Reuters purchases Avid newsroom systems US & European operations

Reuters, the international multimedia news agency, has purchased and installed Avid newsroom systems for three of its bureaux: London, Washington and New York.
The new equipment, based around the revolutionary Avid Unity for News shared-storage solution, replaces existing tape-based and stand-alone nonlinear editing (NLE) systems, allowing the organisation to transfer its operations in these locations to digital file-based news production. Additionally, the Reuters Berlin bureau is scheduled to install an Avid Unity for News system later this year.
Reuters has replaced its existing newsroom systems to improve the delivery of content to its customers, and move content quickly and easily between its international bureaux. The use of Media Exchange Format (MXF) to future-proof solutions was also an important factor in the purchasing decision.
Rob Kernot, of Global Technology Owner Visuals at Reuters, said: “After more than five years of appreciating the benefit and efficiency of a competitive NLE system in our London newsroom, we were looking to replace the existing system and bring the advantages of NLE technology into our other major production centres. We chose Avid’s solutions because they best fit our operations; they provide us with a recognised world-class editing application,and have the advantage of an entirely on-line operation.Other key factors in our decision were Avid’s track record for innovation, a commitment to MXF compliance, and the provision of all elements of the workflow from a single supplier."
Reuters’ end-to-end news production environments consist of multiple Avid NewsCutter editing systems, Avid AirSPACE and Xdeck ingest/playout servers, and Avid CountDown software for playout automation – all of which are connected in a tightly integrated workflow with the Avid Unity for News shared-storage system. The new equipment also integrates into Reuters’ existing Avid iNEWS newsroom computer systems in each location, adding to the efficiency of the workflow. Avid’s Professional Services Group provided consultancy, workflow analysis and training to the Reuters teams in each bureau to specify the right equipment and workflow needed to fulfil their requirements, underlining Avid’s reputation for delivering a complete service to broadcast customers.
The Berlin installation will not only produce its own news content, but also act as a back-up system to ensure business continuity for London in case of technical issues.
(GB)