Channel 5 signs Ericsson for playout, MAM and business continuity services

Ericsson has signed an exclusive multi-year broadcast and media services deal with UK broadcaster Channel 5, which is owned by Viacom. The deal, which was won following a competitive tender process, includes playout, media management, metadata, access services (captioning, audio description and sign language interpretation) and business continuity services.

Ericsson will provide these services for Channel 5’s entire portfolio of terrestrial and digital channels (Channel 5, 5*, Spike and 5USA), as well as for its catch up offerings, including Channel 5+1 and Channel 5+24. Ericsson will also deliver media management services for the broadcaster’s Demand 5 video-on-demand platform. All services will commence in May 2016.

Paul Dunthorne, Chief Operating Officer at Channel 5, said: “Ericsson showed a clear understanding of our complex playout requirements, including the extra demands of live and fast-turnaround shows, such as Big Brother, which are a crucial part of our schedule. And they promise to offer us the robust and flexible support we need as we continue to roll out our highly popular Demand 5 player, which is already available across more than 25 different video-on-demand platforms in the UK. We look forward to working with them over the coming years.”

Thorsten Sauer, Head of Broadcast and Media Services at Ericsson, says: “We are delighted to be chosen by Channel 5 to provide these critical services for their portfolio of channels in the UK. This multi-faceted deal is a significant win for Ericsson and really illustrates our ability to provide a truly world-class, end-to-end offering. The industry is undergoing a huge transformation, driven by consumer demand and enabled by technology. Our aim is to help our clients stay ahead of the curve and ensure they continue to provide their audiences with the very best TV experience anytime, anywhere.”