Globecast Increases Russian Broadcaster's Reach

Globecast has been selected by Russia's Channel One to help extend their reach into the European market, via HotBird, and Asia, via AsiaSat 5.

The solutions provider for media is providing dual illumination on HotBird with an MPEG-4 channel, in addition to the existing MPEG-2 service it provides for the broadcaster.

The Russian language channel carries news, documentaries, feature film productions, and entertainment content. Channel One's existing content stream is being re-broadcast to audiences in these new territories, benefiting from Globecast's global presence and network capacity.

The live signal from Channel One is received at Globecast's Moscow PoP and delivered to London. From there, it is uplinked to HotBird for onward European transmission. For audiences in Asia, the signal is forwarded to Hong Kong for uplinking to AsiaSat 5.

The addition of an MPEG-4 channel – and the current dual illumination – will enable Channel One to smoothly migrate from its existing MPEG-2 SD channel as and when required.

Biliana Pumpalovic, General Director at Globecast Moskva in Russia, said: "We're delighted to be helping Channel One make this important step in increasing its reach by delivering its content to a new audience. This partnership is also a good illustration of how Globecast can ensure customers meet both their current and future business objectives in a cost effective way, with no disruption to their service; the dual MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 illumination means that Channel One can make the transition seamlessly, as needed."

www.globecast.com

(JP/LM)