unprecedented opportunity to reach wider audiences
both within and beyond the MENA region. As a result, the market can anticipate an influx in investment, job creation, skill development, cultural export as well as global partnerships.
In essence, the heightened demand for non-English content in MENA is not just an indicator of shifting audience tastes but a precursor to profound economic and cultural developments that could reshape the region’s entertainment industry for decades to come.
The findings underscore the importance of aligning investment and content acquisition with viewer preferences for non-English content, particularly Arabic language content within the MENA. They highlight the potential for targeted investment in content that speaks to regional cultural identities, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions that align with audience demands, optimising returns, and fostering
English Content
Other Non-English
Arabic Content
Within the MENA region, the demand for non-English content accounts for over half of the total demand, showcasing a remarkable shift in viewer preferences.
Specifically, Arabic content now represents over a quarter of the total demand in MENA, almost doubling the demand seen in 2022.
This presents a great opportunity for local stories to shine through culturally relevant narratives.
10 INTRODUCTION
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 2020 2021 2022 2023
Figure 3: Original language content demand share in the MENA region
76% 66% 60% 48% 20% 24% 26% 25% 27% 14% 10% 4% Source: Rise Studios and Parrot Analytics
4: Across the region, opportunities for regional productions are increasing
Audience demand levels for local language, Arabic and nonEnglish content are growing as platforms and distributors increasingly programme for international reach versus merely distributing big English language blockbusters.
Culturally specific content is a prime way to build market share in targeted regions.
a distinctive MENA presence in the global entertainment landscape.
Promoting Cultural Diversity and Representation
The growing preference for non-English content in the MENA region is set to have profound cultural implications. It promotes cultural diversity and representation by giving a platform to stories and voices that have historically been underrepresented. This shift encourages a media landscape where the richness of the MENA’s cultural heritage and contemporary narratives can be showcased to a global audience. This in turn will aid in fostering a two-way cultural exchange, enhanced global understanding, language preservation, the empowerment of local voices and inclusivity in storytelling. Considering the popularity of Asian-language TV content in the MENA region, collaborations between MENA and Asian content creators could significantly enhance the scope and depth of storytelling in
both regions. Joint ventures might include thematic co-productions that explore shared human experiences from distinct cultural perspectives. Exchange programmes could be established to facilitate the sharing of technical expertise, storytelling methods and production resources. Additionally, distribution agreements could see MENA and Asian media companies cross-promoting and supporting each other’s content to ensure that these rich narratives reach a wider, more diverse audience. These collaborative efforts are likely to result in innovative content that resonates across cultural boundaries, tapping into the universal appeal of human emotions and experiences.
Supporting Emerging Talent Within the MENA Region
In light of this growing demand, plans to support developing talent and storytelling within the region necessitate well planned, organised initiatives. To support this emerging talent in the MENA region, incubator
initiatives for scriptwriters and directors, workshops for technical skill development and networking events for industry connection are essential. Furthermore, providing platforms for budding storytellers to pitch their ideas to producers and investors can significantly lower the barriers to entry in the industry.
Talent showcases, film festivals and awards specifically dedicated to non-English content can highlight local creators and give them the visibility needed to advance their careers. At this point it is important to note the crucial role Rise Studios plays in nurturing this talent by not only investing in but also facilitating collaborations with established industry figures, thus contributing to a vibrant, diverse and sustainable creative economy in the region.
How MENA Stakeholders Can Add Value to the Industry
With the imminent promise that the region holds with regard to non-English content, these rising
INTRODUCTION 11
Figure
+211% +130% +59% +31%
Rise Studios and Parrot Analytics
Source:
markets must ensure that the surge in demand translates into sustainable opportunities for local filmmakers and production companies in the Arab world. It should undertake initiatives and schemes that capitalise prospects and prioritise establishing a supportive ecosystem that provides distribution networks for locally produced content, ensuring visibility and accessibility. It is also vital to create funding opportunities targeted at local filmmakers and production companies, particularly for those working in high-demand genres identified by the report, such as drama and anime.
Educational initiatives to enhance industry knowledge and skills and policy reforms to streamline content distribution processes are equally critical. By adopting these initiatives, the market can develop on the current demand to create sustainable growth and long-term opportunities for local talent and businesses in the Arab world.
In the meantime, efforts to distribute non-English MENA content globally are
intensifying. With a strategic eye on the global market, MENA content creators are partnering more with international distributors, utilising streaming services and engaging in digital marketing to expand their reach. There is a push to participate in international film festivals and markets that can open doors to foreign distribution deals and co-production opportunities.
Social media and targeted online campaigns are being used to build global audiences and create buzz around new releases. This greater distribution effort not only showcases the region’s cultural richness to the world but also taps into new revenue streams, making the MENA entertainment market more dynamic and globally interconnected.
MENA stakeholders, policymakers, investors and content creators can add value to this industry by implementing supportive regulations and policies that encourage content production and distribution, including tax incentives, funding for creative projects and infrastructure development.
Japanese Chinese
Korean
Japanese-language series boasted the highest global audience demand share of the major Asian-languages last quarter at 10%, thanks to anime and live-action hits such as Alice in Borderland
Japanese animation has enjoyed a meteoric rise since Q1 2020 and now ranks in the top three in demand over supply globally.
Investors should look towards creating funds specifically aimed at encouraging non-English content projects and technologies that facilitate content distribution and access, recognising the potential for high returns on investment in this growing sector.
Content creators, on the other hand, should focus on creating highquality, culturally rich content that appeals to both regional and global audiences, and leveraging data to inform content development strategies that align with audience preferences. By embracing a collaborative approach, harnessing the power of data and remaining adaptable to evolving trends, MENA stakeholders can create a thriving ecosystem that not only supports but also leads in the production and distribution of culturally rich, non-English content on the global stage.
This is a report based on research by Rise Studios in partnership with Parrot Analytics.
12 INTRODUCTION
450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 2020 2021 2022 2023
Figure 5: Japanese TV content dominates, leading global demand
Source: Rise Studios and Parrot Analytics
CABSAT 2024: Paving the Way for Innovation in MEASA’s Media Broadcast Industries
Since its debut in 1993, CABSAT has evolved to keep pace with latest developments in the media and satellite communications sectors within the Middle East, Africa and Southern Asia (MEASA) region. Every year, the event brings together key media, entertainment and technology experts, industry leaders and innovators from around the world. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, CABSAT returns to serve as a premier venue for industry professionals to exchange ideas and showcase latest innovations in broadcast, media, satellite and entertainment sectors.
This year’s event at the Dubai World Trade Centre boasts several attractions, including the Virtual Production studio and Content Congress, which allow attendees to interact with some of the industry’s most innovative start-ups and content creators. A new feature is the CABSAT Podcast, which offers exclusive content and interviews with industry leaders, technology enthusiasts and creatives.
The CABSAT TV promises live streaming services for the flagship event, significant for individuals looking to reach broadcasters, production companies and studios, animation houses, content owners and creators, software developers, telcos, systems integrators, and distribution channels across the MEASA. In addition, CABSAT and HConsult collaborate to present the second annual Co-Production Salon for the MENA region in honour of the event’s 30th anniversary.
The Content Congress at CABSAT 24, which celebrates the fascinating and engaging creator economy, will have significant impact on the industry. Events of the past few years have brought about a global shift in major industries, including the media sector and have resulted in creation of new avenues for regional and cross-border collaboration. Content Congress aims to educate participants on the future of television and video, while delving into the shifting media landscape and providing key insights on the same. By uniting government representatives, engineers, seasoned executives, innovators and a wide range of solutions providers, the Satexpo Summit by CABSAT brings together the most notable regional and international figures in the satellite and space technology industries. This year’s summit seeks to explore how responsible space exploration is both possible and
necessary to ensure a futureproof life on Earth. The satellite industry is anticipated to undergo further transformation and have a significant impact on our future, with applications ranging from services that help us communicate effectively to earth observation.
With the Middle East’s media and entertainment market expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.41 per cent to reach USD 66.99 billion by 2029, CABSAT 2024 coincides with a period of growth in the industry. The governments of the Middle East and North Africa have also provided substantial support to the entertainment industry to support businesses that have high potential for growth and job creation. Built on three pillars – Creativity, Connectivity and Consciousness – the conference continues to serve as an influential venue for learning and networking within the media, entertainment and satellite industries.
INTRODUCTION 13
14
Broadcaster
15
Blinx
Creating compelling new content
Blinx is the region’s first digital native storytelling hub in the Middle East that is elevating the quality and value of Arabic content in the region. Blinx is not just improving quality but also channeling the way content is being consumed in the region. Launched in September, 2023, Blinx brings a fresh perspective of the world, altering the way we see and experience events around us.
Apart from being on all social media platforms, Blinx has its own website, mobile and TV apps, creating a holistic on-demand social ecosystem where the Arab youth can find quality content at their fingertips whenever they demand it.
From the Youth, For the youth
Youth always creates the future. And whether that future is a prosperous one depends entirely on the quality of the young minds building it. As a result, Blinx has taken it on themselves to ensure the region’s young and developing minds are best equipped to withstand the sands of time and build a region that will flourish for years to come.
Forward-Thinking Content
Content on Blinx platforms has immense value. Up-to-date, insightful, informative, and entertaining, it is in some cases bold and brave to the point of being perceived as perhaps controversial. It
is in the company’s persuasive mindset that the further they push boundaries, the more expansive minds become, making audiences in the MENA region among the most aware, informed, intelligent and forward-thinking.
Note-worthy Production Capabilities
Armed with state-of-the-art equipment and powered by AI, Blinx studios are something to write home about. Extensive virtual and extended reality capabilities make their content unique. Blinx also brings the region’s most innovative Metaverse production, allowing content creators to create quality virtual content that’s out of this world!
Bigger Picture
Content in the Middle East has become a cause of concern for the future of the region’s youth. News is dominated by negative stories and social platforms are full of noise, distortion and unvetted content. Riddled with fake news, misinformation and disinformation, the popular content platforms are leaving Arab youth frustrated and skeptical at best or misinformed at worst. Tackling these concerns head on, Blinx is working to lessen the unfavourable
16 BROADCASTER
effect of information that is not authentic by spearheading a campaign to divulge news as is. And with that goal, the company employs an army of the best researchers, fact checkers, content creators and storytellers to generate engaging content based on facts coupled with unique media experiences, to create infotainment. At the very heart of each piece of content produced and told by its storytellers, lie credibility and entertainment.
More Story, Less Noise
Blinx has built its DNA around the motto ‘more story, less noise’, highlighting that it focuses on the substance of the story, the value it adds, the quality of research behind
and the novelty element brought together by young storytellers, the irrelevant details, unnecessary drama, or baseless ‘facts’ that we tend to see all too often.
Valuable Content Through Infotainment
Entertainment sits at the heart of engagement. Which is why Blinx has focused heavily on finding unique angles and using infotainment to engage followers to deliver valuable messages through its content.
Unravelling New Perspectives
The way we see the world determines our outlook on life. Blinx content and storytelling are unparalleled when
it comes to offering perspectives that broaden horizons, teach real world values and skills, while maintaining an optimistic outlook on the world and its affairs.
Future of Storytelling is Here
A very productive, positive and consciously aware Arab youth requires a source of content that keeps them informed, entertained, inspired, updated and gives them a fresh perspective on life. All of which are the pillars that Blinx is built on, with the dedication to capitalise on entertainment and storytelling to make the Arab Youth inspired and best equipped in building the future of this region.
Contact
Blinx
Dubai, UAE
Website: blinx.com/en
Social Media blinxnow blinxnow BlinxNow blinxnow blinxnow blinxnow
BROADCASTER 17
Nakhle Elhage, General Manager, Blinx.
18
Consultant
Master Media
19
master media Quality support for the broadcast media industry
Master Media was founded in 2012 by Hasan R. Sayed Hasan, an awardwinning broadcast media executive with three decades of extensive experience in the broadcast media industry. Master Media’s team has been on the forefront of setting up and managing leading regional TV networks and media production and broadcasting facilities, and the implementation of the latest and upcoming technologies, workflows and designs.
Wide Range of Services
Master Media delivers a varied portfolio of consultancy and professional services to the media and broadcasting industry, from feasibility studies and business planning for setting up a broadcasting network, media production or broadcasting facility, through technology design and management, training, and operational assistance, to recruitment and business development support.
Business and Commercial Planning
For new projects or expansions to existing operations, Master Media offers:
Feasibility Studies and
Business Plan Development
Capex and Opex Budgeting
Commercial Modelling and Revenue Forecasting
Procurement Strategies, Recommendations and Management
Requirements and Specifications Development
RFP/ Tender Process Management
Contract Review and Supplier Management
Design and Consulting
Media Facilities Design and Consulting
Technology Solutions
Design and Consulting
Technology and Operations
Auditing and Analysis
Systems Design and Documentation
Projects Management and Delivery
Programme/Project Management
Coordination and
Communication Focal Point
Schedule Development & Tracking
Cost Control & Resource Allocation
Human Capital Services
Provision of Specialist Skillset
Recruitment Services
Training
Business Development Support
With a deep understanding and rich network within the Middle East’s media industry, Master Media provides strategic advice and business development support to media technology and services companies interested in entering the Middle East market.
20 CONSULTANT
Master Media is member of various international industry associations such as the IABM, IEEE, SMPTE, AES, DPP and the Arab HDTV & Beyond group.
CONSULTANT
Projects and Clients
Master Media’s clients and projects include a variety of regional and international media entities. Some of the projects undertaken and clients served over the last few years are listed below:
A National Film Archive in the GCC: Development of a long-term strategy, business plan, technical design and operational model
Yas Creative Hub, UAE: Studios/ sound stages fit-out design, technology design and tender management consultancy
A new Film and TV Production Services Provider in the GCC: Business plan, CapEx, OpEx and revenue forecasting
A Large Corporate Entity, UAE: Fit-out and technology design for a media centre with production and post-production facilities
A New Film and TV Production City in the GCC: Feasibility study, business planning, demand and revenue modelling, facilities design, and technology roadmap
Blinx: Operations and technology audit and provision of subject matter experts
Expo
2020 Dubai, UAE: Media and broadcast multi-disciplinary strategic consultancy, and commercial, technology, media operations, media guest experience, media facilities design and venue management
A New Media Hub in the GCC: Business planning, demand modelling, financial modelling, facilities design and technology roadmap
21
National News Agency in the GCC: Development of future technology blueprint, integrated newsroom workflows and requirements for technology vendors
Press Trust of India: Technology consultancy and tender management to launch a competitive national video news service
Leading Regional News Network: Audit and technology systems assessment and technology upgrade roadmap
National Broadcaster in the GCC: Technology and operations audit
Al-Ghad News Channel, Egypt: Technology design, consultancy, tender support, operations and technology audit
Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar: Consultancy, vendor management and project management for workplace transformation project
Al-Arab News Channel, Bahrain: Technology design, tender management, operations consultancy and project management
Public Authority for Radio and TV, Oman: Training and operational assistance
Contact
Master Media FZ LLC
Yas Creative Hub (twofour54)
PO Box 77915, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tel: +971 2 4012811
Email: info@master-media.tv
Website: www.master-media.tv
Hasan R. Sayed Hasan
Managing Director
Tel: +971 55 881 7437
Email: hasan@master-media.tv
Social Media master.media.tv
Master_MediaTV
master-media
Hasan R. Sayed Hasan, Managing Director, Master Media.
22
23 Distributor Advanced Media Trading LLC
Adding value and quality to distribution
For over two decades, Advanced Media Trading (AMT) has been supporting a wide spectrum of creative consumers, artists, entrepreneurs and professionals. As the largest distributor of professional video, photo, broadcast and cinema equipment and accessories in the MENA, AMT is an industry powerhouse delivering exceptional services from consultancy, training and sales to installation, repair and maintenance. AMT opened new showrooms and service centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2019, in Egypt in 2021, and most recently in Abu Dhabi in March 2024.
Corporate Vision
AMT is an added value distributor delivering the technical necessities and demands of a diverse clientele. Its focus lies in investigating, identifying
and adapting technological trends and developments to benefit stakeholders. These objectives are not solely focused on profit but directed towards solutions that contribute to future advancements in media.
To realise these objectives, AMT is committed to developing, organising and hosting training workshops, seminars and community events that educate, inform, and familiarise consumers with new technical advancements. The interconnectedness and effectiveness of these factors, values and activities together form Advanced Media − a dynamic, influential, imaginative collective pioneering developments in the MENA.
Headquarters and Regional Offices
AMT’s headquarters is located on the Mezzanine Floor of the Galadari Mazda
Building on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. It is conveniently close to the AMT service centre and warehouses in the Al Quoz Industrial area. The Dubai headquarters include the main offices and a newly renovated showroom that is unique in scope and function and provides customers with the opportunity to try a wide range of products, expand their knowledge, engage with industry experts, and receive professional opinion and support from AMT’s multilingual and experienced team. It also serves as the venue for regularly hosted product launches, workshops, and training programmes, as well as its biannual digital cinema community event, CINE.
Dubai Service Centre
Located on 8th Street, Al Quoz Industrial 1, the service centre offers repair,
24 DISTRIBUTOR
Advanced Media Showroom, Dubai.
maintenance and after-sales support for all the brands the company represents in the region. AMT has exclusive authorisation to provide services for Sony, DJI, RED, Teradek, Small HD, ATOMOS, HOLLYLAND, Profoto, SWIT, ASTERA, Godox, Nanlite, CreamSource, Manfrotto, Eartec, Cartoni, DATAVIDEO, Tilta and EasyRig in the UAE.
A team of 16 highly skilled engineers and technicians, equipped with hightech service tools and measurement equipment, carry professional repair and maintenance tasks for in-warranty and out-of-warranty products.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
AMT expanded into Saudi Arabia in 2019 and recently relocated to a bigger showroom that offers exceptional user experience for top brands of digital cinema, video and photography. It includes a multipurpose training and conference room for regular workshops and product launches. Warehouse and service centre in the same location offer faster, better customer experience.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
AMT opened an official branch in Abu Dhabi, UAE in March 2024. Operational seven days of the week, it is located on the ground floor of the prestigious
Nation Tower and offers products and services as the Dubai headquarters.
CINE Series
In October 2023, AMT launched CINESchool in collaboration with Prague Film School as an exclusively curated three-day workshop, seminars and screening for UAE university students pursuing a degree in filmmaking. Simultaneously, it launched CINESeason as an immersive digital cinema experience fully conducted in Arabic ahead of the Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia.
In January 2024, AMT returned with CINETomorrow, another edition of its biannual digital cinema community event as an interactive intersection of digital cinema, virtual production and sustainability. The three-day open house was held at AMT’s Dubai headquarters and welcomed up to 300 filmmakers, visionaries, students and industry experts. Advanced Media welcomed guests from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Algeria, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Kenya, Oman, Lebanon and Tajikistan.
AMT Social Responsibility
On World Environment Day 2023, AMT joined the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), an alliance of stakeholders to
increase momentum of Paris-aligned targets and see greater collaboration, tailored for the UAE by Emirates NatureWWF, and endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. AMT was recognised as the first SME in the alliance.
On Transport Day during COP28 in November 2023, AMT joined the UACA’s Road2.0 pilot programme with the goal to support the UAE in reducing emissions linked to the transport sector, and to accelerate the transition to green road transport alternatives through early and tangible action from organisations across the UAE transport ecosystem by integrating Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs).
