Sky News Chooses EVS for all-in-one Ingest/Edit/Playout Solution

October 20, 2009

Source: EVS

Sky News has announced that it has signed a contract with tapeless technology specialist EVS to provide a server solution for its launch of Sky News HD in Spring 2010.

Sky News and EVS will now work together to introduce the new technology at Sky News West London headquarters, with HD upgrades at its Central London studio, the regions and internationally.

Replacing current equipment and introducing a single tapeless solution through EVS, with Apple’s Final Cut Studio as the craft edit solution will lead to significant enhancement across Sky News, including improving its day-to-day newsgathering operation and output abilities on TV, as well as online and radio.

The benefits of a new tapeless solution operating across ingest, edit and playout include being able to get Sky’s news output onto multiple platforms quicker and improved integration between Sky News’ bureaux and field teams and its headquarters at Osterley, West London.

The use of EVS Instant Tapeless Technology, including the XS and XT[2] production servers, XStore[2] SAN server, IPDirector, as well as XEDIO, with Final Cut studio across the board means teams back at HQ will be capable of last minute tweaks to any news package sent in, whether it has come from London, Liverpool or Lahore – something not currently possible under the existing arrangements.

The contract with EVS was signed after a thorough review of all potential suppliers was carried out when Sky News began to look ahead to its HD channel launch and the new demands that this would place on its systems and staff.

The review process included technical demonstrations to Sky News staff as well as face-to-face engagement with the short-listed companies and a technical scoring system to determine how far the different products on offer would meet the needs of Sky News as it entered a new era of broadcasting.

Bevan Gibson, Deputy Head of Technology for Sky News, said: “The EVS product is always in record, and this feature combined with ultra fast turnaround, will bring a new dimension to the way we can handle breaking news. An architecture that is flexible for News, allowing us to adapt quickly to changes in news contribution and distribution practices."

“EVS have a progressive and pioneering outlook which matches our ethos. They are a partner who will work with us in shaping products to suit our needs and we are delighted to announce that we will be working with them at this exciting time for the channel.”

Sky News will now work to introduce the EVS solutions across its operation by Spring next year and will embark upon a thorough training system with all affected staff to ensure a smooth changeover next year.

Henry Alexander, General Manager EMEA at EVS: “EVS is extremely proud to be working in partnership with Sky News on this challenging studio project. The combination of our expertise in the design and manufacturing of fast and reliable broadcast technology with the quality of Sky’s leading programmes provides an exciting opportunity to deliver and launch a technically advanced HD News Channel in 2010.”

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