TSL to build content management system for Playboy TV UK

TSL, one of Europe's leading independent broadcast systems integrators, are to provide a new fully integrated acquisition, playout and post production facility for Playboy TV UK.
Playboy TV UK distributes three channels: Playboy TV and The Adult Channel, both of which are distributed internationally, and Spice Extreme, which is a UK-only service. The company also schedules content from local UK and European productions for which the London facility provides post production and graphic design.
The updated Playboy facility will be a digital, tapeless operation and has been designed with expansion opportunities in mind, including HDTV.
Playboy TV UK managing director, William Campbell, said: "TSL and Playboy TV are working together to integrate a first class facility that will continue to improve the quality and range of Playboy broadcast services for all our customers. There is considerable scope for the expansion of all our channels and services in the new system."
Technology from Harris Automation and MassTech has been specified by Playboy in the US to provide broadcast automation and archive management. The UK facility will closely mirror technology already deployed in the US, as the company is aiming for a unified technology rollout around the world, so that workflow and operational practices can be standardised.
Online editing suites will be based around Apple's Final Cut Pro. Initially there will be 10 online suites that will edit programmes and promos at high resolution to be transferred to the transmission system using Flip Factory Pro. The transmission storage set up will comprise mirrored digital video servers from Pinnacle Systems using MediaStream 900si.
Russell Grute, Head of Sales at TSL, added: "This is a great project for us to help Playboy TV bring their new design to life. Like many successful broadcasters who are expanding, Playboy TV needed to bring their infrastructure and broadcast technology up to date. The original system at Playboy was conceived for a single channel tape based workflow. Systems that provide collaborative workflow for post production and that allow scalable playout in transmission with integrated content management are now very cost effective."
One of Europe's leading broadcast systems integration companies, TSL, based in Maidenhead, UK, have been at the forefront of international broadcast systems integration for over 17 years.
TSL , www.televisionsystems.ltd.uk
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