Contact
Advanced Media Trading LLC
Mezzanine Floor, Galadari
Automobiles (Mazda) Building
Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
PO Box 44156
Tel: +971 4 352 9977
Fax: +971 4 352 9976
Website: www.amt.tv
Social Media
AdvancedMedia.ae
DISTRIBUTOR 25
Showroom No: 2 & 3, 4175 Uthman Ibn Affan Branch Road, 7742, Riyadh 12476, Saudi Arabia. CINETomorrow.
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Manufacturer
Ateme Middle East
Autoscript
Broadpeak
Cleeng
Cobalt Digital Inc
FOR-A Company Limted
Fujifilm
Guntermann & Drunck GmbH (G&D)
Lawo
Litepanels
Pebble
RCSMENA
Riedel Communications
Ross Video
Shure MEA
Synamedia
ToolsOnAir Broadcast Engineering GmbH
Vinten
Vizrt Middle East
White Peaks Solutions
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Captivate your audience
Ateme is a global leader of endto-end video compression and delivery solutions helping tierone content providers, service providers, and streaming platforms captivate their audiences while boosting their viewership and subscription engagement.
Increase Value While Reducing Costs — and Going Green!
Whether you deliver content over satellite, cable, IP, terrestrial, OTT, or 5G, Ateme helps you improve the audience experience while reducing bandwidth and infrastructure requirements and delivering operational cost savings, with its efficient, cloud-native video-delivery software solutions. This translates into lower total cost of ownership, lower subscriber acquisition cost, and reduced environmental impact.
Leading content and service providers around the world use Ateme’s multi-codec encoding, anyformat packaging, scalable cloud DVR, content-aware CDN, and revenuegenerating DAI solutions to enhance audience experience, increase value of their service and facilitate growth.
Go Multiscreen
Ateme offers everything needed for multi-screen video delivery: Live and file encoders for all major
codecs – including VVC, AV1 and even MV-HEVC for spatial computing Packagers that reduce both storage requirements with just-in-time packaging and latency for live streaming
A cloud-native Cloud DVR solution enabling seamless scalability of storage capacity
A cloud-native, elastic CDN solution that fits into any network – from fibre to 5G End-to-end solution for Dynamic Ad Insertion, enabling targeted advertising and personalised TV channels
Audience-aware-solution leveraging CDN data for greater encoding
efficiencies, leading to reduced costs and carbon emissions
New Sources of Monetisation and Enable Personalised Experiences
With its Cloud DVR solution, you reduce churn by holding your viewers’ cherished memories — making your services sticky. Powering the first large-scale Cloud DVR deployment in the cloud, the solution harnesses the scalability and flexibility of the cloud. Scaling up becomes easy enabling new monetisation models for TV service providers.
With Ateme’s Dynamic Ad Insertion solution, you can find another source of monetisation through
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Ateme Dubai team.
precisely targeted ads — by region or demographics or personalised on a viewer-by-viewer basis — and use it on any channel, including VOD-to-live and FAST channels. Ateme’s lowlatency DAI won the 2023 Broadcast Pro ME Manufacturers Awards and allows sports content rightsholders to monetise when it matters most: highvalue, peak-audience live sports events.
Ateme also helps propel viewers to experience the future of video with its Fan engagement solutions. Whether traveling or at home, viewers can enjoy flawless UHD-quality video from any device and with no delay – or simply be notified of the best moments with rich overlays to delve into statistics or for shoppable TV. When seeing matches in the stadium, they can watch live views in multiple angles and interact with content in new, engaging and monetisable ways.
Contribution and Distribution to Affiliates
Ateme offers solutions to optimise delivery from origination to affiliates or subscribers. Based on a microservices architecture and orchestrated by PILOT Manager, the Ateme suite offers the perfect solution for IP turn-around, including: Raw content low-delay cloud delivery, and processing including premium framerate conversion
A NextGen statmux solution bringing 20% efficiency gains in video delivery for an extra UHD service with no additional servers
A cloud-native SDIoIP solution for multiple processing: encoding, decoding and gateway in the same software
Secure transmission with a standards-based rightsmanagement system associated
with forensic watermarking Complete, flexible, low-latency software application, that can run both on COTS servers and on fully virtualised solutions
Innovation at Its Core
Ateme has repeatedly innovated in fields ranging from visual quality to smart caching and analytics, blending one world first after another to deliver ever more value to broadcasters and TV service and content providers – including Du, Gulfsat, Nilesat, and Ooredoo in the Middle East. Its R&D teams ensure that Ateme remains a future-proof partner through involvement in forums and associations including DBV, SMPTE, ATSC, AOM, MPEG Streaming Video Alliance, CMAF-IF, and 3GPP. The recipient of multiple awards — including the IABM BaM 2022 Awards in the Publish category, the 2020 ASBU BroadcastPro Satellite Solutions Provider of the Year award, the 2023 ASBU BroadcastPro ME Manufacturers’ Awards, and three Technology and Engineering Emmy
awards — Ateme provides solutions that transform video delivery to help acquire new customers, reduce churn, and unleash monetisation potential.
Founded in France in 1991, Ateme has more than 500 employees located around the world and has been listed on the Paris Euronext market since 2014. In 2020, Ateme acquired Anevia, a provider of OTT and IPTV software solutions, and as of 2022, has served around 1,000 customers worldwide with revenues exceeding €90 million.
Contact
Ateme Middle East
Dubai Studio City
Building 3, Office 209
PO Box 451045, Dubai, UAE
Website: www.ateme.com
Social Media ateme ateme_x ateme_official ATEME
MANUFACTURER 29
Dubai Studio City.
Intelligent prompting by design
Autoscript’s industry-leading fully IPenabled ‘Intelligent Prompting’ solutions keep talent on cue worldwide. Designed around an intelligent IP workflow, each component works responsively and securely. Devices integrate easily via an IP network, offering flexibility to pool resources globally and implement failsafe redundancy measures. WinPlusIP, the industry standard prompting application, complements the workflow. Hardware includes networked monitors with reduced weight for unrivalled operation. And the revolutionary ‘Voice for WinPlus-IP’ technology introduces advanced speech recognition and
control, eliminating the need for conventional scroll control devices.
Intelligent Prompting offers scalable prompting architecture for benefits at any stage in an IP transition, ensuring continuous workflow improvements. Part of Videndum Production Solutions, with its experienced global support team, Autoscript is the preferred choice for many of the world’s leading broadcasters.
Products
WinPlus-IP
WinPlus-IP, the core of Intelligent Prompting, features a refined
interface with familiar shortcuts and enhanced functionality. Its default user interface is designed for dark production environments, with colours, content location and status monitoring able to be customised to the operator’s taste. Smooth scroll preview ensures script clarity, while features like font resize and prompt output indicator streamline operation.
WinPlus-IP seamlessly networks with all Intelligent Prompting devices, including controllers, monitors and the XBox-IP. For critical live productions, its IP-enabled workflow ensures full redundancy without manual intervention. Simplified menus and customisable layouts further enhance usability, making WinPlus-IP the most powerful prompting application available.
Voice for WinPlus-IP
Cutting-edge speech recognition and control technology, Voice liberates presenters and production staff from traditional scroll control devices. With Voice for WinPlusIP, presenters gain real-time script control by simply speaking. At the core of Voice lies an intelligent control system designed for live broadcasts. Automatic speech recognition combined with advanced algorithms, ensures seamless script
30 MANUFACTURER
scrolling synchronised with the presenter. Tracking the production audio feed, it automatically progresses the script as words are spoken, pausing for ad-libs, and resuming when the presenter returns to the script. Voice handles various script formats, supports multiple presenters and accommodates diverse accents effortlessly. It’s the most effortless way to control a prompter ever.
EVO-IP
The EVO-IP prompt monitor, the slimmest in its class, offers a large yet lightweight solution with HD-SDI and composite inputs. As an Intelligent Prompting device, it directly connects to WinPlus-IP via an IP network, eliminating the need for an extra scroll engine. Enhanced cable management and a quick-release mechanism streamlines operation and mounting. With high-bright, high-contrast display, it guarantees clear script readability in any lighting, enhancing setup and integration for modern broadcasts.
EPIC-IP
The EPIC-IP integrated system uses the EVO-IP prompt monitor with its sleek design and in-built connectivity
to create the lightest weight prompting solution with integrated talent monitor. A 24” talent monitor is available to add to the EVO-IP 19” when a large feedback screen is required.
Sky Pioneer Arabic Voice
Sky News Arabia is the first network to go live with Autoscript Voice for Arabic language broadcasts. With Arabic as the primary language across 22 Middle Eastern countries, Autoscript prioritised the development of language support in its flagship product for this significant region. Voice delivers real-time control of a prompted script simply by speaking the words. Integrated seamlessly with Sky News Arabia’s existing WinPlus-IP installation, Voice offers automated prompting controlled by presenters, reducing the need for additional staff in the control room.
Key Clients
Kuwait TV, Sharjah Media Corporation, Abu Dhabi Media, Dubai Media Incorporation, Saudi Broadcasting Authority, Asharq, Sky News Arabia, Qatar TV, Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, MBC, Al Arabi, Al Kass TV, BeIN, Al Rayyan TV, Bahrain TV, MTV Lebanon, Al Mashhad, Al Mamlakah, Zagros TV, Al Ghad, Al Hayat TV and Blinx.
Contact Videndum Production Solutions
William Vinten Building
Easlea Road, Moreton Hall Estate
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Website: www.autoscript.tv
Ibrahim Al Akkad
Middle East Director
Tel: +971 50 640 6056
Email: ibrahim.akkad@ videndum.com
Mohamad Sabri
Sales
Tel: +971 50 737 0244
Email: mohamed.sabri@ videndum.com
Bassam Wazani
Support
Tel: +971 54 345 1797
Email: bassam.wazani@ videndum.com
Social Media autoscriptTV autoscriptTV autoscriptTV autoscriptTV showcase/autoscript
MANUFACTURER 31
This is streaming at its peak
Broadpeak’s mission is to empower video service providers so they can stream the content people love with a compelling experience.
Broadpeak designs and manufactures video delivery components for content providers and broadband service providers deploying IPTV, cable, satellite, OTT and mobile services. Its portfolio of solutions and technologies powers the delivery of movies, television programming and other content over managed networks and the internet for viewing on any type of device.
The company’s systems and services help operators increase market share and improve subscriber loyalty with superior quality of experience. Broadpeak supports all its customers worldwide, from simple installations to large delivery systems reaching capacities of several million simultaneous streams. Broadpeak provides video streaming
software that can be deployed but also platforms that can be used.
125 Deployments in 50 plus countries 200m plus End-users served by Broadpeak’s technologies 320 plus Broadpeakers Presence in 21 countries Created in 2010
Live Video Streaming
Delivering the highest quality of experience (QoE) for live video streaming
at scale, anywhere and on any device has become one of the most crucial challenges for video service providers. Broadpeak provides technologies to scale video distribution across networks and provide the best QoE.
Content Anywhere, Anytime
With Broadpeak solutions, video service providers can bring content anywhere, from remote places to crowded stadiums and at any time!
Monetisation
Many opportunities exist today to monetise networks, streaming services and content. With years of industry experience, Broadpeak provides monetisation solutions that reduce ecosystem complexity, increase business efficiency and accelerate time-to-market.
Decreasing Streaming Video Costs
Delivering video is hard, delivering video cost-effectively is harder. Broadpeak helps operators and OTT providers keep video streaming costs under control.
5G Streaming
With video streaming traffic increasingly shifting to cellular networks, new challenges and opportunities emerge for operators. Broadpeak 5G-ready advanced video delivery solutions unleash the
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potential of CDN to deliver a superior end-user quality of experience, optimise network costs and uncover new monetisation services.
Solutions
Broadpeak provides end-to-end streaming solutions from transcoding to content delivery. The company develops cutting-edge solutions based on highly performing, robust, secure technologies so that content providers, OTT platforms and pay TV operators can provide best-in-class experience to their subscribers, avoid churn, monetise network and services while reducing impact on the environment. Advanced CDN: A content delivery network solution ready for the upcoming challenges of video streaming Content Personalisation: Targeted advertising and video content personalisation
Multicast ABR: Solution to upgrade from IPTV to ABR with no compromise on QoE, bringing scalability to live video streaming Origin Packager: Package and secure video content, address any player or device, for live and on-demand applications and reduce storage space
Cloud DVR: Solution for non-linear and time-shifted TV services
CDN Selection: Manage growth and robustify video delivery services through a multi-CDN approach and by selecting the CDN that can best address each request Video Delivery Analytics and Monitoring: Support marketing, operations and support teams for strategic decision making related to capacity planning, troubleshooting and video consumption analysis
On top of these solutions Broadpeak offers added-value services to its customers, including managed services designed to simplify management and maintenance of the platform and its operations.
broadpeak.io
broadpeak.io is Broadpeak’s video API SaaS platform that makes Broadpeak’s trusted framework and solutions available as a service in the cloud, resulting in unparalleled simplicity, agility and scalability. broadpeak.io provides applications for dynamic ad insertion, content replacement (including black out), FAST customisation and virtual channels.
Contact Broadpeak
HDS Tower
Office 609 Cluster F
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: www.broadpeak.tv
Samir Awada
Sales Director, MEA
Email: Samir.Awada@broadpeak.tv
Tel: +971 50 456 8468
Ali Baig
Sales Director, MEA
Email: ali.baig@broadpeak.tv
Tel: +971 55 769 0125
Social Media
broadpeak broadpeak
MANUFACTURER 33
Unlocking subscriber retention excellence
Cleeng is a multi-tenant SaaS platform tailormade for the media and entertainment streaming industry. Specialising in flexible subscriber management solutions and helping broadcasters prevent subscriber churn and grow profits, Cleeng’s award-winning solution - the Subscriber Retention Management (SRM) suite, is a holistic technology that optimises different touchpoints in the subscriber journey.
Key Components
Core
Core is a Subscriber Management System engineered to launch new channels and maximise subscriber conversion. It allows broadcasters to extend simple account creation to interested users and experiment with
many offer types, coupon and free trial campaigns and Upgrade/Downgrade functionalities. Using these features helps broadcasters to boost subscriber conversions and drive revenue growth.
Merchant
A payment and checkout optimisation solution with web-store purchase management features, Merchant is designed to enable broadcasters to monetise platform content intelligently. It allows the expansion of the streaming business globally while collecting revenues overseas in local currencies. The platform also supports handling complexities like user compliance and tax management in cross-border transactions. For those keen on delegating cross-
border payment complexities entirely, Cleeng also serves as a Merchant of Record. The result is no hassle and the chance to focus on core streaming expertise to boost platform growth.
ChurnIQ
ChurnIQ is an actionable subscriber data analytics dashboard built to track subscribers, segment subscribers at risk and act before they churn. It enables increasing subscriber retention and boosting ARPU. Increased ARPU translates into higher profitability without incurring more spending on acquisition.
ChurnIQ works by collating data from varied sources into a consolidated data lake. This pool simplifies analysing different and deriving precise insights.
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Using these, broadcasters can track their financial performance and key revenue drivers and deterrents at every step. It is also equipped with advanced machine-learning capabilities. These enable a simplified analysis of subscriber behaviour across millions of subscribers. It also predicts a complex occurrence like churn risk with 95% accuracy. Churn, as we know, is a crucial profitability leakage. Access to information about different segments with churn risk by cause helps broadcasters have a unique chance to be proactive to mitigate the risk.
Hi5
A cloud-based, AI-enhanced customer care solution designed to boost user satisfaction, broadcasters using Hi5 can deploy world-class customer care in many languages for their users. Hi5 lends an edge to providing stellar customer care 24/7, resolving user queries thanks to an AI-based chatbot, and delivering an excellent experience. All of this support efficiency is possible without overshooting the support budget. In turn, the result is happy customers and positive differentiation in the crowded OTT ecosystem.
SaaS Models
Cleeng’s four-fold stacks solution is designed with a SaaS pricing model. The API infrastructure is open, supporting varied integrations as needed to work smoothly with existing systems. Due to the multi-tenant SaaS model, platform upgrades are regular and available to all users without additional expenditure. Using it, broadcasters can launch in as early as three weeks.
Furthermore, the platform is engineered to scale both enterprise broadcasters and growing SVOD platforms.
For these advantages, leading global direct-to-consumer video enterprises trust Cleeng’s expertise to manage operations. Some popular entertainment and sports brands using Cleeng’s solution include TOD, NFL, The Tennis Channel, NHL, SBG, Optus Sport, and The Weather Channel.
Cleeng FZ-LLC
Dubai Internet City
Dubai, UAE
Website: www.cleeng.com Social Media
Contact
cleeng cleeng CleeNG cleeng
MANUFACTURER 35
Scalable and flexible processing solutions
Founded in 1997, Cobalt Digital Inc. designs and manufactures awardwinning 12G/3G/HD/SD conversion, throwdown, routing, multiview and compression technology for live video production and master control. The company serves a broad section of industries — from pro AV applications to mobile production trucks to broadcast networks.
Cobalt is a founding partner in the openGear initiative known throughout the industry, and embraced worldwide, for its game changing open architecture and modular frame system. In addition to offering a wide range of openGear cards, Cobalt offers a new scalable software-based multiviewer, multi-format WAVE routers in 2U and 4U with compatible WAVE
Markets Served:
Broadcast and Production
Cable Networks
Mobile Production Trucks
Satellite Facilities
Sports Venues
Governments
Corporate Education
Houses of Worship
Medical Markets
control panels, the SafeLink platform that protects transport streams with RIST and the new 4K ST 2110/ JPEG-XS to HDMI conversion units for behind the monitor mounting.
Global Reach
Over 1000 customers worldwide rely on Cobalt products for their most demanding signal-processing applications. Cobalt gear is found in major broadcast and cable networks including sports broadcasters, government agencies, terrestrial and satellite facilities, houses of worship, corporate settings, production environments, mobile operations, ENG operations and TV stations. Cobalt’s channel network spans the globe with offices and representatives throughout
the Americas, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Engineering Beyond the Signal
Cobalt’s ever-growing line of products is built to tackle any challenge in today’s fast-moving multiscreen, multiformat
Solutions Include: 12G SDI 4K
Calm Compliance
HDR Production
IP Production
Master Control
Multi-Image Processing
Quality/Confidence Monitoring
SMPTE ST 2110
Text-to-Speech / EAS Automation
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The Cobalt team all smiles after winning two Best of Show awards at IBC 2024.
world. Cobalt’s hands-on technical, sales and management teams are on the ground, always listening to customers to learn their current demands but to also anticipate their next big need, whether its new openGear cards, software, or equipment that can quickly and easily bring existing systems up to date. Cobalt believes a scalable, space efficient and flexible approach to terminal equipment and systems offers the best value and choice without compromising ease of integration, features, or economy. Cobalt calls it Engineering Beyond the Signal, and it’s that philosophy that guides everything the company does.
