AMNSE to provide European origination hub for Sony Pictures Television

Ascent Media Network Services Europe (AMNSE) has announced that it will serve as Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI) International Networks Group’s origination and asset management hub for the studio's European channel distribution.
The deal will see five channels launched over the next five years, with additional channels anticipated, as well as the migration of those channels from Ascent Media’s existing facility to a brand new state-of-the-art centre when completed.
AMNSE is building the new playout facility at its Stephen Street site in central London, comprising a 32-channel, fully HD-compatible infrastructure. This will be one of the world’s most advanced file-based playout centres, and an integral component of Sony International Networks’ plan to move media assets electronically to its playout centres around the globe utilising Ascent-owned facilities in Singapore, London, New York and LA. Complete with the latest in data storage and media asset management technology it will place AMNSE at the cutting edge of digital workflow and playout innovation. Channel origination will be provided through the receipt of multi-format files from SPTI, with the first five channels being a combination of customised regional versions and offshoots of their highly successful AXN action adventure brand.
“Sony Pictures Television International was looking for a foundation on which to build in Europe, and Ascent’s solid experience and depth of technical resources provides an ideal match,” said Mark Beard, Vice President Sales, AMNSE. “Our customers rely upon us to manage and distribute programming content safely and securely to audiences around the world, and the new facility will continue to push technical boundaries as a European centre of excellence for digital broadcasting.” (CD/CL)