Off The Fence Deal For Content Processor

Content processing and re-purposing business re:fine has struck a deal with Off The Fence (OTF), one of the key worldwide distributors and producers of factual programming,
The deal is based on a three-year exclusive agreement to handle all the the physical and digital centralisation of content, from QC to tape duplication, storing and managing of physical & digital library, sending screeners, encoding to metadata requirements.
The firm, re:fine will also look into exploiting content for packaged media [DVD and Blu-ray] and digital media platforms and also to fulfill international tape dubbing and HD requirements.
OTF has relocated and centralised its entire catalogue of tape and digital content to re:fine's 18,000 sq ft premises in West London.
Based in Amsterdam with a production office in Bristol in the UK and further production and distribution offices in Cape Town, Singapore and most recently New York, OTF owns over 4000 hours of natural history, science, health, adventure, history and social documentaries.
Some 6,000 tapes have been delivered to the facility, combining its SD library which was historically kept in Amsterdam and the HD Library which has been brought over from a rival UK facility.
OTF was looking for an integrated approach to tape and digital workflows whilst taking advantage of re:fine’s ability to offer economies of scale and pricing and training to OTF staff and clients in tape and digital workflow.
Sam Neil, Operations Manager, Off the Fence, explained the partnership: "Off the Fence has grown rapidly over the past three years and, as we evolve into the future, this deal with re:fine will enable us to use new technologies being developed. re:fine are experts in their field and our aim is to work closely with them on digital delivery, which will enable a faster delivery and ultimately reduce costs for our clients."
The venture is also designed to allow a ongoing relationship with the producer/distributor to plan the most effective and practical way to digitise the library, both catalogue and new titles, ready for commercial exploitation across established and emerging VOD platforms.
(BmcC/GK)