Cobalt’s know-how and agility, coupled with its extensive array of
Products:
Audio Processing
Colour Correction
Compressed Audio Video
Conversion
Distribution Amplifiers
Embedders and De-Embedders
Fiber-optic Transport
Frame Synchronisers
Frames and Accessories
Keyers and Branding
Metadata Management
Multiviewers and Monitoring Options
Remote Control Software and Panels
RIST
Signal Routing
Standalone Products
Test and Reference
Throw Down Converters and Processors
Transport Stream, Audio Compliance and QC
Uncompressed Content Over IP
products, is the perfect formula to meet any requirement. And while you won’t find ‘standard’ answers at Cobalt, you will find sensible, practical solutions tailored to every specific situation. From the first interaction with the front office to product consultation and integration, to initial and ongoing field support, all concerns are addressed – before and after the sale.
Unique, Award-winning Solutions
In 2023, the company added numerous award-winning solutions to its evergrowing platform, including:
COBALT WAVE – A family of high-density routers offering unprecedented flexibility, easeof-use, and simplified integration, these units accommodate any variety of applications with support for signals up to 12G-SDI
COBALT UltraBlue IP-MV – Offered as both software package and cloud instance with WebRTC output, these software-based multiviewers handle a variety of compressed and uncompressed IP inputs and an arbitrary number of outputs
COBALT PACIFIC ULL-DEC – An openGear card capable of decoding H.262 (MPEG-2), H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC) and 4K with less than 10 milliseconds of latency
Contributing to the Industry
Cobalt is a founding member of the RIST forum and an active participant in AIMS, IABM, IEEE, SBE, SMPTE, SVG, and VSF. Cobalt supports the development of open standards and industry specifications with a talented team of engineers who have made significant industry contributions in internet streaming, uncompressed video over IP and HDR.
Contact
Cobalt Digital Inc. 2506 Galen Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61821, USA
Tel: +1 217.344.1243
Fax: +1 217.344.1245
Website: www.cobaltdigital.com
Suzana Brady
SVP, Worldwide Sales and Marketing
Email: Suzana.Brady@ cobaltdigital.com
Berend Blokzijl
Director of Sales for EMEA
Email: Berend.Blokzijl@ cobaltdigital.com
Social Media
cobalt-digital cobaltdigital
MANUFACTURER 37
Award-winning COBALT WAVE Remote Control Panel CP-84L.
Setting standards in broadcast technology
FOR-A is a global business, designing, developing and manufacturing cutting-edge video broadcast technology. It has been a market leader for more than 50 years, with a product line that encompasses equipment for Ultra HD television and IP connectivity.
The company’s extensive offerings feature a range of video switchers and routers to suit all applications from simple industrial systems to complex broadcast productions.
FOR-A also has a comprehensive range of signal processing equipment, including multi-viewers, colour correctors, frame synchronisers and test and measurement equipment including precision signal generators up to 8k resolution.
Founded in 1971, FOR-A principally manufactures in Japan with sales and support organisations worldwide. The company’s significant Middle East and Africa presence is managed from its centre in Dubai, which provides systems integration services as well as sales and support.
Recognising that customers increasingly need solutions that draw upon best-of-breed equipment from multiple vendors, FOR-A actively pursues collaborations with other vendors. This includes close associations, such as that with ClassX and its advanced graphics systems, virtual reality and character generators, as well as working relationships with other major vendors to be able to deliver a complete, integrated package.
Products
FOR-A continues to innovate across the range. It is an acknowledged leader in the use of the 12G-SDI standard to support 4k Ultra HD. It also offers options for IP connectivity for much of its production equipment and is a strong advocate for the NDI environment.
This is exemplified by the ability to add, in the field, NDI capabilities to its range of SDI production switchers. These range from the compact HVS-190 1 M/E
switcher up to the HVS-490, which uses the exclusive MELite technology to create 6 M/E performance, with up to 12 layers of keying. Many FOR-A production switchers incorporate a web server, allowing full control from any location using a browser on a computer or tablet for remote production.
Providing anything in, anything out video processing, the FA-1616 offers extraordinary power in a 1U cabinet, supporting as many as 16 channels at resolutions up to 4k, with colour correction and audio remapping.
Simple integration is a key factor in many applications today. The MFR3100EX is a live routing switcher which also incorporates a multi-viewer, downstream keyer and direct control of PTZ cameras. With the ability to stream across multiple different formats, it provides simple, sure and affordable control for cost-effective installations.
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FA-1616 Multi-Channel Processor.
HVS-190S Video Switcher.
Recent Projects
FOR-A continues to deliver highly effective solutions for many users across the MEA region.
For leading event production and technology specialist mediaPro International, based in Dubai, FOR-A designed and built a complete flyaway production system. To provide 4k Ultra HD performance in a simple and secure system, it draws on FOR-A’s strengths in 12G-SDI connectivity. The system centres on the FOR-A HVS-1200 compact production switcher, which is ideal for live events without compromising on keying, layering and transition capabilities. To simplify set-up, the HVS-1200 has an integrated multi-viewer. Because of the varying demands of the live production market, mediaPro International requires to be prepared to accommodate signals in a wide range of formats, frame rates and colour spaces. The system includes eight FA-9600 multipurpose signal processors to provide the necessary frame synchronisation and colour space conversion, including
wide colour gamut and high dynamic range sources and outputs.
Media and Art Production (MAP) in Dubai Studio City, has had a long relationship with FOR-A as technology partner, including remote production systems recently re-engineered into an outside broadcast truck, currently operating in HD but completely 4k ready. This is also centred on the HVS-1200 production switcher. MAP’s flyaway kit uses the HVS-490 production switcher, and the studio has the HVS-2000, giving a common user interface across all operations, vital for secure operation under the pressure of live productions. Also included for remote production
is the MFR-3100EX production centre, acting as a switcher, router, multi-viewer and downstream keyer in one 4U cabinet, saving space where it is vital. The unit is also used for PTZ camera control and it supports both NDI inputs and RTMP/SRT video streaming.
Activities
FOR-A develops, manufactures and brings to market professional video equipment for many environments. Where needed to meet customer expectations, the Dubai centre supporting the MEA market will also acquire and integrate third-party products of suitable quality to build complete solutions.
Contact
FOR-A Company Limited
DSC Tower, Office 207
Dubai Studio City, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 551 5830
Website: www.for-a.com
Mohammed Abu Ziyadeh
Regional Manager
Tel: +971 50 923 9839
Email: mziyadeh@for-a.co.jp
MANUFACTURER 39
Media
Social
ForAMiddleEastAfrica for-a-middle-east-&-africa foracorporation
Installation at mediaPro International.
Installation at Media and Art Production (MAP).
Helping creators create
From the time Fujifilm began making films in 1934, the company has had some of the best colour scientists in the world helping create film for cinema images. Eventually, Fujifilm began making FUJINON broadcast TV lenses, becoming the established market leader. When the opportunity to create cinema lenses arose, Fujifilm was on the cutting edge of digital cinema lens technology. Today, nearly a century of experience in imagemaking later, Fujifilm is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of television and motion picture lenses.
Corporate Mission
FUJINON lenses are created in response to the needs of the industries the company serves – creators and visual storytellers across the broadcast and cinema production spectrum.
Continuous Innovation
Fujifilm invests time and resources in speaking with customers, technology providers and camera manufacturers on every continent to learn what they need and want. Whether it’s convenience, productivity, efficiency, creative or something else, customers are the drivers of its innovation.
Cinema
FUJINON cinema lenses are built with purpose, enabling cinematographers to achieve a beautiful cinematic look. The promise of quality, innovation and superior customer service is matched by a commitment to immerse itself in the cinema market and learn what cinematographers, camera operators and other cinema production professionals want and need, now and in the future. Premista Series, FUJINON’s classleading flagship supports large-format sensors and delivers high resolution, beautiful bokeh and rich gradation with high dynamic range, allowing
cinematographers to effectively bring out the maximum capability of large format sensors and facilitate high-quality video production with true cinematic flair.
Broadcast
Engaged in the development and production of broadcast lenses for over 50 years, FUJINON broadcast lenses have supported image creation throughout the world with unique technologies including optical design development, advanced manufacturing capabilities and exceptional quality. By leveraging on its highly accurate design, manufacturing and assembly
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expertise, FUJINON broadcast lenses are deliberately created to not just meet, but exceed the optical, mechanical and electronic requirements of broadcast production professionals.
Key Technologies
Include:
HT-EBC Coating: The patented electron-beam multi-layer coating technology facilitates high light transmission and reduced flare and ghosting
Aspherical Large Aperture Lens: Developed with proprietary large aperture elements, FUJINON lenses effectively suppress chromatic aberration and distortion from the centre to the edge of the image
and keeping images a constant size
One Shot Pre-set: By allowing zoom and focus to be pre-set at selected positions and stored in advance, the system allows operators to instantly return to pre-set positions. A vital feature for studio or sports broadcasts
Remote Back Focus (RBF): RBF enables precise remote control of back focus adjustments via robotic control panels in a broadcast control room, allowing back focus adjustments to be made during shooting with minimal effort and down-time Advanced Focus (AF): Using FUJINON’s
class-leading phase detection system, the AF system enables operators to concentrate on zooming without worrying about focus control OS-Tech: Featuring the ‘Optical Shift System’ to optically compensate for vibration, the system responds quickly to vibration and movement facilitating natural image capture Breathing Compensation Technology (BCT): By synchronising zoom movements with focus movements, the patented BCT system automatically corrects for changes in the angle of view, thereby minimising breathing
9-Blade Iris: With the adoption of nine Iris blades, FUJINON 4K lenses achieve a nearly circular aperture, making it possible to render images with a softer, more natural bokeh
Awards
1996: First Emmy Award for Broadcast Lens R&D
2005: Awarded for Developing High-Performance Lenses
Adapted to Hi-Vision
2009: 4 Emmy Awards for Lens Technology Including Precision Focus
2020: Red Dot Design Award Winner for Broadcasting and Cinema Lenses
2022: IDEA Award for Premista Cinema Lenses
Contact
Fujifilm Middle East FZE
JAFZA View 19, Downtown Jebel Ali Dubai, UAE
Amrit Pandrangi
Division Manager (MEA) –Optical Devices
amrit.pandrangi@fujifilm.com
Ala Siam
Regional Sales Manager (MEA) –Optical Devices
Ala.siam@fujifilm.com
MANUFACTURER 41
Best KVM solutions for professional broadcasters
Guntermann & Drunck (G&D) is regarded as a leading manufacturer of KVM solutions, offering an extensive range of extenders, switches and matrix systems that enable effective management of keyboard, video and mouse signals. With over 35 years of expertise, G&D supplies numerous broadcasters worldwide, providing comprehensive support from consultation to after-sales. Their systems facilitate flexible and efficient control, ideal for broadcast production environments.
Products
KVM Extenders
G&D’s KVM extenders enable you to operate your computers over IP structures or dedicated cabling over long distances with realtime performance. Using KVM extenders makes your workplace more ergonomic and increases the security of your IT infrastructure.
KVM Switches
KVM switches from G&D improve the efficiency and ergonomics of your workplace. Operate multiple computers using just one mouse, one keyboard, and up to four monitors.
KVM Matrix Systems
KVM matrix systems make it easy for you to operate complex IT infrastructures by being able to access many computers from many workplaces.
Video Processing
G&D’s video processing solutions enable flexible organisation and operation of your video inputs on one or more displays. Create your workplace or video wall as unique as your application.
Operating Features
G&D’s products and systems are
designed for simple and intuitive operation. For example, the CrossDisplay-Switching function is designed for multi-monitor working environments where several computers are accessed at the same time. The user’s mouse acts as if it is on a ‘virtual desktop’ and can be moved seamlessly across the connected displays. When the cursor moves from one display to another, the keyboard/mouse focus automatically switches to the connected computer. This allows users to intuitively operate multiple systems simultaneously with just one keyboard and mouse.
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Enhancing Broadcast Efficiency
KVM systems allow operators to manage multiple computers from a single console, thus streamlining workflow. This reduces the clutter of hardware and wires, enabling a cleaner, more organised workspace. By facilitating seamless switching and control over multiple computer sources on one screen, KVM solutions ensure that operators can focus on delivering high-quality content without the physical constraints of traditional setups. This multi-viewing approach, with enhanced operational focus, not only increases efficiency but also improves scalability and flexibility in broadcast operations by enabling real-time adjustments and monitoring across various platforms.
VisionXS Product Line Continues to Grow
G&D’s matrix-compatible highperformance KVM extenders support resolutions up to 4K @ 60 Hz. The systems are available for both KVMover-IP and classic, direct transmission.
The product range is now complemented by the new DP-HR variants for resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 @ 60 Hz. For this series, the manufacturer relies on its proven, lossless bluedec compression which enables authentic, pixel-perfect video experiences.
The matrix-compatible extenders will also be available with two DisplayPort connectors for multi-monitor applications. This enables operation of up to two monitors at the same time while reducing cabling effort and additional hardware by using only one transmission port. On the user side, the new variants enhance ergonomics and greater flexibility in the workplace.
The VisionXS-IP portfolio keeps expanding, with new variants
supporting Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The new feature makes it possible to supply power to the device using the transmission port. In this way, the extender can be secured twice against failures: the device is connected via both the main power supply and the network cable, providing redundancy in case one power supply fails. This guarantees maximum operational safety and reliability during continuous operation.
Strengthening Activities in the Middle East
G&D has recently expanded its presence in the Middle East, establishing an office in Dubai, to serve the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Tamby Alasker, Director of Sales, who brings over 15 years of expertise in AV and KVM solutions for mission-critical applications is proud to announce the planned opening of a new office and showroom in Studio City. This new space will not only provide a venue to showcase G&D’s cutting-edge technologies but will also serve as a hub for consultancy and advice. As an expert in control room applications, Alasker will offer expertise on individual projects.
G&D - Feels Right
G&D’s customers can expect comprehensive expert advice and technical support during all phases of their projects. Regardless of the KVM broadcasting requirement, G&D, along with their trained partner network, will be pleased to offer expert assistance in identifying the optimal, fully integrated KVM solution.
Contact
G&D Middle East
Dubai World Trade Centre
Central One, C1 Building 2nd Floor, Office 250
Dubai, UAE
Website: www.gdsys.com
Tamby Alasker
Sales Director AMEA
Tel: +971 4 5232649
Email: sales@gdsys.com
Social Media gdsysKVM g-&-d
MANUFACTURER 43
Leading innovation in media infrastructure, cloud and workflow solutions
Widely used in sport and entertainment broadcasting, theatres, houses of worship, institutions, live performances and corporate settings, Lawo solutions bring cutting-edge tools to IP infrastructures, video processing, audio mixing and routing. With softwaredefined platforms, Lawo took a momentous step to decouple software functionality from the hardware it runs on for on-premise, decentralised, multi-campus and remote operation. Originally launched to take much of
the configuration hassle out of IP networks through intuitive discovery and registration, Lawo’s IP-based management platform called HOME simplifies IP configurations, network security and remote device configuration. A founding member of the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Lawo continues to champion and implement interoperability based on open standards like the ST2110 suite, ST2022- 7, AES67, RAVENNA, NDI, SRT, and Ember+.
Award-Winning Dedication to Customer Success
Lawo’s accolades include the ‘Public Sector Project of the Year’ AV Award for the European Parliament and the ‘2021 NAB Show Product of the Year Award’ for its HOME IP management platform. In 2022, Lawo and Proximus received the coveted AV Award for ‘Broadcast and Media Project of the Year’ and the Digital Media World Award 2022 in the ‘IP Broadcast Solutions’ category for .edge, which also won the BroadcastPro ME Manufacturer Award 2023. Together with CBC/RadioCanada, Lawo won the 2023 AV Award in the ‘Broadcast and Media Project of the Year’ category. Power Core ‘Rev3’ software-defined DSP mixing engine and I/O gateway has been honoured with the RedTech Award 2023.
Management, Processing, Control and Monitoring
Lawo’s HOME management platform for IP-based media infrastructures, built on a microservices architecture, enables users to connect, manage and secure networked production setups.
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Fully NMOS
IS-04 and IS-05 compliant, HOME is based on open standards –ST2110, NMOS, IEEE802.1x and RADIUS. In 2021, Lawo decided to open HOME and to welcome third-party vendors through a single control API that grants ‘HOME First-Class Citizen’ status.
HOME is furthermore the platform used to manage and tweak cuttingedge video and audio gateways as well as Lawo’s HOME apps. Supporting SMPTE ST2110, NDI, SRT and JPEG XS, these microservice-based processing apps, which run on generic servers in private or public clouds, can be licensed via highly elastic plans and no longer require bespoke hardware.
Lawo’s VSM brings IP-based control and workflows to OB, studio and MCR applications in TV and radio. Deviceagnostic, VSM controls all major video/ audio routers and mixers, intercoms, UMDs and multiviewers, glue and other third-party baseband and IP devices.
Media Infrastructure
Solution for IP Setups
HOME-native and software-defined, .edge Hyper-Density SDI/IP Conversion and Routing Platform works as
converter and SDI router replacement for IP/hybrid infrastructures. Each rear I/O blade provides 48 HD-BNCs for SD/HD/3G/ UHD SDI interfacing. Installing four such rear blades provide 192 SDI/IP conversions per 2RU. .edge supports the SMPTE ST2110 open standard as well as ST2022-7 redundancy, and can be expanded with flexible software licenses to provide the perfect mix of advanced features, such as JPEG XS (de)compression and proxy generation at the edge of the network for significantly reduced traffic.
IP Audio Production Solutions
With a 1RU physical footprint and startlingly low power requirements, Lawo’s HOME-native, software-defined A__UHD Core is the audio engine for mc² audio consoles, offering up to 1,024 DSP channels that can be shared among multiple consoles for flexible audio resource pooling. The current lineup of audio consoles features the mc²96, the mc²56, the compact mc²36 xp, and the budget-friendly mc²36 MkII all-in-one mixer with built-in A__UHD Core technology. Lawo’s A__line Audio-to-IP interfaces provide WAN-capable transport of analogue and digital audio in compliance with ST2110- 30/-31, AES67 and RAVENNA.
I/O to accommodate AES67, MADI, analogue, AES3 as well as Dante audio sources and destinations. Also powered by the Power Core with all I/O options, including Lawo’s AIOX for up to 1,280 analogue and/or digital audio inputs, the new crystal console for broadcast applications complies with SMPTE ST2110-30/-31 for audio, and ST2022-7 for redundancy. In Controller mode, crystal can be used as an extension of an mc² console or as an OSC-compatible remote control for DAWs and live sound applications. Lawo’s R3LAY VRX mixing software is a ‘virtual radio environment’, perfect for on-location assignments, ENG, webcasting and personal studios.
Contact
Lawo
Am Oberwald 8 76437 Rastatt
Germany
Tel: +49 7222 1002 2930
Email: info@lawo.com
IP-Based Radio Broadcast
Lawo’s radio consoles are designed for both stand-alone and networked operations. Powered by the Lawo Power Core engine, the modular diamond console manages expandable
Website: www.lawo.com
Klaus-Jörg Jasper
Sales Director, Middle East
Email: klaus-joerg.jasper@lawo.com
Social Media
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lawo
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MANUFACTURER 45
Lighting for anywhere
Litepanels, a leader in LED lighting for television, provides professionals with reliable and accurate lighting solutions for studios and outside broadcasts. Trusted by broadcasters, filmmakers and content creators worldwide, Litepanels offers practical lighting systems known for their efficiency and adaptability.
