NTL BROADCAST OPEN FELTHAM PLAYOUT CENTRE

NTL Broadcast have announced the completion of their new state-of-the-art digital playout centre in Feltham, west London, with comprehensive facilities specialising in the presentation and packaging of live-event programming.
The first tenant of the facility will be Premium TV, which will take 40 per cent of the centre’s capacity for their Internet and TV sports operations.
The new 50,000 sq ft facility embraces the latest thinking in automated server-based multi-channel playout, with everything needed for both live and pre-packaged multimedia programming. In addition to two studios equipped with virtual sets, the centre also has nine edit suites, three audio-dubbing suites, voice-over booths, graphics-promo production areas, video library, and makeup dressing rooms.
The entire system is built around MPEG-2 servers for both production and playout, under full automation control and augmented by an 8000-hour archiver. Production is further supported by an electronic newsroom system and high-end non-linear edit suites. The building is fully protected against mains failure and offers large-scale comfortable office accommodation.
Geoffrey Hamilton Fairley, Chief Executive of Premium TV, said: “This new centre will be an ideal base for our dedicated sports output on the Internet and TV platforms. The facilities on offer are right up-to-date and will allow us to introduce really compelling new services for British sports fans. We’re proud to be the anchor tenant at such a prestigious new centre which is an excellent showcase for modern multimedia production techniques.”
Steve Holebrook, Business Director for Media Solutions at NTL Broadcast, said:
“We are delighted to be able to offer the very latest facilities at Feltham. The centre is designed for the efficient play-out of multiple channels, as well as meeting the demand for on-site production capability. By combining state of the art technology with efficient operations in the new centre, we expect to deliver cost effective yet highly reliable services to our customers. This adds tremendously to our capability in end-to-end media solutions as digital broadcasting continues to expand.” (CD)