Arkena selects Broadstream OASYS for playout
Arkena has appointed BroadStream Solutions, the global broadcast solutions provider, to support the European growth of its playout business. The company will use BroadStream’s OASYS integrated playout solution to provide current and future customers with a range of new playout-related services.
Arkena supports media and telecoms companies, content owners and enterprise clients manage their video content. The business already provides a range of custom services to fit clients’ needs (including disaster recovery, occasional operating needs and event-driven or short-lived channels), but wanted a cost-effective and scalable server system to provide customers with a new range of playout services. It required an integrated system that was easy to deploy and also had graphics, subtitle insertion, audio shuffling and redundancy features built in.
Mickael Drouet, VP of broadcast engineering at Arkena, explains: “We undertook a benchmark study and evaluated a range of the ‘Channel in a Box’ solutions available, but when we came across BroadStream’s OASYS product we knew we’d found the right solution for us. We initially used it for a number of smaller existing customers and it worked so well that we have begun migrating larger channel customers too. OASYS is also so quick to deploy and scalable that it’s the perfect solution to help with the growth strategy for our playout business, including in Eastern Europe.”
Arkena and BroadStream are currently testing a proof of concept that will enable the business to run an OASYS infrastructure in Poland, managing the playout from its French office. This will allow the business to use the expertise and efficiency of its Paris-based operational team, while growing its playout business in Eastern Europe. With locations in eight European countries and the US, this proof of concept will allow Arkena’s 500-strong team to manage the playout operations of its 60+ 24/7 TV channels from select centralised hubs of expertise.
Drouet continues: “Once we configured the initial system, we were able to simply replicate the design for the other servers so that each channel has its own, with another for backup purposes. This has already saved us a huge amount of time whenever we needed to rollout a new channel. We’re now in a position to prebuild our next server system so that we can add a new channel for any of our present or future clients at a moment’s notice. It really is that easy.”
Mark Errington, CEO for BroadStream, said: “Arkena prides itself on its excellent service level agreement and speed to deploy new services for its customers. So when they approached us to see how OASYS could boost their playout business and network of operational hubs, we were excited at the opportunity. At BroadStream, we have always believed in developing systems that are quick to deploy, cost-effective and scalable, offering businesses like Arkena a solution that doesn’t just work, but can work towards building and growing its business.”