Its product lineup includes industry standards like the Astra bi-colour panels, Studio-X Fresnels and the Gemini RGBWW panel series. These lighting solutions are favoured by lighting directors for their lightweight design, practical features and user-friendly controls suitable for diverse production environments.
As part of Videndum Production Solutions, Litepanels benefits from a dedicated global support team, ensuring customer satisfaction worldwide. Litepanels’ impact on the
industry is clear from the recognition received from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Technology and Engineering Emmy and a Primetime Engineering Emmy Plaque. In 2021, Litepanels was honoured once again by the National Academy with a third Emmy for its development of LED lighting for television production.
Products
Astra IP
The new Astra IP, launched at NAB 2024, is a dependable, durable and versatile bi-colour LED panel. Designed for challenging environments, it delivers powerful output in lightweight 1×1, half-size, and 2×1 setups, ideal for broadcast lighting.
With ultra-efficient LEDs and a focused beam angle, it produces impactful white light, adjustable from
2,700K to 6,500K for precise matching. Rated IP65, it withstands rain, dust and sand, ensuring seamless operation. Its rugged build includes an integrated power supply and optional battery plates (Gold Mount, V-Mount, and BP-U), providing flexibility for various setups. Astra IP is the fast fixture that never backs down in any conditions.
Studio X
Litepanels Studio X LED Fresnels, engineered by broadcast lighting experts Quartzcolor, offer directional, high-performance white light. Featuring precision spot-to-flood beam control, these fixtures ensure consistent quality and natural skin tone rendering.
Powered by high-output BiColour COB LEDs, Studio X delivers superior white light, maintaining
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consistency across dimming levels from 0 to 100% and adjustable CCT range from 2700°K to 6500°K. This makes them ideal for matching ambient and practical set lighting, presenting talent in a realistic light.
With their high-quality, single-source wrap-around illumination, Studio X Fresnels are the natural choice for illuminating talent effectively.
Gemini Hard
The incredible output of Gemini Hard expands the creative potential of LED panels. With more power to command and control, you can use a wide range of diffusion and creative light shaping tools, not possible with less powerful fixtures. Combined with full RGB control and precision control of hue, saturation, intensity, gels and effects, Gemini Hard panels deliver unmatched creativity.
With exceptional CRI and TLCI ratings, Gemini Hard delivers consistently accurate white light at any CCT from 2,700K to 10,000K, without colour shift or flicker at any frame rate, shutter angle, or intensity level from 100% down to 0.1%.
Compact and lightweight, Gemini withstands rigorous studio or location demands, allowing rapid
rigging and easy transport. Built to industrial standards with robust materials, Gemini safeguards your investment for years.
Three Es of Modern Studio Lighting
Fujairah TV opted for Litepanels LED fixtures for their efficiency, environmental advantages and economic benefits. In addition to substantially decreasing energy consumption, LED lights notably reduce heat output compared to tungsten lights, enhancing comfort on sets. They also operate almost silently, a stark contrast to conventional fixtures. Gemini panels provide a versatile light foundation with precise RGBWW colour adjustment. Litepanels’ Studio X LED Fresnels offer directional, full-spectrum illumination with the light-shaping capabilities of Fresnel lights, but with significantly lower power consumption than traditional tungsten fixtures.
Key Clients
Qatar TV
Azhari TV
Blinx
Fujairah TV
Contact
Videndum Production Solutions
William Vinten Building
Easlea Road, Moreton Hall Estate Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Website: www.litepanels.com/en
Ibrahim Al Akkad
Middle East Director
Tel: +971 50 640 6056
Email: ibrahim.akkad@ videndum.com
Mohamad Sabri
Sales
Tel: +971 50 737 0244
Email: mohamed.sabri@ videndum.com
Bassam Wazani
Support
Tel: +971 54 345 1797
Email: bassam.wazani@ videndum.com
Social Media
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MANUFACTURER 47
Expert media playout and management solutions
As a world leader in automation, integrated, IP and virtualised playout systems, Pebble has the people, the process and the technology to support broadcasters as they adapt to compete with new entrants in the video media space. Pebble is the expert partner for hybrid cloud playout, supporting broadcasters to transition from traditional broadcast infrastructure to more flexible IP-based technologies.
With systems that meet the evolving needs of the industry, the company empowers broadcasters to seamlessly transition from traditional broadcast infrastructure to more adaptable, efficient software and IP-based technologies, ensuring they remain cost-effective and competitive.
Pebble in the MENA
With a track record for delivering on time and against commitments, Pebble’s systems control over 400 channels across 17 countries at around 70 sites across the Middle East, and many more at major broadcasters worldwide. Pebble’s suite of solutions manages complex workflows and offer straightforward expansion capability as requirements change. The option to display user interfaces
in Arabic allows dynamic graphics control with Arabic text, providing fast turnaround compliance workflows with features to easily manage prayer breaks in their schedules. Over the past two years, Pebble has experienced significant growth and development within its UAE operations. To enhance the regional team, Pebble made four important appointments -- Ziad Sanbar was appointed Regional Solutions Manager, Christian Mesmar, serving as Product Trainer and Customer Fulfilment Engineer relocated from the UK, Belkacem Hennane was welcomed as new addition to the team and Customer Support Engineer Owen Hesford also relocated from the UK.
Key Pebble customers in the MENA territory include Al-Jazeera Media Network, Bahrain Radio and Television, Qatar TV, Oman TV, Jordan TV, Egyptian TV, BeIN Media Group, Bloomberg Al-Sharq, Dubai Media Incorporated, Etisalat, OSN Network, Jordan Media City, CNBC Arabiya, Nilesat, and more.
Automation Solutions
Pebble’s enterprise automation software platform delivers robust, best-in-class functionality and can flex and adapt as needs change. It controls mission-critical operations and is scalable from one to hundreds of channels. Its distributed architecture means resources can be utilised over
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multiple servers, and its selection of device drivers gives broadcasters freedom to deploy the technology that best fits the needs of their channels, whether legacy SDI devices or the latest IP and hybrid cloud technologies.
Integrated Channel
Pebble’s scalable Integrated Channel device offers audio, video and graphics functionality in a compact, cost-effective format to meet ingest, channel branding and frame-accurate multi-channel playout requirements. It replicates in software all the functionality of a traditional broadcast playout chain made up of singlepurpose devices performing dedicated functions. It can be customised for all channel types, from tightly scheduled ‘static’ channels to highly reactive channels with multiple content formats, complex graphics and live inserts. With SD/HD/UHD video server, master control switcher, subtitling, captioning and channel branding functionality, this solution is installed across a variety of broadcast applications including Tier One premium channels, regional commercial insertion, fast to market or short-term channels, disaster recovery centres and content ingest.
Supporting the conversion of a range of compression and file formats, it can mix legacy SD content with new HD and UHD material in the same playlist.
Pebble Control ‒Optimises IP Connectivity
Every broadcast engineer and content producer needs to connect equipment. Signals need to be routed and switched around your setting, whether that is a production facility, playout centre, regional broadcast station or an OB truck. In the world of SDI there are lots of options to help you do this. But for IP environments, connection and device management becomes a whole lot more complex, and the cost of getting it wrong is potentially very high.
Pebble Control is an award-winning self-contained, scalable, IP-native, connection management solution which is easy to configure, deploy and operate using web-based UIs. Designed to deliver immediate benefits to even the smallest IP facility, it leverages open standards to interface with NMOS-enabled devices from multiple vendors, and is easily reconfigurable for when your interconnections change, or when you add or remove devices.
Pebble Control Free was launched in April 2022, enabling broadcasters
to work with entry level access of 15 concurrent input and output connections at no cost. To download, visit www.pebble.tv/control-free.
Verified Credentials
Cyber Essentials Certificate of Assurance from The IASME Consortium
DPP Committed to Sustainability Mark
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Partner with completion of AWS
Foundational Technical Review
JT-NM Tested (Joint Task Force on Networked Media)
Contact
Pebble
Unit 1, First Quarter Blenheim Road, Epsom
KT19 9QN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1932 333790
Tel: +44 75 153 27779
Email: sales@pebble.tv
Website: www.pebble.tv
Samir Isbaih
VP Sales - Middle East & South Asia
Middle East Support Office Office 106, Building 4
Dubai Media City
PO Box 502829
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 509669689
Ziad Sanbar
Regional Solutions Manager
Social Media
pebbletv
@pebbleupdates
@pebbleupdates
Pebble
Pebble Updates
MANUFACTURER 49
Creating revolutionary broadcast software
RCS is the world’s largest broadcast software company with products in thousands of radio and TV stations, music channels, cable companies, ad agencies, satellite networks and streaming stations worldwide. With guaranteed reliability and 24/7 support the most respected names in the industry choose RCS as their software provider.
RCS invented music scheduling on computers, opening its doors in 1979 with the very first version of the legendary Selector. This revolutionary product was designed for music
radio stations wanting to have more control over their song rotations, while maintaining consistency and enhancing variety. Within the first year, Selector had its first station: an NBCowned FM station in San Francisco. In the last decade, RCS has reinvented the way broadcasters approach their craft with the introduction of new and updated software services.
A hallmark of RCS from the beginning was the strategy to base product improvements on feedback from its loyal customers and experienced power users.
Core Products
Zetta: The most advanced radio automation system
GSelector: The world’s most powerful multi-station scheduler
Aquira: Powerful and highly flexible traffic system
RCSNews: State-of-the-art radio newsroom software
Revma: Professional grade streaming
RCS2GO: Work from any location
RCS Cloud: Cloud-based safety net
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This tradition continues with the company’s next generation of awardwinning broadcast software.
The most respected names in the broadcast industry choose RCS as their software partner, including world-famous names such as Z100, KISS-FM, and many of the largest and most successful radio groups around the world.
‘From-Anywhere Flexibility’
Now there is a new generation of
browser-based extensions to RCS software, designed for mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Alongside GSelector, Zetta and Aquira. Baher Al Zaher, Managing Director of RCS MENA says, “our customers have access to the incredible ‘from-anywhere’ flexibility of Selector2GO, Zetta2GO and Aquira2GO. With its mobile initiatives, RCS is putting the power of its cuttingedge software into the hands of every user, no matter where they may be.
And for customers who want cloudbased solutions, RCS is already there.” RCS provides the most advanced, reliable, intuitive and flexible broadcast tools on the planet. Because its clients are based worldwide, RCS’ tools are multilingual too. Additionally, customers are backed by the legendary RCS 24/7 world-class support, and the company boasts more local support offices than any other broadcast software company in the world.
Contact
RCS MENA
Level 19, Fortune Executive Tower
Cluster T, JLT, Dubai, UAE
Email: sales@rcsmena.com
Website: www.rcsmena.com
Baher Al Zaher, Managing Director
Tel: +971 4 513 99 44
Email: balzaher@rcsmena.com
Social Media
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MANUFACTURER 51
Baher Al Zaher, Managing Director, RCS MENA.
Powering live production tools for the industry
Riedel Communications is a leading provider of live production tools in media, sport and entertainment. The company’s hard- and software solutions span distributed video and audio networks over intercom and replay solutions to WAN and MPLS applications. Thanks to Riedel’s holistic approach, its three business units –Product Division, Managed Technology Division and Networks Division – can leverage powerful synergies to provide flexible infrastructures, tools and services for both fixed and temporary installations around the globe, enabling Riedel customers to run even the most complex projects on-site, remotely, or in the cloud. Riedel is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany and employs over 1,000 people in 30 locations throughout Europe, Australia, Asia and the Americas.
Signature Products
MediorNet: A distributed video infrastructure for routing, processing, multi-viewing and more in SDI, IP or hybrid environments
Artist: An industry-leading intercom ecosystem, renowned for its reliability, scalability and flexibility. The distributed system can be expanded from 16x16 to 1024x1024 non-blocking ports per 2RU node and can connect several
thousand subscribers via trunking
Bolero: An expandable, full-roaming wireless intercom system in the 1.9GHz DECT and 2.4GHz frequency range that can be fully integrated into Riedel’s Artist or used in standalone mode
SmartPanel: Riedel’s SmartPanel is more than just an intercom panel – it is a software-definable application platform. With the new Audio Monitoring App, the 1200 Series SmartPanels now unite advanced intercom, control, automation and audio monitoring functionalities in a single panel
Simplylive Production Suite: The Simplylive Production Suite is a softwaredriven live production platform that lets you choose from a range of
application layers, tuned to the tasks you need to do – from live replay, ingest recording, streaming or video review to an all-in-one production solution that gives you virtually everything you need to create a show
Riedel Managed Technology
Riedel’s Managed Technology division not only delivers unified infrastructures for communications, media distribution, safety and security, but also provides systems integration, consulting and monitoring solutions. With a variety of visionary manufacturers, service companies and development hubs joining the Riedel family of solutions providers in recent years,
52 MANUFACTURER AMP Visual TV OB Truck.
the Riedel Group is now equipped to deliver integral turnkey solutions for productions of any scale.
In 2022, Riedel introduced a Managed Technology unit dedicated to the GCC and the MEA region. To draw on Riedel’s expertise, experience and innovative strength when planning a major event or production in the GCC or MEA, contact mtsales-mea@riedel.net.
Recent Projects
Early in 2024, Riedel announced a strategic partnership between its Networks Division and Kalaam Carrier Solutions, a digital solutions provider for the world’s largest motorsports events, headquartered in Bahrain. The goal of this partnership is to enhance the MEA region’s motorsports experience by establishing a robust, permanent network infrastructure for Kalaam’s clients. The first stage of the ongoing project reduced the round-trip delay from Riedel’s Milan POP to the Middle East POP from 120 to 70 milliseconds.
In other Riedel news, the company’s Live Video Production solutions are empowering Lafayette College to livestream multiple high-quality sports broadcasts simultaneously. With a core team of at least six positions, including
camera operators, replay operators and graphics operators, the Pennsylvania college has been able to produce exceptional broadcasts with minimal training. With multiple instances of Riedel’s Simplylive Production Suite AllIn-One system – and one running on a portable V Mini server – they can set up their live streaming equipment in various locations to cover a wide range of sports and ensure that no game goes unnoticed.
Major Sporting Event Partner
Around the world, broadcasters and production companies like NEP, AMP, BBC, Al Jazeera, Sky or NextRadio TV put their trust in Riedel technologies. Riedel Communications can look back on over 30 years of experience with major international sporting events. Today, the company’s Managed Technology Division provides specialised radio and intercom systems for all races of the premier class of motorsport, and acts as technology supplier for some of the world’s largest sporting events – from World Cups to Winter and Summer Games. Riedel has been awarded three Sports Emmy Awards for the Red Bull Stratos Jump and Red Bull Air Race productions, and a Technology Emmy Award for its Bolero wireless intercom.
Contact
Riedel Communications – HQ
Riedel Communications
GmbH & Co. KG
Uellendahler Straße 353 42109 Wuppertal, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 202 292 – 90
Website: www.riedel.net
Serkan Guener (Spokesperson) Tel: +49 (0) 202 292 – 9517
Mob: +49 (0) 174 – 339 24 48
Email: serkan.guener@riedel.net
Dubai Office
Riedel Communications ME FZ-LLC
DMC Building 10, Office 111
PO Box: 502438, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 4229 574
Email: ahmed.magd@riedel.net
Social Media
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riedelcommunications company/549773
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MANUFACTURER 53
Kalaam Carrier Solutions and Riedel Networks.
Lafayette College – Live Video Production solutions.
Powering live productions for billions of viewers daily
Ross Video is a global leader in video production technology, having provided innovative solutions for 50 years. Every day, Ross powers live productions for billions of viewers through high-impact, highefficiency solutions and services.
Ross assists organisations in creating and sharing compelling content, from leading broadcasters to houses of worship, stadiums, corporations and governments. Ross turns ideas, plans and strategies into reality.
Products, Solutions and Services
Ross Video has the industry’s widest product portfolio which includes robotic camera systems, real-time motion graphics, production switchers, virtual studios, cable-based camera systems – including spidercam, routers, control systems and more.
Ross offers a range of services, including creative and production services, consulting, training and technical support.
Global Company
Established in 1974, the Canadian company has expanded its operations globally and today has offices and partners in over 100 countries. Ross has corporate offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia,
as well as supporting sales and service operations in the Middle East. The company offers lifetime technical support by telephone, email and Skype, and support is available 24/7/365.
Key Clients and Partnerships
Ross solutions have impressed audiences and partners of Eurosport, BBC World, Sky, Yahoo! Finance and international esports powerhouse ESL. Ross has a long list of clients in the broadcast industry, including major networks, news broadcasters, production companies and sports leagues.
A trusted partner for global events, Ross proudly works on the Olympics, the World Cup and the Academy Awards. Ross Video tailors solutions precisely aligned with the unique needs of customers and partners.
Technology Leadership
Thanks to in-house research and development, Ross can creatively innovate breakthrough products and provide long-term support for the company’s technologies.
Ross offers a comprehensive mix of hardware, software and cloudbased solutions suitable for SDI, 12G, IP and hybrid production models.
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Hyperconverged
Ross Hyperconverged Solutions merge production equipment into a single unified platform, using the latest technology to integrate multiple, independent products within one software-defined system to enable big production in a small package.
Ross Hyperconverged Solutions take up less space, use less power and are faster to deploy – they do more with less without compromising functionality. An example of this approach can be seen in the award-winning Ultrix FR12 router, multiviewer and signal processing platform that offers the flexibility to accommodate SDI, IP, or Hybrid workflows, providing true flexibility. Hyperconverged Ultrix technology cuts energy consumption by about 90 percent.
Recent Announcements
At NAB 2024, Ross announced the following:
Artimo, a revolutionary freeroaming robotics studio system that redefines flexibility, creativity
and practicality in studio settings
Raiden, data-driven weather graphics
– a transformative weather graphics solution powered by XPression that empowers newsrooms to elevate their storytelling with more engaging weather and climate content
Building on the success of last year’s TD3 and TD4 panels, the TouchDrive control panel range expands with the introduction of the all-new TDx series
Advances in real-time motion graphics with major updates to the XPression engines, along with version 12 software that comes with more robust cloud deployment
A groundbreaking software-based production switcher, Carbonite Code, optimised for NDI workflows
The acquisition of Bannister Lake Software to add data, automation and HTML5 graphics to the already powerful Ross graphics portfolio
Progress in Hyperconverged technology, including the UltrimixDante, which enables seamless integration of Dante-powered audio workflows with Ultrix
Advances in ingest, playout and transcode through Media I/O v10 as the world’s most flexible and scalable ingest and playout server receives the new Aura web-based interface with a superior and modern user experience packed with powerful new features and functionalities
Contact
Ross Video EMEA
33 King’s Road, Reading RG1 3AR
United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1189502446
Email: www.rossvideo.com
Karim Gad
Regional Sales Manager, Middle East
karim.gad@rossvideo.com
Deepraj Sandhar
Regional Sales Manager, Middle East
deepraj.sandhar@rossvideo.com
MANUFACTURER 55
Delivering unparalleled sound
Shure has been making people sound extraordinary for nearly a century. Founded in 1925, the company is a leading global manufacturer of audio equipment known for quality, performance and durability. Shure makes microphones, wireless microphone systems, in-ear monitors, earphones and headphones, conferencing systems, and more. For critical listening or high-stakes moments on stage, in the studio, and from the meeting room, you can always rely on Shure.
Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, in the USA, Shure Incorporated has
over 40 manufacturing facilities and regional sales offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia.
