ON-AIR Systems announces first sale of playout system in Africa

London-based ON-AIR Systems, a leading developer of broadcast automation systems, are announcing that they have sold their first ON-AIR playKast television playout automation system in Africa.
Based in the Mwanza region of Tanzania, Star TV has also purchased ON-AIR infoKast and two ON-AIR Kapture systems which they will integrate with playKast to form an all-digital broadcast automation system. The new system will provide Star TV with a range of time-saving benefits by replacing a very labour-intensive analogue workflow.
Star Television is owned by Star TV (Africa) Ltd and has been broadcasting terrestrially since June 2000. Since then, they have steadily increased their range of programs and, with the addition of satellite coverage in March 2003, now attract national and international audiences. Schedules include a variety of news, culture, light entertainment, politics and music shows.
The new ON-AIR equipment will be networked with Avid and Pinnacle editing systems. News and general interest programs shot by Star TV~s own teams of journalists will be edited in the Star TV editing suite and fed directly into ON-AIR playKast ready for scheduling and playout. Programs will also be ingested via the two ON-AIR Kapture systems. Using ON-AIR infoKast, the operators will be able to include multi-layered graphical information and live video with its schedules. Star TV is initially planning to train up to seven operators who will provide a 24/7 playout service using the new equipment.
With over 17 years experience in the development of playout systems, ON-AIR playKast, ON-AIR Kapture and ON-AIR infoKast are part of a new range broadcast automation systems launched at NAB 2005.
ON-AIR Systems, www.on-air-systems.com
(SP)