In Broadcast - CABSAT 2015 - 42

www.inbroadcast.com | CABSAT InShow Guide | 10-12 March 2015

Is CABSAT the Gateway
to a Land of Broadcast
Opportunities?
ATG Middle East will use CABSAT 2015 as a launch pad which will see the company extend its presence in
this fast-moving, and dynamic regional broadcast market...
By Dr. Fares Lubbadeh, Managing Director

hilst it is true that the Middle
East region has not been as
swift as parts of Europe and North
America to adopt the new generation
of high definition (HD) and IT-related
broadcast technologies, we are now
seeing a groundswell in demand
for new technologies and services.
Throughout the Gulf area, and many
other Arab countries, there exist
business opportunities to create
new and significant revenue streams
through the migration to HDTV,
in production and transmission.
Also, we see potential through the
introduction of file-based automated
playout workflows and archiving
systems; transition into digital
terrestrial television transmission;
implementation of multiplatform
content distribution through IPTV,
OTT, and broadband platforms,
and vast developments in cellular
communications, smart phones, PC
tablets, and the proliferation of social
networks.
As the saying goes, fortune favours
the brave. The challenge facing
broadcasters in our region is to
select the most appropriate means
of delivering HD content, and then
building a business model that
assures that the service is profitable,
fit-for purpose today, and long into
the future. Should your service be
delivered just to households, or made
available to mobile users also? Should
you deliver it terrestrially, via satellite
or even over IP networks? And what
of your production architecture? Do
you rely on tried and tested baseband
video, or do you venture into the
relatively new world of IT-centric filebased workflows?
Systems Integrators Play a Critical
Role in Supporting the HD Migration
The rewards are evident - currently,
out of around 1400 satellite channels,

only 155 are HD. Over the next few
years we will see more HD channels
coming to air across our region, with
an estimated average increase of 20%
per year. Amongst these, there will be
winners and losers.
The challenge facing regional and
international broadcasters is the
need to create an appealing customer
proposition - a combination of the
right content and the right price. The
latter is largely governed by their
infrastructure investment strategies
over the coming period. How do
they migrate to HD, and which horse
should they back in terms of the broad
diversity of technology options, from
various vendors?
It would be ill-advised for a
broadcaster - or indeed a production
or playout facility - to embark on
this migration process alone. Market
intelligence, expert knowledge, and
practical experience, are invaluable
commodities in this scenario. This
is where an experienced systems
integrator can bring real added value
to the strategic formulation process.
As the name suggests, a systems
integrator should have an insight as
to which combination of technologies,
and indeed vendors' products, will
provide the optimum production
facilities to meet the needs and
resources of any customer. In essence,
this is what ATG Middle East will be
showcasing at CABSAT.
At CABSAT, we will showcase ATG's
ability to support broadcast, media
and transmission projects of any
scale, either from start to finish,
or in partnership with our clients'
own technical and operational
staff. We have the experience and
resources required to design, install,
and commission fully integrated
production systems which are easy to
use, reliable, and readily expandable
to meet future business requirements.

We are also equipped
to offer high quality
training and ongoing
technical support.
Recently completed
projects include a 50
channel
broadcast
media
compliance
facility for a national
broadcaster authority.
This system is based
on Linux based IT style
servers, which capture
content every hour of
the day, every day of
the year. Recording,
cataloguing,
and
purging are performed
fully
automatically.
Also, we've recently
signed two contracts for the upgrade
of a state broadcaster television studio
to high definition, and for an upgrade
of a satellite uplink teleport. These two
projects will be implemented within
the first half of 2015.
ATG - Think Global, Act Local
Whilst we are fiercely proud of
our ability to provide top quality
local services and support through
our regional centres in Amman and
Dubai, something that sets us apart
from other systems integrators is
that we are part of a very much
larger
international
group
of
specialist broadcast companies - Dan
Technologies.
The value of this will become evident
to visitors to our stand, when they
see the extent of the support we will
enjoy from other group companies.
We will share our stand with sister
company Hiltron Communications
- one of the world's leading satcom
systems integrators, which supports
every aspect of the modern satellite
communications business.
Another sister company - UK based

ATG Middle East will
share its stand with
Hiltron Communications

ATG Danmon, brings a wealth of
relevant experience in designing
building and commissioning a diversity
of HD studios, production facilities,
and Outside Broadcast (OB) vehicles
for customers across Europe. Several
members of ATG Danmon's senior
leadership team will be present
throughout CABSAT to share very
practical knowledge and experience
with our regional customers.
Broadcast technology is at the heart
of our business. Dan Technologies'
engineers,
researchers,
and
operational teams around the world
are continually working on what's next
in broadcast and electronic media. Our
business is enabling customers across
Europe, the Middle East and Africa to
create, systemise, and deliver media to
their viewers and listeners.
At ATG Middle East, we strive to
connect businesses with their core
audiences - come to CABSAT and learn
how we could be your most valuable
partner.

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In Broadcast - CABSAT 2015

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