Product Range
Shure’s exceptional line-up of products include its renowned microphones, wireless systems, software, conferencing systems, headphones, earphones, loudspeakers, DSP routing and mixing systems.
Innovative Solutions Provider
In the dynamic world of broadcasting, where audio quality is paramount, Shure has established itself as a leading
provider of innovative solutions. With a rich history of excellence spanning over nine decades, Shure continues to push boundaries and redefine the audio landscape. Shure’s range of products has been transforming the broadcast industry, delivering unparalleled sound and reliability. At the heart of Shure’s offerings for broadcasters is the Axient Digital wireless system. Designed to meet the demands of complex broadcast applications, Axient Digital offers industry-leading RF performance, exceptional audio quality, and robust spectrum management. With a wide tuning range and advanced interference detection and avoidance capabilities, Axient Digital ensures rock-solid wireless transmission, free from dropouts or interference. Broadcasters can confidently deliver flawless sound, be it live event, news broadcast, or film production.
Shure’s ADX5D is a dual-channel wireless receiver that takes versatility and reliability to new heights. With its Quadversity antenna technology and advanced digital audio processing, the ADX5D guarantees uninterrupted signal reception and exceptional audio stability, even in challenging environments. This feature-rich
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system allows broadcasters to achieve maximum channel count, making it ideal for high-density applications such as sporting events, live concerts and theatre productions. The ADX5D ensures a seamless broadcast experience, with no compromise on audio quality.
Shure’s SLXD series brings professional-grade wireless performance within reach of a broader range of broadcasters. Featuring an intuitive interface and easy setup, SLXD systems are designed to meet the needs of smaller broadcast operations, educational institutions and houses of worship. With an array of transmitter options and flexible receiver configurations, broadcasters can choose the perfect solution for their specific requirements. SLXD combines rock-solid reliability, exceptional sound quality and streamlined operation, allowing broadcasters to focus on delivering captivating content.
Dynamic Array of Microphones
No discussion of Shure’s impact on the broadcast industry would be complete without highlighting the company’s renowned microphones. Shure offers an extensive range of dynamic,
condenser, and ribbon microphones that deliver unparalleled audio capture for broadcast applications. From the legendary SM58 dynamic microphone, trusted by broadcasters for its durability and clarity, to the iconic KSM series condenser microphones, Shure’s microphones consistently produce pristine sound, capturing every nuance with exceptional detail. To further enhance the broadcast experience, Shure provides Wireless Workbench, a powerful software tool that offers comprehensive control and monitoring of wireless systems.
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With its intuitive interface, real-time frequency monitoring and coordination capabilities, Wireless Workbench streamlines the management of complex wireless setups, ensuring optimal performance and minimising the risk of interference. Broadcasters can efficiently monitor and control Shure wireless systems, ensuring seamless experience for both technicians and talent.
Shure’s commitment to innovation and audio excellence has made a significant impact on the broadcast industry. Its range of products, including Axient Digital, ADX5D, SLXD and world-class microphones, have set new standards for audio quality, reliability and versatility. As the demands of broadcasting continue to evolve, Shure remains at the forefront, offering cutting-edge solutions that empower broadcasters to deliver exceptional sound experiences. With Shure as a trusted partner, the future of the broadcast industry is set to reach new heights of audio brilliance.
Key Projects
Shure microphones and wireless systems have been part of live events such as the Super Bowl, the Grammys, Eurovision, and movies such as West Side Story.
Contact
Shure MEA
Unit 2805 Swiss Tower
Cluster Y, Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 375 6650
Website: shure.com
Social Media
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Connect bigger audiences with innovative solutions
As the world’s largest independent video software provider with over a 35-year track record in the TV industry, Synamedia offers advanced solutions and services designed to help broadcasters and operators in the Middle East enrich, protect and deliver premium video entertainment.
Over 200 of the world’s leading broadcasters, satellite DTH, cable, telco and OTT operators and media companies rely on Synamedia, including Astro, Bharti Airtel, beIN, Comcast, Disney, Etisalat, eVision, Liberty Global, NBCUniversal, OSN, Sky, Tata, Viacom and Vodafone.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Synamedia has 22 offices
and development centres all around the world, supporting over 200 customers with Synamedia technology deployed on over 330 million devices globally.
Synamedia works with customers to: Monetise their content with platforms that provide greater personalisation, better content discovery and targeted advertising Secure content and services with advanced encryption, expert anti-piracy services and forensic watermarking Process, distribute and deliver video content for broadcasters and operators over all types of distribution networks
Targeted Advertising
Synamedia Iris
A unified advertising platform, Synamedia Iris provides campaign management, ad decisioning, delivery and reporting across all screens, covering broadcast and streaming. By converging these capabilities in a single platform, operators can achieve more efficient utilisation of inventory, get consistent reporting and forecasting, and ensure that targeting and delivery parameters are coordinated to get maximum reach and yield.
Building off the successful development of Sky AdSmart, Synamedia Iris extends addressability to even more broadcast devices, including one-way set-tops and set-tops without hard drives, enabling targeted ads to reach more screens and audiences.
For streaming delivery, Synamedia Iris SSAI is a modular, scalable and robust product that can be integrated with any ad server, CDN, client device, or video player. Iris supports ad spot and break replacement or insertion for live, ondemand, and time-shifted TV services.
Video Processing and Distribution
Synamedia’s Video Network portfolio’s mission is to delight viewers with the best video-quality while reducing
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cost per delivered byte, enable monetisation viewer engagement with captivating live streaming experiences and personalised ads. The robust cloud-based Quortex B2B Distribution solution empowers the transition to IP-Distribution with minimal friction and in record time. The feature rich Quortex Play D2C Streaming portfolio offers top-quality premium live video streaming at any scale and efficiency. Dynamically adaptable to user’s demand, Fluid EdgeCDN uses intelligent CDN controls mechanisms to reduce delivery network costs.
Video and Broadband Platforms
Synamedia Go
An open modular video streaming platform, Synamedia Go is tailored for video operators seeking swift deployment of streaming services. It is designed to adapt to evolving business needs, allowing operators to effortlessly incorporate advanced capabilities as required. Synamedia Go prioritises flexibility, enabling operators to choose between pre-integrated Synamedia solutions or their preferred third-party solutions. This flexibility ensures operators can easily tailor their services to meet specific requirements.
Synamedia Gravity is a specialised platform for service and device orchestration, catering specifically to service providers delivering business broadband services to small and medium-sized business subscribers. Developed with the primary goal of minimising costs and enhancing revenue streams, Synamedia Gravity offers unparalleled flexibility in selecting devices and software. It enables seamless integration of valueadded broadband features such as managed wi-fi, network security and SD-WAN, empowering service
providers to optimise their offerings for enhanced business connectivity.
Security Solutions and Services
With a security platform that has never been hacked, Synamedia is synonymous with video security. It protects over $70 billion of video service provider revenue annually. Synamedia’s security offerings, including VideoGuard conditional access, Multi-DRM and ContentArmor forensic watermarking solutions, combine human intelligence and machine learning to protect content and revenues by detecting and disrupting piracy.
Contact
Synamedia
Staines-upon-Thames United Kingdom
Adam Zeman
Email: azeman@synamedia.com
Website: www.synamedia.com
Social Media
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Pioneering media and broadcasting solutions
ToolsOnAir Broadcast Engineering GmbH (ToolsOnAir), founded in 2008 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria, pioneered and introduced the revolutionary concept of the ‘TV station in a Mac’. The company offers a notable range of innovative, powerful and versatile Capture, Playout and Live closed captions solutions that run on macOS and Linux platforms. These solutions are designed to cater to the diverse and demanding requirements of TV stations, broadcast production facilities, houses of worship and agencies in the education and government sectors.
Industry Needs Meet Design Excellence
At ToolsOnAir, solutions are designed with live broadcast production and 24/7 operations in mind. The company’s Capture, Playout and Live Captioning workflows seamlessly integrate video, audio and graphics to meet the dayto-day demands of TV stations and broadcast production facilities while maintaining a cost-effective approach.
Tailored Capture Solutions for Entry Level to Premium Production Needs
ToolsOnAir offers wide-ranging multichannel capture solutions for macOS and Linux, designed to
efficiently capture media content from baseband or IP sources such as SDI, HDMI, NDI, SRT, UDP and ST-2110. Amongst other features there’s support for SD, HD, UHD and UHD2 resolutions, industry-standard codecs and containers, Crash, Batch and Schedule Recording modes, extensive metadata capabilities to enrich content with valuable information, dynamic overlays to enhance the viewer experience by adding static or real-time graphics and information to the captured content. Additionally, there’s Growing Files compatibility with leading non-linear editing systems (NLEs) to facilitate smooth post-production workflows, capturing and synchronising multiple camera feeds for multicamera productions and a powerful REST
API aimed at integration flexibility with third-party media management and automation systems. These multichannel recording solutions offer flexibility and scalability and are available as entry-level single applications for macOS with selected features or as premium fully-featured client-server based applications for macOS and Linux based appliances. All macOS based Capture solutions are fully optimised to leverage the powerful Apple silicon hardware platform.
Live Production and Master Control Playout Solutions for macOS
On the playout front, ToolsOnAir’s Live Production and Master Control solutions, available on-premise and in the cloud, enable broadcasters and playout facilities to seamlessly
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manage and deliver their media content across selected vectors in SD, HD and UHD resolutions over SDI, NDI, SRT, UDP or ST-2110 baseband or IP outputs. Live Production operators can manage and control the accurate playout of videos with Play Next, Cue Next, Reload, Hold, Recue and Loop options, use multiple layers of static or real-time graphics, trigger router control or GPI events, use Growing Files for instant playout, set in- and out-points and split clips on the fly to insert commercials with support for SCTE-104 Splice Events as well as full CEA-608/708/OP-47 support.
Master Control playout scenarios will additionally benefit from full control of the rundown during the scheduling process, execute repeating events scheduling using time-based Rules, the ability to schedule content weeks in advance, schedule Switch-To-Live events for breaking news and take advantage of channel redundancy and automated failover options.
Live Captioning at Your Fingertips
ToolsOnAir’s Live Captioning solution enhances the accessibility and compliance of media by providing real-time captioning capabilities. Its high accuracy and compatibility with a range of input and output sources
make it a versatile solution that can be used in a wide range of broadcast captioning environments. The custom dictionary feature allows to incorporate industry-specific terminology and jargon, improving the accuracy and contextual relevance of transcriptions for their users. The solution’s ease of use and the extensive real-time monitoring capabilities ensure that captions are displayed correctly, in compliance with legal requirements and that the broadcasted content is accessible to all viewers.
Local to Global Reach
ToolsOnAir brings a personal touch, fostering strong relationships with customers and prioritising exceptional service across all their solution lines. ToolsOnAir’s valued international
clients include France Télévisions, TBN, TD Ameritrade, Fernsehmacher (ZDF Premium Shows), Yahoo, HUM. tv, Pakistan Television Corporation and AAN ZV. ToolsOnAir’s value-added reseller network spans the globe, with authorised partners throughout the Americas, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Contact
ToolsOnAir Broadcast Engineering
GmbH (Headquarters) Zirkusgasse 39
1020 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 1 236 86 65
Website: www.toolsonair.com
Email: sales@toolsonair.com
Sales Worldwide
Peter Steiner Head of Sales
Tel: +4369917131183
Email: psteiner@toolsonair.com
Social Media
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Studio camera control with an eye on the future
Vinten broadcast solutions are the first choice for networks and stations around the world to support their TV studio and outside broadcast programmes. With consistently reliable camera support from Vinten, hundreds of hours of news, sport, weather and entertainment is broadcast every day to audiences around the globe. From robust robotic camera systems with advanced AI control to precisionengineered fluid heads and pedestals, Vinten’s product range defines industry standards with its exceptional performance and reliability. Founded over 110 years ago, Vinten has been at the forefront of studio and camera
support technology since professional broadcasting began. Today, as part of Videndum Production Solutions, Vinten combines excellent service and support with a continued dedication to developing world-class products that meet the exacting requirements of live broadcast.
Products
VEGA Control System
The VEGA Control System serves as the flexible core of Vinten’s robotic solutions, integrating world-class robotic control with enterprise-class infrastructure features. VEGA revolutionises studio camera control, offering precise creative
control to enhance productions’ visual identity. Technical teams benefit from the scalability of its modular, clustered server software architecture, while production teams benefit from a range of automation options, including AI-driven Presenter Tracking powered by Seervision.
VEGA enhances Vinten’s renowned on-shot movement capabilities with intelligent features that support creative camera control. It enables the creation and sharing of curved signature shots across networks, while providing advanced navigation around complex sets. By combining high-quality
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movement, extensive control features and data sharing, broadcasters can efficiently adapt to the fast-paced modern news environment while maintaining a unified visual identity.
Robotic Heads
Vinten’s heavy payload robotic heads are engineered to elevate production values by accommodating larger camera/lens/ prompter setups without compromise. The FHR-155 robotic head blends sophisticated software and mechanical precision for accurate, smooth movement, instilling operator confidence in its control and repeatability across all speeds. Its lightweight design and built-in 3-port Ethernet switch simplify integration with robotic pedestals and IP prompting equipment. Operating near silently, the FHR155 heads excel in noise-sensitive environments. Offering Virtual/ Augmented Reality capabilities, they provide 22-bit accuracy for VR rendering. Optional StarTracker optical camera integration enables drift-free absolute reference for manual and robotic pedestals, eliminating the need for post-calibration homing.
Osprey Pedestals
Osprey Studio and OB Pedestals offer unparalleled reliability and durability. With effortless movement and perfect control, these lightweight pedestals deliver finely balanced camera control, and a range of steering options from track castors to full remote crab and steer modes.
Wide on-shot stroke ranges ensure consistently flawless shots, matching presenter eyelines across positions and distances. Osprey Elite and Studio variants handle payloads up to 80 kg / 176 lb, allowing the use of larger teleprompters.
Ergonomically positioned controls are designed to be operated from a standing position to reduce strain on the body. A built-in tray table and utility holder create a comfortable workstation for operators in position for long periods of time. With five models in the range, you will find the perfect Osprey model for any size of studio or outside broadcast.
Vector 750 Pan and Tilt Head
A versatile head for studio and OB broadcast setups, it offers precise control of large camera configurations at any resolution or frame rate, including UHD and slow-motion. Its unique pantographic mechanism minimises inertia, ensuring consistent feel for operators.
The Vector 750 helps deliver exceptional sports coverage worldwide. Vinten’s unique TF drag system enables instant whip pans without manual drag reduction, allowing operators to react instinctively to directorial cues or sudden subject movements, and ensuring they perfectly capture fast-paced action.
Futureproofing Fujairah TV
With an eye towards future advancements and automation, Fujairah TV has made a strategic decision to incorporate Vinten robotic solutions into their operations. Vinten robotic heads,
elevation units and control systems were chosen by them to set up a precise studio camera control system. This investment not only establishes a firm base but also enables future integration of advanced features like AI presenter tracking and voice control, ensuring increased efficiency in the studio.
Key Clients
Sharjah Media Corporation, Sky News Arabia, Asharq TV, Fujairah TV, Saudi Broadcasting Authority, Al Jazeera, Al Arabi, Al Mashhad, Al Mamlakah, Qatar TV, BeIN, Bahrain TV, Al Qahera News, Zagros TV and Blinx.
Contact
Videndum Production Solutions
William Vinten Building Easlea Road, Moreton Hall Estate Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Website: www.vinten.com
Ibrahim Al Akkad
Middle East Director Tel: +971 50 640 6056
Email: ibrahim.akkad@ videndum.com
Mohamad Sabri
Sales
Tel: +971 50 737 0244
Email: mohamed.sabri@ videndum.com
Bassam Wazani
Support
Tel: +971 54 345 1797
Email: bassam.wazani@ videndum.com
Social Media
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More stories, better told
Vizrt is the leader in real-time graphics and live production solutions for content creators. With a 25-year history of inventing new simplified workflows for storytelling news, sports, broadcast, education, entertainment, live events, digital media, advertising, or any place that video lives, Vizrt has helped define and reshape the way video is created and shared with the world.
More Than a Vendor
With 700 employees in 26 offices around the globe, Vizrt works alongside its customers as trusted advisors to support their storytelling needs – and its mission is simple: more stories, better told.
In the past few years, Vizrt has expanded its customer success branch to include service, certification, support and training via Viz University – to better support customers and users. Customer success at Vizrt is the second largest department in the organisation, behind its industry-leading, global R&D team.
Video Powerhouse
Creative, compelling and uncomplicated storytelling is what drives the team at Vizrt. And in a world where attention spans are short, grabbing and holding onto audiences for entertainment,
education, or information requires craft, design and vision.
Live storytelling is too important to leave to chance. Vizrt’s team of 24/7 on-call experts and award-winning creative solutions across graphics, cloud, remote and live production, live streaming, sports productions, virtual reality and virtual studios, and infrastructure offers everything storytellers need to dazzle audiences simply, effectively and beautifully.
Billions of people watch stories or video every day, powered by Vizrt, from media companies such as Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NHL, NFL, NRK, Sky Group, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, New York Giants, Nickelodeon,
CBS Radio, ESPN Radio, MTV, USA TODAY, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NASA, PWC, and more than 80% of the US Fortune 100.
History of Innovation
Vizrt was born out of the need to represent data in a new, engaging way for the live Norwegian election in 1997. Vizrt invented the first template-based graphics system, the first virtual set and the first real-time 3D graphic, changing broadcast and live production forever. Remaining at the forefront of real-time AR and 3D graphics, virtual studios and video production technology, Vizrt continually pushes the boundaries of creativity in media technology with its innovation. Its
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Studio at Sky News Arabia which uses Vizrt’s Viz Mosart to automate studio productions.
pioneering advancements over the years include the following: 1990: The Video Toaster goes to market as a breakthrough solution democratising video production as the first affordable all-in-one video production system, winning an Emmy for Technical Achievement 2005: The iconic TriCaster launches, merging live video switching, broadcast graphics, virtual sets, special effects, audio mixing, recording, social media publishing and web streaming into one powerful production unit, empowering content creators to produce virtually any location 2015: NDI (Network Device Interface) arrives, the game-changing audio and video-over-IP technology that enables seamless sharing of high-quality video, audio, and data over standard ethernet networks, revolutionising IP-based video production workflows Since 2015, Vizrt has expanded its offerings, including developing a cloud-based production platform in 2020 and proprietary AI tools in 2022, and acquiring HTML5 graphics provider Flowics.
New Era for Viz Engine
Vizrt’s most impactful innovations is Viz Engine, the most powerful and versatile graphics platform in the world. With its latest iteration Viz Engine 5 came Adaptive Graphics, a revolution for real-time graphics enabling graphic artists to create once, and publish multiple times, saving time, reducing errors and improving the quality of production. Viz Engine 5 also offers the most advanced integration with Unreal Engine 5 ever, making it possible to blend the two render paths into one graphics workflow.
More Than Graphics
Despite Vizrt’s beginnings in graphics and being home to the most powerful graphics platform in the world, its offering expands beyond graphics. Vizrt united with NewTek to form the most comprehensive single vendor portfolio across content creation. Today’s Vizrt is the high-quality and easy-to-use platform that every professional storyteller can use to produce video for any channel. From individuals to the world’s largest organisations, governments and corporations to educational institutions, broadcasters and YouTubers, Vizrt is a one-stop shop to support any size content creator. To learn more about Vizrt, visit: www.vizrt.com.
Contact
Vizrt Middle East
Office #3115
31st floor
Al Shatha Tower PO Box 502472
Dubai Media City
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 365 4648
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A Technical Director at Sky News Arabia using Vizrt’s Viz Mosart studio automation solution to produce error-free shows.
Empowering digital experiences
White Peaks Solutions (WPS) stands as a dynamic media and technology company headquartered in France, specialising in providing end-to-end Over-The-Top (OTT) solutions. WPS adopts a consultancyfirst approach, emphasising the seamless alignment of technology with business objectives.
Bespoke OTT Solutions
WPS prides itself on delivering customisable, scalable OTT solutions, with the ownership of FAULIO its content management
system, and KWIKmotion, the online video platform. These solutions are complemented by meticulously designed user experiences across custom-made and native websites, TV and mobile applications.
Areas of Expertise
OTT Platforms
Cutting-edge Live Streaming, Videoon-Demand and OVP Platform
Robust CDN and Storage Infrastructures
Innovative Monetisation Solutions AI Video Tools
Cutting-Edge products
KWIKmotion
An all-encompassing broadcasting suite that empowers publishers and broadcasters to construct, manage, and monetise comprehensive OTT platforms securely across multiple devices and screens.
Video Management
VOD/OVP
Manage assets, import and export media files easily
Create playlists, chapters, sort files into folders and add metadata to all assets (Full API for easy integration, media grabber, syndication and distribution)
Live Streaming: Add multiple live streams, record manually or automatically, and restream back to social media. (DVRLive, electronic programme guide and manual recording)
Security and Monetisation: Protect live streams and your assets and monetise them. (Access Rights Management, stream protection, watermark, DRM integration, ads management and geo-blocking)
Ad Markers with SCTE-35: Simplifies the ad insertion process and
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empowers content distributors to provide seamless ad experience while unlocking new revenue streams
FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV): Curate content in dynamic linear channels with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, seamlessly integrated with ad tech solutions and SCTE-35 ad markers to maximise revenue through targeted ads and sponsorships
Video Management solution ensures superior viewing experience with customisable players and features like offline download capability, closed captioning and social media sharing Various playback features such as skip, Intro/Next Episode, screen casting, multiple bitrates, PiP support and seamless playback with no buffering KWIKeditor facilitates secure video modifications, enabling users to trim, crop, join, share and seamlessly apply watermarks to create content tailored to the brand experience
Enhanced analytics capabilities empowered by Nice People at Work, a trailblazer in analytics technology, to deliver advanced video analytics
KWIKintelligence
AI Cropping: AI Cropping tool is a game-changer for content creators and businesses seeking to effortlessly adapt their existing video content to the portrait format
AI Live Streaming Monitor: AI Live Streaming Monitor, a cutting-edge AI monitoring tool designed to keep a vigilant eye on live streaming. The tool sends immediate notifications that alert the broadcaster the moment audio or video anomalies are detected
AI Moderation: AI Moderation tool assists human moderators in detecting non-compliant content by analysing video scenes, screening content and organising flagged scenes under their respective criteria
AI Transcription and Translation: Make use of advanced features like transcription, translation and keyword Search, all powered by the world’s leading AI services (IBM Watson/Google AI)
FAULIO
A customisable, scalable content management system that seamlessly integrates with KWIKmotion, Faulio
allows centralised management of the whole OTT solution linking it to the front end through a comprehensive list of API endpoints. Its features include:
Assets Organisation: Efficient categorisation with seasons, genres, sections, channels, categories, labels, filters, inheritance mechanism, scheduling and geo-targeting
Digital Rights Management
OTT Features: Enhance user engagement with Next Episode, Skip Intro, Continue Watching, My List, Multiple Profiles, Localisation and Kids Mode
News publishing capabilities and user-friendly workflows
Social Media Integration and SEO Metadata
Multi-language Content Creation
Permission Management and Detailed Activity Log
Single Sign-On
Page Designer Tool: Customise look and feel of your pages effortlessly with an intuitive page designer tool
Push Notifications and Alerts Monetisation and Ad Integration
Multiple Live Streaming Channels
Support and advanced XML/ XLS grid integration
SVOD – Members and Subscribers Management
Payment Gateways Integration
TVOD - Pay Per View and Events Management
Ratings and Comments
Artificial Intelligence Integrations
Contact
White Peaks Solutions
24 Rue Mayet
75006 Paris, France
Tel: +33 7 88 60 41 68
Website: www.whitepeaks.fr
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Innovations to improve value of content and data
Today’s media, entertainment and advertising landscape is defined by complexity on both sides of the screen; just think about the deep layers of choice enjoyed by today’s global, mobile, multi-device consumers.
Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) exists to provide the technologies and services businesses need to thrive amidst all this wonderful choice.
New ways to connect programming and advertising to a growing, global fanbase
Automation that brings people more control over their home and digital environments
Innovations that elevate quality, accelerate commerce and reduce cost
CTS solutions are tailored for specific media disciplines, all related in their goal of serving more valuable experiences at scale, anywhere.
CTS exists to partner with companies to develop new strategies that deliver more to consumers, accelerate time to market and provide better experiences -- not just for consumers but for internal teams as well.
CTS offers decades of on-theground experience, backed by the ingenuity, resources, and scale of one of the world’s largest media and entertainment companies.
Reliable Scale and Infrastructure
At home, online, or wherever a customer wants to engage, businesses utilise Comcast’s know-how, proven facilities, platforms and infrastructure to transform the consumer experience. Comcast’s technologies are purposebuilt for connectivity, media and entertainment, while also remaining scalable for future developments – and audiences – of any size.
Real-World Experience
For decades, CTS has brought solutions built and tested by Comcast, with product roadmaps that align with and respond to changes in business
models. As a leading content provider, advertiser, operator and technology company in its own right, CTS shares the same challenges their clients face, thus building solutions to address the complexities of linear programming, video on-demand (VOD), digital delivery and advanced advertising.
Speed to Market and Scale
With so many aspects of your business to focus on, dedicating time to bringing new technologies and innovations to market can be tough. By partnering with CTS, you have access to proven, scalable solutions that can take it to market faster, and scale as needed.
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Trusted Partner
CTS understands that you have a complicated ecosystem of your own technology, third party solutions and multiple distribution paths. As your trusted partner, CTS works with you to find the right mix of new technologies and proven workflows to optimise your customer’s quality of experience and reduce costs.
Who CTS Serves
CTS offers a comprehensive array of products, managed services and self-serve solutions designed to positively impact your customers’ experiences, your employees’ experiences and your bottom line.
Content and Streaming Providers
CTS delivers a true end-to-end experience for broadcast and OTT providers with suites for Cloud TV, direct-to-consumer experiences, live linear, VOD, advertising and more. From its signature Cloud Video Platform, innovations in metadata and rights management, to VideoAI, the award-winning AI/ML framework for video workflows, providers around the world are partnering with CTS to extract more value from their content.
CTS and Sky have also launched a new Managed Channel Origination service for providers in other global regions looking to add more services or launch new channels quickly and seamlessly.
MVPDs and Operators
The company has been serving multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) and pay TV operators in the USA for over 20 years. Powered by the infrastructure built for itself, CTS provides innovations from broadcast (satellite and terrestrial) and OTT delivery to the latest in demand-side
advertising management technology. EntertainmentOS, its new platform for connecting consumers with the content they love, and dynamic new Connected Living and smart home solutions, are just two new ways that CTS is helping MVPDs and Operators to build more value with their customers.
Advertisers
AdFusion, CTS’ comprehensive ad management platform, is built to unify media planning and buying, automated ad versioning, management, traffic, talent rights, metadata and distribution for linear and digital destinations in a single suite. AdFusion offers full global ad distribution footprint that supports the standards for every major global market to get the right ad version to any screen, anytime, anywhere.
Cybersecurity and IT
Enterprises and agencies are not short of available data, yet data does not automatically provide actionable, connected intelligence. DataBee and BluVector are modeled after platforms used in-house at Comcast to enhance visibility, gain real-time compliance trends and mitigate and stop threats.
Contact
Comcast Technology Solutions
4100 E Dry Creek Road
Centennial, CO 80122 , USA
Website: www.comcasttechnology solutions.com
Kelvin Bolah
Regional Commercial Director, MENA
Email: Kelvin_Bolah@comcast.com
Social Media
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Catering to viewer preferences
Viaccess-Orca (VO) is a leading provider of data-driven, end-to-end solutions that empower TV operators and service providers to deliver secure and monetise viewing experiences on every screen.
From enabling AI-powered personalised TV and targeted advertising to offering robust security and anti-piracy services, VO is continually evolving to meet changing viewer preferences and industry needs.
Deployed by over 100 customers worldwide to power advanced video services for millions of subscribers, VO’s cloud-native solutions allow easy integration with any ecosystem and enable speedy time to market for new features and top-notch technologies.
A subsidiary of the Orange Group and a trusted industry leader with over 20 years of proven experience, VO empowers operators and content providers to achieve scalability and growth. VO has the technology, skillset and the abundant ecosystem partnerships required to simplify the industry’s increasing complexities for its customers.
Content Security and Anti-Piracy Services
From the company’s Secure Video Player to CAS, DRM and Dynamic Watermarking technology, VO’s content security solutions empower operators to comply with the strict requirements of rights holders, studios and sports leagues, while protecting content service and revenues.
VO’s award-winning Anti-Piracy Centre is designed for the swift takedown of illegally distributed content, counteracting any pain point, type, or source of video piracy, including web, IPTV, STBs,
and apps, as well as the latest threat of CDN leeching and the common one of password sharing.
FAST, Personalised TV and Targeted Advertising
VO’s solutions empower effortless viewing through seamless customer journeys with simplified multiapp access, embedded playback and continuous watching. In combination, these technologies allow media companies to adopt targeted TV advertising quickly and launch compelling FAST channels supported by a complete end-to-end ecosystem.
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Delivering the Perfect Live Sports Experience
VO provides content providers with everything they need to broadcast, secure and engage sports viewers, enabling low latency, 4K viewing experiences on all screens. VO is elevating live sports experiences with Multiview and Watch Party (co-watching) functionalities, QoX monitoring with real-time statistics and highlights, and immersive VR experiences, all protected by rigorous yet invisible security.
Opening Up New Monetisation Possibilities With AI
With a strong record of innovation, VO uses advanced AI technologies, including ML, DL and MLOps across its entire product range, enabling operators and service providers to deliver outstanding viewing experiences, keep their premium content safe, and improve monetisation.
VO’s suite of AI-driven solutions includes TV business analytics, content discovery, advanced personalisation, and the recently launched VO Segmenter and Editorial Advisor.
The VO Segmenter enables tailored segmentation and ecosystemwide data utilisation to boost video service providers’ revenues through targeted campaigns, advertising and customer retention.
Editorial Advisor maximises editorial efficiency and user engagement by streamlining content curation, generating diverse collections, optimising visual copy, and identifying underperforming UI categories.
Engaging With the Middle East
With Sammer Elia leading the local team as MENA business development director, VO is committed to fostering and maintaining strong relationships with its growing number of customers across the region.
“We are excited to return to this year’s CABSAT, celebrating another year of significant growth in our customer base and advancements within our portfolio,” says Elia. “In line with our commitment to innovation, we are unveiling our next-gen content enrichment, discovery and personalisation module, powered by best-in-class AI engines and in partnership with industry leaders.
This module is set to revolutionise user journeys and editorial curation, offering an immersive user experience through dynamically tailored, customised storefronts.
“We are proud to showcase our end-to-end monitoring platform, enhanced with ML-trained models for advanced monitoring services featuring predictive maintenance and automated scalability. True to our tradition of excellence, these new modules can be seamlessly integrated, either individually or collectively, to enhance video platform operations without disrupting existing workflows, affirming our dedication to providing non-disruptive, evolutionary solutions for the TV and OTT industry.”
Contact
Viaccess-Orca
Tour Egée, 15th-16th
Floors 9,11
Allée de l’Arche 92 400 La Défense, Paris France
Sofrecom
Dubai Internet City Al Thuraya Tower 1
Office 1804 (18th floor) PO Box 500081
Dubai, UAE
sammer.elia@viaccess-orca.com ali.amazouz@viaccess-orca.com
Website: www.viaccess-orca.com
Social Media
Viaccess-Orca
ViaccessOrca
Viaccess-Orca
ViaccessOrca
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ROE
Visual Middle East DMCC
75
Production
Creating outstanding outdoor events
Founded in 2006, ROE Visual set out to make the best LED display platforms. Carefully selected highend components, latest technology, in-depth knowledge, and a lot of passion go into ROE Visual’s LED products. Familiar with the challenges of the market, the company offers the best possible solutions for creatives, designers, and technicians who rely on ROE Visual’s LED products for flawless installation, shoot or performance.
Dedicated to delivering the latest display technology, ROE Visual has a global presence ensuring exceptional services to over 500 customers in more than 90 countries. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, the company operates in various locations including the USA, Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Middle East, and very soon in Australia.
ROE Visual is at its core a group of people open in their engagement with customers and partners, allowing adaptability.
Innovation and Diversification
For over 17 years, ROE Visual has invested in R&D to innovate its products and services and explore new market segments, leading the way in products, ideas and solutions.
Customer-centric Focus
Understanding the customer’s changing needs, ROE Visual is quick to respond to requirements, and prepares the best solutions for now and the future.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
As companies are expected to prioritize environmental sustainability and social responsibility, ROE Visual continues to improve its manufacturing to after-sales services while shouldering more social responsibility.
ROE Visual in the Middle East
ROE Visual products and video technology is seeing increasing demand and growth in various industry sectors across the Middle East market. The company plays a significant role in the vibrant entertainment and events industry in the Middle East. Its high-resolution LED displays, LED video walls and creative visual solutions are used widely to create immersive and captivating visual experiences. Whether concerts, festivals, corporate events or exhibitions, ROE Visual products can enhance the
76 PRODUCTION
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Opening Ceremony.
overall event atmosphere and provide unforgettable audience experiences.
At the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Opening Ceremony, Creative Technology ME built five giant shell-shaped screens with ROE Visual’s BP2V2, each with an impressive height of 12 meters. This magnificent centerpiece enveloped all spectators in the musical Kelileh & Demneh, enabling them to understand the story’s background and follow the song lyrics.
“This is another big event we achieved in partnership with Creative Technology in Qatar, following the Qatar World Cup Opening Ceremony. Thanks to our partner for consistently prioritising high-quality visuals,” says Grace Kuo, Sales Director of ROE Visual. “With this remarkable event as a beginning to 2024, we’re eagerly anticipating the next projects and events in the Middle East region.”
The media and broadcasting sector in the Middle East has been evolving rapidly, with new television channels and production houses emerging. ROE Visual products play a crucial role in providing high-quality LED video walls, studio displays and other virtual production solutions to enhance the visual appeal of news broadcasts, TV shows, sports events and other media productions.
In the virtual production sector, ROE
Visual has collaborated with several partners such as disguise, Epic Games, ARRI, Brompton and Megapixel to provide advanced technical solutions for virtual shooting on an LED stage. ROE Visual LEDs have become regulars in virtual production facilities around the globe. Various classic clips were shot on these stages, and ROE Visual witnessed many great projects such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Mank, Devotion and Kimi. The company also created the world’s largest virtual studio with NantStudios in Australia.
Innovations
ROE Visual has a clear vision and ambitious goals for the future. As the company’s vision is to be the premier choice for global momentous display occasions, ROE Visual constantly strives to release groundbreaking products and technologies to stay ahead of the competition.
The company’s latest products, Topaz and Vanish ST, are testaments to its innovation spirit. Topaz is a creative LED all-platform that can seamlessly fit into any AV-rental company’s requirements. It offers high-precision mechanics and excellent visual quality, enabling it to perform reliably in a wide range of applications. Vanish ST is another innovative
product from ROE Visual. This LED panel is engineered to excel in various applications and has excellent visual performance. Additionally, it is fully compatible with the transparent Vanish V8T LED panel. This feature allows customers to integrate the VST panel with their existing V8T LED panels easily, maximizing usability of their rental stock. By setting industry standards and pioneering advancements, ROE Visual aspires to meet customer needs and create the ultimate experience for high-end visual users around the globe.
Contact
ROE Visual Middle East Office 502,503
Jumeirah Business Centre 4 Cluster N - DMCC Free Zone Dubai, UAE
Khalid Sweidan
Email: khalid@roevisual.com
Phone: +971 50 5580 520 Website: www.roevisual.com/en/
Social Media
ROE Visual roevisual roevisual
ROE_Visual
PRODUCTION 77
78
79 Satellite Es’hailSat,
Qatar Satellite Company
High-powered satellites for the region
Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, is the national satellite operator for the State of Qatar and over the past decade has matured into a satellite service provider based strategically in Doha. Es’hailSat was established in 2010 to manage and develop Qatar’s presence in space. The company provides independent, high-quality, advanced satellite services to broadcasters, businesses and governments across the MENA region and beyond.
Satellites - Es’hail-1 / Es’hail-2
With the goal to be a truly global satellite operator and service provider, Es’hailSat started operations of its first satellite Es’hail-1 in 2013, supporting key broadcasters in the region. Located at 25.5⁰E, Es’hail-1 carries Ku-band and Kaband payloads, and supports broadcast, telecommunications and government sectors. Es’hailSat also helps establish secure and dedicated services including DTH, playout, DSNG broadband internet access, corporate networks, backhauling and mission critical services using fixed or mobile antennas.
Es’hail-2, the company’s second satellite was launched in 2018 and is co-located with Es’hail-1 at the MENA broadcast hotspot of 25.5⁰E/26⁰E
orbital location. Es’hail-2 is a highpowered, advanced satellite with both Ku-band and Ka-band capabilities to provide for TV distribution, telecoms and government services and brings anti-jamming capabilities to combat issues such as television content piracy across the MENA.
50,000sqm
Teleport for MENA
Commissioned in 2019, Es’hailSat’s Teleport is a state-of-the-art 50,000 sqm facility providing satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding (TT&C) operations and capacity management, together with a wide range of teleport services such as up-link, downlink,
contribution, multiplexing, encoding, playout and media services, DSNG, OB vans, VSAT hub services, hosting services, data centre, cloud and more for the company’s stakeholders, customers and business partners.
Solving Challenges of Interference for MENA Broadcasters
As secure transmissions continue to be of paramount importance in the MENA, Es’hailSat is working with various parties to reduce and eliminate satellite interference and provide secure transmission networks for its customers. Es’hailSat satellites have been designed and
80 SATELLITE
Es’hail-2.
built with anti-jamming capabilities that help avoid any intentional or unintentional interference. This is crucial for customers operating mission critical work and for broadcasters who value uninterrupted signals. In addition, geo-location system is available at the teleport to accurately identify origins of any interference and take appropriate action with or against the interfering party.
Premium Content on
Es’hail-1 and Es’hail-2
Es’hail-1 and Es’hail-2 demonstrate the value of Es’hailSat’s offering in terms of technical capabilities and performance, and also in terms of independence and security of content broadcast. In addition to providing transmission for established news, sports and entertainment channels, a growing number of new channels from around the region are choosing Es’hailSat to broadcast their channels in the MENA region. In 2023, despite the overall flattening of growth in the satellite television broadcasting market, Es’hailSat added more than 20 new TV channels to its satellites
and many of them uplinking via Es’hailSat’s teleport facilities, making the 25.5⁰E/26⁰E a true hotspot and one of the most attractive video neighbourhoods across the MENA, GCC, Levant, Maghreb and North Africa.
Broadcast Services
Customers can leverage on Es’hailSat’s satellites and teleport infrastructure to provide services such as playout and media asset management, linear TV uplinking and distribution, video-
on-demand, high-definition TV and 4K TV among others. In line with the company’s ambitious growth plans, Es’hailSat launched Playout and Media services in 2023 as well as Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and OB van services catering to Qatar and the MENA. While most of these services are built inhouse, many also involve strategic partnerships with companies across the value chain, thereby building upon the strengths of Es’hailSat as a national satellite operator.
Telecommunication Services
Es’hailSat provides a range of satellite and world-class communications services for Qatar and the region that helps drive home-grown innovation and stimulate development of solutions that support VSAT, voice, data and broadband business via satellite. Es’hailSat has kept up with the rapidly evolving space industry through partnerships with leading regional and international satellite operators around the globe, and continues to spread its reach via channel partners across multiple verticals and geographies.
Contact
Es’hailSat, Qatar Satellite Company
Property No. 414
Al Markhiya Street No. 380
Area No. 31, Umm Lakhba PO Box 10653, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4499 3535
Fax: +974 4499 3504
Email: info@eshailsat.qa (general enquiries)
Email: sales@eshailsat.qa
(products & services enquiries)
Website: www.eshailsat.qa
SATELLITE 81
Ali Al Kuwari, President and CEO, Es’hailSat.
Es’hailSat Teleport.
84
Service Provider
Al Aan TV
85
STN
Amagi
Crafting the ultimate production experience
From its headquarters in the Dubai Media City, Tower Media Middle East (TMME) has been providing world-class production and broadcast services since 2005. TMME services covering both news and entertainment fields are distinguished by an unparalleled degree of quality and reliability.
Step Above the Competition
In today’s ever-evolving broadcastmedia landscape, there’s a critical need for solutions that are not only versatile and adaptable but also forward-thinking. TMME prides itself on integrating cutting-edge technology with
expertise to provide multiplatform support, ensuring production of top-quality content. With dynamic solutions guiding every phase of the process, Tower Media stands out as a premier provider of media solutions, setting the bar for excellence.
84 SERVICE PROVIDER
Services Offered
As a rapidly growing media service provider strategically located and equipped with the necessary experience and expertise, TMME consistently exceeds client expectations by delivering stateof-the-art transmission solutions. Specialising in SNGs, OBs and production setups, the company has solidified its position as a trusted solutions provider enabling the creation of diverse programmes spanning sport entertainment and beyond.
Key Offerings
Satellite Uplinks
Live Streaming Services
Post-Production Facilities
Live Studio Broadcasting
Outdoor Production Capabilities
Remote Production via TVU System
Space Segment Booking
Creative Support Services
Multi-Channel Playout Solutions
Wireless Camera Units HCAM Vislink
Akhbar Al Aan
Reinventing itself to present news to the Arab youth, Akhbar Al Aan, the region’s first independent, news publisher for young adults launched its new positioning in April 2021 with a brand-new logo and a theme that reads, ‘the story belongs to everyone’, inspired by some of the
most important and influential stories in Arab media. Dedicated to impartial reporting, Akhbar Al Aan provides the more informative experience. In a world that changes very quickly, no one should be left behind, and hence the belief that the story belongs to everyone. This also comes with the idea that once young viewers read and watch their stories, they become more aware of goings-on, and through those stories, Akhbar Al Aan hopes to put viewers on the ‘frontlines’ and ‘in the now’, while at the same time spread hope and enthusiasm.
Contact
Al Aan Television
Tower Media Middle East FZ LLC
405, Building 1, Dubai Media City
PO Box 500765
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 427 7888/880
Email: sales@towermediafz.com
Website: www.towermediafz.com
SERVICE PROVIDER 85
Efficient broadcast and streaming technologies
Amagi is a premier, cloud-born media SaaS company offering comprehensive solutions for creating, distributing and monetising broadcast and streaming TV content.
Introducing the flexible ‘pay-as-yougo’ model for launching and operating 24/7, live, linear channels on the cloud, Amagi eliminated the need for expensive, hardware-driven broadcast operations. Amagi’s core offering comprises end-to-end solutions that cater to cloud playout for broadcastgrade channel creation for live, linear and VOD, and channel distribution for cable, OTA (Over-the-air), FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) and D2C apps. The other primary offering includes CTV advertising with SSAI (Server-Side Ad Insertion), analytics and first-party programmatic ad solutions. Amagi also provides cost-effective cloud-led disaster recovery solutions. Amagi’s glass-to-glass tech capabilities collectively help reach the last mile for content owners, platforms, publishers and advertisers while delivering seamless experience to viewers.
Today, Amagi is one of the world’s largest technology providers for FAST, facilitating over 3,800 FAST channel deliveries and supporting more than 150 FAST services. The company supports 800 plus content brands, runs more
than 850 playout chains and caters to over 50 billion annual ad opportunities globally. The company continues to demonstrate high double-digit growth in revenues and employs a workforce that is more than 1000 people strong. Amagi’s customers include top-tier broadcast TV networks, digital-first networks, content owners, Free AdSupported Streaming TV (FAST) and OTT platforms in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions. The company has a presence in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Singapore, broadcast operations in New Delhi and innovation centres in Bangalore,
India, in Łódź, Poland and in Zagreb, Croatia. Its services reach 150 plus countries worldwide, spanning North America, Latin America, the UK and Europe, the Middle East and APAC (India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Japan and Australia).
Top Customers
Broadcast TV Networks: A+E Networks UK, NBCUniversal, ABSCBN, Fox Networks, Paramount, Tegna, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Nexstar Media Group and Scripps Networks among others
86 SERVICE PROVIDER
Amagi’s headquarters in Bengaluru, India.
Content Owners: Fremantle, Banijay, SBT, Crackle, Lionsgate, DAZN, CondeNast, Tennis Channel, NHL, Blue Ant Media, Tastemade, FilmRise, Vevo, Warner Music Group, XITE, Hallmark, CNN and Euronews, among others
Streaming TV Platforms: Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, Fetch TV, LG Channels, WatchFree, TCLtv+, Plex, Rakuten TV, Peacock, Virgin Media, ITVX and Astro, among others
Launch of the Amagi Dynamic
With the launch of Amagi DYNAMIC, Amagi brings about a paradigm shift in how the industry approaches single live events. A cloud-based live production and playout system, it empowers rights owners and holders to launch single live events. Amagi DYNAMIC allows users to spin up cloud infrastructure only for the duration of the event and spin it down when the event ends, helping overcome the unyielding limitations of expensive, hardwaredriven infrastructure. Amagi DYNAMIC primarily caters to rights owners and holders of live sport, music, news
AmagiLIVE_Playout.
manage infrastructure resources, run multiple live events in parallel, expand distribution, engage viewers and increase ad revenues, all while providing immediate and demonstrable ROI.
Amagi acquires Tellyo
Amagi acquired Tellyo, a leading realtime live cloud remote production, clipping/editing and social sharing suite of solutions. Tellyo’s Stream Studio is a cloud-based live production platform that enables content teams to produce
camera feeds, live graphics and remote guests. Tellyo Pro helps media and content teams to create short clips, highlights and compilations of long-form content and publish those across multiple digital and social media destinations – amplifying reach and engagement. The acquisition of Tellyo’s business strengthens Amagi’s video toolset for live sport and news broadcasts, enhancing live video streaming and editing experience for customers worldwide. This development also marks an expansion of Amagi’s footprint in eastern Europe, bringing investment and creating new possibilities for local talent and global customers.
Contact
Amagi
4th floor, Raj Alkaa Park
Kalena Agrahara Bannerghatta Road
Bangalore 560 076, India
Website: amagi.com
Sri Hari T.
SVP, Sales & Business Head - EMEA
Email: cloudandme@amagi.com
SERVICE PROVIDER 87
AmagiNOW_Playout.
Advanced distribution solutions
STN is a leading innovative, forwardthinking global teleport facility, providing advanced distribution solutions for broadcasters and content owners. Firmly placed at the cutting edge of connectivity, STN offers solutions for content delivery via satellite, IP, cloud-based systems, streaming and much more. Based in Slovenia, the heart of Europe and combined with a strategic business approach and technical futureproofing
has accelerated the company’s evolution and established STN at the forefront of the design, integration and operation of complex communications solutions to the connected world. The company was built on a flexible and open technical infrastructure, which allows the company to encompass a full range of services and consolidate client requirements with immediacy, but also leaving room to evolve further as industry trends and technology dictate.
Services
A vast array of service solutions and bespoke approach to every client are what make STN stand apart. Whether the need is to go global or reach individual regions of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas, an extensive and highly protected network ensures clients of complete security and continuity. Through professionalism and vast industry knowledge, STN has earned a reputation that is punctuated by security, reliability, high quality and unrivalled turnaround time.
Satellite and IP
Strategic location presenting easy access to all major satellite orbital positions empower the company’s clients to grow in whichever direction they choose. STN provides global telecommunication services in C-, Ku-, DVB-s and Kaband for all prime satellites to all continents around the world.
A complete satellite portfolio is available on the company website with additional options available on request. STN offers fibre connectivity through redundant and diverse routes around the globe. Secure and high-quality services are priority, and a team of skilled professionals ensures systems
88 SERVICE PROVIDER
STN EQ/Data Centre, Slovenia.
deliver fast and reliable services.
STN has PoPs in all major data centres in Europe and is also connected with fibre networks spanning worldwide. With satellite, fibre and IP connections the company provides end-to-end, managed service communication solutions worldwide.
Playout and Cloud Solutions
STN offers TV channels, radio broadcasters and content producers highquality, cost-effective outsourcing for all or part of their playout and transmission requirements. STN’s range of expertise is diverse, enabling the company to facilitate single-channel start-ups as well as transmit multiple top-tier communication platforms while serving everything in between. This includes delivering content to end users across many different viewing devices ranging from TV screens, laptops, and mobile phones.
Fully Managed or Remote
Access Playout Systems
Basic or High-End Solutions
Disaster Recovery Colocation
Multiple-Channel Graphic Options
Storage Options
Playout Channel Delivery CDN
Cloud Solutions
OTT and Streaming:
Content Wherever, Whenever On Any Device
Distribute your content to any connected media device with STN Solutions:
Modern Streaming Solutions
Engage Your Audience
Customise the App and
Make Your Own
Live and On-Demand
Viewer Interaction and Analytics
STN streaming offers an OTT platform for media distribution that allows clients to distribute their audio, video and other media services directly to their customers over the internet via streaming media.
Satellite Occasional Use
STN offers sport and events content distribution and complete broadcast solutions for occasional use requirements. For popular live sport and events whether large or small, the company delivers high-quality, secure, end-to-end solutions. STN
provides combined services to support its playout channels, delivering your content via satellite, fibre and IP, uplink, streaming and monitoring.
Approach to Business
Building long-term relationships is the foundation of the STN business ethic. The client is paramount and everything begins and ends with client requirements. A team of skilled and dedicated professionals provide full support across a broad spectrum of the company’s segments enabling the highest level of service to every client.
Contact
STN STORITVE d.o.o.
Kidriceva 22a
Dob, 1233 Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 527 2440
Email: sales@STN.eu
Website: www.stn.eu
Valerie Lovsin
Marketing Director
Email: marketing@stn.eu
SERVICE PROVIDER 89
STN Network Operations Centre, Slovenia.
90
Systems Integrator
Assendive Communications
Qvest Media FZ LLC
91
Pivoting for scale and success
Assendive’s journey over a decade has been a story of organic growth and expertise. In 2024, the company is at a pivotal stage wherein investment, new services and new markets are set to drive dramatic expansion.
2024 has brought new impetus to Asendive through strategic investment and partnerships. Assendive is proud to announce investment by Naim Saidi, an experienced professional in the field of broadcast and media. Saidi’s investment has resulted in an equity ownership of 50% across Assendive Group. Furthermore, the investment and expansion has resulted in the establishment of Assendive group company in Saudi Arabia and the acquisition of numerous projects.
Naim Saidi, read for his Master’s in mechanics at the Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse and has a Civil Engineering diploma from Grandes Ecoles of Paris (ESTP).
Eng. Naim Saidi notably held the functions of Project Manager: desalination / Reverse Osmosis Plant at SOGEX (KSA) from 1982 – 1989. He then moved onto Thomson-CSF / STESA (KSA) as the Director Operations with 100+ projects in broadcast, telecom and security Systems from 1989 – 2001.
As the CEO of First Gulf Company (KSA) from 2001 – 2023, he set up and expanded FGC to become a leader in broadcast, leading him to Broadcast PRO Man of the Year 2011. Through Assendive’s new strategic focus,
market expansion into Africa is expected to witness great strides in the forthcoming years. Assendive will establish partnerships and representation in the African region to connect with prospects and clients in the broadcast and media industries.
92 SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR
Service and Product Portfolio
Assendive delivers services across all lifecycle stages of its customers, be it green field deployment, expansion, change management or continuous support. Assendive’s wide range of technology partners have been successful in providing effective solutions to its clients. The following description provides a summary of the company’s products and services portfolio:
Systems Integration
Systems integration is an integral part of the corporate value addition to customers. Assendive’s deep skill set in all areas pertaining to broadcast and media, along with its long-standing partnerships and in-house specialists allows the company to perform turnkey executions of most of its projects with precision and efficiency.
Consultancy
Assendive provides a wide range of consultancy services to customers ranging from preparation of projects to change management. Assendive also has access to a plethora of consultants with deep knowledge and vast experience in varied aspects.
Project Management
Maintaining projects within cost and time schedule is not based on the tools you use to manage the project or the amount of resources you commit. The wealth of experience Assendive brings to the arena of play is extensive and in certain cases unparalleled.
Managed Services
In an ever-competitive world, all businesses focus on their core competencies. In broadcast networks, transmission network is an area that requires cost optimisation in
Director/Shareholder.
operating and maintaining transmission coverage. Assendive team offers the most cost-effective solutions, including continuous network monitoring, preemptive testing and maintenance which is of great value to customers.
Tower and Structure
Turnkey Supply
Today, Assendive with its fabrication partner can supply tower and metal structures for a wide variety of applications and industries. Extensive experience in providing design, fabrication, supply and installation services across multiple destinations has placed the company in a uniquely advantageous position across the Middle East.
Technology Stack and Experience
Technical proficiency has made Assendive a prominent solutions provider to TV and radio broadcasters, teleports and telco operators. Assendive technical experts have the capability to carry out detailed implementation of MW, FM, DVB-T2, DAB networks, and
efficient network planning with optimised coverage analysis for maximum coverage with minimum resources. The company has implemented several successful transmission projects in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine and Sri Lanka. The largest roll-out of all was the installation of DVB-T2 networks in Oman with 71 sites.
Contact
Assendive Communications
LLC – UAE Office 516, 5th Floor
Rasis Business Centre
Al Mafraq Road, Al Barsha 1 PO Box 62175, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 220 4073
Fax: +971 4 220 4075
Email: info@assendive.com
Website: www.assendive.com
Assendive Communications
LLC – Oman
Flat 88 Bldg.40, Plot 1349
Area 45, Bosher, Muscat Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +96824595415
Assendive Communications
LLC – KSA
2537 Sultana Street
Al Badiah District, Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 559200059
Assendive Communications (Pvt) Ltd – Sri Lanka No: 76/9, Jothikarama Road, Kalalgoda
Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 112 76 3337
Assendive Communications
Inc – Canada
212 Smoothwater Terrace Markham
Ontario L6B 0M8, Canada Tel: +1 416 840 9009
SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR 93
Naim Saidi,
Enabling technology driven change
With a focus on success and more than 30 years of experience, Qvest helps clients to achieve future-oriented change. The company combines dedicated services and products with new technologies, skills and innovative thinking to develop the best possible strategy for its clients in the MENA region and worldwide. Qvest advises and supports holistically on technology implementation in the context of digital transformation as a world-leading systems architect, ICT integrator and developer of software products in the innovation-driven media industry.
Inspiring Skillsets and Strategies
With a global team of proven experts in their respective fields, Qvest provides cutting-edge strategies and solutions
needed to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
With expertise in crucial aspects of digital transformation, the company unlocks success for clients worldwide. Across various industries, Qvest gained extensive experience in supporting transformational journeys with wide competencies in dedicated practices and services such as:
Foresight and Innovation
Business Transformation
Cloud
Data and Analytics
Artificial Intelligence
Digital Media Supply Chain
OTT
IP and Rights Management
Digital Product Development
Systems Integration
Control and Communication
Project Management and PMO
As an experienced general contractor specialising in technology, Qvest delivers turnkey solutions with the best possible technical and cost-effective solution in a three-step approach: Solutions-orientated, technically mature and future-proof architecture planning
Tailormade and efficient
software solution
Technologically refined systems integration based on the ‘best-of-breed’ principle
The Qvest approach results in cross-media networked benchmark architectures in areas such as media, entertainment, online, social and broadcast to deliver what ultimately matters: a first-class experience for customers as well as a unique media experience.
Cloud Technologies to Open Up New Opportunities
Qvest is observing a high demand for customers requesting cloud solutions and believes that this trend will continue. Integrating with changing environments in a flexible, secure and cost-effective way is an essential requirement for customers to realise a technology stack that is a key differentiator. Crucial factors
94 SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR
The cloud playout makalu enables broadcasters to deliver their content quickly, reliably and at the highest quality on any given device.
are to support these requirements with the capability of establishing reliable hybrid integrations in both on-prem and multi-cloud environments within successfully established tech ecosystems. At the same time, new offerings and services become available. Cloud-based technologies open new opportunities, e.g., for content creation, management and distribution. As media companies worldwide aim to create new revenue streams, Qvest offers a software-defined cloud playout automation to launch linear live, popup and FAST channels with ease. makalu makes distribution to any device across multiple platforms very efficient. It runs on qibb, the first fully agnostic and cloud-based integration platform for media workflows worldwide.
Global Excellence and Local Presence
At Qvest, digital transformation is an integral part of its DNA. With globally connected teams, the company has implemented top technological solutions for its customers for decades, in line
with the ‘best-of-breed’ principle. This expertise ensures the greatest possible masterfulness in the consultation, selection and implementation and organisational deployment of high-tech solutions. In addition to its headquarters in Germany, the company operates locations across Europe, MENA, the USA, Southeast Asia and Australia. Thanks to this global positioning, an equally high standard of project management, delivery and service quality can be ensured – especially in the MENA region. A long-standing and experienced local
team of specialists ensures outstanding market knowledge in the areas of media technology and information and communication technology. Amongst others, Qvest is the trusted media consultant and technology partner for streaming platforms, major studios, broadcasters, publishers, sports leagues, content owners and international operating brands.
Contact
Qvest Media FZ LLC
Business Central Towers Office No. 3601 A
PO Box 502731, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 433 8109
Email: dubai@qvest.com
Website: www.qvest.com
Ahmad Hadi Al Kayal
General Manager – CSO
Tel: +971 50 1526 449
Philipp Glänzel
General Manager – CTO
Tel: +971 50 289 9767
Social Media
qvest-group
Qvestgroup
SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR 95
Ahmad Hadi Al Kayal, General Manager – CSO, Qvest Dubai.
Philipp Glänzel, General Manager – CTO, Qvest Dubai.
Qvest enables clients to achieve future-oriented change, like the fully new design and build of an entire IP-based infrastructure, studios and news centre for Asharq News.
96
BroadcastPro Awards 2023
Best Content Strategy of the Year
Best Local Adaptation of an International Format
Best Regional Original Drama Series
Best Unscripted Production of the Year
Best Sports Strategy of the Year
Outstanding Tech Implementation
Best Studio of the Year
Innovative Project of the Year
MENA Trendsetter of the Year
Systems Integrator of the Year
Streaming Service of the Year
Broadcast Project of the Year
Saudi Project of the Year
Sports Technology of the Year
CTO of the Year
CEO of the Year
Outstanding Business Development Strategy
Satellite Solutions Provider of the Year
Media Entrepreneurs of the Year
Excellence in Broadcast Strategy
97
BEST CONTENT STRATEGY OF THE YEAR – FOOTBALL UAE PRO LEAGUE
In the 2023-2024 season, the UAE Pro League transitioned to 4K production, delivering exceptional image quality for 26 local matches. The league has strategically positioned itself for future readiness by harnessing innovative technologies. Additionally, it successfully sold the rights to locally produced football content in international markets.
BEST LOCAL ADAPTATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORMAT MILLION DOLLAR LAND – BLUE ENGINE STUDIOS
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Bajdah desert, Million Dollar Land offers a compelling narrative and top-notch production. It brings together 100 adventurers from 15 different Arab countries, representing a diverse range of Arab men and women. Pictured with the award is Ziad Kebbi, CEO of Blue Engine Studios.
98 AWARDS
BEST REGIONAL ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES THE GIZA KILLER – SHAHID VOD
This horror story earned its place in the spotlight with its top-notch acting talent and exceptional production value. The outstanding choice of cast and script is also reported to have elevated it to a cultural phenomenon, making it a standout selection for the judges. Kudos to The Planet Studios as well, the production house behind The Giza Killer. Pictured with the award is Ali Ghamloush, Head Of Originals at Shahid.
BEST UNSCRIPTED PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR ESCAPE KITCHEN – QEESH PRODUCTIONS & FATAFEAT CHANNEL, WBD
Qeesh Productions won this award for its innovative format that brilliantly combines culinary expertise with an escape room concept. The studio is also a visual treat, where oversized teapots serve as hiding spots and quirky hedge mazes hide essential ingredients.
AWARDS 99
BEST SPORTS STRATEGY OF THE YEAR BEIN MEDIA GROUP
When football’s grandest showcase − the FIFA World Cup − arrived in Qatar, beIN Media Group shouldered the responsibility of comprehensive coverage across the MENA. From round-the-clock coverage, to the use of 20 cutting-edge studios, it exceeded all expectations. Jassim Al-Muftah (r), Corporate Communications Director, beIN Media Group, received the award from Fadi Jumaa, Director of Business Development – ME at VITEC.
OUTSTANDING TECH
IMPLEMENTATION RIGHTSHERO –ANTI-PIRACY & CONTENT SECURITY SOLUTION
RH V5, the latest release from RightsHero, was reengineered by a team of Arab tech experts. Used by major MENA broadcasters to combat piracy, this release integrates cuttingedge technologies designed to detect, monitor, report and take down pirated content. Pictured with the award is the RightsHero team, who received the award from Hasan Sayed Hasan (l), MD of Master Media.
100 AWARDS
BEST STUDIO OF THE YEAR AL MASHHAD TV
Al Mashhad brilliantly maximised limited space with two innovative studios, seamlessly merging TV and digital broadcasting through cuttingedge technologies. One studio uses Cinema Line cameras with prime lenses to create a cinematic style for recorded programmes, while native 4K cameras in both studios facilitate the integration of VR/ AR sets. Olivier Bramly (left), CEO, Media & Entertainment, evision | e& life, presented the award to the team at Al Masshad TV.
INNOVATIVE PROJECT OF THE
YEAR BLINX
Blinx, a digital storytelling hub in Dubai targeted at Gen Z and millennials, boasts the region’s first NDI-based facility. It features innovative production workflows, metaverse and XR studios, AI integration, and a mobile-optimised, graphic-rich content strategy that sets a new standard for culturally resonant and technologically advanced broadcasting in the region.
Pictured is the Blinx team with the award, presented by Khalid Sweidan (l), VP Sales – MEA of ROE Visual.
AWARDS 101
MENA TRENDSETTER OF THE YEAR STARZPLAY
From crafting world-class Arabic original productions to developing the UAE version of an Emmy-nominated show, StarzPlay has pushed the boundaries. It also introduced an online sports platform, and pioneered a 3.0 fantasy sports game infused with blockchain technology, followed up with the launch of a store giving users access to major global box office hits. The StarzPlay team is pictured with the award, presented by Craig Newbury (l), Head of Sales, EMEA & LATAM, Lawo.
SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR OF THE YEAR IDEAL SYSTEMS
Ideal Systems Middle East stood out for completing some outstanding outsidethe-box projects in the last year with a full-IP facility in Doha for Alaraby TV, a brand-new digital storytelling hub in Dubai for blinx that included several firsts on the technical front, and a cutting-edge studio facility for Al Ghad TV that was launched last month in Egypt. Pictured with the award is the Ideal Systems team, who received the award from Nadine Samra, Chief Business Officer, Weyyak.com at Zee Entertainment.
102 AWARDS
STREAMING SERVICE OF THE YEAR OSN+
With diverse content, tech innovation and strategic collaborations, OSN+ has solidified its position as a leading entertainment platform in MENA. The platform offers access to premium content at the same time as its US release, thanks to OSN’s partnerships with major international studios. It has also invested in several Arabic and Turkish original productions. Dan Steele (extreme right), VP –EMEA Sales, Brightcove, presented the award to the OSN team.
BROADCAST PROJECT OF THE YEAR SKY NEWS ARABIA STUDIO AUTOMATION
Sky News Arabia recently transitioned to fully automated studios, resulting in a 40% reduction in operational costs and significantly fewer on-screen errors. The project’s complexity, handling various production requirements, simultaneous outputs and live productions from different locations, made it a standout achievement. The Sky News Arabia team received the award from Baher Al Zaher, Regional Director, RCS MENA.
AWARDS 103
SAUDI PROJECT OF THE YEAR SAUDI BROADCASTING AUTHORITYSTUDIO A
SBA recently launched a brand-new studio that boasts seven distinctive sets, each tailored for a variety of programmes, from news to sports and talk shows. The studio integrates top-tier solutions from industry majors, creating a seamless production experience. The highlight of the studio is an XR stage featuring a versatile LED wall and fully immersive floor. Pictured with the award is the SBA team, who received it from Raz Islam (l), MD of CPI Trade Media.
SPORTS TECHNOLOGY OF THE YEAR SPBOARD, VIRTUAL ADVERTISING SOLUTIONSPONIX TECH
Sponix Tech has revolutionised sports advertising with its remote, AIpowered virtual advertising solution. Its remote implementation, real-time adaptability and global reach eliminate the need for physical billboards, offering huge flexibility while reducing operational costs. Mohammad Ali Abbaspour (r), founder and CEO of Sponix Tech, received the award.
104 AWARDS
CTO OF THE YEAR DOMINIC FARRELL, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, SHAHID – MBC GROUP
Dominic Farrell led numerous tech milestones at Shahid last year, including the deployment of a low-latency solution for real-time TV, a Micro Front Architecture for enhanced performance, and features like real-time analytics, dynamic ad insertion, 4K sports support and Dolby audio enhancements. He also oversaw the launch of 50 new FAST channels and ensured seamless scalability during peak demand.
CEO OF THE YEAR JOE KAWKABANI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER, OSN
Joe Kawkabani has demonstrated remarkable leadership, spearheading transformation at OSN. Under his guidance, OSN has experienced significant subscriber growth and introduced groundbreaking initiatives. He played a key role in establishing crucial partnerships with major international studios and championed the implementation of impactful marketing strategies.. Kawkabani (r) received the award from Anas Hantash, Regional Director – MENA & South Asia, Imagine Communications.
AWARDS 105
SATELLITE SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR ES’HAILSAT
Es’hailSat undertook several initiatives recently, such as launching its playout service, bolstering its DSNG capabilities, successfully incorporating new TV channels and consistently updating its teleport facility. More importantly, during the 2022 World Cup, Es’hailSat enhanced its DSNG services to manage the increased volume of live events, ensuring a seamless workflow throughout the tournament. Pictured here with the award is Hamad Al-Mannai, Vice President, Commercial at Es’hailSat.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
ZAHRA ZAYAT, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, EVISION/E& LIFE
Evision executed strategic expansions this year into Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It also expanded its content offerings, secured exclusive cricket rights across MENA and ensured telco-agnostic media distribution across the region. Zahra Zayat as CCO played a key role in several of these initiatives, with the most recent being the introduction of Starz On. Her contributions underscore the success of these endeavours.
106 AWARDS
EXCELLENCE IN BROADCAST STRATEGY ABDELRAHIM SULEIMAN, DIRECTOR GENERAL, ASBU
Mr Suleiman’s leadership at ASBU has transformed it into a commercially viable entity. Initiatives under him include the $63m ASBU Link Centre and the ASBU hotel in Tunis. He drove technological advancements with the ASBU Cloud solution and established a commercial arm within the ASBU Training Academy for enhanced profitability. These initiatives are testament to his commitment to ASBU’s financial independence, showcasing a remarkable fusion of innovation and sustainability.
MEDIA ENTREPRENEURS OF THE YEAR
MAAZ SHEIKH, CEO, STARZPLAY, AND DANNY BATES, CCO, STARZPLAY
StarzPlay co-founders Maaz Sheikh (CEO) and Danny Bates (Chief Commercial Officer) have been instrumental in taking the UAE streaming platform from a small startup to the prominent name it is today. They represent the brain and heart of the company, according to peers. With their outside-the-box thinking, evident in their platform development, product strategies and content creation, both Sheikh and Bates have earned not just the respect of the market but ours as well.
AWARDS 107
108
Manufacturer Awards 2023
Best in Audio Production
Best in Broadcast Playout
Best in Cloud Compute
Best in Connectivity Solutions
Best in Content Management
Best in Content Scheduling and Monetisation
Best in Content Storage
Best in Digital Distribution
Best in Display Systems
Best in Facility Infrastructure
Best in Linear Distribution
Best in Post-Production
Best in Video Content Acquisition
Best in Video Production
109
BEST IN AUDIO PRODUCTION SHURE (AD600 AXIENT DIGITAL SPECTRUM MANAGER)
The product that received the most votes in this category was the Shure AD600 Axient Digital Spectrum Manager, a powerful tool for managing frequency coordination in different applications including broadcast, location sound, touring, theatres and houses of worship.
From left: Moswain Welsh Antao, Product Marketing Manager; Marwan Nasr, Senior Marketing Manager; and Cyril Matar, Sales Manager ME of Shure, with the award.
BEST IN BROADCAST PLAYOUT IMAGINE COMMUNICATIONS (IMAGINE AVIATOR)
Imagine Aviator was the winning entry in this category. This cloudnative platform enables broadcasters to easily plan, make and monetise premium-quality, ad-supported linear and connected TV (CTV) content from a single, unified platform. Pictured with the award are Mathias Eckert (left), SVP & GM EMEA/APAC; and Anas Hantash, Regional Director, MENA & South Asia, Imagine Communications.
110 AWARDS
BEST IN CLOUD COMPUTE FONN GROUP AS (MIMIR)
This video collaboration and production tool for professionals runs in the cloud. It integrates with a wide range of AI technologies for automatic metadata enrichment. Since its launch, the team has released 300+ product features, making it one of the most comprehensive native-cloud video collaboration tools in the market. Pictured with the award from left are Bard Hansen, VP of Marketing, 7Mountains, and Vegard Elgesem, MD, Fonn Group APAC.
BEST IN CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS
ATOMOS (SHOGUN CONNECT)
Shogun CONNECT combines portable monitoring and professional RAW recording with support for integrated and cloud-based workflows. It transforms professional cinema, mirrorless and DSLR cameras into fully connected devices and supports a range of advanced cloudbased workflows. Pictured with the award are Pooyan Farnam and Ragheed Alrantisi, Sales Manager from Advanced Media, distributors for ATOMOS in the region.
AWARDS 111
BEST IN CONTENT MANAGEMENT WHITE
PEAKS SOLUTIONS (FAULIO)
Developed in the Middle East and deployed both regionally and globally FAULIO has multiple modules for content exploration, this headless and scalable content management system supports various genres, collections, archives, sports and customisations. With this solution, one can easily transition between different business models such as FVOD, AVOD, SVOD and TVOD with hybrid options. Pictured with the award is CEO Salloum El Dahdaah in the centre, with the White Peaks Solutions team.
BEST
IN CONTENT SCHEDULING & MONETISATION VIACCESS-ORCA (VIACCESS-ORCA TARGETED TV ADVERTISING)
Viaccess-Orca’s (VO) Targeted TV Advertising solution features a fullstack programmatic infrastructure and TV data segmentation tools for translating viewers’ usage data into valuable segments for advertisers. The solution alleviates reliance on controversial legacy third-party, data-based targeting techniques. Pictured with the award is the Viaccess-Orca team.
112 AWARDS
BEST IN DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ATEME (LOW-LATENCY DAI SOLUTION)
Ateme’s low-latency DAI solution enables content and service providers to attain the monetisation value that sports streams can bring. Ateme is able reduce the compute power needed to monetise these streams, proving profitable for operators. This new low-latency DAI solution impacts the global industry as it enables a vast sports inventory for monetisation. It also allows further innovation, resulting in new opportunities and more revenue for content and service providers. Pictured with the award is the Ateme team.
Avid NEXIS F-series raises the bar on media storage performance and scalability for collaborative on-premises and cloud workflows. The storage engines combine with the Avid NEXIS | VFS virtual file system, featuring built-in intelligence to automate administrative tasks.
AWARDS 113
BEST
STORAGE AVID TECHNOLOGY
IN CONTENT
(AVID NEXIS F-SERIES MEDIA STORAGE AND AVID NEXIS | VFS VIRTUAL FILE SYSTEM)
BEST IN DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ST ENGINEERING IDIRECT (SKYFLOW)
The second winner in this category was SKYflow, which enables the delivery of native IP over satellite, and allows mobile and multi-room viewing, multi-screen viewing and education video distribution. The ABR solution offers ultra-fast, low-latency delivery of live video to mobile devices and large screens at the lowest cost. The unidirectional set-up uses GSE encapsulation, while the bidirectional set-up offers a return path over satellite using a VSAT modem for transmitting DRM, analytics and so on.
BEST IN DISPLAY SYSTEMS
(EZ TV VIDEO WALL)
Version 8.2 of the EZ TV platform includes a range of enhancements across multiple modules. This includes real-time end-point snapshots, providing operators with instant visual feedback of the HDMI output for the EP5 and EP5+; adding SRT, HEVC and multi-view video playback in the EZ TV Player Lite HTML5 browser player; EZ TV player app support for LG WebOS 6.0; virtual remote interface for end-point control; and SRT playback on the EZ TV mobile player app from the phone or tablet.
114 AWARDS
VITEC
BEST IN FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE LAWO (.EDGE HYPERDENSITY SDI/ IP CONVERSION AND ROUTING PLATFORM)
Software-defined by nature, .edge can be used as a feature-laden replacement for traditional SDI routers. It combines high-density conversion with flexible routing capabilities, facilitating seamless integration of SDI devices into an IP broadcast network. Pictured with the award is the Lawo team.
BEST IN LINEAR DISTRIBUTION TATA ELXSI (OSNTV)
The OSNtv box, powered by Tata Elxsi, won by a huge margin in this category. It is an all-in-one product that brings together OSN’s exclusive and curated live TV channels as well as its streaming and free-to-air entertainment in a single Android device, through continuously upgraded technology. The 4K-enabled device, powered by Dolby Atmos surround sound, includes enhanced search functionality alongside the most advanced TV guide in the region, for rapid and accurate content discovery. Pictured with the award is the Tata Elxsi team.
AWARDS 115
BEST IN POSTPRODUCTION EDITSHARE (FLOW UNIVERSAL MEDIA PROJECTS)
The entry that received the most number of votes was Universal Projects, which provides a seamless means of exchanging projects between postproduction users and platforms. Suitable for any enterprise from small post houses to major broadcasters, it allows projects to be worked on in real time and synchronised with edit platforms like Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Universal Projects helps boost productivity and slash delivery times.
BEST IN VIDEO CONTENT ACQUISITION DJI (DJI MAVIC 3 CINE)
We had two winning entries in this category. The first winner was the DJI Mavic 3 Cinem DJI flagship consumer camera drone. Equipped with a dualcamera system, it offers revolutionary imaging performance with its professional-level 4/3 CMOS sensor Hasselblad camera, which supports the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution, and 24mm-equivalent lightweight lens.
Pictured with the award is Yuan Xu (left), DJI sales manager with the team from distributor Advanced Media.
116 AWARDS
BEST IN VIDEO CONTENT ACQUISITION GRASS VALLEY (LDX
C135 COMPACT CAMERA)
The second winning entry was the LDX C135 compact camera, which offers all the features of the full-size UHD HDR native LDX 135 camera – high-sensitivity Global Shutter imagers, Native HDR in PQ, HLG and S-Log. It provides SDI and/ or native IP full SMPTE 2110 connectivity straight from the camera with no external conversion. Pictured with the award from left are Hany Bartella, MD, MEA, and Tim Banks, Chief Revenue Officer, Grass Valley.
BEST IN VIDEO PRODUCTION FOR-A COMPANY LIMITED (HVS-190)
FOR-A’s HVS-190, a one M/E version of the company’s flagship HVS-490 video switcher, comes standard with 3G/HDSDI and HDMI interfaces, and features frame synchronisation and processing amplification on all inputs. It is available in two models. Both include keyer, chroma keyer, multi viewer, still/ clip store, macro and event memory functions as standard. The HVS-190 switchers are easily expandable, with additional multi view outputs, increased storage with an added SSD, and optional auxiliary and tally unit(s).
AWARDS 117
118 Advanced Media Trading LLC 24 Al Aan TV 84 Amagi 86 Ateme Middle East 28 Assendive Communications 92 Autoscript 30 Blinx 16 Broadpeak 32 Cleeng 34 Cobalt Digital Inc. 36 Comcast Technology Solutions 70 Es’hailSat, Qatar Satellite Company 80 FOR-A Company Limited 38 Fujifilm 40 Guntermann & Drunck GmbH (G&D) 42 Lawo 44 Index
119 Litepanels 46 Master Media 20 Pebble 48 Qvest Media FZ LLC 94 RCS MENA 50 Riedel Communications 52 ROE Visual Middle East DMCC 76 Ross Video 54 Shure MEA 50 STN 88 Synamedia 58 ToolsOnAir Broadcast Engineering GmbH 60 Viaccess-Orca 72 Vinten 62 Vizrt Middle East 64 White Peaks Solutions 66
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